Get your sleep now!

YEAH RIGHT!! Everyone keeps telling me, "get your sleep now". With a huge, heavy stomach that's highly uncomfy, REALLY? I wake up probably at least 6 times everynight to use the restroom and change sides (I can't just sleep on one side through the entire night). After changing sides (which kind of hurts), it takes about 5-10 minutes to get situated and comfortable again! I don't care if I don't get any sleep when Deegan is born...at least I will have comfy sleep!! Even if it's only for an hour...it will so be worth it!! Darrell bought me the BOPPY pillow when I was about 4-5 months and that thing works WONDERS!! I'm sure you could pull it off with regular pillows...but it is amazing and actually helps me to get some rest!

So I've done ALOT of research on postpartum stuff to help me get back into shape. The BELLY BANDIT...after doing some research, I purchased it on ebay! It's a waist band used by celebrities that you wear after your pregnancy, helps your waist slim down (NOT tone, but slim)! I'm totally excited about this...it has REALLY good reviews! It goes for $50-$60, but I got it for $35 on ebay...SCORE! The SHRINKX...I've done research on this as well...research queen haha! The shrinkx has really good reviews as well...it's a band for your hips that helps your hips go back to pre-pregnancy size faster. I bought this on diapers.com because I had a $10 coupon so it was the cheapest for me! I'm using these right away (if I don't have a c-section) for the first 6 weeks, when you're not supposed to do strenuous exercise, and then stop using them when I start working out hardcore! I'm going to keep blogging after my pregnancy to let you know how it goes!! :)

xoxo Dez

My preggo tips and advice!

So I'm almost 37 weeks, and I think I've had a great pregnancy so far. I'm going to share things that I've done throughout my entire pregnancy for all the preggies out there because I know there's alot of you! Just remember, every woman is different...you know your own body so listen to it! And also, be sure to consult with your doctor/midwife if you're unsure about something...and don't do it until you get their advice first!

I'll start off with the beginning of my pregnancy. I instantly started eating more fruits and veggies, they're so good for you, even if you're not pregnant! Along with that, I added more protein and whole grains to my diet (it's recommended to get 6 servings of whole grains a day) because those are very vital during pregnancy as well.

I also started taking prenatal vitamins right away, along with my calcium supplements because I do not drink enough milk and it's important for the baby to get plenty of calcium as his bones are forming! **TIP: If you have troubles remembering to take pills daily, go out and buy a pill box from the pharmacy, fill it up for the week and leave it somewhere in the kitchen or car...someplace where you will see it everyday! That's what I did!**

I began prenatal exercises right away...prenatal exercise 3-4 times a week with prenatal yoga on the days in between! **TIP: I used 'Prenatal Exercise with Summer Sanders' and 'Shiva Rea's Prenatal Yoga' dvds...you can get them both on amazon.com!** They worked great for me and I'll definitely use them for future pregnancies! Some mommies can't really exercise until the 2nd trimester because of morning sickness and stuff, I guess I was very lucky! I got nausea...but it couldn't stop me from working out and pumping more blood to my baby!

I also started using cocoa butter right away, morning and night...literally caked on! **TIP: Some cocoa butters are greasy, so save the greasy stuff for bed time and sleep in old t-shirts, I used wifebeaters!** It's just really important to STAY moisturized...as my stomach got bigger, it would itch like crazy!!! So make sure your shower gel is moisturizing too! **TIP: I use Dove's deep moisture shower gel, Queen Helen's cocoa butter (tub), Vaseline's cocoa butter oil, and Suave's cocoa butter lotion**

As my 2nd trimester approached, we were buying things like crazy, which leads to my next...**TIP: Don't buy too many things, especially clothes, before your baby shower!!**

I began changing up my exercise routine up a bit and started swimming a few days out of the week...my midwife had told me that swimming is the BEST prenatal exercise, and I believe her because it made me feel great! I kept my diet the same...but naturally, I ate some junk food that I was craving on different days. Went out of control with carbs and sugars...I was paying attention to everything else but those! My midwife said SLOW DOWN on the sugars and carbs! So I did just that! **TIP: It's not a bad thing to eat some junk (potato chips, etc) here and there, especially if you're craving it...but just watch your portions! I started monitoring my carb/sugar intake to no more than 240mg a day! You would be really surprised to see how much carbs/sugars are in things like bread, milk, cereal...JUICE is the worst!! I drink Ocean Spray's Diet juices now because they're so much better for you.**

