24 and 25 Weeks

I'm feeling great! I'm kind of counting the days until I get to hold this little one in my arms, but at the same time, days are just passing by so quick without me even realizing it. Crazy busy! I think this is my "fastest" pregnancy so far, and I think it has something to do with having a busy household. I can't really sit down and think about the pregnancy or birth too much. The times, I get to sit down, I'm usually horizontal and asleep. 

But the little I have been able to plan and prep for are...

• Ordering a BellyBandit. 

I've had this band before and I must say I've liked it, however, I think I've had the wrong size and never got the optimum support or results. Now I've ordered a smaller size, which I think will be perfect.

• Home Made Kale Powder. 

I have got a garden full of kale, a super dehydrator and great ideas for it.

• Christ Centered Childbirth book. 

This book is amazing. Not only  does it give you a great insight on the physical area; pregnancy, birth and anatomy -it covers the emotional and spiritual areas as well. Love it! Even though I've read it 3 + times, I still get so much out of it, and new things keep popping up each read.

• Talking to my Doula. 

Going over some of my hopes for the birth. She has been my doula before, so she knows me and is really well equipped for this one. She is so busy with being a doula, I am so thankful that she is going to be there for us.

• Nesting.

Need I say more? Yes, nesting organizing, de-itemizing, de-cluttering, cleaning, scrubbing.... 

• Homeschooling through the summer.  

We're focusing on the "harder" topics this summer, so that when the baby comes we can take it a little easier and do the more self directed and more fun subjects.

I've also been enjoying the different flavoured homemade vitamin waters. My favourite is Cherry-Lime-ade.

Cherry Lime-ade

6 thin slices of lemon
10 thin slices of key lime
6 pitted black cherries
1 sprig of fresh mint (optional)
500 ml of sparkling water/ plain water

Muddle lemon, lime and mint in the bottom of a pitcher. Add cherries, sparkling water, and fill remaining with cold water. Cover and chill in the fridge for a few hours. Serve over ice.

My diet has been good, it could always be better, and I'm working towards that. I try to eat as much vegg throughout the weeks so that when that special treat comes along, it won't break the scale, my health or my heart.

Speaking of my heart. I am so so excited to see this little one... not long now, not long at all! The last month will always feel like the slowest, but I'm hoping to keep busy so that it will just creep up on me, in a good way! 

P.S check out Plain Plantain! I have been using her balms on my belly and I love it! So easy to apply and doesn't leave a greasy after feeling.

The Everything Salad

• lettuce
• spinach
• olives
• grapes
• tomatoes
• corn
• chickpeas 
• bacon bits
• chicken
• cucumber
• feta
• homemade bluecheese dressing

See you guys next week!

Physio Update

A few weeks ago I wrote this 

..."I've been to see a physio, who specializes in women's pelvic floor (pre- and postnatal). I have homework I need to do daily to strengthen/maintain my pelvic floor during the rapid growth of the baby, help in birth and fast healing post birth. But mostly, I am doing them so I stop peeing myself every time a sneeze or have a coughing fit! I know, too much info, but I know -you know what I mean!

Daily Kegels workout:

30 x 5+sec squeezes with 10sec break in between. This takes about 8 minutes to do. 

30 x quick squeezes with 10sec break in between.

I've been trying to remember to do this everyday for two weeks, and so far I have already seen felt an improvement. I have got two more weeks to do these exercises until my next appointment.."...

Today I saw my physio for a quick follow up appointment, to see how things have progressed with my 'dilemma'.

Two weeks ago, I couldn't cough, sneeze or laugh (and at times with no reason) without "leakage". I was wearing a thin liner and had to change it 2-3 x a day. I know I was 22 weeks pregnant, but this was alarming and I needed to seek professional help. 

There was no way that I, age 31 (or ever) had to be in such a weak state, where there was no connection with my mind and body, in such a way. All I can say that I am happy that I went and paid that money to see the specialist physio.

Here is where I was

• leakage, pad change 2-3 x a day
• pregnancy week 22
• waking up at night to visit the wc
• couldn't laugh, sneeze, or cough without leakage
• couldn't hold a kegel for more than 4 seconds

2 weeks later with these exercises

Here I am today

• No leakage, haven't worn a pad for 1 1/2 weeks
• pregnancy week 24
• no night time bathroom visits
• laughing, sneezing and coughing without leakage
• I can hold a kegel for more than 10 seconds

I cannot believe how fast this change took place and that it's not rocket science, as my physio puts it! Simple, simple exercises that don't make you sweat, don't take up too much time, can be done anytime and anywhere -has done so much in such little time frame.

