Third Pregnancy- A League of Its Own.

     So I guess its been about a week since Jay and I announced the news of our Baby Bean (each of my babies has had an in-utero nickname and this baby has been deemed "Bean, Jaxon was Baby J, and Kase was baby M2).  I will say this pregnancy has been SO different than the other two.  At first, I thought HG was back and the next 8-9 months were going to be terrible, but fortunately, it seemed to have lasted a few days, and the vomiting has stopped.  The nausea is minimal and I feel better than I've EVER felt being pregnant!  I know thats not a popular thing to say when you're pregnant because it makes people loathe you (personal experience perhaps, haha) but I do feel really good.   Obviously, I'm tired.  EXTREMELY tired, and throw living alone when Jay's gone, two kids, and an overnight 12 hour, extremely busy job in there, and its a recipe for extreme exhaustion. Naps are my best friend and my house is pretty disastrous to say the least.  I haven't been cooking much, and my appetite has been extremely small.  I haven't craved many foods, maybe some sour candy from time to time but thats a staple in my life 24/7.  I do crave Lunchables pretty often because I'm secretly 5 years old, but thats about the extent of that.
       When i got pregnant this time I made the commitment to get my battle with food under control.  For the last few years working out has been extremely important to me.  I've been back and forth with flexible dieting (aka counting macros, please if you want more information on this leave me a comment and I'll share my tips with you) and clean eating.  I often fail at clean eating because giving up dairy and sour candy isn't always high on my list for the week so I try to do a decent combination of both; gearing my meals to whole, clean foods, within my suggested macronutrients each day.  Some days are harder than others because I have pretty heavy food aversions to meat based proteins, especially chicken, which is the staple in my protein intake.  I've started eating more low sugar greek yogurts for breakfast and that seems to help with my protein intake, but I so sorely miss my protein shakes that I was using for snacks and recovery aids post work out.  Unfortunately, my protein powder was immediately removed from my diet as soon as I found out I was pregnant because BCAA's (branch chain amino acids) were a key ingredient and recent research shows that increased amounts of BCAA's may cause mental retardation in fetuses and nursing children.  No brainer for me on the removal of the protein shakes.  I'm not big supplement person, but prior to getting pregnant I took an amino acid drink mix for a pre-workout, and used my protein powder as a recovery drink.  Working out without them has been extremely interesting. I can tell a major difference in my endurance and recovery.
       Speaking of working out, I NEVER thought I'd be the type of woman that would say, "I'm going to continue to lift weights throughout my pregnancy.  I'm going to continue to work out as long as I can throughout my pregnancy." But, today, I am.  I will never label myself as a "fit" girl.  Obviously, I'm not anywhere near my ideal weight, but I'm SO much more active than I have been in previous pregnancies.  Working out doing cardio strength training for an hour three days a week isn't much compared to doing two hours of strength training including power and olympic lifting three to five days a week like I was prior to becoming pregnant, but it's a great start for me.  Especially after a couple of months off from weight lifting. Prior to becoming pregnant I was maxing out my back squats at 225, dead lifts at 250, and bench press at 95.  Obviously, my doctor did not recommend that I continue my heavy lifting during pregnancy.  She suggests that I don't lift more than 25lbs, BUT I will admit that thats not feasible for me right now.  Jaxon is 35lbs, Kasen is 25lbs, and there's no way I can avoid lifting in and out of their car seats, the changing table, the crib, the bath tub, etc.  I just have made the commitment to listen to my body.  Obviously I'm not lifting anywhere my max now.  My dietary intake has been majorly reduced so I know Im not giving my body as much as it needs for workouts like that, and I don't personally feel comfortable squatting 225 with Baby Bean depending on me to take the best care of them as I can, but I'm still lifting weights, still doing cardio training, and I'm planning on starting back in Yoga next week when I'm not working like a mad woman.
     There have been quiet a few things I've done differently this pregnancy, I've switched my Prenatal vitamins and DHA from Nature's Made combo prenatal and DHA to Smarty Pants Brand with DHA, EPA and Omega 3's  They're gummies, they come 120 to a bottle and I found them at Target for $22.95.  I thought maybe they would help with the sour candy craving, but lets face it, they don't taste anywhere as delicious as Sour Punch Straws do.  They are extremely digestible, don't make me sick, and don't taste terrible.  They've been a pretty great choice so far.  They're not GMO, gluten, allergen, artificial color, flavor and preservative free.  I usually take them at dinner time so that I have something in my stomach, but also so they can be digested at night while I'm sleeping without making me queasy, even when I have taken them during the day, or before my night shifts, I haven't had any issues with them making me nauseas! Always a win in my book.
     Having a third baby has meant some major changes for our family.  Prior to confirming our pregnancy, we had listed our house and were planning on moving out to the Wall School District so our littles could follow in their Daddy's footsteps, after lots of prayer and discernment, we came to the realization right now is not the time for us to make that move, we made the decision to take our house off the market, and two days later we got our big fat positive.  Our house is 3/2 and a little on the "cozy" side, but I'm excited to (hopefully) complete our little family right here in this little house. The boys will be sharing a bedroom starting in the next few months.  They're both extremely excited to be getting "up and down" beds -per Jaxon- (bunk beds).  They're inseperable anyways, and we do our bedtime routine in Jaxon's bed every night anyways, so them sharing a room is just extremely exciting to them. Another issue we faced was having a big enough car to comfortable fit three carseats and be big enough to fit all of our "stuff" in it also.   Luckily, an old high school friend is in the process of helping us get into a 2016 Yukon XL and I am absolutely STOKED.  Getting rid of Jay's (my) Jeep was extremely hard on me.  Not only has it been an awesome hobby, driving a jeep is like being in the cool kids club.  I guess I'm exciting the club and taking the "west texas mom's club" and moving onto a full sized giant SUV.  I'm already love with it and can't wait to get everything done so it's officially mine.
     We have had our first sonogram and appointment and I was so relieved to see that tiny heart beat pulsing away at 177 beats per minute.  Obviously, we cannot wait to find out if we're adding another rough and tumble boy, or a well looked out for, little girl.  I'll have lab work done on July 25 to draw blood to detect the gender, so we'll know within 2 weeks from that date.  I can't say we're hoping for one over the other, because either way we'll be extremely excited, but I'd be lying if I said I had both boy and girl names picked out.  Currently we have a girl's name set in stone, but the ONLY boys name I want, Jay is completely against, and anyone that knows the story with Kasen's name knows that we are named out on the Boys side. Jaxon and Kasen are both EXTREMELY excited about the baby and were so happy that my doctor so graciously printed them out their own sonogram pictures.  Jaxon is convinced its another brother, and his name is going to be Kasen or Jay Moore Jr.   No to both of those, for the record. They'll be just as excited for whatever we're blessed with as we will be.
    All in all, pregnancy is pregnancy and you never imagine how much it would change from child to child but truth is, it changes immensely.  This has been a much more positive journey over all for me compared to being pregnant with the boys.  I was always stressed out and worried, I did't feel well, and I gained a lot of weight.  I tried to stay active with Kasen but it was impossible with how sick I was all the time.  This time, my commitment to being healthy, active, and eating better is number one, and so far there has been zero weight gain.  I hope to keep it to a minimum and my doctor has told me that being overly worried about the scale isn't in her plan of care for me. She's excited to hear that I'm staying active and is supportive of me in doing that.  PS if you're pregnant and living in San Angelo, call Community Health Club and get some information about their Two-Fit Program. It's a great program and their facilities are WONDERFUL.