My stomach was itch central...still is itching at 37 weeks. **TIP: oatmeal baths worked for me...I still try to take them, even though it's hard to get my 6-foot pregnant-ass in the tub...I still try because it feels so good on that itchy belly!**

At the present moment...I'm still wearing my wedding rings! My body has done great with swelling and circulation...I swear it's yoga!! And also all of that water I drink! However, there are times if I'm on my feet too long, my feet do start to swell because of the extra weight! **TIP: it's important to elevate your feet when you can, and drink plenty of water! Another thing that helps me is support hoses...they sell the pregnancy kind at Motherhood Maternity!** It's totally worth it to buy the good kind @ $6each so you don't get vericose veins!!

As far as my experience goes, the 3rd trimester is the hardest. You're tired of being pregnant, you want to meet your little one, you have so much to do, the pains get bad in the 9th month, more dr's visits, classes to take, so much to learn...totally overwhelming! **TIP: Remember, you are NOT a superhuman! It's great to try to get things done before your 3rd trimester so you don't have to worry about them last minute (all that stress is no good on the baby)! So try to do the baby's laundry and nursery before your 3rd trimester. If you didn't, then ask for help from your partner...remember, they can't read your mind!**

Stay organized!! I'm telling you, you will miss a dr. appt or class if you don't! **TIP: I used a planner for myself...wrote down all dr. appts, classes that I was scheduled for, AND TO-DO LISTS! To-do lists are a must to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed...I just take things day-by-day and accomplish what's on my list for that day and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow!** I also think baby classes and baby books are great, especially for first time mommies and daddies! Darrell and I have taken about 4 and have learned ALOT! **TIP: The must have book is...'What to expect when expecting'. So informative!!**

While pregnancy is a beautiful thing, often times, we don't feel very beautiful! We're sweaty, moody, and BIG! So the romance might die down a little...just keep in mind that your partner is in this too! **TIP: Show your love for your partner several ways, whether it's cooking dinner for him, letting him watch his favorite tv show or movie, etc. You can always work on the romance after the baby arrives and when you're not feeling like such a whale!**

Hope that helped a bit! :)
xoxo Dez

P is for Pregnancy...or PAIN??

Last night was by FAR the worst pain that I've been through. On top of my annoying and painful sciatic nerve, I've also been getting these pains near my groin area. It's located near my inner, upper thigh...the crevice that connects to your groin. It's like a shooting pain that kind of tingles! Almost feels like my leg is going to pop out of my hip joint...it literally takes my breath away and I have to grab onto something so I don't fall! I was only getting it on my right side at first, but last night while I was fixing up dinner, I was getting them on both sides! It's horrible...brought me to tears because it wouldn't stop! I'm not sure if it's the obturator nerve, or if it has something to do with my sciatic nerve...not sure! But I am sure that it's because he is dropping and it's getting close...my nerves are going crazy because of all the pressure! I'm definitely going to talk to my midwife about it at my next visit! Until then...rest and relaxation is a must!!!

xoxo Dez

Sciatic nerve plllleeeaaasseee go away!!!

My back is KILLING me...it's happening more often and it hurts, real bad! I should be reading up on books...or doing something productive, but I'm just not in the productive mood! And that's ok! A pregnant lady deserves a day of rest and relaxation, right? :) Speaking of that, all you preggies out there MUST have a prenatal massage later in your pregnancy. It feels AMAZING!! I got one almost 2 weeks ago and it was very uplifting. When you get this far along, you definitely are done being pregnant. The extra weight is taking a toll on my body, I REALLY miss strenuous exercise, I miss eating whatever I want, I miss sleeping (won't get that anytime soon, anyway) and so many other things! You're excited, but nervous...and tired. So many emotions at once. I truly believe the 3rd trimester is the worst because of all the crazy emotions and physical conditions. Getting a massage definitely helps. If you can't afford one, then take a nice bath with salts and oatmeal (helps with the itching)...that might even be a little complicated though, it's really hard to get into and out of the bath these days *lol*

Tomorrow or Monday, I'll write a little something on what I recommend for each trimester, based on my experience!

xoxo Dez

Only 3 weeks and 6 days left!

