Mom can party too!!

Just wanted to share a few pics from Kimmara's going away party.

Everyone was surprised that I wore low heels rather than my usual sky highs!!! But hey - I can't risk falling and hurting my baby girl. Now that I have a prominent bump, my sense of gravity has changed and I have to be more careful. Everyone says I have the pregnancy waddle going on... Oh well!! There goes my sexy sashay - I was famous for that walk!

Mocha loves the Baby

I just had to share this cute pic.

Mocha and I were chilling on the couch today and he was snuggling up to my belly and listening to the heartbeat! Then he went to sleep - he didn't seem to mind the kicks.

At only 24 weeks this little baby packs a serious punch! Now for some reason she decided to reposition herself to the breech position - that is, head up legs down by my BLADDER and she rides it for fun! So now, I'm running to pee every half hour, and every 2 hrs at night. I hope she turns back soon because I remember how jolting it was when she decided to go on her little inspection of my uterus (**interesting factoid: my uterus is currently the size of a soccer ball). I literally jumped out of my sleep when she crawled, swam, turned I don't know how to describe it. ALIEN takeover! It's not altogether unpleasant or painful - most women LOVE the feeling - one of my BFFs told me she still misses it... Hmmm.. Ok then! My doc says she needs to be back in head down position by 32 weeks but I hope she doesn't wait that long - she'll be more than double in size!!

Baby Registry Info

Even though I haven't purchased anything yet, I do have a "wish list"! We've registered at Babies R Us, they seem to have everything in one location so it was fun and easy.

If you're interested you can go online and search for me using my full name Tanisa Samuel and or use the registry number: 44965982. We appreciate hints, tips or feedback - especially if you're an experienced parent!

I can see the baby moving!

This little baby girl knows how to exercise! She's growing in leaps and bounds, and in fact, last night I watched in amazement as my stomach moved at the point of those kicks!! She seems to be head down most of the time so the kicks are all above my belly button. Every now and then I get elbowed in my lower abdomen too. It's amazing. Seems as if she either moves a lot in her sleep or she's just awake more than asleep! Night times are crazy, all night she's moving and if I get her to settle down, the minute I move, she moves. It's hard for me to get comfortable because of the belly and she makes me feel as if I am inconveniencing HER!! LOL. Night times are rough - sleeping less and less what with going to pee 3 times, plus being uncomfortable, plus bad dreams! Last night I had a terrible dream (first one about baby) where I am totally unprepared for her and it was a disaster! In the dream I had not sanitized the bottles yet, had no idea what or when to feed her, breastfeeding was a nightmare that hurt and just didn't work, then in the end I dropped the baby!! While telling Deryk about it today I started crying. LOLs - darn hormones!

My tummy is growing so fast - I am grateful that the stretch marks are not happening - THANK YOU mom for great genes! I thought I'd get away with the belly button staying in but maybe not - we'll see - if she can stop kicking it maybe?

At this point everyone's buying cute baby things and decorating nursery etc, and I don't even know where we'll be living after the baby is born. I have not bought one single thing for the baby yet! I feel so stressed out and unprepared; I wish we could plan things. I'm giving myself 2 months in Florida before the due date so hopefully I will have enough time to get everything then. I'm adamant that this baby be born in the USA because it will give her more opportunities later in life but now I am seeing what a huge sacrifice that is going to be.

21 weeks and time is flying!

I got some good advice the other day form my lovely step mom: Enjoy the pregnancy! I can honestly say that I truly am. Ever since those first kick at 17 weeks, I've been subject to Baby's kickboxing activities day and night since then!! It's so nice and reassuring, just hoping she sleeps a bit more as she get's older or this could become painful! LOL. I drink lots of water, so she's got plenty of amniotic fluid to move around in. I was told that the bigger they get the less space they have and it restricts movement a bit, also they're growing and sleeping more. We'll see!

At 19 weeks we decided to do a 3D/4D ultrasound to confirm the gender!! This baby is 100% girl, she was not shy at all about showing us the girl goods the whole time I was at the 3D Ultrasound place!!! She was so active, rubbing eyes, kicking, flexing those legs and arms, we got 83 pictures of her! Saw all fingers, toes, cute butt and of course the Vajajay!

