PETS AND PREGNANCY

If you're not an animal lover like me then this may not matter to you much. But I loooooooove our dog Gucci. She's a Belgian Malinois and she's so awesome. She was originally my husband's dog but I stole her heart ; ). She loves cuddling in bed, eating peanut butter out of my mouth, kissing, and just being loved. She doesn't really bark, and when she wants attention she knows how to get it (with her sexy pose!).

Anyways, like any expectant mother I've been curious about how having an indoor pet will affect me and the baby. Gucci doesn't spend much time outside other than sunbathing on the porch and our big walks. She sleeps in the bed with us and really likes to be close to me. Since I suffer from allergies to pollen, dust, and cat dander, I wondered after the baby is born is it possible? Would the baby have some allergies that may cause our sweet Gucci to be confined to certain areas? If that's the case...we may have to give the baby away. JUST KIDDING! But really we do love our Gucci! ; )

Well I came across this article in Fit Pregnancy from the Dec/Jan 2012 Edition. I'm super excited about it and honestly I think having a pet has emotionally enhanced my pregnancy too. Gucci really motivates me to walk more, and she is so patient with me. Recently while my husband was out of town for work she "protected" me and stayed by my side at all times. She was also really excited about getting her own spot in the bed ; ).

Here's the article hope y'all enjoy!

Pets enhance Pregnancy

Having a dog or cat in the house during pregnancy may help protect your baby against allergies. Researchers studied babies from birth to age 2 and found that those whose moms had lived with indoor pets during pregnancy had lower levels of an antibody linked to asthma and allergies. Race and mode of childbirth combined with pet ownership also influenced risk. Children of Asian, European or Middle Eastern descent with prenatal exposure to indoor pets had 33 percent lower antibodies compared with kids whose mom hadn't kept indoor pets; in black children of moms with pets, antibodies were 10 percent lower. Babies who were exposed in utero to pets and born by C-section had 43 percent lower antibody levels compared with just 16 percent lower for those similarly exposed but born vaginally.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

MISSED Y'ALL!

Hey Everyone!
Sorry I've not posted in forever!!! I've been working a little extra, dealing with allergies, getting a bit more tired, taking a break from internet things, spending more time with new friends, reading more magazines, trying to walk more, eating alot, and RELAXING!
I did just want to let everyone know I'm still alive and doing well and feeling great and I promise I'll post more in the next few days.
But for now I'm headed to bed for snuggles with my puppy ; )

QUICK VENT REGARDING REAL WORLD BEAUTY

Is anyone else sick of hearing about some pregnant Victoria's Secret super model and how great she looks in heels? Is anyone else sick of hearing about the so and so celebrity who got her body back after 6 weeks? Well if you aren't, sorry but I am!

These people have to maintain their figures, it's their job! I am honestly happy I'm not a celebrity because sometimes I wake up and feel like going out in public in sweats and with pimple cream on my face. Could you imagine if Jessica Simpson did that?!?!?

I just wanted to write this quick post to let all you ladies, pregnant or not know this is a false sense of what real beauty is. Real beauty is a mom who has 3 kids and homeschools all of them, a single mom who is working ridiculous hours to give her kids everything they want, a mom who starts a free walking group to motivate other moms, a mom who prays for her kids daily, a mom who cleans her own house, a mom who cooks her own meals, a mom who spends time praying for her family. Real beauty is each of you ladies out there, pregnant or not, mom or not. We're each created beautiful in our own special way, despite what the world tells us. So if you're having a rough day or you feel ugly or you see a photo of some beautifully photo-shopped woman, just look at yourself in the mirror and know you're beautiful just the way you are!

I've been so excited to share this special time in my pregnancy with so many other women (I've got like 5 pregnant friends right now!). So if you're a mom, or a mom to be or even if you just read this and felt like it, I'd love to see your favorite picture of yourself!

That's my favorite pregnancy pic so far...it was 2 weeks ago at 20 weeks, on the way home from our midwife appointment!