I had my follow-up ultrasound done on Monday, and good news...Deegan's kidneys are back to normal! However, I did meet with the pediatrician nephrologist and she still wants to put him on amoxicillin after he's born and have an ultrasound done on him after 2 weeks! It's just a precaution and I'm totally fine with that...better safe than sorry!

My doctor's appointment today went good...they tested me for group B strep, if positive then they need to give me medication during labor so the baby can't get it! So we'll find out those results soon! On another note...the lower back pain that I'm experiencing is my sciatic nerve, OUCH!!! She said it's totally normal during pregnancy and should go away after he's here...let's hope she's right!

As for other things, I'm going to spend this weekend reading up on my baby books, updating his "baby memory book" and hopefully packing our hospital bags! I need to swing by walmart AGAIN and get some travel sized things...seems like we go there alot these days!!

xoxo Dez

Updates and more updates!

I'm really bad with this blog thing, but we've had alot going on so what can I say? ;) First of all, I got the results of my 3-hour GMD test and my sugar levels were a little high, but not high enough to be diabetic. The nurses called it "borderline-diabetic". So I went to a class on eating healthy and how to cut back on sugars! For weeks, I had to change my diet...I actually felt like I was eating more, but ended up cutting down on sugars and carbs (my 2 favorite things). It was tough...but now I'm to the point that I'm eating whatever again but still not eating as much sugar (before, I was eating ice cream everyday) and everything is going good! My advice to all of you pregnant mommies out there...watch out for sugars and carbs! Eating too many of them is really bad for you and the baby...I had to learn the hard way!

We moved into a townhome a little over a month ago...so we've been really busy trying to unpack and get ready for Deegan! 4 more weeks to go from today!

As for exercise...I've cut down ALOT! With the move and with my stomach getting bigger, it's REALLY hard to be motivated! But I'm still doing yoga...did it today as a matter of fact!

As for my body...I've gained 30 lbs so far. And I'm completely happy about that because it's 100% healthy. I look at these moms that are underweight to begin with and only gain 15 lbs with their pregnancy and that is just not healthy...I don't understand how they could restrict their diet when they're carrying a life inside of them! Women that are underweight, are supposed to gain more than 35 lbs when they're pregnant...and if they complain about that and refuse to do it, then in my mind they have an eating disorder and shouldn't be allowed to have babies! It's a sad sad world out there! But I'm not afraid to share how much I've gained...I know it's healthy for my son and I know I'll lose it from breastfeeding :)

As for pain...I have felt great up to this point. I'm 9 months now, and I'm definitely feeling the extra weight! My knees hurt a little when I first wake up...I have to walk much slower or I get small pains in my lower stomach. I've also been getting shooting pains in my lower back and pelvic area, which I'm going to talk to the doc about tomorrow. They hurt so bad that I have to grab on to something and sometimes it takes my breath away, ouch! Update on that tomorrow!!

Everyone says "get sleep now"...YEAH RIGHT! Being 9 months...your stomach is bigger and heavier than ever...you can't really use your stomach muscles to pull yourself off of the couch and bed...it's very complicated! I pee about 3-5 times everynight and it takes me about 20 minutes to get comfy again...sleep is impossible at this point! However...my little body pillow is a life saver...it really does help! I just can't wait to be able to sleep on my stomach and back again...so tired of sleeping on my side!

Baby classes are a MUST! We've taken 3 so far and they're great! Filled up with so much info and free stuff...I recommend taking them!! We've been to classes on budgeting for the baby (REALLY helpful...they talked about wills and everything), breastfeeding (so excited to do this...), and abc's of having a navy baby (info about communicating with a baby, etc...it was great!). We're going to be taking a CPR class and also we have a hospital tour coming up, YAY!!!!

I feel like we have so much left to do! We still need to shop for little things...baby wipes, nursing bras, formula just in case breastfeeding goes way wrong, and so much other stuff! We're going to try to accomplish this today or tomorrow...lol. I want to update our wills, because ya never know! We need a changing pad cover...Ivy needs her shots...and much more stuff on the list! I really don't want to leave the house 2 weeks before my due date because I'm scared of going into labor while driving or something, ya never know!

xoxo Dez