28 Weeks

The Gestational Diabetes test was Friday and I already received the results this morning over the phone. The type of testing my midwife does is the fasting 2 hour test:

My experience with the new test:
1. I fasted for 10 hours before the test. Only water was allowed during this time. Ate a high protein dinner.
2. My blood was first drawn at 9:20 am to determine my “baseline.”
3. I was then asked to drink the glucose solution (75 g) within 3-5 minutes.
4. My blood was drawn again at 10:20 am while I was meeting with the midwife for a routine prenatal visit.
5. My blood was drawn for the last time at 11:20 am

Coming from a girl who does not do well with blood, this was a stretch getting blood drawn not once, not twice, but three times; not to mention one arm had to be drawn from twice. I'm so thankful it's over and done with and hopefully there will not be any more blood involved in the prenatals going forward :)

So the results... In parenthesis according to the draws-
First draw (Fasting) -Numbers should between 65-91 (78)
Second draw- Like the see the number less than 180 (85)
Final draw- Under 153 (78)
Hemoglobin (Iron) 11.5

All in all, I would definitely do this test again because it seemed to be the most accurate. Especially since one does it fasting for a 10 hour period of time-- I would imagine the false positives occur when a patient has been eating their regular diet and then goes in for the testing with nutrients and sugar already in their system that it can easily throw the numbers off and make them look more elevated.

Abbott's new maternity ward is set to open next month and we'll schedule a tour to check it out. Excited to see their water birth facility and check everything out. I'm a visual person and need to be able to mentally deliver there before the actual labor and delivery process happens. It helped to be able to visualize the labor process when delivering at St. Joe's. The birth plan is to labor naturally without medication/ intervention unless absolutely necessary using hypnobirthing method (More info here: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/howitworks.htm) and delivering baby in water again. Of course, it's easy to say that is the "plan" but we know the One who is really in control!

Nutrition wise- aiming to consume 60g of protein daily now. The midwife doesn't love the idea of protein powder, so I'm trying to stick with natural sources:

• 22g Salmon, Halibut (3 oz) Good fats too!
• 10g Applegate Turkey Breast(2 oz) - {I know lunch meat is not 'technically' allowed but I always buy Applegate's natural nitrite-free line}
• 10g Nuts (1/2 cup)
• 6g. each -Eggs- cooked or hard boiled
• Kale, broccoli, beans, avacado
• Greek yogurt, cottage cheese
• 5g. Goat cheese medallion
• Peanut/Almond butters

Looking forward to turning the corner and heading into the third trimester! I'm truly amazed at how fast this is all going. WOW!

27 Weeks + A New Year!

A New Year! Already feeling grateful for what 2013 has brought thus far and loving the thought of all the big changes and blessings that are on the horizon! All to God's glory of course! Welcoming a new babe in a few months, growing + adjusting to a family of four, remodeling + updating Rev, scaling back my work schedule, changing churches, continuing to serve in BSF, Sophia starting pre-school in the fall, and much more...!

On Baby Names...
We've gone through probably a dozen names-- Isabella, Charolette, Rose, Gabrielle, Gabriella, Lucy... I'm probably forgetting a few. These were all names that we just picked because we like them! However, we've been praying about our baby girl name and both are beginning to have a peace about her name. Well at least her first name. (Drum roll....) We love Grace, and even have a praise report to share that both Paul and I have had the Lord confirm to us in some really neat ways in the last week. Last week, against all odds, I made it to prenatal yoga @ Blooma, and the last part of class, the instructor played "Amazing Grace", then today, we sang "Amazing Grace" as the opening hymn at BSF! "Grace" was also the doctrine in the bible study lesson this morning. Hmmm... This is just one of many little "God-confirmation" moments of the week (so far! I know He's probably got some more lined up that I happily anticipate!). What peace I've had from this is that the Lord knows this child- He created her- and He already knows what she will look like, her personality, His will for her life, the whole story of her life... EVERYTHING, so who better to ask what her name should be than her Creator! I truly believe His desire for her name is clearly being reflected in everyday life this week and it just makes me so thankful! Thank you Lord!

New Years Day 2013!

Health + Pregnancy Updates
Feeling big! The bump is taking over, in a good way of course. I'm starting to feel like taking a full breath is a little more challenging that it was even last week. Also have had the slightest acid reflux in the last two days, which is common at this point in pregnancy- and it reminded me what remedy I did last time around- Chiropractic adjustments with a diaphragm pull down. The last two weeks of getting adjustments have been extremely helpful in keeping up with the pace of life! Current frequency is 2x/ week and I don't think I could go any less. I love doing traction in the morning too. Striving to drink more water than usual (half body weight plus some...) to combat swelling and edema. We took a road trip yesterday to Iowa and by the time we got home, I noticed my ankles and calf were puffy from sitting in the car all day. Gestational Diabetes test is on Friday morning to determine what that looks like. 1-2% of women have GD during pregnancy so I'm hoping that I'll pass without any glitches.Continuing to want to stay active- maintaining 1-2x/ week at LTF, and last week finally got a prenatal yoga class in for the first time this pregnancy. It felt relieving to be there and learn ways to get comfortable and find new positions with a growing baby inside. Nutrition wise- staying away from sweets all week long as a personal challenge and for Friday's appt. Making smoothies is back in business (after running hot water on the base to clean it, only to find out I basically killed since that's where the motor/ brain of it is located! Now it's working and back to life!) Current go-to is peanut butter, banana, spinach w/ pro-biotic and protein powders... Rediscovered Bistro's grass-fed mini-burgers and have to say that I could live on those for life. So good. We went on Thursday and can't wait to go back again :)

On our 'two-and-two-third year old' {according to Paul}...
Sophia is officially sleeping in her toddler bed as of Friday! Win!
Potty training is off to a successful start- thinking the key to this will be consistency!! Highlight, bold, underline... The other day, motivation for her to "hold it + go IN the potty chair" was for her to wear a costume. (!! The things they come up with) So it was a flower tutu dress. This costume may be coined the potty training ticket. We'll see. Also using Whole Foods yummy gummies in apricot (just one) for each time she successfully goes in the potty.
Chiro adjustments are back in business! For a while, she was refusing- until we cleared some emotions (shock, panic and anxiety) and now she's worked her way up to getting adjustments on the floor (not table) and referring to them as "frog adjustments" full on with hopping around and "ribbiting" sound effects. Hey, whatever will work, right?!
Working on memorizing Genesis 15:1. The Post it note in her bedroom has helped her associate the bible verse and being comforted. "Do not be afraid (Sophia) for I am your shield, your very great reward."

Hope that I'll have some good news to report next time- praying all the bloodwork goes well as having blood drawn is my least favorite part of pregnancy. I would rather polar bear plunge into a freezing lake! :)