Yesterday I weighed in half a pound less than last week. Happy I didn't gain more than 1 this week! That is a total of 12 1/2 pound gain. I'm happy with that for 30 weeks.
Everything lately on my mind is B A B Y. Baby stuff, nursing baby, baby's room, labor & delivery. I am pretty sure my husband is just tuning me out now when I talk cause it's always about birthing stories I read or interesting facts on babies. I've also come to the point where that's all I talk about with anyone. Yup. Even the ranch boys. You know how to get a room full of 10 teenage boys quiet? Start talking about the documentary you watched on Netflix about natural childbirth. Actually, after all the "Ewwws!!!" I got several boys telling me they've seen a real birth on video in health class in public school as early as 7th grade!!! WHAT THE HECK?!!!
They said it was to "scare" them out of having un-protected sex. [God forbid they teach on abstinence right?]. Ok, I am so not going there. Let's just say my boys will not be attending public school. Anyways......
I feel like 10 weeks is SO far. Yet SO close! Because I have been getting so many contractions, (last Friday was intense) I want to be prepared for him at about 35 weeks. I was thinking this already, then I had a sweet conversation with one of our dear ranch boys mom. She had TONS of Braxton Hix's contractions with her last two babies and they both came at 35 weeks.
I know it is very likely he will be totally late (like Cody) but I'd rather be ready than sorry. So I have a lot to do in 5 weeks! Wash and put away all his clothes, buy a diaper bag, back his diaper bag, wash his car seat, bassinet, and swing and set all of it up and put it all where I want it. Wash his sheets, finish some last touches on his room, get important things such as diapers, wipes, Lanolin (must haves!), pack our hospital bag, WRITE OUT OUR BIRTH PLAN!!, and so much more.
We have been very busy this week. It is the Boys Ranch 36th anniversary, and every year they have a HUGE celebration/service on the 1st Sat of October at the ranch property. So this Saturday we will have hundreds of guests at the ranch for a big service, BBQ, potluck, Open house thing. It's our first, so we are nervous. I have to have my house ready for several Pastor's to come through it, which means....cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning.
I have been sick the last few days, and Davey has been working non-stop on the ranch so I have had no break from my boys, and no time to work out. The Lord is stretching my patiences that's for sure!
On a positive note, Cody is doing SO well potty training!! I am SO proud of him. He goes pee in the potty all by himself now. #2 is a little more tricky but he's getting it. So much easier than Shane was! It's a blessing. Shane is talking like a pro. Seriously he sounds like a 5 year old, and he's as tall as one almost too (and he's only 3.5). The baby is getting very BIG!! He is super duper active. Which I love of course.
I had a prenatal appointment yesterday and it went well. I wish they would do an Ultra Sound. I miss seeing him and would love to know what position he's in. Even though I think I know from his movements, I would like to make sure he is head down.
I discussed with my Midwife all that I want on my birth plan, which I will go more into detail in another post. I am so glad she was supportive of my decision to go natural. She said the hospital as well would be supportive. She is not an advocate of either way, she is happy to support her patients how ever they decide. It would be nice to have a doula to encourage me in those very painful moments that I can do it. But I don't really want to pay for one, so my husband is going to be one active supporter on Labor day!
Thanks for reading, I know you all missed me. ;-) wink.
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Breastfeeding, Inducement, Natural Childbirth, & Baby's sleeping through the night
*Disclaimer: I am not a professional, a doctor, or an expert in any of these areas. These are just my experiences and beliefs.
Breastfeeding
Let me first say, YOU CAN DO IT. Anyone can breastfeed. Being mentally prepared is so important to overcome the hardships that come along with breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding my first son Shane was HARD. I read all about it, I felt prepared, determined, and ready to not let anyone pressure me into giving him formula. It was on our birth plan, "NO Formula, please do not offer." I'm pretty sure they brought us some anyways.
Nothing went right, he wouldn't latch on properly, he was crying, he was hungry, I wasn't producing much. I used the lactation consultants to my advantage and had them help me as much as I could. The nurses were concerned because he wasn't pooping enough, and I wasn't feeding him enough (according to the nurses).
Thank God for an angel lactation consultant that saw my pain (physical, bleeding pain) and recommended a Nipple Shield. I highly highly recommend any first time pregnant mom's to have this $7 product in their hospital bag just in case the don't get a "natural nurser".
The nipple shield made it possible for me to nurse my son. It still hurt a little, only because I was already so sore, but I healed and got tougher, and my milk came in, and I could nurse him forever.....only the goal was to eventually get him off the nipple shield.
So I worked hard at that, but it took 6 weeks for us to finally get the hang of it with out the shield. We finally did and it was blissful. I nursed him for a good 9 months. I got pregnant with our 2nd son Cody when Shane was 6 months old, and nursing while pregnant is TOUGH. I stuck it out 3 months, but finally had to stop.
I had introduced formula into Shane's diet a few months before because he was always on the slender side. One formula bottle a day helped him to be totally satisfied. This made me feel like a breastfeeding faliure at first. I have an idea as to why I didn't have as much milk with Shane as I did with Cody, but I can't be for sure (I will discuss this reason later). I eventually realized, that NOT giving Shane the one bottle a day, would have been more of a failure than being stubborn and refusing to give it to him even though he needed it.
When Cody came I knew I could breastfeed him. I had the shield in my bag just in case though. And what do you know, he too was "not a natural nurser" (I'm convinced no baby is, it takes mom and baby to learn the grove). Cody was jaundice pretty bad, so on my own decision, I decided to nurse him with the shield, and give him formula (the more he poops the quicker he heals). I pumped on the times he had a bottle, which also helped my milk to come in better.
Once we were clear to leave the hospital, I was determined to only nurse him. Lucky for me (and not so lucky at times) he decided all on his own he would not take a bottle. He never took one again. I was able to get him off the shield and on too my bare breast by 3 weeks old. Much easier, I had much more milk with Cody, and he was good and chubby to show it. I was one proud breastfeeding Mama.
12 months came and I was still nursing him all the time, with food of course. Cody was very bonded to me and to breastfeeding, I loved it as well. My goal was to nurse him for 18 months. 18 months came and he was still nursing 3 times a day, eating all solids and drinking from a sippy. He was a stinker to wean. Finally at 21 months, my Mom stayed with our boys for 4 days, and I told her and my husband, that was it, no more boob for him. And it was. My mom said he was fine, and when I got home he tried a little, but not much.
I LOVED breastfeeding my boys, and know I will again with this baby. I just love knowing they are eating the exact thing they should be, and getting all the healthy benefits from it. The bond from it as well is so amazing. One thing I really loved is, when I felt overwhelmed by too many people swooning over the baby, I could take him, and feed him in private, and NO ONE else could.
My Mom breastfed my sister for 6 months. She tried for 3 weeks to nurse me, but with no help from doctors or lactation consultants, and at the time breastfeeding really wasn't encouraged, she finally had to give me formula. She was in pain, and I wasn't getting enough since I wouldn't latch properly.
My sister does not have asthma, as I do. She does not have allergies, as I do. She was always very healthy and didn't have many sicknesses, as I did as a little girl. Asthma is hereditary but studies show breastfeeding helps with Asthma and allergies, as well as a ton of other health benefits.
It's in no way my mom's fault either! Like I said, it's hereditary and my Mom has asthma and allergies. But one of the main reasons I wanted to nurse my boys was too maybe, hopefully, prevent them from having one or both health issues like I do. So far so good with my boys being Asthma and allergy free! But again, could be their Daddy's amazing genes of steel that helped that. I also know of one Mom that nursed her daughter for 18 months and her daughter has bad allergies. So again, research says it helps, but genes also play a roll.
Inducement
This is something I actually have the option to consider for the first time. With my boys, I had Kaiser. They would NOT induce you unless medically needed, or were over a week late. Fine with me, I really wanted to go into labor on my own anyways.
Shane was due February 5, 2008. I was very anxious for him to come out, since I had gained 66 pounds, I was extremely swollen and uncomfortable, and I wanted to meet our precious new baby. I had read about inducement naturally. Walking: did lots of that. Spicy foods: tried it. My good friend mentioned Castro Oil. I tried a tiny amount, in a cup of root beer at about 7:00pm. Late that night I got some mild contractions. I didn't want to go in unless I knew for sure, so we prayed for wisdom, and right after that my water broke. Then came full blown labor. It wasn't intolerable though. We were so excited. And I'm not totally convinced it was the Castro Oil that induced the labor, since my water broke.
