{Bumpdate} 40 Weeks

By now most of you know baby girl has arrived, but I did start this post before she arrived so I’m sharing it now. Her birth story is coming soon.

Baby Girl,

You definitely have mama wondering when you will arrive. I have been having quite a few contractions off and on over the past two weeks. On two occasions I had contractions that were quite regular in timing and more painful than Braxton Hicks for over an hour or two and I thought, THIS IS IT! Except it wasn’t. I no longer think of contractions as meaning anything…until they do. If I start having contractions, I just continue on with my regular day and don’t let myself get too excited. I know you will arrive when it is the right time for you. Good things come to those who wait.

These extra days of anticipation have you daddy going crazy, too. He may be worse than me. He is constantly asking how I am, if I feel anything, if anything is going on. I actually had to ask him to stop asking. I couldn’t handle the anticipation myself and his asking all the time. He did defend himself by saying that he has to ask so much because he knows I wouldn’t tell him anything until I’m sure it is the real deal as not to get him too excited for a false alarm. He’s right, but still.

We’ve been spending the extra time finishing up anything we can and trying to shower your brother with attention as we know soon we will have two children to love and give our attention to.

When you’re ready baby girl, we are too.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Very uncomfortable and caught up in the magical excitement of seriously…ANY DAY NOW could be it!

There is something so magical and nerve-wracking about going past your due date. You know meeting your baby is just days (or maybe hours) away, but you are so anxious for their arrival it is hard to concentrate on anything else. There is also something so annoying about going past your due date with people constantly checking in on you because they care, feeling uncomfortable and starting to feel like you might actually be pregnant FOREVER. I know I won’t, but still.

I’m a firm believer in letting baby come when they are ready and not taking measures to rush their arrival unless truly medically necessary. I deny opportunities to be checked at appointments as it really means nothing, and I do not want to be induced unless medically necessary. Talks of induction in early November if nothing happens though feels like 8 million years from now. I can’t imagine being pregnant for 42 weeks.

Cravings: Some days nothing. Other days sweet stuff. Pumpkin spice lattes.

Weight Gain: At my 40 week appointment I had gained 25 pounds.

Symptoms: Baby girl is sitting so low. Our midwife even commented how very low you are. Uncomfortably, have-to-pee-all-the-time, it-hurts-when-I-walk low. I feel like it can’t be long until your arrival as some other signs of your arrival have started to happen, but I will spare the details.

Workouts/Running: Just walking feels like an effort. I’m still trying to get out for a few walks a week, but you are making things quite uncomfortable lately.

Week 38-Walking, prenatal sculpt DVD and yoga DVD. I shared the details of these DVD’s in my previous bumpdate post.

Week 39-I managed a couple short walks this week. We also went for a hike at a nearby state park.

Week 40-Running errands feels like a workout. Walked two miles on the afternoon before baby girl would be born.

Looking Forward To: Holding you in my arms. Soon baby girl. Soon.

Sarah

10Oct2016

{Bumpdate} 38 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Halfway through the 38th week and eek!! The real scary thing isn’t Halloween this October, rather it’s the unfinished things on our list. Despite having some things to do yet, we are excited to meet you! I’m hoping to share some photos from your room very soon.

Baby Girl,

I’ve been thinking about how raising a daughter will be different from raising a son. Teaching middle school has given me quite the insight into how big gender differences are in the teen years. Dealing with all those emotions and challenges could be interesting. I also think about the important things I hope to teach you and realize that they are not so different from your brother.

I want to teach you to be kind to yourself and others. To be confident, but not arrogant. To be happy, but always grateful. To achieve your hopes and dreams, but be willing to tackle a challenge to get there. To love yourself and others, but be humble. To make the world a better place than when you arrived. To be a friend to those in need even if they might be different from you. To embrace people’s differences while acknowledging your own. And of course so much more.

I look forward to seeing your sweet baby face and watching you grow into the person you are meant to be my little love.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Completely overwhelmed by our last minute tasks, but so excited to meet you, too. This past month involved a husband gone for a weekend, a child who visited the doctor 4 times and has been sick on and off with two ear infections and an allergic reaction to antibiotic with full body hives, water in our basement resulting in the complete removal of our finished basement flooring, our washing machine basically quitting and my teaching partner colleague leaving the teaching profession so my long-term sub plans went from an outline and resources to 60 days of day-by-day lesson plans for two long term subs to follow. Now I know why I’ve been stressed. Soon you will be here and this will all be forgotten.