THE MORE I RESIST THE MORE HE PULLS ME IN

This is a long post and if I lose you it's okay, but I think it's worth it!
Yesterday was a pretty interesting day. I had a fantabulous morning and afternoon. The hubs and I got up, lingered over breakfast, took a walk, I didn't shower or brush my hair, or change out of pajamas. I went to hang at a friend's house and in that time of hanging out a huge prayer was answered. I've been praying for more Christian women near me to hang out with. See we've moved to a new town recently and until we found a church in our new town I was always kind of lost for friends. I tried my best to maintain every single friendship I had back home but eventually I realized, people have lives and can't commit so much time to emailing and talking on the phone. So I prayed, God help me to find new friends here, women I connect with who aren't interested in only talking about baby stuff. That was another fear of mine...once you become a mom you aren't allowed to speak about anything other than diapers, poop, and naptime. But alas! God answered my prayer and I spent a lovely few hours in laughter, conversation, warmth, and snacks! I've been nervous about how women go from no kids to suddenly having a family and what that looks like for your social life, and for me I feel like God is really helping me understand...Yes relationships change, situations change, but you're not only a mom, and other moms desire these types of friendships too. So long story short I spent time praying yesterday to God about filling this void, and answering my desire for Christian women around me, and amazingly He did, like He always does!
After that wonderful afternoon the hubs and I went to the mall, watched the Country American Idol tryouts, ate pizza from Costco, and racked up on some great sales! The hubs got a few items (he's lost some weight and none of his clothes fit he claims) and I scored some new boots! I was stoked about the boots because shoe size is one thing that doesn't change during pregnancy, so I'll be able to wear these bad boys for a while! After all that, we came home relaxed, looked up a few things online and started settling down for bed. For whatever IDIOTIC reason! And let me stress this...IDIOTIC! I decided to look something up online regarding my allergies. I've always had horrible allergies but pregnancy has made them 10 times worse. I constantly sneeze, so much that I use t-shirts to wipe my nose, not tissue so I won't risk looking like a Red Butt Monkey with cling-ons. If I'm not sneezing I'm stuffed up and sound like an old man. So back to my internet search. "Cures for Pregnancy Allergies"--while I didn't find a cure I did discover that it's not safe to take Allegra while pregnant. Huh? Not safe, what do you mean not safe? And then it started. I probably spent over 2 full hours online trying to figure out what the hell happens if you take Allegra while pregnant. Because I take it. I've taken it every single day for the last 18 months until today ( I stopped today!). When I couldn't find anything that realllly said it's okay to take the Allegra the waterworks started, and for an hour I bawled. I haven't cried so hard in so long. I kept asking my husband, did the midwife say I can take Allegra? I thought she said I could? No hunnie, she told you not to take it. I just cried and cried while my poor husband tried to reassure me and comfort me. I cried and cried til my face swole all up and I looked like I'd been stung in both eyes by wasps. Hunnie you're fine, the baby's gonna be okay he kept saying. But inside here's what I felt: why did my comfort come before the health of my unborn baby? Why am I so selfish? I'm a failure. I didn't listen to my midwife. And I'm disappointing my husband, and everyone else who is excited about this unborn child. I'm letting people down. My baby's gonna be an alien. But I'm still gonna love it. My baby's gonna die before I get to meet it. My baby's gonna die right after it's born. And I am careless, and I should have researched every. single. thing I let come within 10 feet of my pregnant body! It was bad y'all, our poor dog was not even coming near me to comfort me she was too scared of my stung-by-a-wasp eyes.
When I finally calmed down my husband said let's just call the midwife. What? Call the midwife? Of course we could call the midwife! Although it was close to midnight at this point this was an amazing idea. But I didn't wanna bother her. Our midwife is amazing y'all. I know she prays for us and loves us and is so excited for us. She really puts our best interests and the interests of every woman and family who comes to her first. So while I was tempted to call I emailed instead. I told her my worry, what should I do? Can you believe she emailed me back within 30 minutes? I was told don't worry there's nothing else I can do from here. Stop taking the Allegra, like I told you before, but there's nothing you can do from here. And then the last line of her email...God is in control. See that's amazing to me to have the person handling the details of my pregnancy tell me that. How comforting and reassuring to rest in the fact that I'm not in control, but God is. I finished reading the email and was finally able to go to sleep. I tossed and turned some but everytime I woke up I reminded myself...God is in control. During the night it snowed, beautiful, white, and pure. It was like He was washing away the night for me. A clean slate to start a new day, and a new trust in Him. Trust me I felt Him saying, it's going to be okay, I'm here. Trust me.
When I woke this morning, I got up early because I wanted to leave extra early for work due to the snow and possible iced over roads. Oh yeah, I also had to figure out how to fix my face, my eyes weren't as swollen but my eyes were so blood-shot it appeared I'd been taking bong hits all night. My face was also pretty swollen like a lil' chubby kid who ate lots of Chinese food. I quickly got ready and something was nagging at me...I need to read my evotional! I realized I'd forgotten to read my evotional from the day before. My awesome day yesterday started out so awesome I forgot to spend time with my evotional. For me, when I read my evotional it's a piece of Scripture that I always feel like resonates with me throughout the day. I try to memorize a few each week, and it's something I can always go back to during the day if I'm facing a difficult task or even if I just want to be reminded of how great God is. Damnit I said to myself, I forgot my evotional yesterday so oh well I'll just read yesterday's today. So I get my computer go to my evotional and the Scripture pierced my heart...not in a bad way but this sense of calm that said, I told you so, you should've read this yesterday.
"I will bless the LORD who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." Psalms 16:7-8
Could you imagine how different the night before would have been if I had this Scripture to turn to? I'm not saying I wouldn't have had a major freakout or anything, but I would have been comforted and I would have trusted God not myself. I would have known I can't be shaken, God is with me, He's right beside me. David wasn't shaken because He knew the presence of God was with him. My night wouldn't have been such a wreck if I allowed the presence of God to be with me. God is always there, but we don't always allow Him into our lives. So for me, I know my days always seems off if I'm not recognizing the presence of God. I'm sharing this to keep myself accountable. So I don't forget to read my evotionals, it's not really forgetting more or less it's that I find time for other things than Him. So here's my challenge to myself...What can I remove from my daily routine to spend more time with Him? Maybe I just need to wake up a little earlier!
Time in the Word is amazing and life changing and I desire it and need it. Thank you God that even when I try to resist you, you always pull me back in!
Have a good rest of the weekend y'all!