I'm so happy!! All we have to do now is find a name! Oh and what a dilemma this naming thing is. Especially for a girl - because we all know what a special little princess this one will be!

We already have one princess, my dear step daughter Rachael, although it's hard to believe she's almost grown (17 years old when this princess makes her debut) and will make a great big sis for this little one.

Yoga Baby!

So today (Jan 12, 2010 - 17 weeks 3 days) I went to my usual body sculpting class then I decided to stay for Yoga. I took it easy and at the end of the class during the final relaxation I put my hand on my tummy and the other on my heart like they tell you in the pregnancy yoga DVD, and yep, I felt those little kicks!! AMAZING!! This is the first official time (apart from the flutters I felt in week 13 - fluke!).

I was super excited, I lay there giggling and enjoying it. The kicks were strong enough that I could feel them on my hand on top of my belly!! How cool is that! I guess laying quietly really helps, since I'm quite a busybody usually! Oh and I'm sure the stretching and focused breathing gave the baby lots more oxygen too!!

Update - I kept on feeling movement throughout the night as well :) so I'm thinking this will become more and more consistent.

Pregnancy Weight Gain (UGH!!!)

OK so I went on the scale a couple of days ago and almost had a heart attack! 12 pounds at 17 weeks is more than recommended at my starting weight. I'd started my exercise regimen but no running initially because of M/S but recently because I'm lazy and don't want to wake up! Although I have to say sleeping at night is much less restful now with all the bathroom trips!!

I found myself being constantly hungry and eating like a damn truck driver whenever I felt like it because well: "It's for the baby!!"

Also I had switched my prenatals to the Walgreens brand and it increased my appetite like crazy - so I switched back to the old one and now its much better.

Let's face the uncomfortable truth here!! Pregnancy should not be a time when we let ourselves go! When we make excuses and when we just indulge! Exercise is good for you and the baby and we can make an effort to look cute when we leave the house.

I've always worked VERY hard to maintain myself: A minimum of 2 kickboxing classes a week, 2 bodysculpting classes AND running 40 minutes every morning mon - friday!

I had to sit back and think for a moment. I have 5 months left and then what? At this rate I will agin something crazy like 50+ pounds!! EEkkk. After the baby I will no longer have the pregnancy excuse what then? I already know it's not easy.

I've been back to the classes now for a couple of weeks (taking it easier of course!!) and today I jogged for 40 minutes for the first time in over a month. I ran with Natasha and we ran very slow, kept my HR under 140 and it felt so AMAZING!

Update: 17 weeks 4 days - down to 10 pounds over the pre-preg weight. I'm not trying to LOSE weight just going back to eating healthy and working out!

Birth Plan

I was very nervous about the labour and delivery - I'm really scared of pain!! I felt even worse when Deryk said he didn't want to be in the room during delivery, but I understand - I don't wanna be there either!! LOL

I've been doing a lot of reading and research, and I must say I feel a whole lot better. There is overwhelming scientific evidence to support the fact that natural childbirth is best for mother and baby, and so I've made the decision to try my best to go all natural.

I'd like the ability and the freedom to choose a natural active birth process, the same way many women choose elective Cesareans or choose epidurals or choose to be induced. In today's world, many women are NOT given the choice of natural birth and many hospitals especially in the United States are even hostile towards this option which they compare to having a tooth pulled without lidocaine. This is why most women who have educated themselves and choose natural childbirth either do so at home or at a freestanding birth center with midwives and other supportive persons. However, thanks to my terrible insurance company - I do not have this luxury. They have given me a few hospitals to choose from - all in very inconvenient locations too.

So on top of having to deal with the stress and drama of the labor process, I will be fighting off the nurses and hospital staff who are trained to administer DRUGS - how will I be able to withstand their offers when I'm uncomfortable and the pain at times seems unbearable?

With the help of professional labour support - I plan to hire a Doula.