My exercises have moved on to new ones, which I will be doing throughout my pregnancy and also after birth. I have a follow up appointment 2 months after birth to see what needs doing regarding my pelvis alignment etc.

Ladies, I urge you! Get sorted before it's super hard or too late!

Mini testimonials welcome, leave a comment!

Vitamin Water -Homemade- Raspberry Mojito

Yuuuummy! Not only can I believe that this actually tastes like vitamin water, but it tastes even better!

I have a list of ideas for what kinds of waters I'll be drinking this summer!

Yesterday and today, I enjoyed 

Raspberry Mojito

• 10 thin slices of key lime/lime
• 1/2 pint of raspberries
• spring of mint
• 1T stevia (optional)
• 2L water
• a ton of ice

Place the mint and raspberries in the pitcher, mush them up good, add the lime, stevia, ice and water, give it a good mix! Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. I drank mine immediately but enjoyed it the next day too!

Do you have any good vitamin water recipes to share?

21 Weeks

How I feel? I feel better than last week. I've been super busy with family life and getting things "organized" so that I can feel, and be better. I feel the baby move too! I love to feel him/her move, it's always a sweet feeling...



What's new? The Scan!

 There's a baby in there, really!!!

 (not the best pictures of the scan)

 Sweet baby!!! During the scan, I was lying on my back with my arms behind my neck, and it just happened to be that so was this baby!! Like mother like child!

My supplements? I'm switching to 'drinkable' vitamins. I am getting bored of swallowing capsules, and many of them. One night, I was like "hey! When I run out on the pills, I'll just buy liquid ones instead!" So these are the vitamins that are now in liquid form :)

 (More reviews on these later!)

 (mmm.... pinacolada!)

My dreams? To have a good pregnancy to the end, another great birth experience, healthy baby, and my parent(s) by our side after we come home from the hospital. Hint hint, nudge nudge lol!

My husband and I are also planning on him delivering the baby. I've had him in a head lock for the past 3 births, he usually doesn't get to see much except my right ear, so this would be exciting!

My Fears? I have fears at times, like when I don't feel the baby move or about the birth etc. I am happy that I serve a GOOD God and that he has blessed me with a wonderful husband and for the birth, a terrific doula! I just ordered my favourite birthing book Christ Centered Childbirth, and I am awaiting it's arrival. I get a ton of encouragement and refocusing from reading it.

My hope? Is in Christ. Pray for me and my pregnancy.

Grace & Peace

p.s. I'll post some new raw food recipes soon, I promise!

The Busy Mom's Gym Guide! Make It Happen!

The Busy Mom's Gym Guide

I know as a homeschooling mother of three, soon four, that going to the gym, or doing any kind of exercise can seem impossible or not even a priority. However, I also know that it is extremely important to exercise, for your well being now and for the future.

At times, booking in a session may feel so over whelming, I get it, I've been there. It's also important to take a step back and evaluate the reasons you need to exercise and manage your home schedule so, that it is possible. When working out takes away your energy instead of giving you more, you may need to take it a notch down or adjust what you are doing entirely.

Here are a few steps to make it happen,

• Figure out what your home schedule is. I suggest the Managers of Their Homes scheduling method. In this way, no chores will be forgotten and everyone will have plenty of time to rest, play, and enjoy hobbies and each other. It's a MUST READ!

• Menu Plan. Especially on those days you intend to workout. If you're like me and workout in the evenings, with a gym daycare, you will have to plan and prep their dinner and perhaps an evening snack for the time they are in. If you're kids are old enough, 3+, recruit them with prepping their dinner. This is a great way to train and bond with them. 

 

I give clear "instructions" to when I want the kids to eat, so that we can get the evening snacks out of the way, and get ready for evening preps, teeth brushing, story and bed. Usually my husband will put the kids to sleep so that I can shower after my workout. Not only is it important that your offspring eat, it's also important that you do as well! Making sure that you eat 1-1/2h prior to your workout will give you the sufficient energy for your workout and also giving your body the energy it needs afterwards is important. Pay attention to what you feed yourself. Lots of vegetables, good sources of protein and fiber are good.

