What this pregnancy has done for me

The state that I am currently in has certainly changed the direction of this blog, but I would rather it reflect part of my life rather than just fitness. I love fitness and I love that people come here and can leave educated in the realms of health and fitness but I also want to document me too. 

 Pregnancy has lately been an everyday topic in my life and as you can tell for a woman as she continues to grow it becomes more and more a topic of conversation. This pregnancy has been a total eye opening experience for me and I can tell you that it is because I am a more mature woman and this is the last pregnancy that I will ever have so I made it a point to embrace this closing chapter of my life. 

I recently have been obsessed with watching pregnancy vlogs on youTube and reading birth stories on others blogs as labor and delivery now that I am at 33 weeks has become something that is coming in the very near future. I am getting everything ready for the baby, getting the closet ready, finishing the purchased of things that I will need for when she is here and then it is just a waiting game. 

I have learned many things in this pregnancy (I always hated being pregnant before this one) that have really humbled me as a person. I have learned that I can be healthy no matter what it is simply a matter of choice and mind over matter. I learned to listen to my body and when I am tired to seriously listen to myself because taking care of me in the form of rest is essential for me to be a good person all around to all people in my life. I have grown closer to my husband by telling him the things that are wrong and I have leaned on him to help me around the house more often. I don't have to do everything for this family I should let others be involved as well. 

 I have also learned to just let things go. Success has been something that I have been craving since my divorce and I thought that at one point that adding more to my plate would help me to succeed. I took on photography and coaching and everything under the sun like being a fitness instructor and really.......I am successful where I am. I have a job that pays me well, that allows me to be with my family, and I have a family that I need to take care of. Being pregnant has really forced me to slow down and to look at things differently which makes me happy because I finally have peace and balance in my life. I mean we are not all perfect and some days are hectic and crazy and being tired doesn't help (darn you third trimester!) But I have come out on top in just sitting back and looking at my blessings as exactly what they are. 

My baby brought me peace of mind and I know that she will drive me crazy but she has helped realize that we all just sometimes need to stop focusing on what is happening tomorrow and focus on the present and smell the roses. Being pregnant has humbled me in a way that I could not have even imagined that it would have. Now, don't get me wrong I am still a strong willed person but I now know that I don't have to do everything in order to be everything to everyone and money isn't everything. Thank you my little one and God for bringing this wonderful new way to light in my life!

32 Week Bumpdate

Baby Growth:  By now, your baby weighs 3 3/4 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, she'll gain a third to half of her birth weight during the next 7 weeks as she fattens up for survival outside the womb. She now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). Her skin is becoming soft and smooth as she plumps up in preparation for birth. (Source: Babycenter.com)

My Symptoms: I have been very tired and I have been out of gas by 6 at night. The only thing that keeps me going is that my husband lets me sit down and read (he doesn't let me but he very generously picks up the slack like dishes and bath time). I have been going to be between 8:30 and 9 during the week and staying up until 10:30 on Saturdays which is much like my first trimester. I am not AS tired as I was then but it's pretty similar.

I have been feeling VERY swollen even though it doesn't seem like I am. My fingers and ankles get the brunt of it but I am nowhere near Kim Kardashian in that department. I have been drinking lemon water to help alleviate it but it doesn't seem to be helping as much as when I wasn't pregnant but helps me feel better overall. 

Weight/Belly: +32 pounds and I feel every single pound of it and I am starting to feel EVERYTHING. My belly has gotten noticeably bigger it makes me happy to know that she is growing in there but in the same respect it is making for more uncomfortable sleep. During the day I am just fine with my preggy belly :)

Maternity Clothes:  YES! I went out and bought 2 more shirts to go with my leggings because the belly is starting to make all of my shirts mid-drift shirts and while that is the style now don't nobody want to be seeing that mess LOL and I don't want to be showing it either.