Triage was relatively quick, then I got into our room. We had read "The Bradly Method" and were going to try to stay pain-med free for as long as possible. Our doctor said since my water had broken I needed Pitocin. (Something I know now isn't always true, it had only been a about 6 hours). I got an epidural, because they recommended not trying Pitocin naturally. I quickly realized why. I went from 4cm to 10 in one hour! I could still feel very much pain and pressure, but it was tolerable. 25 minuets of pushing and Shane was out. I loved his birth experience, and thought it was much easier than I had thought. Shane was born at 11:11am on Feb 6, 2008.
Cody was due April 30, 2009. I began walking, taking castro oil (only small amounts) and even got my membranes striped (twice) at about 39 weeks. Well, Cody didn't want to come out. Nope. Striping of membranes caused false labor and landed us in labor and delivery, then sent home. My Mom came, stayed for a week and had to go home. Then came BACK when they finally gave me an inducement date of May 9. My mom kept telling me, "You will go into labor the night before you are scheduled to be induced." Well, she was right! Middle of the night, early am, I got up to pee and my water broke.
We got ready, I took a quick shower, then we got in the car and drove to the hospital. Took us about 45 minuets to get to the hospital from the time my water broke. By the time I was sitting in the car, I was in full blown labor. I mean PAINFUL labor.
Once in triage they tried to tell my my water didn't break yet (the bag had flipped over so they could not tell) and wanted to send me home even though I was at 4cm. Thankfully the nurse could see how strong and fast contractions were and kept me there. I was in triage for a tortuous 2+ hours while nurses laughed and sang and talked outside my curtain. I was in extreme pain. Thankfully I remembered all my relaxation techniques we read from "The Bradly Method". The nurse was so impressed by how quiet I was during these MONDO back to back (I'm talking 60 sec contractions with 20-30 second breaks in between). She kept showing me the size of them on her monitor. I just wanted in my room!!! Finally got into our room, and when they asked if I wanted an epidural I said yes with out much thought. I was in so much pain. If I would have known I only had an hour left total I would have passed.
An hour later, and 3, yes THREE minuets of pushing, and Cody popped out. (No taring at all either). The doctor literally almost didn't make it. I had to try to hold Cody in for like 10-15 minuets.
Because Cody came in about 4-5 hours, and I didn't need any pitocin to progress, I am worried this delivery will be even faster. They say each one is faster by half! With us living 40 minuets from the hospital (that is just drive time), I liked the idea of being induced.
Until I read about it some more...Things such as: Inducement can make labor very long. Some cases 24-36 hours! I have a friend that worked in a hospital that said once in a while a woman actually went home after hours of being at hospital during induction.
It can often lead to C-Section. I read this reason is because the baby is not ready, there for not fully co-operating, then leads to fetal distress and C-Section. (This is the LAST thing I want. I mean, half marathon training starts promptly after 6 week check up!) And of course, things like, waiting for baby to come on his own is so much better. One of the articles is here.
I am not decided on one way or the other yet. But I am thinking, with all the knowledge I have read, I'd rather just wait for him to come on his own. After Cody came 9 days late, and trying everything except pitocin, he had a heart murmur. I was so glad he didn't come two weeks early like I wanted him too, maybe he needed that extra time for his heart.
I am not saying, "I will not be induced!" because if my midwife really thinks I should be, than I will. Also, being very late is very hard, and you might just give in at that point. I am praying he will come in his time, and be healthy and labor will be smooth and blissful.
Natural Childbirth
Now this is a topic I am really researching and praying about. Labor with Shane was painful, but it was doable. Cody's birth was extreme pain, mostly because I got no relief in between contractions. But it was fast, and I could have held out an hour longer had I known it would only be another hour.
This goes in hand with NOT being induced. If you need to be induced, it's very difficult to do labor naturally.
Right now, if things go as I would like them too, I would go into labor Dec 1, have a quick, yet manageable pain, natural labor. We all know things don't always go as planned! So no hopes up here!!!
I have read benefits and spoke with friends who have had natural (some even home births) and they swear they will never have an epidural again. Recovery is suppose to be that much easier, baby is suppose to be so much more alert and ready to breastfeed, and you have control over your labor more so than with an epidural. You can walk around, use a birth ball, take a shower, use the rest room, be IV free, ect. Also epidurals sometimes slow labor down. Being confined to the bed does not help much with progression in labor, which is why often times doctors order pitocin.
This is a fact. Many doctors schedule inductions, encourage pitocin and epidurals so the baby will come quicker, keeping their schedule free from late nights and weekends. How do I know this? At 24 weeks I went in to labor and delievery for continuous contractions. It was a Sunday and it was empty. The nurse told me, most doctors schedule inductions during the week to keep their weekends free. Wow. Is that so wrong or what? How do you feel about that?
I'm not sure. I know I am still debating on whether to take up their offer to be induced, but I kind of get mad that they take so many babies from the womb before they come on their own. Ya know? Makes me not want to be induced at all, unless it's medically necessary.
Like I said, I am leaning on going in to this birth, with him coming on his own, and not having pain meds. BUT. I will not deny them if the medical team truly advises me to do so. Same with induction. I have to trust that they care about myself and my baby's well being. I KNOW what I want, but I am open to what I may need during birth, which might be different than what I think right now. Here's an article I found helpful.
Plus, going pain-med free would definitely give me the confidence that I CAN run a marathon in 2012. Right? ;-D
Baby Sleeping Through the Night
K. This is a HIGHLY con-traversal subject. Some people are SO against putting their babies on any kind of sleep schedule. And here's why.
1. People believe babies are born good sleepers or not.
2. People are against scheduling baby because they believe it is a form of starvation. (so not true..but people say that.)
3. People believe in co-sleeping, nursing to sleep, and nursing whenever the baby makes a peep is best for the baby.
On the other extreme, people who are FOR sleep training/ baby schedules, can be way to strict, which therefore causes the first group of people to argue with these methods. Example of too extreme baby scheduling..
1. Not feeding baby even when baby is clearly hungry due to sticking to the schedule.
2. Trying to stretch baby's feedings to the max for convenience of parents schedule.
3. Mother not having a sufficient milk supply due to sticking to strict schedule, and refusing to give baby formula, therefor baby is underweight and not thriving. ** (this is the most common argument).
I am somewhere right smack dab in the middle of those two groups. When I was pregnant with my first son, I read the book Babywise. Which is a book on how to train your child to sleep through the night starting at about 8 weeks old. It's based on this method: baby eats, baby has wake time, baby is put down to sleep [awake!!]. By putting the baby to bed while still awake, he/she learns how to fall asleep on his own. Not depending on mom's breast, a swing, a bottle, rocking, ect. Does that sound a little extreme?? It did to me at first, until it worked wonders with my first son. Yes, they cry for the first few days. It doesn't last long though, and the benefits of you being able to walk into their nursery, sing them a song lay them in bed and walk out, knowing they will sleep for the night is A M A Z I N G.
I got so many compliments on how Shane would sleep for his nap with no fuss [not every single time ok..no he wasn't perfect, if we had company or were at someones house it was a bit more difficult of course], he would sleep 13-15 hours at night (no joke!!) around age one. If we were out and about, a lot of time he would fall asleep at his regular nap time.
But here's the thing I had with Shane....my milk wasn't overflowing like it was with Cody. I was not a total stickler to the schedule. I generally fed him about every 2-2.5 hours. If he seemed hungry earlier, I would nurse him. But I tried my best to stick with the schedule, or at least eat,wake,sleep routine, but feeding him always was number one priority. I am not sure if it was, the shield, and/or my milk just wasn't super plentiful (I also didn't know the benefits of pumping) or that he just wasn't a huge eater. I don't think it was the schedule because I did feed him so often and I would feed him before 2 hours if needed. He has always been slender. I did have to give him a bottle a night. Which again, is ok! Every baby is different. If I could go back, I would know to pump right after he was done eating to increase milk supply.
When Cody came, I wanted to focus solely on nursing him, not worry about the schedule, just making a plump breastfeeding baby. I produced massive amounts of milk. Why so much more than with Shane? Maybe because I learned to pump to increase supply when Cody was a newborn, maybe because Cody was a big boy and could eat a lot more (true then, true now..he eats more than his big brother). Here's what happened with Cody.