Relieved to cross items off our list like gifts for labor and delivery staff (Angie’s Kettle Corn, Kind bar, Chips Ahoy, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Tic Tacs), big brother gift (shirt-got for his bday, puzzle, flash cards, train set and snacks) and daddy’s hospital survival kit (soduko, beef jerky, chips, Mike and Ike’s, Snickers, mints, gum and one dollar bills for the vending machine. A card, too). I love making stuff like this, but it totally stresses me out, too.

Cravings: Some days nothing. Other days sweet stuff. Pumpkin spice lattes.

Weight Gain: At my 38 week appointment I had gained 25 pounds.

Symptoms: Nothing new other than feeling like you have moved downward. Not dropped completely, but on your way.

Workouts/Running:

36 Weeks & 37 Weeks-Walking, Prenatal Sculpt and Yoga as often as possible. I haven’t been tracking my walks as I just have been so rushed for time. I’m fitting in a prenatal sculpt workout and/or yoga at home whenever possible. I’m definitely not rocking the workouts like I’d hoped to be at the end of this pregnancy.

Freezer Meals-(Both are from Diary of a Fit Mommy’s Blog)

Southwest Chicken & Rice

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice
15 ounces drain and rinse Black Beans, Canned
1 cup drain Whole Kernel Corn, Canned
½ cups Salsa
1 teaspoon Cumin
½ cups Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
2 cups chicken, shredded

Instructions:

In a large mixing bowl, combine rice, beans, corn, salsa, and cumin.
Divide among indicated number of baking pans and top with cheese.
Cover tightly with foil. Label and freeze.
Bake from frozen at 350 for 1 hour or until cheese is melted and rice is warmed through.

Pepperjack Chicken Taquitos-SO AMAZING. A must make!

Ingredients:

8oz. cream cheese
3 c. chicken, cooked & shredded
1.5 c. shredded pepperjack cheese
1 6oz. can green chilies or 1/2 cup salsa verde
20 small tortillas
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
2 tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. cumin

Instructions:

Melt cream cheese in a bowl. Mix in the spices, lime juice, chilies (or salsa), chicken, and cheese.
Add 2 tbsp. of mixture to each tortillas and roll.
To freeze, place on wax paper on a cookie cheet and stick in the freezer for 30 minutes.
Remove from cookie sheet and place in a ziplocked gallon bag.
When ready to cook, bake at 425 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Looking Forward To: Your arrival and holding you for the first time, AND you and your brother meeting for the first time.

Sarah

23Sep2016

{Bumpdate} 36 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Baby Girl,

36 weeks kind of has me like whoa! How is it possible that you could really arrive at any time now? This whole big scary adventure that we’ve been envisioning is really about to start. I feel so not ready, but yet so ready. With your brother being sick so much, and what feels like everything else going wrong and things continually popping up on our calendar, I can’t imagine having another small person in the house to care for. I was really freaking out this week.

Luckily, I had some contractions that woke me up to reality and made me think I need to get real here. I need to start mentally preparing myself for labor and your arrival if I want to welcome you into a prepared and calm environment. It got me to read some birth stories and really focus in on what was important. It made me remember how I can’t wait to meet you and snuggle you on my chest. It reminded me how amazing forming that breastfeeding relationship can be. It focused me in on how I can’t wait to see you and your brother become friends as you grow older.

All this mental focus and prioritizing has been so helpful for me to remember that this is truly one of the most exciting times in our lives. You don’t get to welcome baby #2 again. Finding water in our basement after all this rain and having to tear up the flooring in our finished basement this weekend still threw me for a bit of a freak out.

You seem to be the blessing that brings my focus back to life’s important things. I love that about you.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Nervous about your arrival, but more mentally prepared for the work of labor, delivery and keeping a newborn alive.

I know I can do this. It will be hard. I will freak out at times. Baby girl has a good daddy and a wonderful brother. She will be so worth the work.

Cravings: Chocolate and Sweets still! My 1/2 cup serving of frozen yogurt is happening quite a few times a week now. Blood sugars are still great.