Movement: Very much! She is starting to jab a bit harder now which still surprises me but makes me happy too. She is getting stronger in there! She is way more active at night than during the day and I am praying that changes when she pops out! I do not want to be up all night with little Ms.

Sleep: It's been going. I have been getting up to pee more often and it is getting to be really bad. I am averaging 3-4 wake ups at night. I stumble to the bathroom and sit there with my eyes closed LOL. I am just reminding myself that it is just my body preparing me for the babies arrival. I am really tired during the day but I find that I wake up a bit after I workout which is a big relief and I know that once the baby comes I will be able to gain some energy from my workouts later on.

Workouts: I have been walking 3 miles 4 days a week and doing the Slim and Tone Pregnancy DVD 2-3 times a week. I did do Upper Fix from the 21 Day Fix with a girlfriend from work and it was nice to be able to lift again so I may throw that one in this week as well for a better upper body workout I am not a fan of the Slim and Tone one for just an upper day. I have been averaging a 6 time a week workout.

**BBL Update: I was not able to finish the 30 day challenge because of my SPD which really stinks! I can't wait to be able to lift my legs again LOL I know that sounds so crazy but I did the High and Tight workout and it was excruciating to do the leg lifts :( I am totally going to have to do that challenge after I have my little. *******

Cravings: Cake cake cake cake and can I say Cake! I don't seriously DO NOT like cake that much but cakes and donuts have been something I have been obsessing over!

Goals for the Next Week: Not to eat JUNK food! I have been indulging WAY too much!

30 Week Bumpdate

Baby Girl: Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now and weighs almost 3 pounds. Her eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after she's born, she'll keep her eyes closed for a good part of the day. (source:Babycenter.com)

My Symptoms: This week and last week has been really exhausting! I have been tired tired tired. I can't ever get enough sleep and I find myself maxing out on my caffeine intake because I HAVE to stay awake due to the demands of my life and my job. For those of you out there that do get to nap APPRECIATE IT!!! I sure wish that I could! 

I for sure feel weaker, my workouts have been slowing down. I made it to the gym 4 times last week which was really good and I walked at least 3 miles every day. My toning has been lacking because my husband and I have been just so busy and tired that getting 20 minutes of toning in seems like trying to fit in an hour! It's bee pretty lacking. 

Heartburn has made its way in and so have nasty cravings. I try to resist them but most of the time I don't and portion out what I want to eat. I have also been very moody and don't really want to talk to anyone. People annoy the UH HM out of me but I try to smile and keep going but inside I just wish to be left alone. :( Sad I know, I am seriously a pretty good social person, not lately though. 



Weight/Belly: I am up about 30 pounds now. I am starting to swell for nothing which really stinks but I try to keep that down with lemon water and watching what I am eating and that has proven to be really really hard lately. Everything has salt in it!


Maternity Clothes: Yes, they are starting to fit tight which really stinks because it's so late that buying anything sounds dumb but I did give in and bought 2 pairs of workout pants because I really needed them.


Movement: Yes She is still hanging out REALLY low! I always have to use the bathroom but she can keep on moving. I feel a bond with her every time that she moves! It's been an interesting experience with this little one. I am trying to enjoy every moment ache and pain knowing that she is a  complete blessing to our lives and it is my last pregnancy.

Sleep: I have been getting sleep but it is broken with going to the bathroom and we will just say that make up has been my best friend ha ha ha! I have mastered a 5 minute face routine LOL. I SO desperately need it. One of the girls I work with told me that I looked absolutely exhausted (I wasn't wearing makeup!)

Cravings: This week mangoes and cakey things have been my serious craving! 

Best Pregnancy Moment This Week: Passing my glucose test!!!!!!

Goals for next week: Eat more vegetables, eat less junk food, pack my lunches for work every day this week! 

Thoughts: I can't believe that I am so close to seeing my little baby. It is absolutely amazing to me! I can't picture her but I can. I imagine what she looks like and how we are all going to adjust to a little GIRL in the house! We couldn't be more excited!