Cody wouldn't fall asleep with out nursing, he would wake up as I put him in the crib, than we had to start all over. He wanted to sleep with me every night, and did most of the time. I was tried, stressed, frazzled, and he was tired from not getting a full nights sleep and proper naps. Every time he cried I fed him, even though I knew better. I thought it was too late, I missed the boat to get him on a schedule.
I was wrong about that though! It's never too late. I referred back to Babywise, and read the chapter, "Principals for starting late". It was harder, but at 13 months old I finally put my foot down. My husband and I were tired of him sleeping with us every night. It took a good week to get him to take regular naps and fall asleep at night on his own. Now Cody (2) and Shane (3) both sleep at least 12 hours a night and rarely wake up. Cody still naps, Shane is growing out of it a little, but when he does, it's a good 3 hour long nap. Shane is an amazing sleeper. They are both healthy, rested, and so am I.
I am not going to pretend doing any kind of schedule with a baby is easy. It's very hard, but it's easier than 13 months of tip toeing out of a room after you nursed your baby to sleep, just for him to notice and wake up screaming. I have done it both ways, and I with out a doubt will do Babywise with this baby.
You really don't start right away. You focus on breastfeeding and getting adjusted, then start slow. One thing through out the book is this: "If your baby is hungry FEED THEM. But not every cry is an 'I'm hungry' cry." Truth is,we often feed a baby who actually has gas, and that is not the answer. Knowing why your baby is crying is extremely tricky. But feeding them 1 oz here, they fall asleep for 10 minuets, wake up, cry, eat another 1 oz, fall asleep maybe 20 mins, and so on, all day long is NOT healthy.
Baby never gets a full tummy, nor does the baby get a deep REM sleep. It's a tricky thing, but it's totally possible and very helpful for the rest of their lives.
I highly recommend this book. I know now....it's ALL about balance. Adjust the schedule to feed them more often if they are hungry a lot. The key is to feed them, keep them a wake for a bit (I'm talking 10-15 mins, depending on age), then put them down. It's this continuous cycle that helps them learn to sleep through the night. I have had MANY friends be very successful at this while nursing and never had to give their baby formula. Like I said, I am not sure why Shane needed a bottle a night, but it didn't hurt anything to give it to him, it actually helped him and he still got a full day of breast milk.
Again, these are my experiences, and opinions, not meant to replace any say of a doctor or professional. It's ok if you feel different!!
Do you have a way you trained your child to sleep? What is it? Where you induced? Did you breastfeed or plan too? Have you ever had a natural birth? How was it?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Breastfeeding
Let me first say, YOU CAN DO IT. Anyone can breastfeed. Being mentally prepared is so important to overcome the hardships that come along with breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding my first son Shane was HARD. I read all about it, I felt prepared, determined, and ready to not let anyone pressure me into giving him formula. It was on our birth plan, "NO Formula, please do not offer." I'm pretty sure they brought us some anyways.
Nothing went right, he wouldn't latch on properly, he was crying, he was hungry, I wasn't producing much. I used the lactation consultants to my advantage and had them help me as much as I could. The nurses were concerned because he wasn't pooping enough, and I wasn't feeding him enough (according to the nurses).
Thank God for an angel lactation consultant that saw my pain (physical, bleeding pain) and recommended a Nipple Shield. I highly highly recommend any first time pregnant mom's to have this $7 product in their hospital bag just in case the don't get a "natural nurser".
The nipple shield made it possible for me to nurse my son. It still hurt a little, only because I was already so sore, but I healed and got tougher, and my milk came in, and I could nurse him forever.....only the goal was to eventually get him off the nipple shield.
So I worked hard at that, but it took 6 weeks for us to finally get the hang of it with out the shield. We finally did and it was blissful. I nursed him for a good 9 months. I got pregnant with our 2nd son Cody when Shane was 6 months old, and nursing while pregnant is TOUGH. I stuck it out 3 months, but finally had to stop.
I had introduced formula into Shane's diet a few months before because he was always on the slender side. One formula bottle a day helped him to be totally satisfied. This made me feel like a breastfeeding faliure at first. I have an idea as to why I didn't have as much milk with Shane as I did with Cody, but I can't be for sure (I will discuss this reason later). I eventually realized, that NOT giving Shane the one bottle a day, would have been more of a failure than being stubborn and refusing to give it to him even though he needed it.
When Cody came I knew I could breastfeed him. I had the shield in my bag just in case though. And what do you know, he too was "not a natural nurser" (I'm convinced no baby is, it takes mom and baby to learn the grove). Cody was jaundice pretty bad, so on my own decision, I decided to nurse him with the shield, and give him formula (the more he poops the quicker he heals). I pumped on the times he had a bottle, which also helped my milk to come in better.
Once we were clear to leave the hospital, I was determined to only nurse him. Lucky for me (and not so lucky at times) he decided all on his own he would not take a bottle. He never took one again. I was able to get him off the shield and on too my bare breast by 3 weeks old. Much easier, I had much more milk with Cody, and he was good and chubby to show it. I was one proud breastfeeding Mama.
12 months came and I was still nursing him all the time, with food of course. Cody was very bonded to me and to breastfeeding, I loved it as well. My goal was to nurse him for 18 months. 18 months came and he was still nursing 3 times a day, eating all solids and drinking from a sippy. He was a stinker to wean. Finally at 21 months, my Mom stayed with our boys for 4 days, and I told her and my husband, that was it, no more boob for him. And it was. My mom said he was fine, and when I got home he tried a little, but not much.
I LOVED breastfeeding my boys, and know I will again with this baby. I just love knowing they are eating the exact thing they should be, and getting all the healthy benefits from it. The bond from it as well is so amazing. One thing I really loved is, when I felt overwhelmed by too many people swooning over the baby, I could take him, and feed him in private, and NO ONE else could.
My Mom breastfed my sister for 6 months. She tried for 3 weeks to nurse me, but with no help from doctors or lactation consultants, and at the time breastfeeding really wasn't encouraged, she finally had to give me formula. She was in pain, and I wasn't getting enough since I wouldn't latch properly.
My sister does not have asthma, as I do. She does not have allergies, as I do. She was always very healthy and didn't have many sicknesses, as I did as a little girl. Asthma is hereditary but studies show breastfeeding helps with Asthma and allergies, as well as a ton of other health benefits.
It's in no way my mom's fault either! Like I said, it's hereditary and my Mom has asthma and allergies. But one of the main reasons I wanted to nurse my boys was too maybe, hopefully, prevent them from having one or both health issues like I do. So far so good with my boys being Asthma and allergy free! But again, could be their Daddy's amazing genes of steel that helped that. I also know of one Mom that nursed her daughter for 18 months and her daughter has bad allergies. So again, research says it helps, but genes also play a roll.
Inducement
This is something I actually have the option to consider for the first time. With my boys, I had Kaiser. They would NOT induce you unless medically needed, or were over a week late. Fine with me, I really wanted to go into labor on my own anyways.
Shane was due February 5, 2008. I was very anxious for him to come out, since I had gained 66 pounds, I was extremely swollen and uncomfortable, and I wanted to meet our precious new baby. I had read about inducement naturally. Walking: did lots of that. Spicy foods: tried it. My good friend mentioned Castro Oil. I tried a tiny amount, in a cup of root beer at about 7:00pm. Late that night I got some mild contractions. I didn't want to go in unless I knew for sure, so we prayed for wisdom, and right after that my water broke. Then came full blown labor. It wasn't intolerable though. We were so excited. And I'm not totally convinced it was the Castro Oil that induced the labor, since my water broke.
Triage was relatively quick, then I got into our room. We had read "The Bradly Method" and were going to try to stay pain-med free for as long as possible. Our doctor said since my water had broken I needed Pitocin. (Something I know now isn't always true, it had only been a about 6 hours). I got an epidural, because they recommended not trying Pitocin naturally. I quickly realized why. I went from 4cm to 10 in one hour! I could still feel very much pain and pressure, but it was tolerable. 25 minuets of pushing and Shane was out. I loved his birth experience, and thought it was much easier than I had thought. Shane was born at 11:11am on Feb 6, 2008.