THURSDAY THUMP!

Thursdays are kind of hard days for me sometimes. Because of my work schedule I find that when Thursday comes it's really hit or miss. I either am so stoked to have another day off, or I'm bummed because I work on Saturdays, or I'm overwhelmed by my to-do list. Either way, I thought I'd share something special with you guys today.
Each morning I get a devotional emailed to me. I like to read it in addition to my normal morning Bible study. The scripture I was emailed yesterday was awesome. It moved me to tears. I know that God loves me, so much in fact that He sent His son to die in my place. To cover all of not only my sins but the sins of every man. Although I know and believe all of that I still have days where I doubt God, or choose my way rather than His. But this scripture so clearly reminded me that God always shows up, He loves me, He loves my husband, He loves my growing baby, and He's never leaving me. To think that God knows my name is mind-blowing! But if you're reading this and aren't a follower of Christ please know that God also knows your name.

TODAY'S VERSE "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." Isaiah 49:15 (NIV) "God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'" Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)
TODAY'S THOUGHT The union between a mother and her little child is incredible. I watched my daughter-in-law interact with our new six-week old granddaughter, doting over her. It was so tender. Our granddaughter laid there wiggling, smiling, making funny faces and squealing. I love the squeals! What an illustration. Like a mother's love, God's love for you is born out of creating you. God has formed you and has a unique love for you. But that is where the comparisons between God and a mother end. You see, it is possible for a mother to neglect her child. Incomprehensible as it may seem, a mother may even abandon and forget her child. But not God! He promises; though a mother may forget her child, I WILL NEVER, NEVER, NEVER FORGET YOU. How can you be sure? He has engraved your name on His hands. He has etched you into the very flesh of His hands, a place He will never forget. Today, choose to rest in this truth; He knows your name, He loves you, He will never leave you or forsake you.

