So Now You're Pregnant!

So after all those test you finally have a positive!  You're pregnant, but now what?  I'm sure all these things are popping into your head one after another like spammed pop ups and now you're head is spinning!  Relax, you have 9 months to prepare...breath!  Most likely you are at least 4 weeks for the test to show positive. 

Below are some links that will take you directly to a due date calculator!  Ta da!!  Didn't think it would be that easy huh?

Baby Center Partners

Parents

American Pregnacny Association

Greenville OBGYN

Keep in mind that it is only an estimate.  Once you find an OBGYN, if you don't already have one, they may ask for your estimated due date, or they will help you figure that out too!  Most OBGYNs will schedule you around 8 weeks or so for your first initial visit.  Some may even do an early ultrasound just to be sure of the due date!

If you don't have an OBGYN picked out, don't freak out but now is the time to start searching.  First, ask your friends and coworkers for their recommendations.  Feedback from your surroundings may just be the boost you need to feel more comfortable at a new place.  Also, you may want to decide which hospital you would like to have your baby at.  I say this as not all practices will deliver at any hospital.  There may be one closest to your house or work.   Keep in mind the hospitals that have great Neonatal care, just in case it may be needed.  I liked to see the doctor's pictures and read their bios on their websites during my search; this gave me a better piece of mind and calmed me down a bit as well! 

The most popular practices, at least here in the upstate, are those with more than one doctor.  Typically, these groups work together and rotate being on call in the delivery room.  This eliminates the worry of what if's: what if my doctor doesn't get there in time, or what if my doctor is on vacation when I go into labor. 

However, you may be more comfortable with a one doctor practice and if you are, you do what you feel best with!  If you're like me, your gut feeling will lead you in the best direction.  When calling an OBGYN, you can always ask to meet the doctor before you initially take them on.  Also, your insurance may play a key part in who you choose; when browsing online, make sure you keep this in mind when choosing.

For those in the Upstate, I've added some links to some hospitals and OBGYNs in the area:

Hospitals:(*Each hospital will have great information for pregnancy and thereafter) Greenville Memorial Hospital: http://www.ghs.org/obgyndept
St. Francis : http://www.stfrancisbaby.org/pregnancy-guide.php
Greer Memorial Hospital: http://www.ghs.org/stork
Spartanburg Regional: http://www.spartanburgregional.com/WomensHealth/Pages/default.aspx
Laurens County Hospital: http://www.lchcs.org/servicesWomensServices.html
Self Regional Hospital(Greenwood): http://www.selfregional.org/services/womens_center.asp

OBGYNs:
(Keep in mind that these are just a small portion of the many that are out there.  Each hospital will have a link to more OBGYNs that deliver at the given hospital so you may want to check there as well.)
Greenville OBGYN - Only Delivers at Greenville Memorial
Greer OBGYN - Only Delivers at Greer Memorial
Hilands Center for Women - Delivers at St. Francis
Spartanburg & Pelham OBGYN
Piedmont OBGYN - Delivers at Greenville Memorial

If you're not sure what will happen at your first visit, or if you are on edge with nerves, be sure to ask all and any questions when calling.  Typically you can expect an exam which most likely includes a pap smear, blood work and maybe an ultrasound.  You'll get a height and weight check, blood pressure check and as with every visit, you will have to pee in a cup!

When you have that figured out you can breath a little and start reading. You may need to change or eliminate some bad habits, lower caffeine and change your diet.  Some books will have repetitive information, however this is helpful and should ease your mind!  You can always check out your local library, but keep in mind that you may want to purchase some books that you can reference to throughout your pregnancy and future pregnancies!  I'm on my 2nd and I'm glad my book stash is still around! 
Regular book stores may have top prices but you can 'google' around and find great books at much lower prices online!  Amazon, eBay and Craigslist will usually have great finds!  Also, you can always sale them again later.  The main place my books came from was eBay.  I only bought new or like new condition and was more than pleased!  Below are some books that I recommend:

What to Expect When You're Expecting
 A total MUST HAVE!  As soon as I found out I was expecting for the 1st time, my sister ran out and bought this for me!
It has the best layed out information month to month!  There's a reason why it's the most popular!
Check out the author's website as well for more useful information also.
http://www.whattoexpect.com/

The Yummy Mummy Manifesto
This was a great read after a 'husband bashing' book I had read before!  This one is more laid back and shows a personal perspective while uplifting your spirits.
I found this one new on eBay for around $5(total with shipping!)
Check out the Author's website too:
http://www.yummymummymanifesto.com/

The Expectant Parents' Companion
  This one not only helps you with pregnancy, it helps you prepare for baby. 
Definitely a great option for couples overwhelmed with the extravagant lists and such in which most stores suggest you buy it ALL!  This will help you slim down what you need and help think more practical of the necessities.
This is also a great find on eBay.