Will I be able to find a hospital - in my restricted choice, that allows me the freedom to move around, NOT give birth on my back, NOT be forced to be uncomfortably strapped into my bed? They're trained to medically manage a natural process! They yearn for control when none is needed. They are impatient and administer drugs to get labor started, drugs to keep it going - those same drugs make the contractions worse, so then they administer the epidural to block the pain, which slows down labor, and restricts the use of your legs, then they admit your for emergency c-section when you fail to progress within THEIR arbitrary timeline.

Updated 16/02/10 my birth plan...

• TANISA SAMUEL

  BIRTH PLAN

  Hello to the wonderful nurses and support team of Holy Cross Hospital, I want to thank-you very much for helping me through my first labor and delivery experience. I have had a healthy low risk pregnancy so I am hoping for a natural childbirth experience and I appreciate your support and expertise. While this is my wish, I am also realistic and flexible; I feel confident that I can make informed decisions when needed.

  LABOUR & DELIVERY

  • Freedom to return home during the early stages of labor

  • Stay home until active labor begins

  • Ability to move freely

  • I would prefer intermittent external fetal monitoring

  • Freedom to eat and drink as needed

  • Prefer not to be connected to IV fluids - I will replenish fluids through drinking water

  • I would prefer not to manually rupture membranes

  • Limit vaginal examination, especially after membranes are ruptured

  • Allow 24 hours for labor to progress AFTER membranes ruptured

  • Please No Pitocin

  • Please do not offer an EPIDURAL or other narcotics such as demerol

  • Freedom to surrender to the experience, allowing my body to tell me what is needed and follow instincts for movement, positions and when to push

  • I’d like to stay active and upright during labor

  • Use alternative pain relief methods such as showers, baths, massage etc.

  • Prefer NOT to lay flat on back while pushing

  • If progress is slow, baby may be in wrong position - use alternative methods of turning baby - such as getting on all fours and allowing gravity to help baby turn his back to my belly.

  • If instruments required – I prefer vacuum over forceps

  • Please please NO episiotomy, I prefer to tear.

  • If possible, I’d like measures taken to reduce possibility of tearing perineum; such as warm compresses and controlled pushing.

  • No injections to perineum please, unless I tear and require stitches postpartum.

  Third Stage and First hours after birth

  · I’d like my spouse to cut the umbilical cord (2^nd option: My Mom)

  · The clamping and cutting of the cord can be done immediately

  · I would like to donate my cord blood cells

  · Whether or not I have had stitches to the perineum, I would appreciate an ice pack to reduce swelling and discomfort

  · I would like the baby placed directly in my arms

  · After observation, APGAR, weighing & first bath, the baby can be wrapped in a warm blanket and placed in my arms or father’s arms

  · Please administer Vitamin K and eye care

  Healthy Baby Care

  · I would like to begin breastfeeding within the first hour or whenever she is hungry

  · Please do not offer my baby a bottle or formula

  · I will feed the baby on her cue

  · Newborn exam can be performed by hospital pediatrician

  · If we have a boy, I’d like to circumcise him within two days with local anesthesia

  · I’d like my baby immunized

End of First Trimester! Yay!!

It's been so long since I posted, but I had a pretty rough time of it, so I didn't really have too many nice things to say. LOL. Those pregnancy hormones!!

I was so sick and tired, I didn't know I was capable of not keeping food down - oh yeh, even my stomach muscles got a workout from hurling!

Good news is, most of that has eased off, so it's getting much better.

Here's a picture of the little one!! Very cute if i do say say so myself!!

So I've had my 12 week scan - so far everything looks pretty good! I go back in January at 16 weeks - hopefully she can tell the sex, but it may still be a bit early. 20 weeks is usually the best time to tell.

So far, word seems to have traveled all over Provo!! But we still have to tell the kids - I am sure they will see me with my big belly at Easter! But hopefully they will know before. We just didn't wanna do it over the phone......

