Birth, Life

Now that our family of 5 is settling in and our help (thanks mama) has had to leave...boo hoo, I am adjusting, healing and trying to slow things down, take it all in and not let myself get too overwhelmed or overtired.
That might be easier said than done, but if I pause and keep things in perspective, I think I will be alright. Another way to stay sane is just to be sure I get out of the house, go outside for a bit, drive around, visit a friend. Because staying in the house with 3 kids is nuts and even though it is a pain in the butt to get 3 little ones in car seats...the effort does help my mental health.
So I figured I would share my birth story. I know the reading of birth stories is not for everyone, so feel free to ignore.
Here is some back story for those who care
All 3 of my labors were all natural. My thoughts on natural childbirth can be found HERE.
My first child was 13 hours of active labor, most of which was felt in my back @ 39 weeks 2 days
My second was about 7 hours @ 39 weeks 5 days
and here is my third and final story............
At 40 weeks 1 day I was getting frustrated and just wanted to move on from being pregnant. My other two were born a few days early, so going past my due date was unexpected.
On Saturday May 12 I woke up in the morning having mild contractions. I had been having contractions of the same strength for a few weeks, however I usually did not have them in the morning..so I was hopeful. They were timing about 5 minutes apart, but nothing of any strength.
I showered, and as I was getting dressed I felt some unusual moisture in my underwear. I went to check, thinking maybe my water could be leaking. It was not water, but some blood. It seemed like what is grossly refered to as bloody show and mucous plug. This was a very positive sign, as I never had any of this before being in real labor with the others.
I let my mom and hubby know it was looking like today would be the day. My mom took the kids on some adventures and the husband and I started walking. It was a beautiful day and we walked along the ocean, in the yard, etc. Nothing seemed to be picking up all that much. I ate a light lunch and was sort of doubting my first thought of it for sure being that day.
At about 3pm I decided I wanted to lay down a while (which I am so glad I did). I was having contractions, but they were still mild enough that I was able to sleep for about an hour. When I woke up I was still contracting, maybe a tad bit stronger than before. I went to the bathroom and discovered more bleeding, actually it was enough to make me a bit nervous.
I decided I would clean up, get a few things ready and call the OB. I didn't feel quite ready to go in, but the blood made me nervous.
I ate a banana (after barfing while in labor the first time, I knew to be careful about what I ate) and called the OB. She wanted me to come in right away..and so were were off.
We arrived at about 5pm and went into the room where they monitor you before being admitted. They wanted to check my bleeding and monitor the baby and contractions. They gave me a saline IV just incase, due to the bleeding. My contractions seemed to pick up a bit as I got on the monitors and they were registering as being pretty intense and timeable (2-3 minutes a part). I got my cervix checked about 20 minutes later and I was 4 centimeters and 60 percent effaced...not a major change and this frustrated me (I was 2-3 centimeters and the same effacement at my last appointment)
However, everyone else seemed to think that was good and I was progressing nicely.
I was admitted, but the doctor insisted that I remain on the monitors throughout my labor.




This terrified me, as it meant I would not be able to move around as much as I had with my other two.
I stayed in bed on the monitor for just under an hour and then the pain got to the point where I had to move or I wouldn't make it. Babies heart rate was good. I spent a bit of time rocking back and forth and doing modified squats through the contractions. I even danced to some country with my husband. This was all right at the side of the bed because of the monitor.
I eventually moved to just the birthing ball and bounced through each contraction as my husband put counter-pressure on my back.




They started getting bad enough that I was moaning and having some pressure, but it hadn't been very long so I didn't think I was close. The nurse insisted that I get checked and I was shocked to be 9 centimeters and at -2 station.
The doctor offered to break my water, but I opted to wait a bit because I wanted baby to come down further...I knew that would mean less pushing. So after about 5 more contractions I knew she was coming and I screamed to the nurse that I couldn't get in bed because she was coming out.
As all good nurses do, she said you WILL get in bed and the husband helped her pushed me off the ball. As I did so my water exploded and the nurse yelled to the doctor that I was ready.
The whole room began rushing because she was coming and no one was quite ready. Also, there was meconium in my fluid so they needed a pediatrician who was not yet on the floor.
I had to breath through one contraction without pushing so they could get their gloves on and then I pushed, because I HAD to. With one push her head was all the way out and they started suctioning her due to the meconium. One and a half pushed later and she was born at 8:48pm...an early Mother's day gift.




She did give out one cry but then stopped for a minute so they brought her to the warmer for more suctioning and for a check by the pediatrician. My second child also had meconium, and all was fine so I think I was not overly worried.




All was well and after I got one stich (not bad, I had way more the other two times) I finally got to hold my baby girl.