New Mother's Guide To Breastfeeding
A breastfeeding book recommended by doctors; the American Academy of Pediatrics.  I knew nothing about breastfeeding!  This book was a huge help.  I kept it in my purse and read it on my lunch breaks or in the waiting room at my OBGYN.  This book also came with me to the hospital in case I needed to look something up! 
If you're thinking about or planning to breast feed, START LEARNING NOW!  Don't wait until your baby is born because it's not as easy if you are unknowledgable on to the topic if you wait.  Trust me on this.

I Can't Believe It's Yoga for Pregnancy and After 
This has safe exercises for every stage of pregnancy and even for after your baby is born! 
Yoga was the best way for me to exercise in my own home! 
I found this book very fun.  It was also another great eBay find!

Today's Moms
A great book on surviving baby's first year written by two producers from NBC's TODAY Show.
 I found this in a really great after Christmas sale at Barnes & Noble.

The Expectant Father
I had a hard time getting my husband to read any pregnancy books!  I bought this one and put it in a place where he would read it..the library! :-)  He seemed to enjoy it and started to better understand what I was going through!  This really helped us to get on the same page!

Caring for Your Baby and Child: Birth to Age 5
This book came to me in the mail from the Publix Baby Club!  It can't get any better than that!  If there's a Publix near, you can find a sign up card on the baby isle or by the front desk or even online!  You will also receive GREAT coupons for savings and even free items!  The book is such a wonderful source!

Time for Beautiful Skin Again: The Secret of Younger Skin

So maybe you're a new mom with strange misbehaving skin or a busy working woman noticing your skin just isn't as fresh as it use to be.  Your face is the first thing you and others see and there are some things you can do to make a major difference and keep that skin looking and feeling younger! 

1. Wash thy Face Every NightThe #1 single most important thing you can do is to NEVER go to bed with your make up on.  Not only make up, but dirt and oil builds up on your face in your precious pores from your daily activities.  Therefore you want to be careful on the cleanser you choose.  Many store bought cleansers have harsh additives that can irritate your skin and some even cause cancer.  The cancer causing elements may be small, but think of all the beauty products you use in a lifetime that may have them!  If you're like me, you may have tried several cleansers and they were too harsh or broke your skin out!  With some research I have found and tweaked some recipes for cleansers.  The best and basic way to cleanse and remove make up is a simple cold cream cleanser.  It does great for removing makeup as well as eye make up.  Also, use your fingers or a baby wash cloth to gently cleanse your face; other wash cloths and sponges can be too rough and abrasive.
2. Tone after CleansingA toner or astringent removes extra oils or perspiration as well as residue left over from cleansers.  It helps to hydrate your skin and balance the pH levels as well.  Be careful as many store bought versions contain acetone and isopropyl alcohol which is also found in nail polish removers which can be harsh for the skin!  Rose water itself serves as a great toner.  It can be purchased at health food stores and in some cases the liquor store.  Another option is Aloe Vera Gel or Aloe Vera Juice.  For every one part Aloe Vera Juice/Water use one part water. 
3. MoisturizeNow that your cleansed and toned you need the apply the barrier from the environmental factors of the hustle and bustle of a day and night while you sleep.  Consider your moisturizer as your skin protector! Make sure to pick a gentle moisturizer for your skin type and be sure to choose one with a sunscreen especially if you do not wear foundation.  

If all else fails just be SURE to wash your face every night and indeed your skin will look younger longer!  Also remember to be careful in choose your facial cleansers.  Do your research and make sure the products you choose or make are the right ones for you!

Milk - A Long Time Beauty Secret

Milk aka an alternative to soap in the beauty world is a natural cleanser that will radiate your skin leaving it smooth and soft. Being rich in protein, natural fat, vitamins and lactic acid it acts to cleanse and detoxify. That lactic acid is an alpha hydroxy (AHA), a natural material that dissolves the glue which holds dead skins cells together; hence it cleans your pores and removes surface bacteria that can cause acne.

