Walking in the Lord's Grace day by day....

20140326

13-25 Weeks | Comparison


99 Days Countdown | Selfie

 Posted these on Insta and just thought I would have them here to remember. Apparently I was sleepy in my second shot :)


25 Weeks

How big is baby: 25 Weeks | Eggplant
How I'm feeling: A little bit of of everything. Discouraged that despite my efforts of eating like I normally do. Completely gluten free and 95% sugar free, and hitting the gym, yoga, barre often that I am rapidly gaining weight. Not just normal numbers, but big ones. Not as much am I sad about the weight gain and my body image (which isn't a fun) I just want to be best prepared physically for my work in June and being active and mobile. Which I know should be fine if I just keep moving. I am just trying not to get in a stage where I "limit" or have to try really hard to watch what I am eating. I just wanted to be free of that in my pregnancy. Also free of having to workout obsessively. That I can only do a Yoga class and feel like that is enough somedays. I have struggled so much of my life with food and my body, I just really would love to keep that relationship healthy as I feel like the Lord has healed it pre-pregnancy. Again, not complaining if it is normal for me and my pregnancies, but just making sure there is nothing I can do to help control it more that I am.
Weight gain/loss: 25-28.5 pds. It has been really crazy off the charts up and down and has been a little scary this past week. I will be heading to the doctor on Thursday to triple check all is well before travel to North Carolina. I am just a little worried as I do feel like I eat really well and clean and I exercise at least 4-6 days a week.
Stretch marks: None I see yet.
Sleep: Actually sleeping really well this week, figuring out the right pillow between the legs is the best! My favorite is actually Savasana at the end of my classes at Blooma. Honestly I feel like I could sleep for hours even though I think it's about 3-5 minutes.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: I want sugar everything. Especially when trying to watch things more this week to try to slow down my gains. Still having minimal things, but my body is craving. PB and Banana with dark choco chips and Paleo Muffins Chocolate Chips.
Movement: Lots of movement, but it's light and it's higher or mid belly.
What I'm loving: I was able to elliptical and swim this week and been doing YOGA! Feeling grateful!
Symptoms: Bloating. Discouragement about weight. Ribs aching and growing another bra size.
What I'm looking forward to: Getting some fabric in the mail from Etsy for the nursery.
Best moment of the week: Today I got my hair done for the first time in 8 weeks (4 weeks overdue) and my nails done in preparation for some photos next week hopefully on the beach. I rented two rent the runway dresses and hopefully they will fit ;)
Verse that I am clinging to: Psalm 139:2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. Felt like I need to pray it out. Lord God, you know my heart and you know my body that is growing this little guy. Will you keep my thoughts focused on you and not on the million and one things I can be doing wrong? Help me to get clarity around the weight gain and just be able to feel happy and confident. I need you Lord. Every hour I need you. Thank you for this crazy beautiful gift. For your sovereignty in our lives for so many amazing blessings. Thank you AMEN>
Photo:

  | 25 Weeks 5 Days |

20140318

24 Weeks

How big is baby: 24 Weeks | Cantaloupe
How I'm feeling: Pretty great. No crazy pressure and have really enjoyed my Prenatal Yoga and Barre at Blooma. Still hoping to try out the elliptical at the gym, but haven't yet. Also, shot another wedding this Saturday and it felt pretty great. Had tons of stairs to walk up and down and was grateful for breaks. Wasn't too sore the next day and that was great!!
Weight gain/loss: 22-24 pounds. Hoping to keep this steady and hopefully under 25-30 until 28 weeks. I know that might be pipe dream, but hoping. Definitely not super cutting back on eating as long as it's clean. Definitely feel like my chest is growing again, think I'll have to buy another bra up in the width.
Stretch marks: None I see yet.
Sleep: Better than last definitely as sleeping with a pillow between my legs has been super. I definitely am getting up somewhere between 3am and 5am wide awake. I can usually get back to sleep, yet then I have really violent or vivid dreams. I wonder what the little man is doing at that time that might be influencing.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Had a major cheat at the wedding and had milk duds for the first time time in I can't remember how long. They were amazing. Still digging the Cauliflower crust, Almond Paleo Chicken Strips and Chocolate Chip Paleo muffins. We are rocking at home meals now and I am so happy and proud of this.
Movement: This week was a little less. I don't know if it was busy or if he has found a new spot where I can't feel him as much. He definitely is most active btw 5-7pm.
What I'm loving: Getting some house stuff finished. Anne came over last week and instead of really knocking out a lot of the nursery we focused on our basement bedroom. A room that we moved into the night before we found out we were pregnant and it's been super bare since then. So just getting it all set or at least a little more put together before baby comes is exciting.
Symptoms: Swelling after being on my feet for awhile. Goofy Hip pain. Chest feeling big.
What I'm looking forward to: MTH is coming up soon and being in the third trimester :) More of Blooma too, it's so fun to try to get there regularly.
Best moment of the week: We got our nursery chair in an awesome sale last week. We aren't sure that we absolutely love it but excited that we can just return to a target if it's not the one. We were really wavering on which type to purchase and this is really the last "big" piece of the room to be done. We should have it next week :)
Verse that I am clinging to: 
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. Psalm 34:18-19 (ESV) My heart has just been crazy heavy for those that still are waiting on babies, that have lost babies recently. I just want each and everyone to have their sweet babies in their arms and there to be NO MORE hurt or pain, but not till heaven. Will y'all just lift up those that are hurting and can't pray for themselves? Jesus is stronger and bigger even if we don't understand at the time.
Photo: A couple different looks as the outfit I wore today wasn't as belly showing. Can't believe how flat part of my belly is. Funny looking ;)








| 24 Weeks and 5 Days |

20140311

23 Weeks

How big is baby: 23 Weeks | Grapefruit
How I'm feeling: Great. This last week was super awesome. Primarily cause of Blooma Yoga and Barre. Sunday I started to feel like bronchitis or something that Matt had all week was coming my way, so I rested most of the day and Monday. While shooting Apple Cider Vinegar to keep the crap away. Feeling pretty good today.
Weight gain/loss: 21-22. Feeling pretty good that since I have gotten back from Mexico (week 20) that I have only gained about 3.5-4.5 in 4 weeks. Have my 24 week appt this week so we will see what they say.
Stretch marks: None yet. I asked my Mom today and she said she doesn't think she did. Plus. Yet I have a ton on my back from when I grew super fast in middle school.  So maybe I will get them anyways.
Sleep: Reasonable. I do wake often to reposition or just cause I am awake. Still feel rested most mornings if I get to bed on time (10ish). Had a couple of late nights this week and definitely paid for it.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Fruit. Strawberries and Blueberries. Chocolate definitely also. Made the MOST AMAZING gluten free, low sugar & carb pizza last night. Freaking out about how nummy it was and made my second one today!!! Also made some amazing Paleo Choco Chip muffins last night too!
Movement: Yep! Usually once a day at least varying on time. It's hard not to get worried sometimes if I don't feel him right away in the morning.
What I'm loving: Feeling good in my skin, I think due to Yoga and Barre at Blooma. Also, being grateful that I can take days of rest. I feel like the next 4 months are going to FLY by.
Symptoms: Definitely had some hard right hip pain. I can't sit on the floor anymore during photoshoots without some pain. Need to look into a bolster. Also, this baby seems to like water too much. I took a bath this week for the first time since the water scares at week 20/21 and he just drops super low when I get out and I don't LOVE that feeling at all. I really wanted to be in the water especially towards the end when it gets warm, but we will see. I am going to try to give the gym pool a try in the coming weeks to see if it has the same affect.
What I'm looking forward to: Making more meals this week with Matt and just rocking out the schedule. Also, my assistant returns this week and I have a wedding Saturday so excited about the warmer weather a bit and just shooting a sweet couple. Oh. and more mid day naps.
Best moment of the week: Grateful my mom brought food down on Monday when I was sick that was super nice. Honestly all the nummy recipes we made this week was a highlight!!!
Verse that I am clinging to: Galatians 4:16 But I say, walk by the spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  Which in my world right now means, That I need to meet Jesus first or my flesh will rule the day. I need to start with a devotion, a note of gratitude, a prayer or quiet time with the Lord. I know my schedule will vary but making HIM first everyday dramatically changes the way my heart acts and feels and handles situations. And I find myself fighting my flesh if I don't start with the spirit RIGHT in the morning. So clinging to this truth this week.
Photo: Wearing the same top I wore at week 13-14 photo for some comparison for me. It's also crazy to me how depending on how I am standing the bump looks bigger, a lot bigger. So I made a comparison shot today of more of a straight up stance, vrs a lean back into one leg stance. It's crazy :). Looks SO different to me ;)