Weight Gain: At my last appointment at 36 weeks on the dot I had gained 22.3 pounds. I had lost an ounce since my last appointment. I was concerned since I’ve really only gained back the weight I lost since 29 weeks and now weigh actually just below the amount I did at my 29 week appointment. The dietician had also mentioned my lack of weight gain at my last appointment, which I did point out to her that I had gained some weight, but after losing a few pounds it didn’t look like it. When I spoke with my midwife about not really gaining weight in the past weeks, she said I had gained at a steady rate during the second trimester so she was not concerned. My uterus is measuring on for my 36 weeks, too so baby is growing even if I’m not gaining weight.

Symptoms: Feeling good early in the day and much more tired as the day goes on and in the evening. No new symptoms! Just exhausted at times, uncomfortable at times and feeling good at other times.

Workouts/Running: I have been walking and got in a great run. I still am fitting it in when I can rather than making any regular routine work.

34 Weeks-

Walked-9 miles

35 Weeks-

Ran-2.5 miles (I felt amazing on this run. Wish I could find a way to make more running work right now.)

Walked-12 miles

Freezer Meals-

I don’t have time to share the links this week. Nothing special with these, but I will add in links later.

Homemade Mac n’Cheese

Slow Cooker Roast

Looking Forward To: I’m going to be honest. I’m wavering back and forth between looking forward to not being pregnant anymore and trying to enjoy every last kick she gives. You never know if this is the last baby or not.

Sarah

13Sep2016

{Bumpdate} 34 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Baby Girl,

Most of the time I now think of myself as having two kids. It is both exciting and scary. Not a vision goes by of our family’s future that you are not a part of. Dream vacations, family trips, and thoughts of everyday moments include you in it. When you think about how we don’t even know what you look like or who you will be, it is kind of crazy that you are such a part of our life already.

I’m also convinced that your brother knows you are in there even if he can’t understand what that means exactly. He has become even more obsessed with lifting up my shirt and poking my belly button, but he also seems to be feeling my belly more lately. Without any prompting he has also started laying his head on you. The other night when I was up with him all night because he’s been sick, his little head was laying on my belly and you were just a kicking away. Looks like you are picking on him already.

Of course, I hope you spend more time getting along than not.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Nervous about your arrival and guilty for having another child.

I’m so caught up in what this change will be like for Pierce and worrying about how he will take it. I feel guilty for the time it will take away from him and the attention he will miss out on. I can’t imagine spending less time with him or not being involved in his every moment. At the same time, I’m nervous about your arrival. I feel like I’m not as prepared as the weeks keep flying by and I haven’t been preparing like I did last time. I feel like it was so long ago that we had a newborn even though it was only 16 months ago.

Cravings: Chocolate! Hershey kisses have only a 2.8g of carbs, so I find myself enjoying a few here and there. My blood sugar still remains great, and I have only had one high reading by 1 point on a unique day (after eating out and sitting).

Weight Gain: At my last appointment a week and a half ago I had gained 21.5 pounds.

Symptoms: Feeling good some days and very pregnant others. Very tired after school days. Like I can’t even think straight tired. Suffering battered feet. It appears my feet have grown a half size or more by the end of some days. I have almost no work shoes that I can get my feet into. The ones I can squeeze into leave my feet brutalized by the end of the day. Peeing all of the time. Seriously! Multiple times a night.

Workouts/Running: The struggle has been real.

I’m trying to not make excuses, but juggling the school day, picking up Pierce and getting dinner ready for a hungry little person earlier than I expected everyday (he eats lunch at 11:00) makes getting in a workout after school impossible. The husband is home too late to help start dinner or help in other ways. After Pierce goes to bed, forget about it. I am falling asleep in seconds if I sit down. Right now I feel I need the extra rest.

As for my weekend goals, well the struggle continues. Two weekends ago we were out of town the entire weekend. If you have a young kid or more, then you know this means your kid(s) will wake up extra early and probably not sleep that great. On top of this, they can terrorize a hotel room in seconds, so working out is super difficult if your also trying to get yourself, a husband and a child fed and ready to be places.

This weekend the husband was gone fishing and I am beyond my capacity to run and push a stroller. Pierce has also been pretty sick. We’ve been dealing with a high fever that showed up on at least 6 of the last 7 days. We’ve been to the doctor twice. We had planned to run the Labor Day Dash 5k in Madison this past Labor Day, but the little man woke up too sick to do that so we had to adjust our plans. I was bummed and hoped to run one last race. Oh, well. Sacrifice is part of parenthood. Sick babies need love and attention so workouts take a backseat.