Cody was due April 30, 2009. I began walking, taking castro oil (only small amounts) and even got my membranes striped (twice) at about 39 weeks. Well, Cody didn't want to come out. Nope. Striping of membranes caused false labor and landed us in labor and delivery, then sent home. My Mom came, stayed for a week and had to go home. Then came BACK when they finally gave me an inducement date of May 9. My mom kept telling me, "You will go into labor the night before you are scheduled to be induced." Well, she was right! Middle of the night, early am, I got up to pee and my water broke.
We got ready, I took a quick shower, then we got in the car and drove to the hospital. Took us about 45 minuets to get to the hospital from the time my water broke. By the time I was sitting in the car, I was in full blown labor. I mean PAINFUL labor.
Once in triage they tried to tell my my water didn't break yet (the bag had flipped over so they could not tell) and wanted to send me home even though I was at 4cm. Thankfully the nurse could see how strong and fast contractions were and kept me there. I was in triage for a tortuous 2+ hours while nurses laughed and sang and talked outside my curtain. I was in extreme pain. Thankfully I remembered all my relaxation techniques we read from "The Bradly Method". The nurse was so impressed by how quiet I was during these MONDO back to back (I'm talking 60 sec contractions with 20-30 second breaks in between). She kept showing me the size of them on her monitor. I just wanted in my room!!! Finally got into our room, and when they asked if I wanted an epidural I said yes with out much thought. I was in so much pain. If I would have known I only had an hour left total I would have passed.
An hour later, and 3, yes THREE minuets of pushing, and Cody popped out. (No taring at all either). The doctor literally almost didn't make it. I had to try to hold Cody in for like 10-15 minuets.
Because Cody came in about 4-5 hours, and I didn't need any pitocin to progress, I am worried this delivery will be even faster. They say each one is faster by half! With us living 40 minuets from the hospital (that is just drive time), I liked the idea of being induced.
Until I read about it some more...Things such as: Inducement can make labor very long. Some cases 24-36 hours! I have a friend that worked in a hospital that said once in a while a woman actually went home after hours of being at hospital during induction.
It can often lead to C-Section. I read this reason is because the baby is not ready, there for not fully co-operating, then leads to fetal distress and C-Section. (This is the LAST thing I want. I mean, half marathon training starts promptly after 6 week check up!) And of course, things like, waiting for baby to come on his own is so much better. One of the articles is here.
I am not decided on one way or the other yet. But I am thinking, with all the knowledge I have read, I'd rather just wait for him to come on his own. After Cody came 9 days late, and trying everything except pitocin, he had a heart murmur. I was so glad he didn't come two weeks early like I wanted him too, maybe he needed that extra time for his heart.
I am not saying, "I will not be induced!" because if my midwife really thinks I should be, than I will. Also, being very late is very hard, and you might just give in at that point. I am praying he will come in his time, and be healthy and labor will be smooth and blissful.
Natural Childbirth
Now this is a topic I am really researching and praying about. Labor with Shane was painful, but it was doable. Cody's birth was extreme pain, mostly because I got no relief in between contractions. But it was fast, and I could have held out an hour longer had I known it would only be another hour.
This goes in hand with NOT being induced. If you need to be induced, it's very difficult to do labor naturally.
Right now, if things go as I would like them too, I would go into labor Dec 1, have a quick, yet manageable pain, natural labor. We all know things don't always go as planned! So no hopes up here!!!
I have read benefits and spoke with friends who have had natural (some even home births) and they swear they will never have an epidural again. Recovery is suppose to be that much easier, baby is suppose to be so much more alert and ready to breastfeed, and you have control over your labor more so than with an epidural. You can walk around, use a birth ball, take a shower, use the rest room, be IV free, ect. Also epidurals sometimes slow labor down. Being confined to the bed does not help much with progression in labor, which is why often times doctors order pitocin.
This is a fact. Many doctors schedule inductions, encourage pitocin and epidurals so the baby will come quicker, keeping their schedule free from late nights and weekends. How do I know this? At 24 weeks I went in to labor and delievery for continuous contractions. It was a Sunday and it was empty. The nurse told me, most doctors schedule inductions during the week to keep their weekends free. Wow. Is that so wrong or what? How do you feel about that?
I'm not sure. I know I am still debating on whether to take up their offer to be induced, but I kind of get mad that they take so many babies from the womb before they come on their own. Ya know? Makes me not want to be induced at all, unless it's medically necessary.
Like I said, I am leaning on going in to this birth, with him coming on his own, and not having pain meds. BUT. I will not deny them if the medical team truly advises me to do so. Same with induction. I have to trust that they care about myself and my baby's well being. I KNOW what I want, but I am open to what I may need during birth, which might be different than what I think right now. Here's an article I found helpful.
Plus, going pain-med free would definitely give me the confidence that I CAN run a marathon in 2012. Right? ;-D
Baby Sleeping Through the Night
K. This is a HIGHLY con-traversal subject. Some people are SO against putting their babies on any kind of sleep schedule. And here's why.
1. People believe babies are born good sleepers or not.
2. People are against scheduling baby because they believe it is a form of starvation. (so not true..but people say that.)
3. People believe in co-sleeping, nursing to sleep, and nursing whenever the baby makes a peep is best for the baby.
On the other extreme, people who are FOR sleep training/ baby schedules, can be way to strict, which therefore causes the first group of people to argue with these methods. Example of too extreme baby scheduling..
1. Not feeding baby even when baby is clearly hungry due to sticking to the schedule.
2. Trying to stretch baby's feedings to the max for convenience of parents schedule.
3. Mother not having a sufficient milk supply due to sticking to strict schedule, and refusing to give baby formula, therefor baby is underweight and not thriving. ** (this is the most common argument).
I am somewhere right smack dab in the middle of those two groups. When I was pregnant with my first son, I read the book Babywise. Which is a book on how to train your child to sleep through the night starting at about 8 weeks old. It's based on this method: baby eats, baby has wake time, baby is put down to sleep [awake!!]. By putting the baby to bed while still awake, he/she learns how to fall asleep on his own. Not depending on mom's breast, a swing, a bottle, rocking, ect. Does that sound a little extreme?? It did to me at first, until it worked wonders with my first son. Yes, they cry for the first few days. It doesn't last long though, and the benefits of you being able to walk into their nursery, sing them a song lay them in bed and walk out, knowing they will sleep for the night is A M A Z I N G.
I got so many compliments on how Shane would sleep for his nap with no fuss [not every single time ok..no he wasn't perfect, if we had company or were at someones house it was a bit more difficult of course], he would sleep 13-15 hours at night (no joke!!) around age one. If we were out and about, a lot of time he would fall asleep at his regular nap time.
But here's the thing I had with Shane....my milk wasn't overflowing like it was with Cody. I was not a total stickler to the schedule. I generally fed him about every 2-2.5 hours. If he seemed hungry earlier, I would nurse him. But I tried my best to stick with the schedule, or at least eat,wake,sleep routine, but feeding him always was number one priority. I am not sure if it was, the shield, and/or my milk just wasn't super plentiful (I also didn't know the benefits of pumping) or that he just wasn't a huge eater. I don't think it was the schedule because I did feed him so often and I would feed him before 2 hours if needed. He has always been slender. I did have to give him a bottle a night. Which again, is ok! Every baby is different. If I could go back, I would know to pump right after he was done eating to increase milk supply.
When Cody came, I wanted to focus solely on nursing him, not worry about the schedule, just making a plump breastfeeding baby. I produced massive amounts of milk. Why so much more than with Shane? Maybe because I learned to pump to increase supply when Cody was a newborn, maybe because Cody was a big boy and could eat a lot more (true then, true now..he eats more than his big brother). Here's what happened with Cody.
Cody wouldn't fall asleep with out nursing, he would wake up as I put him in the crib, than we had to start all over. He wanted to sleep with me every night, and did most of the time. I was tried, stressed, frazzled, and he was tired from not getting a full nights sleep and proper naps. Every time he cried I fed him, even though I knew better. I thought it was too late, I missed the boat to get him on a schedule.