Until next time,
Peace, Love, and Bumps and Barbells
kb

Unapologetically HG

    So, many of you know, and many of you don't that Jay and I are expecting another little bundle of fun to join our already crazy family in the winter.  I haven't shared much because up until today, I hadn't felt very "pregnant" and I haven't had a sonogram yet and I wanted to wait until I did to tell the world, but today was one of those days that made me feel VERY pregnant.  It seems as if my Hyperemesis Gravidarum is back with a vengeance.  For those of you that don't know what HG is, its a complication that causes severe and persistent nausea, vomiting, and often leads to dehydration and weight loss.  It often accompanies several hospital stays, bags of IV fluids, and medications all just necessary to keep some form of normalcy in a mother-to-be's life.  I had HG with both of my boys, and unfortunately from the other survivors I've spoken to, it only seems to get worse with each subsequent pregnancy.  After Kasen, I thought I would NEVER have another baby thanks to this absolutely horrific complication.  While I'm sure many of you are thinking "it's called morning sickness and people go through it everyday" let me just explain to you that comparing HG and morning sickness is like comparing a Hurricane to a rain shower.  HG often lasts the duration of ones pregnancies and sometimes leads to the need for other medical interventions including feeding tubes and Zofran pumps.  Some women have even decided to terminate their pregnancies due to the lack of nourishment and the hardships HG causes. So trust me when I tell you, this isn't just morning sickness.