THE FATTY 5--ADDITIVES WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID

While browsing through the new SELF magazine yesterday, I came across this article called DETOX YOUR DIET. It's a bunch of recipes and a workout plan (created by Jillian Michaels). While I'm obviously not trying to lose weight I did want to check out the recipes! YUM!
Before the recipes there's a section talking about 5 FOOD ADDITIVES that can contribute to weight gain and extra fat sticking to your hips. I was curious because I thought hmmm if these additives aid in fat storage and weight gain, surely they aren't good for an average person!

Our family is going to work on avoiding these foods for the sake of ourselves and our baby on the way!

THE FATTY 5:

*Aspartame, Saccharin, Sucralose--all artificial sweeteners, and aspartame and saccharin may also lead to cancer, ICK!
We are going to instead replace these with honey or maple syrup, but we're really not too big on extra sweeteners anyways. I used to get bad stomachaches when I ingested this stuff (before pregnancy). Fructose is also pretty bad too (when it's not in the natural form of fruit). So that means Agave syrup is also out. Whenever we get a craving for something sweet we're gonna try to stick to fruit, it's natural after all!
*Iron--overdoing it is the big concern. Really only need 18 milligrams per day. Since we don't eat red meat that often and I feel that my prenatal vitamins give me a good amount I think this isn't a big issue for us.
*Monoacylglycerol--yep say that 5 times fast! This stuff binds oil and water in things like baked goods and ice cream. Again, how good is ice cream really for you?

We're going to focus on less processed and more fresh!

The full article is in the JANUARY 2012 issue of SELF magazine. (jillian michaels is on the cover!)

WHY I'M NOT REGISTERING FOR BABY GIFTS

Today is my lazy day, but I decided to write a post from the comfort of my bed, while still in pajamas. I've relaxed so much today, it's been awesome! I've not brushed my teeth, I've not done much of anything, except I did eat a frozen pizza for lunch, well I cooked it first duh!
I'll be having a baby shower back in my hometown in a few months and it's exciting yet stressful. While most people go the traditional route of registering for gifts somewhere and compiling a list of everything they'll need before the baby comes we've decided not to do this. Is it because I'm trying to be a complete B***H just because I'm pregnant? Is it because I want to try to be difficult? Is it because I want to try to go against the grain? NO! It's because registries are stressful! Not only are they time consuming, the way my mind works when I see an item to register for I have to spend time comparing every other similar item and brand and make sure I'm getting the best one. I will literally stay awake at night thinking to myself, did I register for the right item? Is this realllllly the best bottle warmer? Etc. And for me that's a waste of time!
Also, I think that while everyone has their idea of what worked for them it may not work for me and my family. Just because you breastfed doesnt mean I'll be able to, just because you used a rocking chair doesn't mean I will, just because you used a special drying rack for bottles doesn't mean I will, just because you love a Moby Wrap doesn't mean I will, just because you love a Baby Bjorn carrier doesn't mean I will, I could go on and on! So what my husband and I feel like will work for us is doing away with the registry all together! We didn't do one for our wedding and we managed, and we think we'll be fine without one for the baby! We have no idea what the baby will and won't like, heck as bad as this sounds, we may not even ever get to meet our baby! Hey if my baby dies before I get to meet it, are you going to help me return all of those shower gifts? Didn't think so!
So, here's what's going to work for us...not registering, but instead telling people they can bring giftcards or gently used baby items they already have. We love this idea! We live near Target and since I'll be traveling back to our home after the shower, not having to lug a bunch of items will be extremely helpful for us. Also, we have a feeling we'll be given lots of items (like we already have) so we just figure once I return home we can go shopping and get the absolute necessities together. While some people think we're crazy OH WELL!
We've really been so blessed this entire pregnancy and we just want to rejoice in the fact that we're having a baby...everything else will fall into place. We really want our shower to be about laughter and happiness over the fact that we're having a baby!
While I know this may not work for everyone, I just want any other pregnant women out there to know...stick to your guns, just because everyone else is telling you you've got to do something you don't! Do what feels right for your family, and what works for your family!
PS I am really looking forward to playing the poopy diaper game with candy at the shower though ; )