SO I really only had 3.5 hours of active labor...not bad at all.
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So now we are back to life and routines and preschool and being a family. I am feeling pretty good and am trying my best to enjoy the moment.
Today was the first time I had all 3 kiddos out of the house by myself. We picked up brother from preschool, spent some time at the school playground and then had a picnic lunch on the beach. It felt good to be out and I felt accomplished.








I will be returning to healthy eating, fitness and healthy lifestyle posts soon, as I am am eager to get myself back to being a healthy mama. So the next post will be a one week post-partum body/ eating update.

A family of 5 and a dream come true

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When I was growing up I had so many dreams and goals. Some of these dreams changed or faded away, some morphed into other things, but my biggest dream of all has finally comee true.... I wanted to be a mom with at least 3 children, have a supportive and loving husband and live a simple and happy life. I am officially blessed and can say that I have reached this goal. I am a mother of 3 happy, healthy, beautiful children. I remember after my first I worried that because I loved him sooo damn much, that I wouldn't have enough room in my heart for more. I assure you a parent's heart can grow exponentially. I have watched my husband and his love for all of us and in awe and appreciation I wonder how I got lucky enough to have found him. So as you might have guessed, Vivienne Rose Alves is here With my husband by my side we welcomed our last and biggest baby into the world at 8:48pm on May 12, an early Mother's Day gift. She weighed 8lbs 7.4 ounces and beat her big sister by only .04 of an ounce. She is 20.5 inches long. She is perfect and pink and chubby and we love her. I will post our birth story later...but I can tell you it was fast!

Come on out little lady, we love you.

Maybe if I am really nice to her she will make her entrance.
I am approaching my due date and wondering when the little lady might make her appearance. Last night's Supermoon didn't seem to do the trick. Neither did a long walk or any other trick I might have pulled out.
I know she will come when she is ready, but it is always hard to wait.
I am officially on maternity leave, which is a fabulous feeling...but now this waiting game has really started.
Baby Vivi was good to me. She let me finish up work and she let me make my hair appointment yesterday...which was very important being that who knows when the next time will be that I can get my haircut again (I am interested to see how this juggling of 3 little ones will go). So now we just have to wait for her to make her grand entrance.
I am getting excited and anxious to meet her. It is amazing to think that I get to welcome one more baby into the world and spend time getting to know what kind of little person she will be. I worry for her so much already. Birth is beautiful, but also a little bit scary. I am afraid of things going wrong...even though deep down I believe all will be just fine.
So my next blog post will hopefully introduce a happy and healthy Vivienne.
I leave you with this...mama at 39 weeks, 2 days..........

38 weeks vs. 24

38 weeks

24 weeks

38 weeks, different angle

What do you think? Belly on the left, this morning in my
38th week. Belly on the right, same shirt, different color/ pattern at 24 weeks.

I'd say I have grown.

I am still weighing in around 168 right now and am getting to that "I am done" point, mostly due to the lack of sleep.

Next week is my last week at work (if I make it) and I hope I last so I can tie up some loose ends and leave on a perfect/ organized note.

My students had a surprise baby shower for me today. It was very thoughtful and included a very large gift certificate to one of my favorite healthy places....Trader Joes. I am lucky to have 89 wonderful young people who have been on this journey with me. It is the sense of family that seems to happen on my teaching team that reminds me of why I love my job.

So what could be a better way to kick off my post-baby weight loss/ healthy living adventure than by stocking the house with healthy Trader Joes favs!
That will be on the agenda for the weekend, along with a lot of cleaning, baby gear finding and putting a few new things together.

I am very excited to meet this little lady, to get my body back and to begin living life as a family of 5.

37 weeks...YIKES

37 weeks pregnant is a great point because you are considered full term. This means I do not over-analyze every ache and pain and worry about baby being born too soon. I will be happy if she stays put for another two weeks, as I need to get myself together at work.

Here are my current stats:

Total weight gain:

30 lbs exactly. I started at 138 and now weigh 168. I anticipate that I will gain a few more lbs, ending up with a 33-35 lb gain.

Maternity clothes?

Uggh. The end of pregnancy is NOT fun for getting dressed. Maternity shirts are getting short. I have a few faves that fit..but am running low. I prefer yoga pants to anything else.

Belly button in or out?

It has been out for months. Once upon a time my tummy was one of my best features....Not so sure it will ever be again.

Sleep:

Ha, well I fall asleep...but staying asleep is not so simple. It is a major game of flip the big belly. After three kids I am used to not sleeping

Best moment this week:

I have had the week of, so enjoying some unusually warm weather has been the best. I was also glad to learn I didn't gain any weight at this week's appointment. I feel like my body didn't need it this week. 

Food Cravings:

Pregnant people will probably hate me when I say this, but I do not really believe in cravings. I think it is a crock that people use as an excuse to eat whatever they want. However, I do like to indulge and my favorite warm weather treat is frozen yogurt..which I had twice this week and it was so good.