Milk has been used to beautify for many many ages. Such delicacies were considered a luxury that only royalty were able to obtain. The most famous as you may know would be Cleopatra and her milk baths.
Milk beauty products can get rather costly and let's face it, who needs added preservatives and other harmful additives when you can easily make your own at home within minutes! Below are some quick and easy recipes that I am very fond of! Please feel free to comment on your personal results as well.

Beautiful Smooth Milk Cleanser (My #1)

Dry skin will radiate with the use of this instant beautifying cleanser. The oil and yogurt moisturize will the lemon juice restores your skin's natural acid level.

1 Cup Plain Yogurt

2 Tablespoons Light Oil (almond oil, hazel seed oil, canola oil, sunflower oil)

2 Teaspoons Lemon Juice

Sanitized Jar with Tight Lid for Storing

Simply mix all ingredients and spoon into in a sanitized jar with a tight lid. For use, gently massage a small amount to your skin and cover the entire face. Let sit for about 10 - 20 minutes then rinse.

Simple Milk Cleanser

This will help your skin come back to life and cleanse your pores.

1/4 Cup of Milk (Oily Skin Types use Skim Milk)

1/2 Cup Rose Water (or Reg. Water)

2 Tablespoons Baking Soda

1 Egg White

Sanitized Jar with Lid for Storing

Simply mix ingredients and pour into the sanitized container.

For use massage into face and rinse well.

Queen of the Nile Relaxing Milk Bath
Use this mixture for one of your nightly Beauty Baths. Remember the water must be about 90 degrees. Not only will water over 100 degrees dry out your skin it can cause tiny blood capillaries to burst resulting in red marks on the skin.

2 - 5 Cups Fresh Milk or Buttermilk

1 Tablespoons base oil (Almond, jojoba, sunflower..etc)
Optional Additions:

1/4 Cup Honey

Rose Petals(organically grown - no pesticides!)

1/4 Cup Rose Water

Essential Oil such as Lavender, Rose, Chamomile..etc.

Mix and Pour under running water. Soak for 20 - 30 minutes. Rinse skin & pat dry.

Avocado Butter Face Mask and/or Hair Mask
Wonderful for dry, chapped or damaged skin & great for a morning skin freshener.

1/2 Small Ripe Avocado

Buttermilk

Face Mask: Mash the avocado pulp and mash with milk until a creamy pasts has formed. Delicately massage into face. Lie down near a window to allow the sun to penetrate your skin for about 15 minutes then rinse.

Hair Mask: Double the recipe. Apply to hair and cover with a shower cap, towel or plastic wrap. Rinse after 30 minutes.

Rose Water- A Natural Beauty Solution

Refresh and Nourish with Rose Water!

The effective use of Rose Water as a beauty product has been around for centuries however mast marketing of beauty aids have silenced its greatness. Recently a friend of mine lent me a favorite book of hers called My Secrets of Beauty written by Lina Cavalieri in 1914. Cavalieri's beautiful looks and voice led her to become a famous opera singer and one of the most photographed women of her time in which she was known as "The World's Most Beautiful Woman."
This book of hers has fascinated me and is truly inspiring and has brought me to experience with Rose Water. Even at the turn of the century women were seeking all natural ingredients for beauty products. Cavalieri used Rose Water in many of her recipes as found in her book and was one of her top essentials kept always on her personal vanity as well.
Rose Water is not only known for its decedent aroma, but it also serves as a natural healing astringents that gently cleanses the skin. Rose Water, being completely nourishing and hydrating treats acne,skin irritations and sun burns as well as tighten pores and prevent wrinkles.

This natural beauty product can be found at natural food stores or in pharmacies, but be careful when purchasing; you should seek only Rose Water of 100 percent purity; that means no preservatives! Pure rose water is simply the distilled water of roses typically made by stream distillation. It can be used alone or mixed with other natural products for great effects.

Uses of Rose Water

• Air Freshener
  Great for a quick fix of a stale room

• Facial Rinse
  After cleansing simply apply with a cotton ball


• Spritzer
  Spray on as a refreshing Skin Conditioner especially in the Summer


• Under Eye Treatment
  Saturate a cotton ball in the rose water then squeeze out excess. Freeze or refrigerator in a closed container. Do this the night before or at least an hour before use. When ready, dab under the eye. This is great for relieving those puffy dark circles and wrinkle prevention.


• Hydrate Eyes
  Add some Rose Water to a sterilized dropper. Add a few drops into each eye in the morning and evenings.


