Pregnant, like a boss

Nothing like meeting with your midwives to make you feel awesome.  No joke, they are the best. 

All week at work I hear the regulars, "Wow, you haven't had that baby yet?", "Wow, you look like you're going to pop", "Wow, you're huge".  Usually from never been pregnant individuals. To which I silently curse them with having twins on their first pregnancy.  Who's huge now, sucka? 

Anyway, then I go visit the nurse midwives and they tell me I'm small for how far along I am (yes, this party could be bigger), that I've gained only 20 lbs, that my blood pressure is phenomenal, my body processes glucose like a boss (oh stop, I'm blushing), that my baby is healthy and right on track, and that I'm doing a great job.  Thank you!  That is wonderful to hear.

Other than that, there is nothing to report prego wise.  All indications point to me going all 40 weeks....maybe 41 and I decided that I'm okay with that.

I am glad that my appointments are now once a week.  It is a relief hearing his heartbeat and confirming that he is okay.  This whole pregnancy I've been pretty level headed, but the last week or so I have been very anxious about something going wrong; worrying that I've missed something and my baby is in trouble, but I'm not responding to it...weird stuff like that wakes me up at 4 am and has me walking around the house making sure that baby is still moving.

Un-prego news:  We have an apartment in Iowa!!!  The reviews on it are great, meaning that most people that live there stay all four years.  Even some of the univiersity administration live there.  Which at first I thought was weird, but decided to interpert that as a good thing.  We talked to the landlord Dan and love him!  Kind of quirky, but good hearted and funny.  I'll have a community garden just outside my door, a washer and dryer across the hall, a newly remodeled home, and a great neighborhood to jog around. 

I just got really excited about moving to Iowa :)

Catch Up

Needless to say many things have been put on the back burner while working overtime, figuring out moving to Iowa, preparing for baby and such.  If I have failed to return calls, texts, or emails I am sorry...life is moving very quickly right now.  Here are some pics I took on my phone and have finally transferred to my computer:

Week 29ish.  I decided it was time to retire the belt  till post-pregnancy when people kept asking me if I wore it for back support......no, no I don't but I got the hint.

Week 33.  Way to grow Baby! 

Week 35.  Feeling....big.

According to my pregnancy app Baby is the size of a coconut.  Um, whoever made that random fact up I want to shove a coconut up their butt.  There is no way this baby is just the size of a freakin' coconut.  Maybe all the rockin' and rollin' he likes to do that magnifies his size.  Who knows.  What am I talking about, I know! I KNOW he is bigger than that.  

"Pressure": I've started to feel cramps every few days.  I believe when there's a baby in your uterus you call them contractions, but they feel exactly like cramps right now.  Every few nights or so I feel this piercing pain from my belly button to my pubic bone.  It only lasts 15 seconds or so and I've only felt two in a  row.  I'm not sure what that is.  It kind of feels like Baby is pulling on my belly button cord from the inside (is there a belly button cord?  I've always imagined there is...).  Either way I'm glad my body is prepping, cause I'm ready whenever he is :)

Cray-Cray: I have hormones.  In large supply.  I feel many things very passionately and tear up often.  My husband is an angel for being tender and understanding. 

Advice:  Advice to all you un-pregnant people out there: never ever ever ever say "Aren't you due any day now?" Because you are in the danger zone when you ask that.  No!  I'm not due any day now! I'm due in 33 days, but who's counting?....me.  I'm counting.  Other questions that I get in large supply are "When are you due?", "Is it a boy or girl", "Have you picked a name yet".  I should start taking a tally of how many times I get asked that question in a day, sometimes by the same people.

Non-baby related news: 

-We have rented our moving truck, set the moving date (August 3rd) and are very close to having an apartment finalized! 

-Austin received another small scholarship he had applied for last year.  Every little bit helps!  

-I finally bought a couch cover for our lovely grandma couch.  Mixed feelings about how long that is going to stay. 

Sarcasm aside I am very excited to have this baby.  To have a name for this baby!  And to step into (more like shoved into) a new phase of life for our family!  

Unexpected

Austin came home with an unsolicited surprise today. Ladies, I picked a goooood one!

In a nutshell...

...we are happy, healthy, and having fun!  Here is some catch up from the last few months compliments of our high tech camera phone:

 1.  Austin's "YOU GOT INTO MED SCHOOL!!!" dinner at The Cheesecake Factory

2.  A diagram of Des Monies University...maybe we'll be there soon?

3.  We have fun friday date nights!

      a.  Scavenger hunt

      b.  Temple Square lights

      c.  Aquarium (Look how close we got to a choco. chip star fish, Michelle!)

      d.  Planetarium 

      e.  Movie nigtht/ build an awesome fort 

4.  Austin bought a gun.  What a hunk.

5.  Sold the grandma car 

6.  Bought my first car...I like her a quite bit :)

7.  Jazz game with Jake and Jen.  I think they won...lost...won??? It's a toss up with the Jazz.

8.  Adorable nephew :)

8.  We're pregnant!  Suprise suprise

9.  Baby's first hike (26 weeks): Bell's Canyon

10.  I married a stud!

Life is good, my friends!!  All three of us are healthy, disgustingly content, and having the time of our lives!  We truly are blessed :)  Have a wonderful week everyone!

Hmmm...I like that

Ummm, I'm in love with this...and I just ordered it.

