Baby Shower

~ Zoe's Baby Shower ~

July 14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Stay hydrated!

Healthy baby=Happy mama

Good hydration is extremely important for a healthy pregnancy and postpartum period. Water flushes waste products from the cells and aids in liver and kidney function for both mom and the baby. During pregnancy, water is also needed for the body's expansion as mom's blood volume increases significantly. Insufficient water intake can be a factor in constipation, preterm labor, and miscarriage, and even slight dehydration can cause or contribute to fatigue. Proper hydration is also important for adequate breast milk production and flow.

Most women know about the need for proper hydration during pregnancy, but many do not get adequate fluid intake. Some women do not like drinking water; others say they are not generally thirsty. Additionally, women are often unaware that some beverages are actually dehydrating.

Caffeinated and high-sugar beverages (my pepsi craving :( ahh)  are actually dehydrating and should not count in your daily total of fluids - and are best avoided.

       H2O instead  

 It's better to drink smaller amounts of healthy liquids

 frequently vs. large amounts only a couple times per day.

 Think of a house plant - if you don’t water it enough and

 then give it a lot of water, most of the water runs straight through,

 and certainly does not make up for the hours of time where hydration was lacking.

                                                                                * * *





             ~ I agree it is annoying having to pee (almost) every five minutes. And the more you drink the more trips to the bathroom you have to make. And sometimes that can be very frustrating. I guess just have to keep it in mind that you need water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to your organs and tissues. It also helps transport oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs. And not only for you but most importantly for your baby! ~



           

 Weird cravings? Yes

                             ICE CREAM!           

                        

                                                     I never was a big fan of ice cream before i got pregnant now its something I desire almost every day lol

RUSSIAN UNSALTED SUNFLOWER SEEDS

All of a sudden I start craving sunflower seeds... So I'm addicted to them for 2 weeks now lol.

PEPSI

And the weirdest craving is Pepsi.!! Never was a soda fan at all. In fact I'm a little bit of a healthy freak. Eating fruit and vegetables so yeah... this is new for me. A nice tall glass of pepsi & ice, honestly tastes like heaven! I try really hard to stay away from it but sometimes I give in.. bad me..





~ So this is me 8 months pregnant (36 weeks to be exact).
    And to be honest I am kind of proud of myself for keeping up with healthy eating habbits, and staying active. Hence the result-I only gained about 20 pounds. Yayyyy!
   I don't judge people that gain a lot of weight during thier pregnancies. Women have different bodies, different metabolism, and eating habbits. Or sometimes the weight comes from the fluid that stores up during pregnancy. Just had to throw it out there lol.~







So Far this (my first) pregnancy has been a blessing! Thank God! Minus the few rough months in the begining. Due to all the morning sickness and nausea (that I thought would never go away!! but it did...) And I have to admit pregnancy is a wonderful expirence overall. Minus the backache, tiredness, shortness of breath, and hormonal mood swings... these are the only "rough" things I am
dealing with right now. So I'm greatful! On the positive note you get to carry "LIFE" inside of you. Another human being! There is no other feeing that can compare to your little baby kicking/swimming/hiccuping inside you! It just is so incrediable! Feeling it, watching the belly move and form different angles, having your partner talk to the baby... Just puts a smile on your face.

Being just a month away from my baby girl's arival makes me SO EXCITED and yet so nervous at the same time! Another human's life is gonna be placed in MY (and Wesley's [my boyfriend]..) hands. Kids are such a big responsibility! And they are alot of work. I've learned that from babysitting my bestie's children. Max 5, and Eva 2. But its all worth it because kids are blessings from God.

wow 35 weeks already!!!

that belly is surely getting big

- Four exercises to ease aches and help with labor -

Kegels

Kegel exercises are small internal contractions of the pelvic floor muscles that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles improves circulation to your rectal and vaginal area, helping to keep hemorrhoids at bay and speeding healing after an episiotomy or tear, if you have one during childbirth. There's even some evidence suggesting that strong pelvic floor muscles may shorten the pushing stage of labor.

You can do Kegels anywhere — sitting at your computer, watching TV, even standing in line at the supermarket. Here's how:

• Tighten the muscles around your vagina as if trying to interrupt the flow of urine when going to the bathroom.
• Hold for a count of four, then release. Repeat ten times. Try to work up to three or four sets about three times a day.

Pelvic tilt or angry cat

This variation of the pelvic tilt, done on all fours, strengthens the abdominal muscles and eases back pain during pregnancy and labor.

• Get down on your hands and knees, arms shoulder-width apart and knees hip-width apart, keeping your arms straight but not locking the elbows.
• As you breathe in, tighten your abdominal muscles and tuck your buttocks under and round your back.
• Relax your back into a neutral position as you breathe out.
• Repeat at your own pace, following the rhythm of your breath.

Squat

It may not be the most elegant position, but squatting is a time-honored way of preparing for and giving birth. This exercise strengthens your thighs and helps open your pelvis.

• Stand facing the back of a chair with your feet slightly more than hip-width apart, toes pointed outward. Hold the back of the chair for support.
• Contract your abdominal muscles, lift your chest, and relax your shoulders. Then lower your tailbone toward the floor as though you were sitting down on a chair. Find your balance — most of your weight should be toward your heels.
• Take a deep breath in and then exhale, pushing into your legs to rise to a standing position.

