Week 22 & 23

I know I've been asking for it, but pregnancy isn't something I just love! The last two weeks I have learned a lot of about "being pregnant."
1) Jumping into a cold lake when you're hot..not such a good idea!
(We went to Santa Rosa Lake, and when I hit the water my legs curled into fetal position, and my stomach was so tight I could hardly breath! Apparently the baby doesn't like cold water much!)
2) Charley Horses or leg cramps aren't just resolved by calcium and potassium. Pointing your toes only makes them worse, and you're supposed to walk them out. How do you walk them out when they come on when you're sleeping! Obviously I'm awake at that point, but I can't just "hop out of bed!" I can hardly roll out of bed!
3) All of the books say that bloody noses are common. What they don't tell you is they can come on with out warning, and they may be fierce! I know carry a box of tissue in my car, and a few in my purse just in case.
4) I always thought pregnant women were really cute. I still do, I just don't think it's so cute on me! For those people who feel sexy when they are pregnant, I'd love to know the secret. This is NOT SEXY or "CUTE"
5) I believe full nights sleep is now something of the past. If it's not the throbbing in the hips, trying to stay comfortable, leg cramps, a numbing sensation though my arms, the need to use the restroom, late night hunger, it's the baby practicing his soccer kicks!

It would probably help if I'd take it easy, but I'm also nesting! There are things that just need to get done!

A Sneak Peak

When some of my best friends were pregnant I remember thinking they were crazy for the "have to get it done" panic. Well, I guess they weren't so crazy after all. Or now I just joined the crazy club! I've begun the base painting in the baby's room. there is still a lot to do, but I figured I'd give everyone a sneak peak.
Also I wanted to thank my mom and dad for purchasing the furniture for our lil guy! It is beautiful and we love it! I love the idea of the cribs converting to beds now. He'll use this dresser and bed for years!! So, I've been rearanging different rooms in the house, and making my chore list. I'll keep pictures updated!

Just In Case...

You really wanted to know! Sorry for the delay.

Cloth Diapers

As some of my long time friends have mentioned, I've become quite "green." I've converted most of my cleaning products to organic & natural cleaning supplies, I buy a lot of organic fruits and veggies, and we recycle, and try to do things that are better for the enviornment. Cloth diapers are just another way to help the enviorment and our pocket book.
Why choose a cloth diaper? They are cheaper, better for the the baby, better for the environment, and why not give it a try!? At first mention of cloth, I've recieved a lot of strange looks, not to mention comments. However, cloth diapers have come a long way! Sure you can still get the typical "prefold" diapers, (like the ones you see people using as burp rags, or cleaning rags) fold them, pin them, and then cover them; or, you can venture off into modern day cloth and use AIO, (all in ones)pocket diapers, fitted diapers with covers, or bio degradable flushable diapers!
I won't be an "exclusive" cloth only diaper girl. When we travel and what not I'm not going to bring along diapers that I have to bring home. I did find a new diaper that is flushable and biodegradable that I would like to try! These are called gdiapers. They seem easy enough, and they won't sit in our land fills for 10 plus years!
Not only has the cloth diaper market changed but they've creates some great names for them such as Fuzzi Bunz, bum genius, swaddlebees, bummis kissaluvs, and thelist goes on and on.
Will it be harder? Maybe, but I also am fortunate enough to be able to be a work at home mom. My days will consist of taking care of my child, hanging out with my friends and moms with stroller strides, (which I highly encourage every new mom to look into!)and growing my Movin' Mamas buisness. I will mention that having a 100% supportive husband is what makes all of this possible! I am super lucky to have a husband who is encouraging, and involved! Thanks Clay! Just in case I haven't mentioned it in awhile (which I'm sure I have not) I love my life!

One More week!

We'll know if we're having a boy or girl next Wednesday afternoon! At first I wasn't too anxious about finding out. I've been excited, but now that the ultrasound is schedled...I CAN'T WAIT!! I guess it will make the "it" factor go away, and make the idea of "it" being an actual baby more real. Not to mention there are people out there (and you all know who you are) insist on calling it a he or a she. Although, more seem to lean to the "she" side. So, we'll have to see! And soon, the name game will begin! That should be fun (wink)

Happy Mommies Day!

Leading up to Mother's Day people continued to ask me if I was looking forward to my first. Honestly, I don't feel like "a mother" just yet. Sure, I have a being growing inside of me, making me look and feel awkward in my own skin, but the act of being a mom seems to be what is celebrated on Mother's Day. My husband, and others around didn't feel quite the same as I. I awoke to my husband handing me a pregnat precious moment. "You're Due For A Lifetime of Happiness" is the title. I LOVE IT! Everytime I passed a Hallmark store I contined to look for one. For those of you who don't know, I collect
Precious Moments. I have since I was a little girl, and since I've been pregnant I've wanted one that would signify this stepping stone in my life. So, Clay did his research and found the perfect mommy-to-be Mother's Day gift!

Brain Shrinkage?