• Sunburns, Wounds, Aftershave
  Simply spray or dab on with a cotton ball


• Rose Bath
  Add a little Rose Water to your warm bath to sooth and nourish your skin and relieve fatigue.


• Promote Hair Growth
  Pour a little Rose Water over your head while showering or bathing. This promotes hair growth by increasing the blood supply to the scalp as well as reducing inflammation of the scalp while moisturising. Also, you may add to your shampoo.


• Relieve Sore Throat
  Gargle or rinse for relief.


• Use on Gums
  Rub a soaked cotton ball on gums. This also strengthens teeth and removes odor.
  
  
  Recipes using Rose Water


• Gentle Nourishing Facial Cleanser
  Mix one cup of Rose Water, 2 teaspoons of Glycerin & 5 drops of Rose Essential Oil. Apply with cotton ball or with fingers.


• Tighten Those Pores!
  Combine 1 1/4 Cup Rose Water, 8 drops of Glycerin, 3/4 cups of Witch Hazel. Shake in sealed glass container before each use. For oily skin use less glycerin. Apply with cotton ball or with fingers.


• Refreshing Perfume
  Add a few drops of Jasmine Oil as desired to a cup of Rose Water for a light luxurious scent. Store in a dark bottle out of sun.


• Soothing Rose Bath Bathe
  Add 1/2 cup of Rose Water and 1/2 cup Coconut Milk to a warm bath. Add Rose Petals if desired.


• Rose Moisturizer
  4 Teaspoons of Rose Water
  2 Vitamin E Capsules
  4 Teaspoons Olive Oil
  4 Teaspoons Honey
  4 Teaspoons Coconut Oil
  Break the Vitamin E Capsules into a mixing bowl. Combine the remaining ingredients and mix until smooth. Transfer to sealed container. Apply to face and neck. Refrigerate when not in use.
  
  Homemade Rose Water:
  2 Cups of Fresh Rose Petals
  2 1/4 Cups of Distilled Water
  
  Place the petals in a large sauce pan and cover with water. The water should come to the top of the petals. Simmer covered over low heat until the water is reduced by half. Let cool and drain. Store in a tight sterile jar.

The Beginning Part II

The Beginning Part II - Getting through Pregnancy

To me, there was nothing more beautiful than being pregnant. Sure, pregnancy restricts your taste buds and activities such as kayaking have to be put aside for a while but who wouldn't want to make sacrifices to be a fertility goddess for 9 months! To me it was such an exhilarating experience that some woman can only dream of! It was such a God sent blessing to be pregnant that I was blinded from any reason to dislike being pregnant. I truly believe that others would have a completely different experience if only they had such an outlook; things are what we make of them are they not? If you want to be happy, tell yourself you are happy, look up-not down and strip yourself of negativity.
Every day felt entirely different even as the days got shorter. Baby grows when you sleep so I went to bed early and slept as late as possible(but I was still tired). My hair seemed to be much easier to maintain as it was growing powerfully luxurious, my eyelashes full & long and my nails were never better for a natural manicure done by myself none less. I took time to pamper myself at home with overflowing bubble baths, mani-pedis, and homemade smoothies while reading uplifting pregnancy books.

The idea of shopping for Maternity clothes sounded so exciting but I had a hard time finding them! At one of the main maternity stores almost EVERYTHING was black which to me was very basic, plain and well just dull when what I desired were bright colors and feminine dresses;something with style, not flowered curtains or mourning dresses. Pricing on maternity clothes, forget it! It's all a marketing scheme really. Being a value shopper, $30 for a basic dull cheap material tee shirt with slightly larger belly space is such a wasted let down. Thankfully a few friends passed down some really great clothes and I did however find some great pieces that were wonderful at the maternity store. I do recommend the maternity bras, especially the sleep ones but do depend on the maternity store for those! Take my word and do not skimp in that department; with their new size and everything else your body has going on, you will feel better with the extra tender support they provide. Some of the large department store clerks looked at me funny when I asked for the nursing bra section as if breast feeding were something unheard of. What you can do is try them on in the store then google around for the best prices.
I did find rather cute inexpensive maternity styles as places such as Burlington Coat Factory, Ross and JCPenny. I also found that most of the bohemian style dresses(dresses that have stretch band waists)that are the fad now work great for expanding bellies especially paired with leggings and beautiful heels; just make sure you don't wear heels when you have to walk much and keep a compfy pair of shoes in the car for backup.
As easy as I may have made it seem, being pregnant is not always roses and high tea but very tollerable. My husband treated me to a dinner and movie one night and I had such horrible, uncontrollable gas which felt like knifes poking me making me tear up! I thought we should leave, but my husband unashamedly endured it telling me that these circumstances weren't for long and thanked me for doing a great job with everything. Now that is true love! Most women speak not of matters of such, but women need to relate as it happens to us all and if not, then feel relief knowing it wasn't you!
Sometimes, no matter how much you sleep, fatigue turns into a freight truck plowing you over while mother migraine keeps chiseling through your skull laughing as she knows you cannot have meds and mother nature's cold air electrifies your skin drying it so terribly that you believe the dream you had falling into poison oak really happened and your job so stressful enduring another minute of it seems so unbearable that you end up in the rest room fighting tears while looking down to see your ever growing tummy and think to yourself, "OMG I'm really pregnant-how is this going to come out!" Floating emotions do attack more than you would imagine; thank your changing hormones for that. The you cannot stop smiling after that sweet little baby jumps around in their comfy jaquzzi. Things such as these will happen, more so to others or yourself and it could be different with every pregnancy.

