I've Returned!!

It has been a while!  A lot has happened since that last post.  I did end up having a c-section on the 13th of last month (with out a plan- more on that later), and had a beautiful 7lb. 6oz. baby boy.  I've been recovering and adjusting to life with a preschooler, toddler, and newborn.  Most days I am exhausted and have no desire to do anything but veg out on Pinterest during my down time.  But here I am, ready to get back to writing and finding my creative outlet.  I plan to spend the weekend working on upcoming series and posts, kind of get a game plan to get going again.  And with Christmas right around the corner I hope to get some good posts out before I take a mini break while my husband is off.  

Hope to see you back here soon!!

Christi

The Things No One Talks About: Depression & Pregnancy

 This is my 4 pregnancy.  And with each one came different slumps.  My first pregnancy wasn't really a bad pregnancy, I was just in an abusive relationship that made it an experience I didn't get to enjoy.  My second up until 20 weeks, when I switched to the OB now that I love, every time we went to the doctor something was wrong with the baby.  Then I tragic experience with my third and miscarried at 14 weeks.  Now this one was going great until I was diagnosed with Placenta Previa.  And now on top of figuring out light duty with two other kids at home under 5 I have SPD.  No big deal.  I'm a big girl and at least I have a healthy baby boy on the way.  So why am I depressed?  Hormones?  Deficiency of some sort?  Ungratefulness?  It could probably be a combination of all that.  But I feel so guilty.  Aside from a few minor complications I am doing well and my baby boy is perfect.  I know there are so many reasons to be thankful.  But I've hit a slump.  And I don't believe I'm the only one who gets like this.  But no one talks about it.  Why?  Shame?  Guilt?  I'm 32 weeks along now and I'm ready for it to be over.  Whats wrong with that?  Whats wrong with saying "hey, this isn't enjoyable anymore?"  The movements are no longer cute, they're painful because he is clearly out of room.  I'm tired all the time but can't sleep good because I'm so uncomfortable and unable to breathe half the time.  I suppose the lack of sleep could be contributing to my slump.  But I am just over it.  I know I still have 4-8 weeks left (depending on my cervix and placenta at my next ultrasound in 3 weeks).  That seems so far away.  And that makes me feel worse.  I feel worse about the fact that no one talks about this slump.  I know its more common than we all care to admit.  But why?  Is it because all we see are these picture perfect women who are glowing and "loving every minute" of their pregnancy?  I call bologna.  So here it is, my side of the third trimester.  It's not all roses and champagne for everyone.  There, I said it.  Sometimes it sucks, and you just cry because you're just ready for it to be over.  And if you've been there, you aren't alone.  It DOES NOT mean you're a bad mom, or that you don't appreciate the gift of child-bearing.  It just means you're human.

  Hope to see you back here soon!
          Christi

My Gallon Water Challenge Update

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I haven't been keeping up on this mainly because I found doing it daily would be kind of boring after a while.  So here how its going so far.  I've not been doing as well as I had been.  I'm still drinking more water then I normally would but not as much as I feel I should be.  I feel the difference too!  I've been dealing with headaches and RLS again.  It's motivation to help me push it that is for sure.  I hope to make this a lifestyle change and not just a temporary experiment.  Once you really feel the difference in your body it makes it hard to justify not doing it.  Have any of you switch to just drinking water?  How'd you stick to it?

  Hope to see you back here soon!

           Christi

Part 2: My Mental Preparation For a C-Section

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I apologize for the delay of this post.  It definitely took me longer than I anticipated to gather the sources I wanted to share.  Plus, I try not to blog on the weekends since that is about the only family time we really get when my husband isn't wore out from work.  Moving on...
  I love Pinterest!  I was shocked at how many women had already blogged about a c-section with a birth plan.  I found such good information and questions to jot down to ask if I find out I do have to have a c-section.  Here is a link to a good list of things I may want to add to my plan along with questions I will want to ask about my doctor's and hospital's specific policies.  Here is another sample birth plan that I will definitely be referring back to.  I intended on adding a birth plan printable with this post, but decided not too.  I have read multiple time that the more direct and to the point your plan is the more likely it is to be read and honored (to the best of their ability).  So I will not be adding a printable.  I will do a Part 3 to this if I am told I will have to have a c-section and will include in there my personal plan.  If you do want something more in-depth or for natural birthing I have plenty of things on 3 of my pinterest boards Here.