Needless to say, you won’t find many miles ran. I’m not ready to say I’ve ran my last run yet. Most of my reasons for not running have little to do with how I feel and more just logistics of life. I am hoping to get in a few more runs, but if life has another plan for me then I’m also ok with that. I will have lots of time to run in the future. As for other types of workout, well logistics have made them a struggle, too.

32 Weeks-

Ran-4.5 miles (2.5, 2)

Walked, but haven’t been keeping track of miles.

33 Weeks-

Ran-0 miles

Walked, but haven’t been keeping track of miles. I should start.

Freezer Meals:

Baked Ziti-We like to use whole wheat noodles and up the spices. Season to your taste!

Cheesy Taco Bake and Tuscan Pasta

Looking Forward To: Making the most of our last moments as a family of three.

Sarah

27Aug2016

{Bumpdate} 32 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Two days from 33 weeks, I finally got this post together. I’m glad to be documenting along the way even if it often takes me longer to get a post organized than I’d like. Looking back on these memories is always special and worth it.

Baby Girl,

We are down to single digit weeks until we meet you. I’ve come to terms with giving up lattes and treats for our health, and it hasn’t really been all that hard. As the days dwindle down, I find myself daydreaming about what you will look like. Will you look like your brother or have your own features from birth? What kind of baby will you be? Will you show us your personality early on or save that for later? I look forward to snuggling you and the feeling of a new baby on my chest, those little legs all tucked in. I can’t wait to look at your fingers and toes and the shape of your nose.

At the same time some of that new mom anxiety is creeping in. Will you arrive healthy? Will I feel as great after delivery as last time? Will breastfeeding be as much of a success as last time? Will you sleep any better than your brother? How will I share the love between two? How will I get two kids ready and dropped off at daycare on my own?

When I start to worry I default back to the good things…new baby smell, those little newborn sounds, watching you sleep, memorizing your face and seeing your daddy and brother hold you for the first time. When I think about all the exciting and scary first moments to come, I know it will be crazy emotional, crazy overwhelming, crazy blissful, but mostly just crazy good.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Whoa, we are actually having another baby! I have so much to do. Let’s do this, this and this. Wait, I’m so tired!

Ironically I felt this exact same way at this point in my pregnancy last time minus feeling so tired at times. A combination of where has the time gone and there is only/we still have 8 weeks to go is definitely taking place.

I also have an intense desire to get projects wrapped up. We’ve been working like crazy every moment we have to cross something else off the list. Everything in our garage was removed, organized, sorted and cleaned. It is currently in piles waiting to be put back on shelves, but it will be so great to have a clean and organized garage.

In the kitchen, a few cabinets have been touched up with paint, the coffee/beverage bar project underway, a new kitchen faucet installed and a hideous storage cabinet relocated to the garage that was also cleaned out and organized.

The house has been pressure washed, the deck swept and scrubbed, gutters cleaned and trees trimmed. To do is a new mailbox post.

Baby girl’s room has been painted and needs a few touch ups, her curtain rod has been hung, some wall art ordered and her dresser ready to go. Still to do: hang wall art, put up shelves, new closet doors and put the finishing touches on her room.

Cravings: Chocolate occasionally, but not really anything. It helps knowing any treat I might crave I can’t really have so why even go there.

Weight Gain: 20 pounds. After my appointment with the dietician last week I had lost 2 pounds since my previous dietician and 29 week appointments. I guess giving up the lattes and the few times a week treats can add up even when pregnant.

Symptoms: Feeling good most of the time, but very pregnant and tired at other times. Frequent potty breaks, feeling very pregnant by the end of the day, fatigue and being emotional at times.

Workouts/Running:

I’m already struggling with balancing back to school, getting projects done and working out. In the past after bedtime was my go to workout time during the school year, but by evening I’m feeling too tired and uncomfortable to get in much of a workout. I am still excited that running is even something I still want to do at this point. Last time around I was done for and didn’t even really have an interest in running at this point in my pregnancy.

As for balancing time, I’ll be honest, I don’t have a solution in mind yet exactly. Getting up earlier really isn’t an option unless I get up at 4:30 am, and that is not going to happen. I already have to be up by 5:30 a.m. to get myself ready, my son ready and dropped off at daycare, and get myself to work.