     Obviously, many people know NOTHING about HG, its not commonly spoken about and until recently most doctors didn't even acknowledge its existence.  It's not easy, and its VERY miserable, and unfortunately it effects more than just a mother and her unborn baby.  It effects every aspect of your life in a negative way, and infact, about 50% of mothers that suffer from HG are diagnosed as clinically depressed in response to how HG effects their lives.  I just want to share some thoughts I've had throughout my pregnancies to give a perspective on how HG effects the world around me everyday.



     To the Mother-    It's here! The day you've been hoping and praying for, for as long as you can remember.  The positive pregnancy test, the call from the doctor, the heartbeat on the ultrasound confirming a dream come true.  You are anticipating the pregnancy glow, the adorable bump, and all the "wonder" that comes with this magical time in your life.  What you weren't expecting were 10+ episodes of running to the bathroom day in and day out for weeks on end.  You weren't expecting weight loss, dehydration, and malnourishment.  You weren't expecting to spend your weekends, evenings, lunch breaks, or workdays in the ER or L&D being given 1000mls of NS wide open to rehydrate you.  You weren't expecting days where you couldn't get off the couch because you were so weak from not keeping anything down for days....you weren't expecting this.
    Husbands-  You knew your life would change and that you would be responsible for "more" around the house.  You knew your wife would be moody, and hungry, and tired; that she would want back and foot rubs and to be treated to ice cream at 2am despite the fact that there isn't any in the freezer.  You knew she might be "sick" from time to time and that you would eventually get used to the site of saltines at her bedside. What you didn't expect; were days spent where she does nothing but cry and vomit simultaneously until she is pure worn out.  You didn't expect your house to look like a disaster zone day in and day out because the smells of cleaning supplies, and laundry detergent, and your dirty clothes send her into a tailspin of violent vomiting.  You didn't expect her to gag through the grocery store as you passed raw meat, or to not eat more than a bite or two at a time because she can't stomach even her favorite foods. You didn't imagine you'd be spending your days off holding her hand as she sits and receives fluids and cries about the situation.  You never thought you'd hear the sounds of her retching day in and day out as your once beautiful and strong wife becomes weak and worn out.  You never expected something so wonderful to be so tragic.
       To the other children- you may be so excited about another brother or sister, or maybe you're unsure but you definitely don't understand why your mommy seems to be so sick and sad so often.  You have no idea why she barely cooks, and never eats with you anymore.  Why your fridge is stocked with lunchables and frozen PB&J's when you clearly know, your Mom knows how to make these things herself.  You can't understand why she's constantly asking for your help, or why she can't take you to do all the fun things she used to today.  You wonder why this baby that everyone is so happy about is making your Mommy so sad, so sick, and so tired, but you just try to take it day by day and pray that things are better tomorrow.  You were expecting change, but you weren't expecting this.

To the rest of the world- Friends that expected your schedule to change, but can't understand why you can't keep dinner plans, or movie night plans or even show up to weddings or baby showers because you're terrified of getting sick at a public place or function, become frustrated and disappointed in your frequent "flakiness".  Your house looks like a mess, the pantry is empty, the laundry has piled up, and the dogs are almost ignored except for the quick rub on the head as you refill their water and food.  There are days when you physically cannot do your job thanks to dehydration and lack of nutrients.  When your boss is frustrated with you and your coworkers gossip about how you need to just "suck it up".  Truth is HG changes everything, and somedays you wonder how being so miserable can be so "worth it" but Momma, I promise you, the misery and terrible flashbacks someday fade.  Someday, you'll be able to walk through the grocery store again, and enjoy your favorite foods, when Pedialyte won't be your first drink of choice and when you'll hold that baby in your arms and feel relief that the worst is over. I'm not going to tell you that you'll miss being pregnant or be glad you endured the worst of the worst, but you will be glad it's over.  You'll have made new friends that endure this misery with you, that understand, and that care, and that would hold your hand, or your hair through the roughest days.  Your kids gain some independence, and you are blown away by how smart and wonderful they became. You learn to lean on your husband a little more, and to ignore th messy house from time to time (because babies only stay little for so long, so whats a few more months of chaos).  You learn to be strong, to endure, and to survive.  How to pick yourself up off the floor day in and day out and do the very best that you can.  You learn your strength, your grace and your beauty and you use it to educate other people.  To be there for the Moms that feel alone, or to take over lunch to a husband and the other children that are over frozen pb&j's.  You learn to wash your face, dust yourself off, and keep going.



Until Next Time,
 Peace, love, and toilet bowls.
kb