I was wrong about that though! It's never too late. I referred back to Babywise, and read the chapter, "Principals for starting late". It was harder, but at 13 months old I finally put my foot down. My husband and I were tired of him sleeping with us every night. It took a good week to get him to take regular naps and fall asleep at night on his own. Now Cody (2) and Shane (3) both sleep at least 12 hours a night and rarely wake up. Cody still naps, Shane is growing out of it a little, but when he does, it's a good 3 hour long nap. Shane is an amazing sleeper. They are both healthy, rested, and so am I.
I am not going to pretend doing any kind of schedule with a baby is easy. It's very hard, but it's easier than 13 months of tip toeing out of a room after you nursed your baby to sleep, just for him to notice and wake up screaming. I have done it both ways, and I with out a doubt will do Babywise with this baby.
You really don't start right away. You focus on breastfeeding and getting adjusted, then start slow. One thing through out the book is this: "If your baby is hungry FEED THEM. But not every cry is an 'I'm hungry' cry." Truth is,we often feed a baby who actually has gas, and that is not the answer. Knowing why your baby is crying is extremely tricky. But feeding them 1 oz here, they fall asleep for 10 minuets, wake up, cry, eat another 1 oz, fall asleep maybe 20 mins, and so on, all day long is NOT healthy.
Baby never gets a full tummy, nor does the baby get a deep REM sleep. It's a tricky thing, but it's totally possible and very helpful for the rest of their lives.
I highly recommend this book. I know now....it's ALL about balance. Adjust the schedule to feed them more often if they are hungry a lot. The key is to feed them, keep them a wake for a bit (I'm talking 10-15 mins, depending on age), then put them down. It's this continuous cycle that helps them learn to sleep through the night. I have had MANY friends be very successful at this while nursing and never had to give their baby formula. Like I said, I am not sure why Shane needed a bottle a night, but it didn't hurt anything to give it to him, it actually helped him and he still got a full day of breast milk.
Again, these are my experiences, and opinions, not meant to replace any say of a doctor or professional. It's ok if you feel different!!
Do you have a way you trained your child to sleep? What is it? Where you induced? Did you breastfeed or plan too? Have you ever had a natural birth? How was it?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday's Weigh In & 29 weeks Pregnant
Well, boo wah blah blah blah.
That's my little temper tantrum about weighing in. Overnight, another 2 pounds up. Boo. That brings my total weight gain to 13 pounds. I can't stop it I tell you!
I have been faithfully logging all my calories into My Fitness Pal, and have been under 2,000 calories everyday, and exercising. So, it is what it is. I am a little frustrated, but mostly have peace that I am doing what I can, and my weight gain will be what it is.
Little Baby O (O is for Osuna, not an O name like Oliver, wink wink Mom:) is a Kung Fu Nina at night! Whew! He kicks and punches and jabs and makes my belly twitch. I LOVE it. I am VERY excited for him to be born already! 10-11 weeks seems sooooo long. I still need a lot of stuff, I have a lot to do, yet have done a lot as well.
I will be working on an in-depth post on Breastfeeding, being induced, natural child birth, and babies sleeping through the night. Brief overview, I love breastfeeding. I am praying about the option I have to be induced at 39 weeks. If I choose to not be induced, I am toying with the thought of trying a natural child birth (ie, no epidural). And my thoughts on babies and how it is possible to TRAIN them to sleep through the night. My boys are fantastic night sleepers. All issues have many opinions.
29 weeks now. Very very UNCOMFORTABLE. Baby is sitting on sciatic nerve, which kills! I have A LOT OF contractions (Braxton Hicks, or practice contractions) everyday that are very uncomfortable and put me down for a while. I am dying to see my baby boy on an ultra-sound but they won't do another one unless they think something is wrong. :(
I truly can't wait to kiss him, hold him, snuggle him, breastfeed him, SEE who he looks like. I just can't wait. I love him so much already.
Love, The Curvy Housewife
That's my little temper tantrum about weighing in. Overnight, another 2 pounds up. Boo. That brings my total weight gain to 13 pounds. I can't stop it I tell you!
I have been faithfully logging all my calories into My Fitness Pal, and have been under 2,000 calories everyday, and exercising. So, it is what it is. I am a little frustrated, but mostly have peace that I am doing what I can, and my weight gain will be what it is.
Little Baby O (O is for Osuna, not an O name like Oliver, wink wink Mom:) is a Kung Fu Nina at night! Whew! He kicks and punches and jabs and makes my belly twitch. I LOVE it. I am VERY excited for him to be born already! 10-11 weeks seems sooooo long. I still need a lot of stuff, I have a lot to do, yet have done a lot as well.
I will be working on an in-depth post on Breastfeeding, being induced, natural child birth, and babies sleeping through the night. Brief overview, I love breastfeeding. I am praying about the option I have to be induced at 39 weeks. If I choose to not be induced, I am toying with the thought of trying a natural child birth (ie, no epidural). And my thoughts on babies and how it is possible to TRAIN them to sleep through the night. My boys are fantastic night sleepers. All issues have many opinions.
29 weeks now. Very very UNCOMFORTABLE. Baby is sitting on sciatic nerve, which kills! I have A LOT OF contractions (Braxton Hicks, or practice contractions) everyday that are very uncomfortable and put me down for a while. I am dying to see my baby boy on an ultra-sound but they won't do another one unless they think something is wrong. :(
I truly can't wait to kiss him, hold him, snuggle him, breastfeed him, SEE who he looks like. I just can't wait. I love him so much already.
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Monday, September 19, 2011
Monday's Weekly Review
I only exercised twice last week! It was a busy busy week.
Wednesday: I did 2 miles on the Elliptical at home- 22 minuets. [Davey and 3 ranch guys brought the elliptical up for me from the basement. YAY!]
Saturday: Walked/ jogged/ waddled about 2 miles around the ranch. I really wanted to go on a run, but didn't want to leave my family on our family day. At about that moment, Davey said, "It's so nice out, let's go on a walk around the ranch!" Excited, I said yes!
But what he really meant was, "Let's walk super slow, stop and explore, and shoot at stuff." So, I had to ditch him for a bit, then I was scared I'd run into a snake. It wasn't a fun time.
I just decided a few days ago to start logging my food onto My Fitness Pal again. I am NOT counting calories, but this really helps me to realize how much I am eating. I put my goal is to gain .5 pounds a week and it says I should eat 2,250 calories a day! Whoa! I haven't eaten that many yet.
Are you on My Fitness Pal? What is your user name?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Wednesday: I did 2 miles on the Elliptical at home- 22 minuets. [Davey and 3 ranch guys brought the elliptical up for me from the basement. YAY!]
Saturday: Walked/ jogged/ waddled about 2 miles around the ranch. I really wanted to go on a run, but didn't want to leave my family on our family day. At about that moment, Davey said, "It's so nice out, let's go on a walk around the ranch!" Excited, I said yes!
But what he really meant was, "Let's walk super slow, stop and explore, and shoot at stuff." So, I had to ditch him for a bit, then I was scared I'd run into a snake. It wasn't a fun time.
I just decided a few days ago to start logging my food onto My Fitness Pal again. I am NOT counting calories, but this really helps me to realize how much I am eating. I put my goal is to gain .5 pounds a week and it says I should eat 2,250 calories a day! Whoa! I haven't eaten that many yet.
Are you on My Fitness Pal? What is your user name?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wednesday's Weigh In & My Running Story
Weigh In
Only up .5. Half a pound. That I am happy with. But who knows what next week will be??
I was just telling my husband, I am so tired of people (books, doctors, nurses, WIC) saying things like, "Since you were a little over weight when you got pregnant, you should only gain 15 pounds total for the whole pregnancy."
Asking a pregnant woman to only gain 15 pounds is ridiculous. If it happens, than fine and that's good. But let's not put that pressure on a pregnant lady. Okay? I totally understand warning an overweight pregnant lady about gaining too much, and about diabetes and all those risks, but to say, you only need to gain X amount of weight, that's not cool.
What do they want me to do....count my calories? Diet? I. Think. Not.
I am not eating donuts everyday. I am eating whole foods for the most part, and exercising. So if I gain over 15 (which I know I will) so be it. Not trying to repeat my last weigh in post, but I am venting about some comments I've had or read in books. Ok. Moving on.
My running story.
Yesterday on Twitter, one of the Authors of the book I am reading, Run Like a Mother writes for Runners World. She tweeted she needs people who have lost weight while running for an article. So I tweeted her, and she tweeted back and I am currently waiting for her to email me the list of questions from Runners World!!! Now I know I am not the only one being emailed this list, and I know I will probably not get picked, but so cool to even be considered!!!