Food Aversions:

Nothing really. I try to avoid eating too much at once due to a squished belly

Symptoms:

Way too many to list, but the hardest to deal with at this point is feeling like I have a bowling ball between my legs due to intense pressure and the lightening pains this causes me.

Movement:

She is a mad woman. I get elbows and knees and her bum that just full out rolls in my belly, like an alien trying to escape.

Gender:

Ms. Vivienne Rose

What I'm looking forward to:
My final labor experience, knowing our family is complete and starting the journey of getting back in shape and living a healthy, happy lifestyle with my 3 kiddos and husband.

What I miss:

Being able to run around the yard with the kids, intense workouts, breathing like a normal person.

Milestones:

Considered full term

Next appointment:

Next Wednesday when the dreaded internals start

So that is the life of a pregnant chick soooo close to the end. I am trying to rest, to enjoy my little one's while I can still give them attention and to do what I can to get off my butt without pushing myself too hard. I am trying to stay somewhat active, but am not pushing it because my body has been screaming at me lately.

Plus, sometimes you just have to enjoy the pregnancy excuse one last time before you can never do that again...as seen here:

Spring-air, playground workouts and new life on the "farm"

There is nothing like good weather to brighten your spirits. As I mentioned before, I am starting my spring break and enjoying a week off with the kiddos. Today was a beautiful day. We spent some time at the beach (even though it was cold at the shore) because my husband was out for a run and needed us to drive him some water and food on his route. So the kids and I did some digging, seashell hunting and of course Liam HAS to jump off the sea wall 100 times.







Next stop was to pick up daddy and go visit my Mother-in law at the rehab center where she is working hard to get better from a bad surgery. The kids love Nana and we had a good visit.

Then we convinced daddy to head to the playground. It was about 15 degrees warmer inland, which was fabulous
















Liam wanted to go to the playground to show his daddy how he can go ALL the way across the monkey bars without help. I tell you my little guy is pretty darn strong for someone who just turned 4. He is going to be quite the athlete.

I love that we have so many playgrounds here. This playground is my favorite. The last few times I went I did some mini-workouts as the kids played. Today was no exception. We all got our fitness on as we played.

Pregnancy Playground Workout

Here are some examples of what I did:

As I pushed the kids on the swing I did very love squats as I pushed out. I bet I did around 60-80 total.

I did one leg step ups on various size steps..somewhere around 50 on each leg.

I did side scissor step ups on the piping around the border of the playground 3 sets of 12 on each leg.

I went to a steep hill and did lunges up and down that hill 5 times.

There was also a set of stairs that I climbed a few times, two steps at a time.

Then a did alternating sets of double knee lifts (great for working the birthing muscles)
and twist planks, modified from Maria's amazing post found here: http://alifetobraggabout.blogspot.com/2012/04/friday-5-five-exercises-you-dont.html

I enjoyed my mini-playground workout. This playground also has a small gravel track, so it is a great place to come with all the kiddos and set up a routine when the baby is here. I love working out with the family and it is amazing to see the kiddos get some great exercise as they watch their parents do the same. Being a role model for my kids to be active and healthy is my main drive for staying fit.

And just when I thought our day couldn't get any more exciting, I remembered it was time to pick up the baby chicks we ordered. We had chickens for the last two years, but sadly lost the last of our small flock to coyotes a few months ago. So we decided to expand our chicken operation here on our wanna-be farm and now have 30, week old chicks living in our garage. So this fall I will be posting some serious egg recipes, as they are likely to begin laying around the end of October.



















So we will have a lot of new life around these parts. I love the spring and the changes it brings. Our little family plans to take it all in stride and do a lot of planting, growing, working out and raising little things this spring and summer. There is nothing like fresh air and nice weather,,,it seems to revive the spirit.

To gym or not to gym.

Just sitting here..watching my hubby exercise and thinking about how I cannot wait to join him.

This week has brought a lot of rest time. I only went to the gym once and did an exercise video on another day. I think I have finally gotten to the point where I am just going to take it easy. Baby girl has dropped and I started having some pretty strong, but inconsistent contractions. I am in NO WAY ready for her to come. I am 36 weeks and I like my babies fully cooked.

Resting is fabulous. I am off from work all week and the past few days I have slept until 6:30/7, which may not sound late, but it is by our standards. Since I have the week off I am probably going to hit the gym a few times since I don't have the stress of work. But after this week I think I may stick to stretching and walks until she appears.

I love working out, but working out when it feels like you have a bowling ball between your legs is not that great, or productive. Not to mention when you pay for it later on with hips and nerve pain that makes you want to DIE.

I am not really worried about getting back into the swing of things after baby. My husband has been working out pretty hard, so I know he will inspire me.

So here we are. 3.5 weeks until my due date, just waiting our little ladies arrival. I hope she goes easy on me.