  OK, vaccine exemptions.  They are different for every state so be sure to look up your states laws.  I live in Ohio so we are allowed to file a religious, philosophical, or medical exemption.  I will create a religious one to attach to my birth plan, and to turn into my pediatrician.  Here is a very informative blog post I found very helpful.  Here is a good article on herd immunity.  I haven't found one that I feel good about so I will continue to look and probably just compile what I like from certain ones and make my own.  Again, I will share this in Part 3. **I am not a doctor and this is my own personal opinion and option for MY family and children.  I will not debate or defend my decision.  If you want more information please research, there is plenty of information out there.  Every one is entitled to their own opinion and to believe what they want.  I will not allow any negativity toward anyone who makes different choices.**

   As far as postpartum care I plan on using essential oils from the Young Living Premium Starter Kit I plan to buy in the next couple weeks (shown above are just the oils and what they can be used for.  There is more included in this kit).  I've also read a lot about belly bands/wraps for after delivery.  They sure are pricey.  I'm cheap.  We plan on this being my last pregnancy so why would I want to spend $50-$80 on something I will only wear 6 weeks or at most a couple months?  I can't justify that kind of expense.  So, I came across a post about a mom who just used an ace bandage.  Not really the whole corset effect, but it does provide the support I am looking for.  AND it is much cheaper :)
  Here is a printable hospital bag check list

Hope to see you back here soon!

Christi

Part One: My Mental Preparation For A C-Section

  I still have 5 weeks before I'll find out whether a c-section is absolute or not but I am starting my research now.  Why?  Because from what I've discovered already is most women with Placenta Previa don't deliver past 37 weeks as precaution.  I will be 35 weeks when the ultrasound to determine my birthing fate is performed.  So I want to prepare now since it is possible to go in to have the ultrasound and be scheduling my c-section for the next week.  I want to have all my ducks in a row so I'm not overwhelmed if that is what happens.
  So far here is my list of things I want to find more on:
- Birth Plans
- Vaccine exemptions
- Organic products for care
- Essential oils for care
- Belly wraps/girdles

  It's all a little intimidating to me.  Almost like having my first baby all over again.  Foreign territory.
Have any of you had c-sections?  Any thing specific you'd recommend or wish you'd done differently?  Return Thursday for Part Two with (hopefully) a couple printable items.

**Hope to see you back here soon!**

Christi

     

(Partial) Placenta Previa?

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At my 20 week ultrasound I was informed my placenta is sitting low and that I would be rechecked at 28 weeks to see if it has moved.  I was reassured that 90% of the time the placenta will move up.  This pregnancy must have been too easy because the little booger moved down.  Yep, it is now covering most of my cervix.  If you know anything about this condition I'm a stage 3.  I didn't even know anything about this condition until after talking to my OB.  Google is not comforting just to forewarn you.  I should really not Google certain things.

  So, with a placenta previa diagnosis comes restrictions.  I haven't had any bleeding so I am only on low activity (thankfully) instead of bed rest.  But that means basically everything I've read about how to prepare your body for labor will now be put on the back-burner until further notice.  Even (most) yoga!  I'll be rechecked at 34 weeks and we will make decisions from there.  I haven't really found any information on what my chances are that it will move up at this point.  I will see my OB every two weeks now so the more questions I have the sooner I can ask :)  But just to fill you in I had no symptoms or any risk factors (other than multiple pregnancies obviously). I delivered my other two naturally so I guess this is just one of those things you can't have an answer to.  Regardless of how crappy this condition is and can potentially be, my baby boy is healthy and ultimately that is what matters.  Reading the forum of other women discussing this I know it could be worse.  A lot of them were just aiming to reach 36 weeks because of bleeding issues.  God bless you if you are/were one of those mommas.  I couldn't imagine the stress.  

  Feel free to share your experience if you had this condition with a pregnancy.  I would love to hear from you!

  Christi

A Marriage Based on Facts Not Emotion

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  We are emotional beings.  It is both a beautiful and tragic thing.  There are days I love my husband more than anything I ever imagined myself capable of.  Then there are the days (especially during pregnancy) where I find myself thinking "why the heck do I stay for this".  The truth is marriage is a covenant we make before God to love this, this person we only think we know.  There is a reason traditional vows say "for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health".  Does anyone really soak in what you pledging?  I know I certainly took it much too lightly.  You should witness my husband with his 'man cold'.  It'd make any blushing bride think twice ;)   But in all honesty, that is why when it comes to marriage, we have to set our feelings aside simply because our feelings will change from minute to minute.  The vows we took don't change however.  So remember why you married that man, and remember marriage isn't to make us happy it's to glorify God.  It is hard.  I've wanted to walk away more times than I care to admit (I don't do confrontation well, I prefer to hide until the problem goes away).  And if I let my emotions run our relationship, I wouldn't have one.  I have to remember this thing called marriage is so much bigger than me, then us.  Then I try to cling to what I KNOW, not what I feel.  I know this man loves me, I know I made a lifetime promise to God to love and honor this man, I know that we have 3 beautiful babies who will look to us for how to build their relationships.  And I do not want to continue the pattern of divorce.  I want to be a light is this very dark world for them.  So, if you're having a rough day, week, month, year with your spouse sit down and spend some time with Jesus.  And then you can check out these great little things I've found to help me keep my focus.

Prayer Cards@TimeWarpWife

www.thedatingdivas.com











  What blogs do you follow that have helped you in your marriage?
Hope to see you back here soon!
         Christi