It got me thinking about how I started running, how much I lost while running, and the journey in general. How an overweight, asthmatic, mom of 2 could barely run a 1/3 of a mile even well after starting C25K to realizing I could run 1.67 miles with out stopping, to running 10 miles with out stopping and finishing a half marathon.
I am still in awe at how this all happened. I have been reflecting back to after Cody was born, and how at my heaviest weight of 244 pounds, I desperately wanted to run. But between my asthma, being super fat, and having 2 babies, and the fact that I could never run, even at 140 pounds, I thought it was just a dream. I remember going to the track when Cody was a few months old, and trying to run 1/4 mile straight, and felt discouraged that I couldn't do it. Finally I did and was amazed at how I actually made it 1 WHOLE LAP with out dying. I almost threw up, but I did it.
Even though I am limited to how much I can run now due to pregnancy, and back pain, I know that after the baby comes, I CAN run as far as I want to (Lord willing of course). I am so thankful I started to run, and that God gave me the strength to do it.
Do you have a similar running story?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Only up .5. Half a pound. That I am happy with. But who knows what next week will be??
I was just telling my husband, I am so tired of people (books, doctors, nurses, WIC) saying things like, "Since you were a little over weight when you got pregnant, you should only gain 15 pounds total for the whole pregnancy."
Asking a pregnant woman to only gain 15 pounds is ridiculous. If it happens, than fine and that's good. But let's not put that pressure on a pregnant lady. Okay? I totally understand warning an overweight pregnant lady about gaining too much, and about diabetes and all those risks, but to say, you only need to gain X amount of weight, that's not cool.
What do they want me to do....count my calories? Diet? I. Think. Not.
I am not eating donuts everyday. I am eating whole foods for the most part, and exercising. So if I gain over 15 (which I know I will) so be it. Not trying to repeat my last weigh in post, but I am venting about some comments I've had or read in books. Ok. Moving on.
My running story.
Yesterday on Twitter, one of the Authors of the book I am reading, Run Like a Mother writes for Runners World. She tweeted she needs people who have lost weight while running for an article. So I tweeted her, and she tweeted back and I am currently waiting for her to email me the list of questions from Runners World!!! Now I know I am not the only one being emailed this list, and I know I will probably not get picked, but so cool to even be considered!!!
It got me thinking about how I started running, how much I lost while running, and the journey in general. How an overweight, asthmatic, mom of 2 could barely run a 1/3 of a mile even well after starting C25K to realizing I could run 1.67 miles with out stopping, to running 10 miles with out stopping and finishing a half marathon.
I am still in awe at how this all happened. I have been reflecting back to after Cody was born, and how at my heaviest weight of 244 pounds, I desperately wanted to run. But between my asthma, being super fat, and having 2 babies, and the fact that I could never run, even at 140 pounds, I thought it was just a dream. I remember going to the track when Cody was a few months old, and trying to run 1/4 mile straight, and felt discouraged that I couldn't do it. Finally I did and was amazed at how I actually made it 1 WHOLE LAP with out dying. I almost threw up, but I did it.
Even though I am limited to how much I can run now due to pregnancy, and back pain, I know that after the baby comes, I CAN run as far as I want to (Lord willing of course). I am so thankful I started to run, and that God gave me the strength to do it.
Do you have a similar running story?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Monday's Weekly Review & Tuesday's Two
Monday's Review
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength exercises on my hips (side & back leg lifts)/ Plank (read in Fit Pregnancy Planks are ok to do while pregnant!) can only hold for 20 seconds now..
Wednesday: Ran 1.12 mi (run/walk) 22 minuets at YMCA
Thursday: 2 mile walk with my family on the Green Way
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Walked two miles "Accidental miles". Boys had the Marine Mud Run in Knoxville. It was a half mile walk to the start from our car, then me carrying around Cody up and down hill trying to get pics of the boys during the run...whew I got a work out. Than we went to a market and walked around for an hour.
Sunday: Rest
Tuesday's Two:
1. Marine Mud Run
The boys had an awesome time!! The little one on the end to the right finished in 28 minuets! A big buff guy came up to him after and said, "Hey man, GOOD JOB!". He was so excited. We hoped he would place in his age group, but he got 14th out of 59 in his group. He finished 7th out of 20something in his wave.
The rest of the boys finished together in 43 minuets. Two of them lost their shoes. =D I am so proud of them all. Them and more of our boys want to do another one and keep asking me when the next race is. So cute.
2. Funny, true things that happen to me.
Remember when Cody fell out of the jogger and I ran over him? Things like that happen all the time around here. I don't make this stuff up. I will share our most recent running adventure.
On our 2 mile family walk at the Greenway last week, Shane was running and doing somersaults on the grass next to the path. About ten somersaults into it, he rolled right into dog poop. Yes. Hot, fresh, dog poop. I laughed so hard I almost peed. Shane is standing there saying, "Mom Help!! Caca on me!! Ewww! MOM!!!! help!!!" I couldn't move to help him or I would have peed I was laughing so hard, {plus walking briskly at 27 weeks pregnant}. Oh man. Good times. Davey had to clean him up with Shane's shirt and he was shirtless for the rest of the walk. Why do I think that with 3 boys, I will have many many more stories like this?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength exercises on my hips (side & back leg lifts)/ Plank (read in Fit Pregnancy Planks are ok to do while pregnant!) can only hold for 20 seconds now..
Wednesday: Ran 1.12 mi (run/walk) 22 minuets at YMCA
Thursday: 2 mile walk with my family on the Green Way
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Walked two miles "Accidental miles". Boys had the Marine Mud Run in Knoxville. It was a half mile walk to the start from our car, then me carrying around Cody up and down hill trying to get pics of the boys during the run...whew I got a work out. Than we went to a market and walked around for an hour.
Sunday: Rest
Tuesday's Two:
1. Marine Mud Run
The boys had an awesome time!! The little one on the end to the right finished in 28 minuets! A big buff guy came up to him after and said, "Hey man, GOOD JOB!". He was so excited. We hoped he would place in his age group, but he got 14th out of 59 in his group. He finished 7th out of 20something in his wave.
The rest of the boys finished together in 43 minuets. Two of them lost their shoes. =D I am so proud of them all. Them and more of our boys want to do another one and keep asking me when the next race is. So cute.
2. Funny, true things that happen to me.
Remember when Cody fell out of the jogger and I ran over him? Things like that happen all the time around here. I don't make this stuff up. I will share our most recent running adventure.
On our 2 mile family walk at the Greenway last week, Shane was running and doing somersaults on the grass next to the path. About ten somersaults into it, he rolled right into dog poop. Yes. Hot, fresh, dog poop. I laughed so hard I almost peed. Shane is standing there saying, "Mom Help!! Caca on me!! Ewww! MOM!!!! help!!!" I couldn't move to help him or I would have peed I was laughing so hard, {plus walking briskly at 27 weeks pregnant}. Oh man. Good times. Davey had to clean him up with Shane's shirt and he was shirtless for the rest of the walk. Why do I think that with 3 boys, I will have many many more stories like this?
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Friday, September 9, 2011
Fantastic Friday- RUNNING in Skirts
I think it's fantastic there is a running skirts movement going on. I love the company Running Skirts, even though I don't own anything from them *yet*. They are a huge motivator and supporter of all women running. They have things for pregnant women runners, mommy runners, conservative runners, stylish runners, athletic runners, beginner runners, advanced runners, and more. They even have things for baby's of mom runners. How awesome!