| 23 Weeks and 5 Days |

20140305

Bumps 14-22


22 Weeks

How big is baby: 22 Weeks | Papaya
How I'm feeling: Week 21 and 22 have definitely been my most stressful yet just with lots of crazy business things happening and just loss of sleep and worry. I also could not shake the extra pressure last week while working out very minimally so I called the office twice and ended up going into the assessment center at the hospital again this last friday.  Honestly most of the week while walking slow on the treadmill or on the elliptical felt like he was going to fall out, so I just wanted to make sure all was fine and that my cervix was good. Praise for those sweet nurses there, they are so calm and helpful and I am so glad to be delivering there. My body seemed to have figured out what it is doing a bit since I haven't had too much extra pressure the latter of this week. Going back to try the elliptical maybe tomorrow or Friday to see how I feel.
Weight gain/loss: This mornings scale said 21. Goodness me. I am trying to just keep my head up and be ok with whatever my body is going to do. I am eating really clean and treating myself here and there but my treats consist of fruit, cashews and an occasional sucker or gf product. It's just nuts to see a big (as in from week 19-22) gain. Hoping I level out soon, but just choosing to be grateful.
Stretch marks: None I see yet.
Sleep: Pretty good. Definitely up to pee more, also waking up with sore hips depending on what side I am on.
Diet/Cravings/Aversions: Nothing out of the blue. Fruit, especially strawberries are great. Grapefruit as well. I have been loving the Broccoli and Cheese homemade soup and turkey sausage still.
Movement: Lots, not completely consistent but feeling him more and more. It bring such a warmth to my heart to feel the little guy moving and shaking in there.
What I'm loving: BLOOMA!!!! With the increased pressure and just feeling different I (along with my chiro/trainer and hubby) thought that I should finally give some prenatal yoga a shot. They also offer Barre. I have been to both, and they are SO SO SO SO great. The Barre teacher this morning rocked my world and it's just so great to be able to really workout and not worry every second I am hurting the baby like I often did at the gym. The prenatal yoga was REALLY great too, completely different feel. Social and soothing and just empowering. The teacher recommended us to have an intention or prayer during class and I just focused on being grateful to Jesus for being pregnant. I was about in tears as we made our way through class just praising Jesus for this little man growing inside. I have an unlimited pass there currently and will hopefully be going 4-5 times a week!
Symptoms: Increased pressure. Some new fluids. Just feeling bigger. Itchy chest.
What I'm looking forward to: Meeting with my friend Anne who will help my brain sort the nursery layout out with me so I really can start crafting or nesting that room. Also, we have been reading the babes books from the Library every night and I just restocked my stash.
Best moment of the week: We did have our tour last week on Thursday night which was nice. Honestly the best part of this last week was having a ROCKING barre class this morning that was hard and made me sweat and push myself and also how on Monday night after Yoga this little guy was going crazy during the rest time at the end. I almost started laughing aloud it was so great. Oh I almost forgot. On Monday I completely emptied my closet of my clothes that aren't working with the bump, then tried on a bunch that I didn't know if they would and kinda classified my closet back to what is most effective for me right now. I am in love and feel so much lighter just from this afternoon task. So worth it.
Verse that I am clinging to: 
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 ESV. 
Through all the hard stuff with work these last two weeks. I have really tried to pray and stay focused and I just have found these small pockets of joy that are totally a gift from the Lord.
Photo: Goofy hair, but going with it anyways. Non maternity maybe way old target dress? Note I purposefully choose tighter fitting outfits for photos, cause I really want to see the bump and some of my maternity top that I wear everyday or doing photo-shoots don't hug my bump enough so I am always searching for something that works. Peeking at the camera in the second photo. It's crazy how different the bump looks there vrs profile. Rounder vrs Flatter.



           | 22 Weeks and 6 Days | 

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