I’m hoping to feel well enough to run a day or two a week after school and to get a run or two in on weekend mornings. I will plan to walk most nights. With less than eight weeks to go until baby girl, this might be the best I can muster knowing there will be after school meetings and more frequent doctor appointments, too.

30 Weeks-

Ran-7.5 miles (3, 3, 1.5)

Walked-10 miles

31 Weeks-

Ran-4.6 miles (2.5, 2.1)

Walked-8 miles

Freezer Meals-So far I’ve made two freezer meals-Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas (we like to add extra veggies to this recipe like different colored peppers) and Chicken Manicotti (it’s called Super Easy Chicken Manicotti, but I’ll be honest stuffing those shells is a pain in the butt.) When making freezer meals I simply make two pans of one dish for dinner one evening. One gets eaten that night and as leftovers, and the other frozen with a label for a later date.

This means that once baby girl arrives the meal has already been cooked and only needs to be defrosted in the refrigerator the night before and popped in the oven for dinner. I’ve linked both recipes above. By using low carb tortillas and eating only one manicotti shell with extra chicken, both dishes have met my GD diet requirements.

Looking Forward To: Meeting baby girl for the first time. I’m really starting to look forward to all those sweet new baby moments. I can’t wait to see what you look like, hold you and for you to meet your daddy and big brother.

Sarah

15Aug2016

{Bumpdate} 30 Weeks

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Of course after taking this photo I realize I’ve already worn this dress for a bumpdate, but then I realize I don’t really care because soon I won’t be 30 weeks anymore (taken on 30 weeks, 4 days.) 😉 I also realized these stripes make me look significantly more pregnant than solids, but I’ve just got a thing for stripes!

Baby Girl,

I’ve been worrying so much about you since finding out I have gestational diabetes.* Of all people, I NEVER expected to get those results. The guilt I feel is immense. My one job as your mom so far has been to make the best choices I can to ensure your safety during your 40 week stay and delivery, and it seems I’m failing already.

I’ve always tried to live by the 80/20 rule. Eat healthy and make smart choices 80% of the time and live a little the other 20% of the time. It turns out that might work for some, but for this pregnancy it’s not enough. Giving up my lattes and the occasional ice cream treat has already been a challenge. If, however, following a stricter diet means you will grow to be a healthier weight and have a possibility of a safer entry into this world, then it is what I will do.

I thought all my regular worries were a lot, but now worries of birthing a big baby, induction, or worse, c-sections and you having low blood sugar after birth have me freaking out. I promise you though, little lady, I will do everything within my control to make sure you have a healthy arrival.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Emotional about finding out I have gestational diabetes.

I never really gave much thought to that first 1 hour glucose test as I never even considered that I might actually fail it. Even when the results came back that I had failed by only 6-9 mg/dl depending on whose guidelines you follow, I was optimistic that I would not fail the 3 hour glucose test. I eat healthy most the time. Treats are occasional. I love my lattes, but I exercise everyday.

My other reasoning for not completely freaking out included: I’ve never been overweight, there is no history of diabetes in my family, I did not have a large baby last time around nor did I have gestational diabetes, I’ve been on target with my weight gain and baby girl measured on at my 29 week appointment. I rationalized that I have been maintaining running throughout this pregnancy. I ran two half marathons during my pregnancy (one training run in my first trimester and one race in my second trimester). I couldn’t possibly have gestational diabetes. Except that I do.

When I saw the missed call from the clinic the day after my 3 hour test, I knew I had failed. Two of my four tests had higher than allowed results. Despite one of the tests being over by only 6 mg/dl, two failed results is a diagnosis of gestational diabetes.

I was devastated. I was shocked. I was ashamed. I was confused. I was upset. There was crying and worry. Even after having time to process this and hearing it’s not my fault, take the was out and insert AM, and that is pretty much where I am at with this diagnosis. There IS crying and worry.

After doing some research and meeting with a diabetic educator, I now have a diet plan to follow that restricts carbohydrates and increases my daily protein. Luckily so far, the only real changes I’ve made to my diet include eating more protein throughout the day, always eating carbs with protein, and eating less fruit and giving up the occasional treats and lattes. Making these changes and counting carbs has kept my blood sugar under control. Should more changes be needed, then I will make those.

Giving up the few lattes I enjoyed a week has been painful. It’s heart wrenching to think of a fall season without PSL and yummy pumpkin flavored carbs. If you don’t know what PSL is then you really won’t understand anyway. I’m being dramatic…sort of.

