It's a Boy!!

This week was especially important because it contained my 20-week ultrasound that not only told us baby peanut is healthy (praise the Lord!!) but that he/she is a HE!  We wanted to make the revealing of the sex fun and exciting, so I asked a friend of mine to bake a cake, filling the inside with blue or pink frosting, depending on what the sealed envelope from the doctor revealed to her.  In front of some of our closest friends we revealed to ourselves and to everyone that we are having a boy!

Pinterest Inspiration

I write again on another rainy day, something I am so thankful we are getting here in Boulder!  I also smell slightly like a coffee shop as Judd and I spent part of this afternoon down at Folsom Coffee, listening to live music, drinking Latte's and reading.  My reading of choice today was "Baby Bargains."  So far this has been my right hand guide as I start to learn about what we will be needing and not needing for little one.  Unlike registering for a wedding where you pretty much know what you need (if you have cooked before, you should know what tools you need for example) but with a baby, its all foreign and new.  I have been logging the items are interested in on Diapers.com, mostly as a place to keep it all organized, but also as our registry.  I will report on exciting finds as they come up.

What is changing with my body: I cannot deny that I feel pregnant now.  My lower abdomen feels full and tight all of the time.  Sometimes it feels tighter than others (like when I am working out, this causes me a small amount of concern, so I try to not push it).  I remember my pregnant friend mentioning slight contractions during weight lifting class occasionally when she was as far along as I am a few months ago, so I'm guessing this is normal.  It's really strange, I can literally feel this baby growing and moving upward.  I still feel subtle flutters pretty often now, nothing too crazy, just a fun reminder that someone is here with me!

The most exciting thing right now is that I am planning our Gender Reveal Party in a little over a week!!  I am so excited to find out whether we are having a boy or a girl and I can't think of a better reason than to celebrate with friends and family!  I found this awesome idea for party decorations that I am using as inspiration:.  I will definitely be posting post-party pictures with the results of course!














Another fun thing going on is that I have started gathering ideas for the nursery!  Our progress so far includes painting the room a beautiful gray color that I found from a nursery I like posted on Pinterest.  I have decided to go for yellow, gray and white whether we have a boy or a girl.  I love these colors together and like that they are pretty gender neutral.  Since we will be finding out the sex, I'll spruce up the room with a few girly or boyish touches down the road.  This way if we are still living here when we have more kids, we won't have to totally redo the room.

Pregnancy Tea

I write this blog while sipping my newest purchase, pregnancy tea (which is actually pretty good).  I had my friend Rachel over last week whose roommate is pregnant and apparently has done a lot of research on herbs, etc. for pregnancy.  Rachel was telling me about Raspberry Leaf tea and Nettles, two things that I was very skeptical about, even after she later emailed me an extensive list of benefits.  Taking my skepticism to my midwife appointment this morning I was very encouraged by her support of both these herbs.  My midwife, Angela, recommended drinking two cups of Raspberry Leaf tea starting at 28 weeks and increasing this to 4 cups a day after 36 weeks.  If you check out the benefits listed below you'll see why I think this is worth a shot.  Angela also said that Nettles has plenty of prenatal benefits and that I should start taking it now.  She recommended the aforementioned pregnancy tea that I purchased today at Rebecca's Apothecary in downtown Boulder (side note - this place is really cool.  It almost feels like you are taking a step back into the 1700's).  This pregnancy tea is a blend of Nettle, Raspberry and Oatstraw, and a low enough dose of raspberry that I won't be putting myself into early-labor :)

Another purchase from the apothecary was belly butter.  In the last week or so I have started to notice I have been subconsciously itching my stomach.  I had been thinking about investing in a belly butter, and when I dreamed last night that my enormous boobs had stretch marks all over them, I figured now is a good time to.  This stuff smells delicious and I can't wait to start trying it out.

I doubt I can blame this on crazy pregnancy hormones, but blueberry muffins have started to sound really good the last few days.  This morning when I came across a Real Simple recipe for Whole Grain Blue Berry Muffins I knew I had to make them.  These were a HUGE success and taste even better than they look, if you can believe that!  I recommend you take this recipe and go make yourself some.



Whole-Grain Blueberry Muffins (from Real Simple)


Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour, spooned and leveled*
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup flaxseed meal (available at natural-food stores)
• 1/4 cup pecans
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest, plus 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups fresh blueberries or one 8-ounce bag frozen blueberries

Directions

1. Heat oven to 375° F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a food processor, process the flour, oats, flaxseed meal, pecans, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until finely ground.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sugar, butter, orange zest and juice, egg, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture and mix just until incorporated (do not overmix). Fold in the blueberries.
3. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 22 to 25 minutes.

Benefits of Raspberry Leaf Tea:

Most of the benefits ascribed to regular use of Raspberry tea through pregnancy are traced to the nourishing source of vitamins and minerals found in this plant and to the strengthening power of fragrine - an alkaloid which gives tone to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the uterus itself. Of special note are the rich concentration of vitamin C, the presence of vitamin E and the easily assimilated calcium and iron. Raspberry leaves also contain vitamins A and B complex and many minerals, including phosphorous and potassium.

The benefits of drinking a raspberry leaf brew before and throughout pregnancy include:

~ Preventing miscarriage and hemorrhage. Raspberry leaf tones the uterus and helps prevent miscarriage and postpartum hemorrhage from a relaxed or atonic uterus.
~ Easing of morning sickness. Many attest to raspberry leaves' gentle relief of nausea and stomach distress throughout pregnancy.
~ Reducing pain during labor and after birth. By toning the muscles used during labor and delivery, Raspberry leaf eliminates many of the reasons for a painful delivery and prolonged recovery. It does not, however, counter the pain of pelvic dilation.
~ Assisting in the production of plentiful breast milk. The high mineral content of Raspberry leaf assist in milk production, but its astringency may counter that for some women.