I think "pregnancy brain" has officially set in! Last night Clay came home to tell me about how a woman's brain shrinks by 20% when they are pregnant. (Not too sure on those numbers, but I'll have to do some research) As we were laughing about it I apparently started the dishwasher (which I had just emptied) and didn't realize it was running until about an hour later!

Our Lil Peanut!

Today we were able to see our lil peanut! It was so nice knowing that everything is alright, there's a baby, and only one at that! Sorry mom, I know you were crossing your fingers for twins. However, I am estatic that there is only one being growing inside of me! There is a strong heart beat, 170, and we were able to see it move around. It really just wanted to sleep (I guess scheduling our appointment durring nap time wasn't such a good idea.) When given a nudge or two the baby would wiggle around, wave for us, and kick a little. Ahhh...finally it really seems real. There's a baby!

Week 9

According to ivillage this is what the baby would look like right now! Luck for us we have our first ultrasound on Thursday, so we will be able to see if that is really the case. So far so good. No morning sickness really. I feel a little queasy when I need to eat, but other then that no sickness. Sleepiness and hunger are an entirely different story! I read these books about pregnant women who don't eat because they worry about getting fat. I don't get it all, I never really experienced the NEED to eat like I do now.

Here some info on what is going on with baby this week:
This week, your baby-to-be grows to between 20 and 28 millimeters from crown to rump, or about an inch. Weighing in at one gram, your baby is very active, although you can't feel its movements. He or she now has all the major organs, muscles and nerves. A Doppler may be able to identify the heartbeat. While testes and ovaries are formed, external genitalia appear sexless, which is why it is too early for an ultrasound to reveal gender. Eyelids are beginning to form and the trunk is straightening and elongating.

ivillage @ 7 weeks

Your baby-to-be is the size of a small bean, measuring in at approximately 9 to 11 millimeters, crown to rump. Dark spots, mark the early formation of the eyes. Pits indicate the formation of nostrils and ears. Your baby's brain is developing rapidly, and limbs and facial characteristics are now forming. Your baby's heart now has a right and left chamber. An ultrasound may be able to detect heart motion. The esophagus and trachea are changing and differentiating into separate tubes, with lungs positioned on either side.

Since then...

I found out, and then waited until Clay came home. That was the longest 3 hours of my life. I couldn't talk to anyone. I tested again, just to make sure the first one wasn't wrong. (That would have been just my luck!) So he came home, read his card, and discovered he was going to be "Daddy." He was very excited. We were both excited.

I spent the weekend hosting a Doula workshop. It was strange being one of the "pregnant" women in the room. The workshop was amazing! The things I learned make me anxious to start being a doula! However, since I was busy with the workshop all weekend it helped take my mind off wanting to call eveyone and anyone.

I am feeling fine! Tomorrow will be 6 weeks. I'm guessing I will be due around mid- October. I don't go the Dr.s until March 11th, and the first ultra sound will be on March 19th. I'm starting to feel quezzy here and there, and I am extreamly tired. I am taking it easy. I've cancelled my second stroller stride class, so I will only be teaching one class a day now.

There is a part of it that seems very unreal, but I'm getting used to it!

The News

I was stepping into the shower as I put the PT down where I would be able to see it. Why was this time any different? Not really sure. I have had some symptoms, but after 2 years if anything seemed strange then I had a "symptom." So, until today I ignored it. I saw the double pink lines! I wasn't sure how to feel. My stomach dropped, and I jumped around the house looking for the phone. I had to call Clay. Somehow I needed to convince him to come home early. NO answer.

In the shower I contined to think about the last two years. Who do you tell? How do you tell them? Really, it's only been an hour and if doesn't seem real at all! It is still really early. I'm not even late yet, so this could all really mean nothing in a few days. So, with the excitment comes the fear. Will this baby grow inside of me, or will it leave me before it gets a chance?

Even though I have complete and total mixed emotions right now, I must say this..I can not wait to share the news with Clay. Will it be real then? We're ready to be parents, but month after month it's just something we talk about. Today, we begin discussing everything. It's real. I can finally say, "I'm Pregnant!"

It's done!

Just wanted to let you all know that things are fine. Dr. Got the endometriosis. Tubes are unblocked, sister brought Mazo Ball soup, and Clay has been wonderful! Meds make me a lil loopy...as the nurse stated "I'm under the influence" for a few days!

Thank you for all the phone calls! I have pictures, but I think I'll leave those off the internet :)

Issues?

For the most part I've been somewhat tight lipped about the "issues" we deal with on a day to day basis. Issues seems like the wrong word, but I'm not 100% sure what you want to call it.

As most of you know we have been trying to conceive for about 2 years. What to do about it has been our biggest "issue." One of the doctors I was seeing insisted there was nothing to be concerned about, and it would happen. Even after the discovery of a blocked left fallopian tube, I was fine. Then last March I was introduced to the "crazy drug"...Clomid. Oh my Lord! I call it the crazy drug because it did just that. I was emotional, depressed, anxious, my body ached, and I was Lucky enough to experience hot flashes. I won't complain about always being cold anymore! My ears would feel like they were on fire! It was at then that I decided I would not do anything hormonal until someone could tell me why I was not conceiving.