Tailor or Cobbler Pose

This position can help open your pelvis and loosen your hip joints in preparation for birth. It can also improve your posture and ease tension in your lower back.

• Sit up straight against a wall with the soles of your feet touching each other (sit on a folded towel if that's more comfortable for you).
• Gently press your knees down and away from each other, but don't force them.
• Stay in this position for as long as you're comfortable.
  
  Remember to start slowly and work at your own level for each exercise.

                   
                     
                               ahhhh I'm a little nervous about this....

Awesome book on parenting! If you have children or planning to have them in the future, or even if you are a caregiver such as babysitter, I recomend you read it.

I couldn't put it down.

Slam..!

~What to do.....?

So I have a little problem...
My neighbor from apartment across the hall, (probably in late thirties) who happens to live all by herself  isn't very nice...
Here's why..
Every time she leaves the house she slams her door REALLY HARD..!!!
(for instance this morning I was trying to take a nap since I was up all night [ Zoe was kicking really hard and wouldn't let me sleep] I just start to fall asleep when BOOM!! I wake up "oh I guess my neighbor is leaving"...
I thought I'd give her the benefit of the doubt..  "maybe she thinks she lives in the apartment ALL by herself"...lol "maybe there's a problem with her door"....
"maybe she's deaf.. 
Btw you can hear almost everything that's going on in the hall when sitting in my living room.
well the other day she had a visitor I heard her say "good-byes" and for the first time she shut the door like a normal person.! She did not slam the door!! Coincidence..?? I don't think so!
Now  I believe the lady has a problem with me or just doesn't like me... well that's no reason to slam your door when there are two other families that live downstairs from us..
So I had a though "maybe I should confront her..?"  or  "... should I start slamming my door.." lol
So should I pay her no mind and pretend she's deaf.. Or is there a need for intervention...?



~ Hey there! I am a young woman expecting a baby girl this coming August. I love art and being creative with my crazy ideas. Painting, cooking, shopping, and exercising are some of my favorite things to do. I'm pretty new to blogging and such so dont expect too much out of me lol.





 ~ So this is my first pregnancy..  I believe it is important for women to try stay healthy eat a well balanced diet and exercise stay hydrated. For you as well as your baby's well being.There are many benefits to being physically active during pregnancy, here they are...

1. Fight pregnancy fatigue. Low-level tiredness plagues many women during the first trimester, then again late in the third trimester. It seems paradoxical, but sometimes getting too much rest can actually make you feel more pooped. And while you should never push yourself too hard when you're pregnant — and especially when you're feeling fatigued — a little nudge can make a big difference in your pregnancy energy level. So take baby steps — go for an easy walk or pop in a pregnancy exercise video. You'll be surprised at how peppy you feel afterward.
   
2. Improve your sleep during pregnancy. While many pregnant women report that they have a harder time falling asleep (not to mention staying asleep with all the bathroom interruptions), those who exercise consistently (as long as it's not near bedtime, which can be too energizing) say the quality of their sleep is better and that they wake up feeling more rested.
3. Conquer pregnancy constipation. An active body encourages active bowels. Some women swear by a brisk 30-minute walk to keep them regular, others say even a ten-minute stroll helps get things going.
4. Do pregnancy back exercises. Back pain affects half of all pregnant women — and your best defense is a strong set of abs. Do simple pregnancy-safe exercises to strengthen your abs — which will give your back the back-up it needs. (See Pregnancy Workouts for exercises that work for you.) But don't stop there. Even exercise that's not directly targeting the tummy — a short walk to the post office — can also relieve pain and pressure.
5. Don't worry, be happy. Exercise causes your brain to release endorphins, those feel-good chemicals that give a natural high — improving your mood, diminishing feelings of worry and anxiety.
6. Do pregnancy stretches. It's not a stretch — stretching does your body good, and you don't even have to break a sweat. This is especially true if you've been troubled by muscle cramps — particularly in your leg. Stretching out (flexing your toes up instead of pointing down) can help you uncover little pockets of tension, warding off cramps and sore muscles. Stretch after your exercise routine, but also stretch at your desk (especially if you've been sitting or standing for a long time), in the car or airplane, and always before bed (particularly if nocturnal leg cramps have been cramping your sleeping style).
7. Guard against gestational diabetes. Exercise may prevent this common problem, and the American Diabetes Association recommends exercise as a helpful therapy for women who are at risk. If that's you, don't be surprised if your practitioner is even more gung ho about prescribing a workout routine.
8. Make a healthy baby. Babies of moms who exercise during pregnancy are born at healthier weights, are better able to weather labor and delivery (they are less stressed by it), and recover from the stresses of birth more quickly.
9. Have an easier labor (possibly). While exercise during pregnancy can't guarantee that you'll sail through childbirth, moms who exercise tend to have shorter labors and are less likely to need medical interventions during labor (including C-sections).
10. Speed your postpartum recovery. The more you increase your pregnancy fitness, the faster you'll recover physically after childbirth, the more fit you'll be after delivery — and the sooner you'll be zipping up those prepregnancy jeans again.



~ There is my little munchkin.
Zoe Soleil ~

~ Here is a link to some Prenatal Pilates    (one of the videos that I use to work out at home)               

http://youtu.be/2qo_nCKpTcM