~ Providing a safe and speedy pariuntion. Raspberry leaf works to encourage the uterus to let go and function without tension. It does not strengthen contractions, but does allow the contracting uterus to work more effectively and so may make the birth easier and faster.

Benefits of Nettles:

Vitamins A, C, D and K, calcium, potassium, phosphorous, iron and sulphur are particularly abundant in nettles. 
The benefits of drinking nettle infusion before and throughout pregnancy include:


~ Nourishing mother and fetus.
~ Easing leg cramps and other spasms.
~ Diminishing pain during and after birth. The high calcium content, which is readily assimilated, helps diminish muscle pains in the uterus, in the legs and elsewhere.
~ Preventing hemorrhage after birth. Nettle is a superb source of vitamin K, and increases available hemoglobin, both of which decrease the likelihood of postpartum hemorrhage. Fresh Nettle Juice, in teaspoon doses, slows postpartum bleeding.
~ Reducing hemorrhoids. Nettle's mild astringency and general nourishing action tightens and strengthens blood vessels, helps maintain arterial elasticity and improves venous resilience.
~ Increasing the richness and amount of breast milk.

Belly Band to the Rescue!

I just wanted to write quickly because a few fun things happened today.  Two days ago it was blazing hot and today was the most rainy of a day Boulder has seen in a long, long time.  To celebrate the gloomy sort of day I met my good friend Laura Ramos for coffee.  Laura brought along her little bundle of joy, Tate, whom is about 6 weeks old.  Having been born 5 weeks early, however, he is still a very little and adorable guy.  While holding Tate for a good portion of our visit he decided to leave me a special gift and pee on me :) Thanks Mr. Tate for getting me ready for what is just around the corner!

Today Laura also gave me a bag of a few of her maternity clothes, including two belly bands.  I have been holding out, making my clothes continue to work as long as possible.  The last week I have really started to notice that even my most stretchy jeans are becoming noticeably uncomfortable.  When I came home I immediately put the belly band on and WOW!  This thing is so comfortable!  I am thrilled that I can now probably fit into all of my normal pants for a few more months at least.  Thank you Laura!

Major Changes Happening!

A wonderful Saturday morning with the ladies

Reporting here at 16 weeks.  Wow, 4months!  Its crazy how much of pregnancy seems to pass before you really "look" or are known by the world to be pregnant.

What is happening this week:  This past weekend Judd was on a mountain biking trip to Moab.  Coincidentally, a good friend of mine, Katiegrace was in town, so I had a wonderful weekend full of a lot of sweet girl time.

Come Sunday I was really starting to feel uncomfortable in my normal clothes (not pregnant-looking, just fat).  So, wonderful Katiegrace joined me on a trip to the mall where I bought my first maternity-appropriate clothes.  Rather than continue to try and hide this growing bump I am excited to embrace it.

Something else extremely exciting happened on Sunday!  I felt peanut move for the first time!  I was sitting at church, and during the Prayers of the People I felt a funny sensation on the left side of my abdomen, something very similar to a muscle twitch.  I sort of brushed this off because I didn't think I could actually be feeling peanut yet.  Most places I have read say that first time moms should feel their baby anywhere from 16-22 weeks.  Sunday being the first day of week 16 I thought, "no way, its too early."  After feeling a similar sensation multiple times throughout the day since, however, leads me to believe that I am in fact feeling peanut move!!  This has been such an amazing sensation as I truly am feeling like there is actually a baby growing inside of me.  Crazy.

As far as how I am feeling goes, overall I feel great!  Absolutely no more nausea or food aversions in my life!  I am back to eating normal and am even able to focus on making the best food choices possible.  I have had a number of prenatal headaches however.  These headaches are subtle and unlike others I have had pre-pregnancy.  They come on as a dull pain and just sort of stick around forever.  Other headaches in the past usually tend to increase until they are unbearable and only ibuprofen can save the day.  I can take Tylenol, but since it doesn't always seem to help, I have tried to avoid it when I can.  I have read on another pregnancy blog that a little caffeine can help, so I have been subtly self-medicating with a little coffee here and there :)  (even a java crunch chocolate bar seemed to help yesterday :)

The only real major change these days is the way I am sleeping.  I have always been a back-sleeper and typically sleep hard and straight through the entire night.  This has not happened in months.  Realizing I am going to have to fully make the transition to side-sleeping in a few weeks I have started to try and adjust.  Sleeping on my side sucks!  I am trying to figure out how to use pillows to help out and they only mildly do.  In addition to waking up anywhere from 2-5 times a night to pee (how in the world is there enough water in me to do this I wonder daily!?) but I am now waking up constantly because my back hurts or I am uncomfortable.  Oh well.  I am going to continue to try and adjust and figure out how to make this work.  I'll report if I figure anything out :)  Until then I am taking full-advantage of the fact that work is slow and I can sleep in a lot :)

For those of my friends that know I am pregnant, they are not afraid to tell me so.  (For the rest of the world, I imagine they think I have had too many beers lately).  I think the funniest response so far came last night from my friend William.  I joined him and a table full of friends for happy hour (don't worry, Italian soda for me :) and from across the table he blurts out, "I can see your baby!"  Umm...thanks William.  So you are saying I look a bit chubby :)  I imagine some ladies would be offended by these early comments, but I am excited that Peanut is finally making his/her debut appearance!  It has only just begun...