It sucks that I can’t have fruit or cereal for breakfast. Fruit is quite limited throughout the day actually. Sweets are out almost entirely. I’m not sure I can restrict myself to the half cup of frozen yogurt or the 2×2 piece of cake with no frosting allowed on occasion (I mean who really eats only 1 serving of frozen yogurt or ice cream? Seriously, who are you?), so I’m just avoiding it altogether so far. I was also told to be active after each time I eat a meal, but with a 15 month old and an already active lifestyle I have not found this to be an issue. Half the time I’m eating while standing and on the go already.

According to my blood sugar test results, which I take four times a day, I’ve never even been close to being over the target numbers I was given. My hope is that this continues for the remainder of my pregnancy and that my controlled blood sugar will result in a healthy (and not huge) baby girl and vaginal delivery. I’m also aware that for some pregnant women with gestational diabetes that as their pregnancies progress their blood sugar gets harder and harder to manage. If anyone has experience with this, I’d love to hear more. I don’t know of anyone who has had it.

All happy pre-gestational diabetes diagnosis. No I dont ever make my bed.

Cravings: I guess it doesn’t really matter what I’m craving since my diagnosis, but oddly enough fruit has become the new thing I wish I could have more of. I totally didn’t realize how often I would grab a pear or apple, cut up a bowl of berries or enjoy a delicious kiwi for a snack or when I was hungry. It actually tastes so sweet now when I eat it.

Weight Gain: At my 29 week prenatal appointment and when meeting with the dietician at 30 weeks, both scales said I’d gained 22 pounds. I’ve gained six pounds less than where I was at this point with my first pregnancy.

Symptoms: Many of the same symptoms remain, but I’m just feeling more pregnant. More uncomfortable. Bigger. Heavier. Less able to reach things. Lots of movement from baby girl. Much more emotional this pregnancy.

Exercise/Workouts: At 30 weeks I’m starting to feel not as good running.

I think we are officially in the take each day at a time phase of running pregnant. Each day when I dress to run I won’t know if I’m running, running and walking or just walking until I get out the door.

I’ve had a couple of great runs lately, but a lot of days I’m not feeling as good as I was before. I’m likely going to be adding in more walks and taking a few more rest days from running to help with this. The timing is also unfortunate that as I’m growing more uncomfortable our days got busier. During week 29 we were out of town four days doing fun things and I had three doctors appointments (one required fasting for 16 hours when all was said and done). This made it really hard to workout. My details are below.

28 Weeks-

Ran-8.65 miles (4.3, 1.65, 2.7)

Walked-5 miles

Hiked-4 miles in Door County

Kayaked-3.6 miles on Lake Michigan

Yoga Class-60 minute class

29 Weeks-

Ran-1.6 miles

Walked-7 miles

Looking Forward To: Celebrating your healthy arrival with you in my arms and a PSL nearby. 🙂

Sarah

*Update: I realized I didn’t explain what gestational diabetes is. It is not known why GD occurs in some pregnant women. GD occurs when the same hormones from the placenta that help the baby develop also interfere with the mother’s insulin in her body. This creates insulin resistance in the mother where her body struggles to use the insulin and that extra insulin in the blood becomes glucose and is passed to baby. Since baby doesn’t need the glucose, it becomes fat and results in bigger babies if not controlled.

Having GD does not mean the mother was or will be diabetic, but it does raise chances of developing type 2 diabetes later in life for both mom and baby. Bigger babies can also lead to delivery complications like induction, csections, and low blood sugar in babies after birth requiring formula supplements and monitoring. Many women who have GD and control their blood sugar go on to have healthy pregnancies and deliveries.

1Aug2016

Bumpdate {28 Weeks}

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2}, Running Pregnant by sneaksandstilettos

Hello, 3rd Trimester! Tomorrow I’m 29 weeks, but this post is getting out as quickly as I could.

Baby Girl,

I started working on backing up photos and videos to multiple locations during the past week (yeah, Amazon Prime unlimited photo storage) in preparation for making more space on our computer for memories of you. In doing so, I’ve been reliving your brother’s first year in photos and videos. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve smiled, laughed and teared up in revisiting those precious moments. It makes me so excited to meet you and share all those milestones with you, your dad and your brother. Without trying to, this little project has replaced many of my worries about your arrival with contentment and excitement for you to arrive (for now).