I had a great job with an Ecommerce but very stressful it was as the economic recession hit toll with us. We were being acquired by another company for the first 6 months of my pregnancy which felt like dangling on with a torn thread. Being short handed due to layoffs there was so much work, the little bit of us left could never seem to hit a successful stopping point which tends to be very overwhelming to someone who's used to finishing things completely. Thankfully just before Christmas we were bought out however that meant transferring over 10 years of lengthy work to a new everything in a hurried timespand while knowing our jobs were unsecured. I will never forget the Friday afternoon I opened my mailbox to find a letter from my health insurance provider stating my insurance had been cancelled I had already fought back tears on my drive from work. With my due date being close to home base and test scheduled for the following Monday I freaked; who wouldn't?! Apparently a mistake was made (none of my fault) and it was cleared up but I always had the scare of it being cancelled at the last moment, my job disintegrating or worse, being laid of after I had the baby!
You will tumble into a stump but you have to find your center to balance yourself so you can walk and see clearly again. Everything happens for a reason, even if there's no way possible you can imagine the present happenings could be meant to be. No matter how exhausted you are at the end of a stressful hard days of work, take time to read a little and get some exercise in for you will feel relieved. I slept much better after doing a little yoga or walking at the end of the day. I never liked going to gyms so I Netflixed some pregnancy yoga and Googled around for inexpensive yoga dvds and books. I watched every baby/pregnancy related movie I could get my hands on so I had something to relate to and the Twilight Series was my best friend for a while too, but stay away from stories with sad endings, your emotions are jumping around enough; spare them please.
The last month, Yoga became more difficult; the bigger belly situation led me to leave out some of the poses. The round face syndrome hit play during those last few weeks and water balloons welcomed there way into my ankles and my new wobble walk came to life and my belly button popped like a turkey timer; it was funny really but enlightening in the fact that delivery was not far away. Drinking lots of water and keeping my feet propped help the swelling go down a little and at least relieved the numbness. I kept high spirits through it. My baby love love LOVED to kick around, turn or shake in every direction possible which always brought a smile to my face. I still loved walks in Downtown Greenville by the waterfalls and watching the Greenville Drive! Those last two weeks became very difficult at work. No matter how much sleep I got I seemed to need more. I literally fought with myself to sit in my desk and work those final weeks. My body was SCREAMING "NO GO REST" but I wanted to make sure I had a job to go back to and I really wanted to work as long as possible; not to mention there was so much left to do for the new site. To keep myself going, I even worked some through my lunch break. I decided to work through up to my due date then I would take my paid 2 week vacation I impatiently saved then take a 8-10 week maternity leave. All this was confirmed but yet my gut feeling told me this plan wouldn't be so; however, I need not worry about it as I would soon have something far more important to concentrate of. My due date fell on a Sunday(May 30, 2010) and my last doctor's appointment was that Friday. Since Memorial day would be that Monday, I took my holiday on Friday.
My appointment was early in the morning and afterwards I wanted to shop a little for some odds and ends while I could still go out as I knew soon I would be confined to the house for a bit. I was more excited than ever as I stepped into the doctor's office. At my Gyno. there's about 12 doctors that rotate and I was seeing one that I didn't care too much for; I just didn't have a good 'gut' feeling about him. I had had my cervix checked before for dilation and it was no biggy but this guy did something that made me hurt all weekend. He told me I had no changes, that I had not dilated at all and that my cervix would not budge. He led me to believe that I would end up with a c-section; the baby was so big he estimated to be around 1o pounds and that I would not likely dilate at all within this next week. What he did was crush me. I was scared to death of a c-section and he made it seems as i should not wait for labor to happen. I was scheduled to come in the following week for an ultrasound and to make a decision.
Not only was i hurt mentally, that checking of my cervix hurt beyond belief. One of the nurses mentioned to not be alarmed that I might see a little blood but she warned with a concerned look and I understood afterwards; she knew which doctor I was to see. His objective was to help my labor start and he succeeded; however I knew not of this at the time. After the physical checkup I was to dress and move to another room to connect to a machine to monitor the baby's heart beat. When I stood up after they left the room, there seemed to be a good bit of blood. I was assured that this was completely natural and that it should stop by the evening.
The machine for the heartbeat seemed scary at first especially when the door of the tiny pale room closed secluding me to a room that seemed to get smaller. As I looked to my right I was the chair in which my husband normally sat. I thought of how nervous he always got; he would tap his feet faster and faster until I would have to ask him to stop. That chair was empty on this day as he was saving his time off for when the baby came, which we hoped to be that same week. The sweet nurse kept checking on me and the baby's heart beat was perfectly fine and he was kicking as normal, more of rolling or moving in every direction possible! The time in that tiny room allowed me to perk up. I decided I would try for natural but I would do what was best for the baby which was best of importance. So what if I had to have a C-section; it's still a birth and what would it matter if it brought my son safely into this world. I would endure whatever need be for him.