I read on KatieRUNSthis blog about an article in Runners World recently put out. This article is on Running Skirts/fashion run ware and it got SLAMMED by tons of WOMEN. Yes. Women against running in skirts. Some comments were for the stylish running attire, some hated the thought of ANY woman running in a skirt. Here were some of the worst comments:
"NO NO NO. As a women I am sick and tired of being told to embrace my feminine side. Running is not about fashion, it's about just running, or gutting out the 32k training run, or busting your butt at the track doing speedwork, finding some inner peace on the trails, or just enjoying a run. If you are concerned about your appearance, there is something drastically wrong. I get fancy dress and a bit of fun at a race, but I can't stand the high-fashion girly thing. We should not be judging or admiring our female athletes because of what they are wearing. Fashion is fine on cat walks but it should keep of the asphalt. If they choose to wear pigtails, or red dresses or tanks and arm warmers (how is that a fashion statement?) that's fine, it's their choice. But that is not what we should be celebrating about them. I am sick to death of trying to find womens running gear and being faced with wall to wall pink, flowery patterns and 'yoga style' clothing. What is wrong with shorts and a t-shirt. "-himantura
"I agree with himanture..this just adds to the stereotype that all girls are frilly. plus some of those items are stupid and excessive. I mean anyone has free-will to buy what they want, but thats just my two-cents. plus I looked at one site, and one article of clothing cost $98????!! and why would you feel bad about the way you look if your running? Let me guess, your casually jogging 3 times a week? and yes, I AM going there."-CassC9
"woo hoo look at MEEEE I'm a middle child and didn't get enough attention growing up." -Aponi
"This is what I get out of this article: women have a low self-image so they need to look "pretty" to get attention because they can't do it on merit and are dumb enough to spend oodles of money to do so."-sportbikeless
Can you BELIEVE these people? I'm sorry, but who are YOU to judge anyone about what they wear on OR off the pavement? WHAT IS WRONG WITH BEING FEMININE?
And I've got news for you CassC9......YOU did NOT invent running (God did!!!), it's NOT yours to claim, ANYONE can do it, and if anyone runs/jogs/walks 3 times a week.....guess what??? THEY ARE RUNNERS TOO.
Everyone has their own style and comfort for running. I had just asked my Mom to make me a longer running skirt for Christmas because the ones I saw online were a little too short for my likings. Again, personal preference! I don't judge anyone who wears shorter ones, or anyone that wears shorts, T-Shirts, sweatshirts, or all kinds of bright beautiful running apparel {which I think is awesome..bright compression socks? YES please!}
Here is a picture of a skirt I adore and asked my mom to make for me but a little longer...
But what do you know.....they have long skirts too!! The Spirit Skirt.
I also LOVE this maternity running skirt!!!
Running isn't just for Elite athletes. People have been running since Adam and Eve. Running whether you run/walk a 15 minuet mile, or a 5 minuet mile, you are a RUNNER. From 1 mile, to 26.2 miles, you are a RUNNER. It's no ones right to say who is a runner and who is not, or what someone should wear or what they shouldn't while running.
As long as you are appropriate, as in I wouldn't cover my 3 year olds eyes as you ran by, than wear what makes your running fun, comfortable, and convenient. I DON'T think most women wear running skirts so guys will check them out, most of these women I think are married and mothers. I think they wear the skirts because they like to dress fashionable, look pretty, for comfort, and convenience.
Whether you are overweight, slow, pregnant, beginner, intermediate, competitive, athletic, elite, fast, skinny, tall, short, do long runs, short runs, medium runs....RUNNING IS RUNNING. Period.
And can I just say..... I don't admire elite female athletes that get paid to train 6 days a week 8 hours a day and run a 2:20 marathon. Nope. Not one bit. {I'm not saying I wouldn't love to be sponsored one day...!!!} But that's their job, they get paid to do it.
I admire a Mother who works hard to raise her family, who runs a household, perhaps holds down a job, is a wife, a cook, a homemaker and somehow.....finds time to RUN. Whether she runs 5K's now and then or is training for a marathon. That's who I admire.
AND......{last and...} I don't desire or admire a pro athletes 100 pound body. I don't judge them for it, that's what they like and want for their body....but I like my curves. Yes even though I am not at goal weight yet, I don't EVER desire my bones to stick out, or to fall.. scrap my knee and see my bone, or my chest to dwindle down to nothing....Nuff said.
Run on all runners.
Walk if you prefer! Like I am now...no shame in walking!!!
Love, The Curvy Housewife
I read on KatieRUNSthis blog about an article in Runners World recently put out. This article is on Running Skirts/fashion run ware and it got SLAMMED by tons of WOMEN. Yes. Women against running in skirts. Some comments were for the stylish running attire, some hated the thought of ANY woman running in a skirt. Here were some of the worst comments:
"NO NO NO. As a women I am sick and tired of being told to embrace my feminine side. Running is not about fashion, it's about just running, or gutting out the 32k training run, or busting your butt at the track doing speedwork, finding some inner peace on the trails, or just enjoying a run. If you are concerned about your appearance, there is something drastically wrong. I get fancy dress and a bit of fun at a race, but I can't stand the high-fashion girly thing. We should not be judging or admiring our female athletes because of what they are wearing. Fashion is fine on cat walks but it should keep of the asphalt. If they choose to wear pigtails, or red dresses or tanks and arm warmers (how is that a fashion statement?) that's fine, it's their choice. But that is not what we should be celebrating about them. I am sick to death of trying to find womens running gear and being faced with wall to wall pink, flowery patterns and 'yoga style' clothing. What is wrong with shorts and a t-shirt. "-himantura
"I agree with himanture..this just adds to the stereotype that all girls are frilly. plus some of those items are stupid and excessive. I mean anyone has free-will to buy what they want, but thats just my two-cents. plus I looked at one site, and one article of clothing cost $98????!! and why would you feel bad about the way you look if your running? Let me guess, your casually jogging 3 times a week? and yes, I AM going there."-CassC9
"woo hoo look at MEEEE I'm a middle child and didn't get enough attention growing up." -Aponi
"This is what I get out of this article: women have a low self-image so they need to look "pretty" to get attention because they can't do it on merit and are dumb enough to spend oodles of money to do so."-sportbikeless
Can you BELIEVE these people? I'm sorry, but who are YOU to judge anyone about what they wear on OR off the pavement? WHAT IS WRONG WITH BEING FEMININE?
And I've got news for you CassC9......YOU did NOT invent running (God did!!!), it's NOT yours to claim, ANYONE can do it, and if anyone runs/jogs/walks 3 times a week.....guess what??? THEY ARE RUNNERS TOO.
Everyone has their own style and comfort for running. I had just asked my Mom to make me a longer running skirt for Christmas because the ones I saw online were a little too short for my likings. Again, personal preference! I don't judge anyone who wears shorter ones, or anyone that wears shorts, T-Shirts, sweatshirts, or all kinds of bright beautiful running apparel {which I think is awesome..bright compression socks? YES please!}
Here is a picture of a skirt I adore and asked my mom to make for me but a little longer...
But what do you know.....they have long skirts too!! The Spirit Skirt.
I also LOVE this maternity running skirt!!!
Running isn't just for Elite athletes. People have been running since Adam and Eve. Running whether you run/walk a 15 minuet mile, or a 5 minuet mile, you are a RUNNER. From 1 mile, to 26.2 miles, you are a RUNNER. It's no ones right to say who is a runner and who is not, or what someone should wear or what they shouldn't while running.
As long as you are appropriate, as in I wouldn't cover my 3 year olds eyes as you ran by, than wear what makes your running fun, comfortable, and convenient. I DON'T think most women wear running skirts so guys will check them out, most of these women I think are married and mothers. I think they wear the skirts because they like to dress fashionable, look pretty, for comfort, and convenience.
Whether you are overweight, slow, pregnant, beginner, intermediate, competitive, athletic, elite, fast, skinny, tall, short, do long runs, short runs, medium runs....RUNNING IS RUNNING. Period.
And can I just say..... I don't admire elite female athletes that get paid to train 6 days a week 8 hours a day and run a 2:20 marathon. Nope. Not one bit. {I'm not saying I wouldn't love to be sponsored one day...!!!} But that's their job, they get paid to do it.
I admire a Mother who works hard to raise her family, who runs a household, perhaps holds down a job, is a wife, a cook, a homemaker and somehow.....finds time to RUN. Whether she runs 5K's now and then or is training for a marathon. That's who I admire.
AND......{last and...} I don't desire or admire a pro athletes 100 pound body. I don't judge them for it, that's what they like and want for their body....but I like my curves. Yes even though I am not at goal weight yet, I don't EVER desire my bones to stick out, or to fall.. scrap my knee and see my bone, or my chest to dwindle down to nothing....Nuff said.
Run on all runners.
Walk if you prefer! Like I am now...no shame in walking!!!
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Wednesday's Weigh In
I remained 199 all week long. It. Was. Good.