So here we are another doctor, another year. I insisted on being referred to a general OB who dealt with infertility. He is not the "specialist" in town, but IVF is not something I was even half way interested in. So, with in an hour of seeing the new doctor I was being scheduled forlaproscopy surgery. Apparently the blocked tube needs to be unblocked, and why that tube is blocked is something that needs to be discovered.

Tomorrow is the lucky day! I will go to St. Agnes Surgery Center at 8:30, surgery is at 10:00, takes about an hour or so, and I then recovery for 2-3 hours. I have no idea what to expect. I'm anxious, nervous, and excited all at the same time. I never thought I would be "excited" about surgery, but there I have a new found peace. There was reason for our "issues" and hopefully this will take care of it.

Clay will be home with me, so I know I will be in good hands! There has been a lot of questions, so hopefully this will help answer some.

Sierra

I took my neice, Sierra, to ride with Brittany. I don't think she knew she was in for a lesson, but I think she had fun anyways!

Kauai Part 2

Tuesday, Clay and I went scuba diving at Tunnels Beach. It was awsome. I had a little trouble equalzing as we went on our first dive, and freaked out in one tunnel, but all and all we did well. We saw turtles being cleaned by fish, and another turtle chilling on the coral. Clay and I were slightly dissapointed that we didn't see the sharks that were out there. Another dive company came up and said there were a few sharks out there. I must say the fish here are beautiful! They all have bright marking and colors. We both would like to branch out and try a shipwreck dive, or maybe even a night dive, but it will have to wait until we are on our next scuba trip.
After tunnels we went to a Luau. Clay made us all try
Poi. I don't know how people eat that stuff. It looks like purple pudding! The food was great, and we were entertained. It rained in the middle of the show, but it was typical Hawaii rain. it pours for a few minutes and then stops.
Thursday we are going to canoe, hike, and then go on a zip line! Clay is debating on golfing on friday at Princeville. He has been able to get one golf trip in at Poipu Bay Golf course. For those of you non golfers our there Poipu bay is where they hold a lot of PGA tours, and princeville is the 7th nices golf course in the nation, and 1st in Hawaii.
We are obvioulsy having a great time!

Aloha

Just a quick update! So, I know I didn't mention it too much, but I am in Kauai this week. Friday evening we left on ATA airlines for Kauai with my parents and sisters. Friday we stayed at the Aloha Resort. Clay and I went walking on the beach as the sun was rising. It was amazing! Crabs were running in the sand, fisherman were fishing, and fireworks were being set off in the near distance. It was a great start to a Hawaiian vacation. Especially since the flight was a little crazy. Two crying babies (different families) and the kids behind us were kicking our seats and playing with the food trays. Not to mention sitting in a plane for 5.5 hours is already a daunting task for me.
Saturday we headed to the point at Poipu. We headed out to get Puku dogs, and see the town. It is beautiful here! The ocean is clear, although the waves are a little crazy because of Hurrican Flossie, but so far it's far enough away that we aren't threatened yet. Today we went to JoJo's for some shaved ice! YUMMY! Shaved ice is like a snow cone, but there is ice cream on the bottom and the ice is supper fine. It was very very Yummy! Tomorrow Clay and I are going on a two tank scuba dive at Tunnels. Rumor has it we will see lots of turtles, eels, and maybe a shark or two. We will dive in two different spots. Each dive will consist of about 1 hour. Hopefully I'll be able to get some good pics.

Hope all is well at home!

We were in the Newspaper

As a franchise owner I was contacted by the Fresno Bee. The reporter was doing an article on franchises in Fresno and wanted to interview me. I thought it was great, and I still do, but he failed to mention he was also interviewing the other stroller fitness company intown. It was a shock at first, but after reading the article I was happy with what was said. She has the picture spot, but really people don't always remember the company, but they remember the picture. For those of you who asked for the article, the link is below! Enjoy.

Read Article

Promises, Promises!

Ok, so I know I said I would blog more! Even though I seem to be on the computer all of the time, I don't seem to get around to blogging much. My life has been consumed by Stroller Strides and I am loving it! My classes have grown, and I love the women I am working with. This week we were on the news, and I was interviewed for an article in the Fresno Bee! So, I am very confident that my buisness will continue to grow. Regarless, I love what I am doing.
Life has been good. Clay will be gone Saturday and Saturday night so I get to catch up on some scrapbooking. I made curtains for our sliding glass door (pics will be posted soon) and now I have to make a valance for the other windows. Tonight we are going to a Johava witness wedding. Should be interesting. I don't know too much about the religion, but I hear the wedding will be slightly different. I am actually looking forward to seeing something different. Besides, I find differnt religious beliefs facinating!
That's all for now!

Lovin Stroller Strides!

So, I knew when I bought Stroller Strides that it was going to be the kind of buisness that I would like doing. However, I didn't realize how much I was going to love going to "work" every day. The moms that have joined the group are amazing. They are all supportive of each other as well as me. I go to teach classes looking forward to getting to know my moms more, not to mention play with their children. I have to admit; I don't have as memeber as I hoped for right now, but I am sure it won't take too long!