To be continued...

The Beginning

Introduction: This blog is more of a story. Without the tale of how I got to where I am today with all the many changes I went through and am going through, you would not grasp the concept of Going Back to Beauty or what I mean by it. I hope all mothers, new mothers and mothers to be can relate and work with me through this journey back to beauty. One is happy when one feels beautiful.

Not very long ago I was a skinny gal running around with a high metabolism with a never ending appetite sporting those size 0 pants and oh my goodness, cute skinny high heels. Then on the eve of a best friends wedding, along came Mike; this guy who had not long moved form New Jersey who was born and raised in Poland, will until he was 9. That evening of all the girls for him to find in the world, he walked up and ask, "Hey, you want to play pool." I of course said no. However, my friend told him we would.
So that game of pool led to the day every girl dreams of as a child and every day of her life from the moment she's aware. We had the best wedding we could have ever had followed by the best Honeymoon Cruise! I didn't think it was possible, but we tried and succeeded. The two of use went on the cruise and three of us came back; of course it was nearly 8 weeks later when we found out for certain even though I felt as if it were so on that trip home!

So here it was. Pregnancy! The 'wise ones' or biter ones always tell you skinny girls get bigger during pregnancy or is it because it's a boy. Let me tell you; women seem to hate for other women to do or have something better than they had it. It's called jealousy, even when there is no reason for it. It's such a cruel thing really; why not be happy for one another and help each other out!

Pregnancy definitely brought changes. Those first few months I could hardly eat a thing! Hello morning sickness..not that you are welcome! What you do not hear is this new friend called morning sickness is not true to it's kin. Just because it's name is morning sickness does not necessarily mean you will vomit in the morning; it means you can gag and feel like you will ALL DAY LONG and it can take away the entire urge of wanting eat anything by making everything smell completely horrid!!There were days when I had to hold my nose, make a face and force myself to eat a banana as it was great for baby. I couldn't even eat sweets until the very end of the 9 months as sugary foods made me feel like I was shooting acidic poison into my veins to make me tremble.

I ate better or rather, aka more healthy foods such as whole grains and fresh vegetables as again, that was what baby needed and had me craving! I said 'ta ta for now' to my lovely new Keurig as i quit drinking coffee and tea cold turkey - not good for baby. Nothing went into my body that was not good for baby! So they say a glass of wine has no effect on the unborn; but how can they really tell that honestly. Would you give it to a child or baby? So many medicines are prohibited from women with child that I had to look for natural remedies for relief of an everlasting cold such as gargling apple cider vinegar which I learned should be diluted with MUCH water prior to! So the pregnancy went great really. The morning sickness feeling only lasted the first few months which really flew by. At first I lost weight due to the wonderful smells turning my tummy before I even saw them and didn't really gain much until the very end which is where they say you gain the most.

Nearly 60 extra pounds later (whoops) and to the due date on the dot I delivered my beautiful son weighing 8 lbs 10 oz and 22" long.

To be continued....