Than, I weighed myself yesterday morning, and OVERNIGHT I was at 203. Yup. 4 pounds, overnight, in 1 week. I should only gain 4 pounds a month.
Of course I had my prenatal appointment TODAY. Not Tuesday when I was 199 (which would have put me at a 4 pound gain this last 4 weeks). Midwife would have been happy, I would have been happy. But.... NO.
Imagine her reaction when I have only gained a total of 10 pounds this pregnancy and 8 of those was this last 4 weeks. (She was actually very calm and not too concerned...few.)
WHAT? IS? GOING? ON?
Maybe it's all the Vitamin D whole Organic milk I've been drinking. Or the occasional bowl of ice cream. But in my mind, I'm working out more now than with both boys. I'm eating better, (and by better I mean not eating donuts everyday). I generally eat a lit of fruit, and whole grain cereals .
I just dont get it. But, I am ok (really I may sound frantic, but I'm not...to bad). I don't think I should count my calories, and I'm exercising regularly, so if I gain 8 pounds 3 more times. So. Be. It.
It's all gonna come off anyways. I may have to work a bit harder and longer, but that's ok.
We had above 2 mile family walk today. I love how my boys LOVE to run!!!
Hope next week is better!
Love, the Curvy Housewife
Than, I weighed myself yesterday morning, and OVERNIGHT I was at 203. Yup. 4 pounds, overnight, in 1 week. I should only gain 4 pounds a month.
Of course I had my prenatal appointment TODAY. Not Tuesday when I was 199 (which would have put me at a 4 pound gain this last 4 weeks). Midwife would have been happy, I would have been happy. But.... NO.
Imagine her reaction when I have only gained a total of 10 pounds this pregnancy and 8 of those was this last 4 weeks. (She was actually very calm and not too concerned...few.)
WHAT? IS? GOING? ON?
Maybe it's all the Vitamin D whole Organic milk I've been drinking. Or the occasional bowl of ice cream. But in my mind, I'm working out more now than with both boys. I'm eating better, (and by better I mean not eating donuts everyday). I generally eat a lit of fruit, and whole grain cereals .
I just dont get it. But, I am ok (really I may sound frantic, but I'm not...to bad). I don't think I should count my calories, and I'm exercising regularly, so if I gain 8 pounds 3 more times. So. Be. It.
It's all gonna come off anyways. I may have to work a bit harder and longer, but that's ok.
We had above 2 mile family walk today. I love how my boys LOVE to run!!!
Hope next week is better!
Love, the Curvy Housewife
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Monday's Weekly Review & Tuesday's Two
Monday's Weekly Review
Last week was a bit of a light week. Which is OK. The further I along I am the more rest days I need for my back & joints to heal. We also had revival at church then my sister and her family came for the weekend. :)
Monday- 1.12 mi walk @ YMCA & 600 Yard Swim (swim was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G)
Tuesday-Rest
Wednesday-Rest
Thursday- 1 mi elliptical & weights (really focused on leg weights this work out. Quads, hamstrings, hips, inner thighs, outer thighs, & glutes.) I was SORE the next few days.
Friday-Rest
Saturday-.064 mi walk.
Sunday-Rest
Tuesday's Two:
1. Monsoon.
It's been raining here non stop for 3 days. 2 more days of rain. It's good, because it's cooler weather, but we are cooped up! I am enjoying Hot Cocoa, not using our AC, and the sound of rain. I hope tomorrow I can walk outside in the cooler weather.
2. 12 more weeks.
12 more weeks until I can be induced. If I choose to induce. 13 weeks until I am due. Wow. I realized, that really isn't much longer!! I am so excited to see our precious baby. His room is coming together so nicely. I will post pics soon. Shane my 3 year old, is very excited for "his baby" to come. When my sister and her family were just here, Shane kept wanting to hold her newborn baby girl. He was getting confused saying, "Is this my baby Mom? He needs to go into his room. It's painted." hahaha he couldn't grasp that she was a *girl* and that she was Auntie's baby. I kept telling him, "Our baby is still in my tummy." then he'd lift up my shirt just to see my tummy and check that it was still big. :) melts my heart. I love my boys!
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Last week was a bit of a light week. Which is OK. The further I along I am the more rest days I need for my back & joints to heal. We also had revival at church then my sister and her family came for the weekend. :)
Monday- 1.12 mi walk @ YMCA & 600 Yard Swim (swim was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G)
Tuesday-Rest
Wednesday-Rest
Thursday- 1 mi elliptical & weights (really focused on leg weights this work out. Quads, hamstrings, hips, inner thighs, outer thighs, & glutes.) I was SORE the next few days.
Friday-Rest
Saturday-.064 mi walk.
Sunday-Rest
Tuesday's Two:
1. Monsoon.
It's been raining here non stop for 3 days. 2 more days of rain. It's good, because it's cooler weather, but we are cooped up! I am enjoying Hot Cocoa, not using our AC, and the sound of rain. I hope tomorrow I can walk outside in the cooler weather.
2. 12 more weeks.
12 more weeks until I can be induced. If I choose to induce. 13 weeks until I am due. Wow. I realized, that really isn't much longer!! I am so excited to see our precious baby. His room is coming together so nicely. I will post pics soon. Shane my 3 year old, is very excited for "his baby" to come. When my sister and her family were just here, Shane kept wanting to hold her newborn baby girl. He was getting confused saying, "Is this my baby Mom? He needs to go into his room. It's painted." hahaha he couldn't grasp that she was a *girl* and that she was Auntie's baby. I kept telling him, "Our baby is still in my tummy." then he'd lift up my shirt just to see my tummy and check that it was still big. :) melts my heart. I love my boys!
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Monday, September 5, 2011
GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!!!
It was such a close call........wish I could give away two gifts!!!!!
But the winner is AVERAGE JANE!!!! Thank you so much for writing that post and mentioning two different posts of mine, and all your re-tweets and support!!!! Please DM me on twitter your address!! Thank you all so much for participating!!!! There will be more giveaways soon!!!
Love, The Curvy Housewife
But the winner is AVERAGE JANE!!!! Thank you so much for writing that post and mentioning two different posts of mine, and all your re-tweets and support!!!! Please DM me on twitter your address!! Thank you all so much for participating!!!! There will be more giveaways soon!!!
Love, The Curvy Housewife
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Tuesday's Two, Wednesday's Weigh In & Thankful Thursday
Tuesday's Two:
1. Weights to Strengthen my legs & hips.
Today was the first day I really worked on strength training my legs and hips. I usually do leg curls, and leg lifts for my Quads and Hamstrings, but today I really focused my work out on strengthening my muscles that will help me run strong.
2. Running for a cause.
The thought of my first 5K was so much more appealing knowing it would help raise money for the Fight against Brain Tumors. I know of a Pastor and his wife who spoke at our church in CA which lost their 4 year old son to a brain tumor. Sadly I didn't get to run that specific race. I think I have mentioned the Marathon I want to run in 2012....if not....here it is. St. Jude's Marathon in Memphis TN. Seriously, even if I didn't live in Tennessee, this would be a race I would really want to run. And for it to be my first full marathon? That would be amazing. St. Jude's is the ONLY children's hospital to not turn away ANY child with cancer because of insurance or money. Being a mom to two (three) small boys, this hits close to home. NO child should die from Cancer because of money, and the parents shouldn't have the huge amount of debt hanging over them. During the marathon near the end several of the children patients come out and thank you for running and raising money for them. Tear. All. Ready.
Don't worry.... I am not about to start asking you all to give money.....(yet). ;-) JK!
Wednesday's Weigh In
Same as last week!! Good. Still one pound away from that dreaded T number. I figured in my head the other day... if I weigh 220 when I give birth (hopefully LESS!) I will lose about 15 of those right away, then a few more from breastfeeding and water weight going away.
I want to set a realistic goal of -7 pounds a month. By Nashville Country Music 1/2 on 4-28-12 I could be at 171!! That sounds good to me. :)
Thursday's Thankfulness
I am very thankful that the Lord provided a lot of things needed for the baby's nursery this week! I made some crafts, we bought paint (we are painting the room tomorrow), I got curtains, and a few needed items and finished our registry at Target. Here is a peek into the baby's nursery....:)
This may be a letter from his first name...or middle name...or I might be spelling "Cutie" or "Cowboy".....;-)
Love, The Curvy Housewife
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