I can only begin to imagine the memories we will make together.

Love,

Mom

Feeling: Productive and nesty some days, and tired and very pregnant on other days.

The summer to do list has seen some progress, but some days I’m starting to feel tired and not like doing anything overly productive. I’m still having those nesting moments, and I am loving how organized our office is as a result. No more digging through piles to find things. No more mail piling up. No more wasting time to put something away or find a necessary document. Everything has a place, and we have a system that even the husband is using.

Cravings: Nothing specific, but sweets and carbs sound good most of the time. I’m not experiencing any strong cravings though, so treating myself from time to time without overindulging has not been hard. The husband has been asking about ice cream way more than I have. In fact, he bought me ice cream one evening that I decided not to eat. It sat in the freezer for a week and a half, until he couldn’t handle it being uneaten anymore and he ate it.

Weight Gain: My last official weigh in was at my 25 week appointment. According to my scale at home I’m up 20-21 pounds. I’ll find out tomorrow for sure.

Symptoms: The same symptoms as before remain like being tired in the evening and heartburn at night on occasion.

New symptoms: Heartburn during yoga is back. Pregnancy brain is in full force. Feeling very large at the end of the day is also new feeling. Feeling like things are getting tight space wise has started and just feeling uncomfortable a couple of days a week seems to be the new norm. I’ve also had painful contractions a few times during runs. Walking has always made them go away. Other days I feel great no matter what I’m doing: running, hiking, errands, chasing a 15 month old. Worth all of these symptoms is all the kicking she is doing!

Exercise/Workouts: At 28 weeks I’m still feeling good on the run on most days. Some days don’t feel as well, and I cut it short or take a rest day or cross train. Other days I’ve ended a run because of time factors alone. I have had contractions a few times on the run and walking has always made them stop quickly. I will be mentioning this at my next appointment.

As a result of being out of town two weekends in a row my mileage was down a bit, BUT at 27 weeks I hit a big personal achievement. At 27 weeks, I exceeded the miles I ran during my entire first pregnancy. Every mile I run now is further than what I did during pregnancy number one. Considering how rough the first trimester was for me this time, I barely ran at all in March and April, I’m so proud that I made running during this pregnancy a goal and got back on track.

During my last pregnancy my “morning sickness” was much more manageable and came and went throughout the day with evenings being a break from feeling awful most of the time. Because of this I ran a lot more miles early on than this pregnancy. This time evenings were the absolute worst with nausea and throwing up, and I was also alone to care for my son while the husband was coaching baseball. Thinking back I’m not sure how I even handled it now. I also did not suffer from the near-migraine like headaches I had this time around that lasted for days and days at times. Most nights when the husband got home from coaching a run was out of the question and I was done for.

Here’s what the past couple of weeks looked like for me on the working out front:

26 Weeks- Ran-13 miles (3.3, 3.2, 4.25, 2.15)

Walked-5.6 miles

Hiked-2.5 miles

27 Weeks-

Ran-7.5 miles (2, 3, 2.5)

Walked-5 miles

Hiked-2.5 miles

Strength Training-1 arm session

Yoga-60 minute class

Looking Forward To:

After watching videos and looking at photos of Pierce from his first year, I am so looking forward to making memories with baby girl and hitting all those first year milestones and beyond.

Also, paint has been bought and baby girl’s bedroom cleared out in preparation for operation get baby girl’s room done before school starts! Stay tuned for photos of her room’s progress.

Sarah

20Jun2016

Bumpdate {22 Weeks}

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

Little man loves the click of the camera and wanted to get in on the action this week. 22 Weeks last Thursday.

Baby Girl,

At 22 weeks we are busy getting you room ready. I’m drawing up sketches and researching what and where I want to purchase items for your room. I love doing this. Your daddy thinks it sounds like a lot of work I broke the news to him that he will be painting again. He hates painting, but will do it for you! Your brother loves touching my outtie belly button. He giggles mostly because it tickles me so I laugh. It gets us all laughing.

People keep asking if we have a name for you. To be honest, we haven’t even begun talking about it. Last time we waited until we found out we were having a baby boy, so no girl names were ever discussed. I’m thinking I will want to see your face before deciding on a name for sure like we did with your brother.

I love your movements that are happening frequently now.