I've been quite lazy and haven't exercised much over the last couple weeks. I did aqua aerobics on Sunday and it was fab! I just need to make myself do somethign everyday - even if it's just walking. It'll be better for me and the baby but more importatnly - for the birth process!! Eeek. Very scared of that!!

T

This feeling is fabulous!

OK So I found out that I am allowed to have a little caffeine each day - which is more than I need. I only need two sips in the morning! Wow, amazing how something so small makes a huge difference! I've also been reading up on exercise during pregnancy and it seems I can continue whatever I was doing prior to P-day, so I'm going to kickboxing later.

Woke up with a spring in my step. Ran 40 minutes with my lovely running club (who don't yet know I'm preggers!) and felt so fabulous all morning. I invited everyone for lunch, Kimmara, Allison, Jane, Art & Deryk so I'm really looking forward to that.

It's amazing how positive my mood is; even after mocha PUKED all his breakfast and I found out that I can't get a job at stupid Beaches, I'm still feeling ok. A bit bummed about the job, but I must be able to find something else!

Mommy

Can hardly believe it's really happening!

I feel great! No symptoms apart from slightly tender boobs. I felt a little extra tired on Sunday and Monday - but maybe that was becuase it was a holiday weekend?

My dilemma is: exercise - I really want to continue but I have to0 be careful. So here's the plan:

Continue running and quit kickboxing - but what about Tuesday's bodysculpting? It's rubber bands and while it's not easy I can't see it presenting any problem to my uterus. Also, all the websites say I can do classes & abs for as long as I can do them (as long as the belly don't get in the way LOL).

My running is still easy of course and I'm not going super fast - just taking it an easy light pace.

I'm freaking out a little - the doc is busy - she has not responded to my e-mails and her schedule is full!! I've got a weird fear that I'm actually not pregnant or something. LOL. But I'm waking lots at night to pee and I'm dreaming every night about the pregnancy! I've even had a dream that I have twins in here! Woah!! God help me if that's the case - growing with Zack & Dylan - was stressful enough and I was only a big sis. If it's twins God please give me girls or at least one girl :)

Mommy to be....... :)

xoxoxox

2 Positive pregnancy tests!! :)

October 11, 2009

I made the decision last year that I'd like to be a Mom. Prior to this, I wavered on the idea. My fiance has three children from a previous marriage, whom I love dearly. I mothered them and I felt satisfied with that. But then... Mother nature prevailed! Those natural urges kicked in - at age 3o, and I felt that I deserved a shot at a kid of my own. I know I'll be a good Mother, so we decided we would do it - after the wedding.

Well...... 2009 rolled around - recession hit, and we just couldn't bring ourselves to spend all that money on a big wedding - and Deryk is not one to do anything small, so we're still affianced with no wedding date set - and my clock is ticking!

I stopped birth control in the summer of '09, and just let nature take it's course.

On Friday October 9, my period was due, and I just knew it wasn't coming. I bought a pregnancy test and voila!! I was right!

So for now I'm only 4 weeks along, very early days. I haven't told many people, my BFF, my running partner (who has to know becuase even though I'm going to continue to run, the pace will be a little slower) and my step-sister who is also pregnant right now. Deryk is so excited he told his best Friend Chris - who he's already chosen as the God father. Chris almost cried when he found out - he's so honoured, but I think he'll make a great uncle and hopefully - we'll inspire him to settle down and have some kids of his own!! (Yes that's my evil plan).

I want to shout it from the rooftops!! I'm so excited - but I know it's way too early - anything can happen, but, I just KNOW everything's gonna be OK. I prayed today and thanked God for giving me this little miracle.

So far, no major symptoms yet apart from bigger boobs (yay!). I feel great, even without coffee and tea! How amazing is that? I feel sexy too Hehehhehe

I plan to blog weekly and maybe even daily if I have interesting news!!

I plan to continue running, and maintain my health and fitness regimen, but I'll probably stop the kickboxing and bodysculpting classes - they're really tough and the first trimester is the most delicate so I don't want to jeopardize my Baby!! I'm gonna try really hard not to gain too much weight, I'm comfortable running everyday so I will continue.

These will be published after the first trimester.......