• Have a workout plan. Make sure you get energized from working out and not the opposite. As a stay at home mom & homeschooler, it is vital to plug in to an energy source. One, being our Almighty God and two, physical activity. God created our bodies to move, and we benefit highly from physical activity, emotionally and physically.

• Rest. Make sure you get enough sleep each night. Everyone needs different amounts of sleep per night. There is no point in cutting back on the rest your body needs to recuperate, for the sake of owning a "super Mom" title. Going to bed in time is key.

• Workout at home. I workout twice a week at the gym and 2-4 times at home. The workouts I do at home are different from what I do at the gym. At the gym I utilize my time in the machines I don't normally have access to, such as the stair master, leg extensions, curls, squat machine, free weight machines etc.

• Take supplements. Unfortunately our food is so distorted these days, stripped from their goodness that we need to give our bodies a helping hand when it comes to vitamins, minerals and omegas. We just aren't getting the needed amounts. By supplementing with good quality vitamins you will notice a difference in your well being and health. It's important to have homeostasis in you!

18 Weeks +

This juice was a sweet pick-me-upper for a hot summer day. My sweet husband made it for me. I asked him what was in it, and he said...

• apples
• ginger
• spinach
• fennel 

I try to spend a lot of time outside, especially since I've been sick on and off for a few weeks now. At the moment I am on antibiotics :( for a sinus infection. No worries, I'm topping up my probiotic intake in between the doses, I should feel fine. 

I've been investing in my vegetable and herb garden, I'm really looking forward to eating the first fruits.

I've spent some time menu planning for the next two weeks. Some things are given in our diets that I do not write down, i.e vegetables, super foods, salads, hemp hearts etc. This menu is more for the kids, as you know, I am not a big fan of hot dogs... I guess I'll be adjusting the menu a few times this week, making delicious dishes to post on here for you! Stay tuned!

I love the greens, to me it's the colour of life :) When I'm rushing, I drink Greens+, 3t in a bottle of ice water, throughout the day. I have the berry flavoured kind, I am getting used to it. I still LOVE PhytoFUEL -Look into that! That'll be my next purchase, that product amazes me! More on PhytoFUEL HERE.

Update on Carlson Fish Oil post HERE, I had to discontinue the use since I began to feel very nauseous in the mornings. I went back to gagging on my thumb sized fish oil capsules for now, but I will give the Carlson Fish Oil another try later on my pregnancy. I still believe it's quality stuff, just wrong timing.

I can feel the baby move a little. I still long for proper roly-polys and kicks. I know, I will... I am really looking forward to holding this little bundle. Everyday, I thank God for this miracle. I am so blessed. 

Unfortunately I had my detailed scan postponed. Two more weeks until I post some cute scan pics... you gotta wait!!! They are also putting me through some serial scans throughout the pregnancy, I take this as a pampering. I get to see that little baby more than once, before I get to see her/him face to face. Yay!

I'm thinking about baby names, any suggestions? Please share!

For The Love of Greek Yogurt

Ingredients:

• 1C Greek yogurt
• 2T gluten free oats/buckwheat groats/hemp hearts
• 1T sunflower seeds
•  cinnamon and stevia for taste
• handful of frozen or fresh berries

Raw Foods Recipes

Since this blog is still new,  and I have not yet had the opportunity to post too many raw foods recipes here, buuut I got plenty of recipes on my 'holy temple blog'. Feel free to visit this blog :) hope you enjoy it!

Www.holytempleunderrenovation.blogspot.com

Also, let me know you were here, I would love to hear from you!

C

Fish Oil

I have a hard time swallowing the large omega gel capsules. I gag. So, I've been experimenting with a few brands.

I'm currently taking this liquid form of fish oil. I must say that the tea spoon is short and sweet, but it does have a "fishy oily" after taste to it, regardless of being "lemon flavoured". The lemon flavour isn't very strong at all,  which is fine,  I don't mind it.

The quality and dosage is strong. Yes, this is my own option and I do not get paid for saying that :)

I recommend it!

I'm going to give it 30 days:) to see how it makes me feel.