Love, Mom

Feeling: Emotional

Last Thursday marked 22 Weeks for baby girl and I. It was a rough day. I was definitely feeling the hormones and cried three times that day. Once I cried just because I looked around at how messy my house was. So messy it reduced me to tears. After going to bed early, the next day was much better. I’m normally not an emotional person. The husband loves all of this of course.

Cravings: Fruit (apples, berries, bananas)

Weight Gain: 7.5 pounds

Symptoms: Emotional, some vegetable aversions still, tired at the end of the day, back aches are starting already

Exercise/Workouts: I definitely have to wear my Gabriella maternity support belt now. I’ve actually been wearing it on every run for the past four weeks. It is a life saver. I’ve been #rwrunstreaking strong (and posting daily updates on Instagram @sneaksandstilettos and my facebook page-Sneaks and Stilettos), but missed my first day this week because I was not feeling great. I tried running on two different occasions on that day and neither time did it feel right, so I listened to my body and didn’t run further. My comfortable pace has slowed down by a minute to two minutes depending on the day and the summer heat. Otherwise running has been going pretty well. The arches of my feet have been bothering me, but I’m hoping new shoes with more support and cushion will help. I’ve been getting in one or two weight sessions or 21 Day Fix workouts a week, but I’m hoping to get in at least three now that I’m in a summer routine.

Looking Forward To: Getting your room complete

Bumpdates will be posted roughly every two weeks! Stay tuned as I document my take on a healthy, active pregnancy.

Sarah

15Jun2016

Bumpdate #1 {Baby #2}

Posted in Bumpdates {Baby #2} by sneaksandstilettos

I thought committing to a photo update every two weeks would be manageable. It has proved to be more of a struggle than I thought it would be with a one year old to chase and a husband that is working a lot lately. Half of the photos below were taken a week or more after the actual week stated, but I got them documented. I’m not sure how I managed a photo a week and a journal entry with baby #1!?!

Now that summer vacation is under way I know I can do better and would like to add in a few more details with future bumpdates. I keep looking back at my pregnancy journal that I made with my weekly chalkboard and pregnancy journal updates from the first time around. I so love that I documented and made a photo book of my first pregnancy to look back on. So special to me! I would definitely recommend preggo mamas do this even if you don’t ever plan to share it with anyone but yourself. I made mine on Shutterfly. I don’t think I’ve even really showed mine to anyone (well, except if you read this blog you saw the weekly journals) because it really is for me.

Here is an update from the first half of my pregnancy with baby #2 so far. Apparently I really like stripes!

During the first 14 weeks I suffered from extreme fatigue and evening nausea on a daily basis. I also had lots of headaches and threw up several times (which was only once last time, but I was nauseous off and on frequently). Most the time my headaches felt like the onset of a migraine. I used to get these in high school and they returned after having baby #1. I also had two colds and pink eye for the first time ever. Combine this with being on my own with little man each night after work while the husband was coaching and it was tough. With a busy boy there was no napping or really even sitting for this mama.

As for running, my mileage has been all over the place during the first half of pregnancy #2. If I’m being honest, I also hadn’t truly adjusted to balancing it all and working out. I was just starting to get back into a routine with the marathon training I began in February.

Plans for running a marathon this spring changed when I found out I was pregnant, but I did manage to run a half marathon at 16 weeks pregnant comfortably. During my first pregnancy that distance didn’t seem possible and my longest run was a 10k race. I would not advise all women to go for this distance (and you should of course talk to your doctor), but since I had already ran 20 half marathons before along with over a dozen marathons and an ultra marathon I felt it to be ok and so did my midwife.

So far running has felt much more comfortable with this pregnancy. Last time I seemed to experience a lot more ligament pain and pressure while running. My bladder seemed to never get a break. Maybe it is easier because I’ve done it before and know what to expect, or maybe it is because my muscles are already stretched out or maybe it really is easier this round. Baby girl is positioned very differently compared to her older brother after all. Whatever the reason, I just know I’m really glad I’m enjoying running still (as much as I can when I’m pregnant).

I’m planning to track my workouts throughout the rest of my pregnancy on here so I can refer back to them should I need to in the future and to hold myself accountable. Social media and the internet are a great way to hold yourself to your goals. It works for me anyway.

Stay tuned for biweekly bumpdates and my take on running and being active through pregnancy. Off to do my kegels.

Sarah