I'm getting back into my looking around/shopping phase and right now it's baby photos and hats.  It doesn't come around often so I thought I'd document ;)  On a side note, I've recently found a few modern names that I really like!  Woohooo! So the name pool is growing.

Life Quotes

"Fear makes strangers of people who would be friends"

~Shirely MacLaine

"Those who say it can't be done shouldn't interrupt the people doing it"

~Muffy Davis

"I'd rather love them to death and see how they react rather than hold back and start out on the wrong foot."

~Elder Bowen

Hello, March!

When I started taking prego pictures I had this lofty goal of taking cute weekly pictures of myself...and here we are at 25 weeks at picture #3 and I'm rockin' my morning exercise clothes.  Ha!  Well, at least I'm honest.  No one is cute 100% of the time through pregnancy!

I am feeling great!  I've been back on my regular workout schedule for a couple weeks now (with a few adjustments), sleeping well, no nausea. I do get backaches, but I have an amazing masseuse of a husband.  I am one lucky girl!

Baby is getting bigger and is kickin' it as usual.  His 'resting days' have shortened to 'resting day'.  I still catch my breath when I notice him not kickin' after a few hours.  To which he'll answer with a few reassuring jabs to lower right side (that's his favorite hang out for some reason) and that's enough to reassure me.  He's taking to exploring my ribs lately...that's an exciting addition.  The first time he did it I was assessing a patient...thankfully the patient graciously overlooked my crazy facial expressions till baby stopped.

 I'm getting all sorts of baby advice from my patients as well as oooo's and awww's, matronly glances, and "wow, you are so small!" (oh stop....no keep going ;) I don't think those comments will last for long, so I'll take 'em as long as they'll come!).

Everything is getting bigger and I'm lovin' it!  I decided a while back not to freak out or feel down about my changing size and I'm really glad to have that mind set.  Pregnancy hormones are irrational enough for three women without me making it harder on myself.  Bigger boobs, butt, and hips....bring it on!

Austin and I have had a lot of fun these past weeks and I really should write them down...tomorrow. Non-pregnancy related news to come!

Day 1: 20 Random Facts

A friend of mine started doing a 30 day blog topic of the day that I though was interesting.  The topics are things that I'd like show my kids and remember who I was in this stage of my life, so here I go!

Day 1: 20 Random Facts

1.  I love seasons.  All of them.  I'm not one to complain when it's too hot, and then complain when it's too cold.  It is what it is and I'm happy to take advantage of the differences.  Spring blossoms are my favorite (and I'm determined to get a family picture in them this year!),  summer sun is divine, crisp fall air is rejuvenating  and winter brings a whole gamut of once-a-year sports (favorites being AIRBOARDING, cross country and downhill skiing, sledding, and hot chocolate making)
2.  I express myself better in art and music than in spoken words.
3.  I like to people watch and analyse.  Kinda goes in hand with being a therapist, eh?
4.  When I'm uncomfortable/nervous I either over talk the situation and am too flamboyant/gregarious, or I'm  quiet and observe everyone.  Either way I try to cover up the fact that I'm feeling uncomfortable.
5.  I love game nights.  Definitely having a family game night tradition in my home!
6.  I love reading.  My mother started that love in me.  My favorite times with her growing up were when we'd have "just me" time together and listening to her read to me.  I love her voice.
7.  I'm a pretty open person, you just have to ask your questions.
8.  I love playing sports.  I prefer to play rather than watching and baseball is one of my favorites.  Can't wait to teach my son how much fun sports can be!
9.  I do not like planning parties.  Love attending them.  Hate planning them.
10.  I love colors and yellow is one of my most favorites.
11.  I have a wide range of taste in music.  I love jazz (Miles Davis, mmm mmm), scat, big band, country, rap, hip hop, AOR, acoustic, beatbox...like I said, a wide range.
12.  I have very specific, yet undefined taste in decorating.  In theory I know exactly what I want.  But when I go shopping for it I have know idea what to buy.  As of now my house is thoroughly mismatched.  I'm a work in progress :)
13.  I love animals!  As a kid I begged and pleaded for a dog and a horse.  It took me 8 years to get my dog and I married a husband who wants a horse, so I'm set!
14.  I laugh and smile easily....sometimes my timing is less than appropriate :)
15.  I am comfortable in my own skin.
16.  I'm pretty chill when it comes to most things, but what I do have an opinion on is strong...to put it lightly.
17.  I think education is important and want to go on to get my masters someday.
18.  I am a popcorn addict.
19.  I married the best man in the world!  Everyday I'm reminded of why he's so good for me.
20.  If I've learned anything about myself is that I'm always changing and improving.  In high school I was a partier (I admit it), in college I took myself and school too seriously, being married has softened my edges and I'm excited to see how motherhood will continue the evolution :)

The Becks at 23 Weeks

 He is resting his right arm across his forehead and his left on his belly.  The life of a baby can be so hard sometimes :)

At 23 weeks you:

-Are most definitely a boy!

-Kick, wiggle, and bump around constantly for about 3 days, then take about a 2 day rest.

-Like to wake me up at 4 am with your little dance moves

-Have been nick named "Wiggle Worm" at the doctors office

-I've felt your head...or bum rub, not just bump, against my hand.  It made my heart swell :)

-You are about 11 inches big

-You can hear us talk to you

-You are perfectly healthy in every way.  I couldn't be more happy!

At 23 weeks I:

-Gained 10 pounds

-Am finally passed the "maybe she's just getting fat" stage

-Get heartburn every once and a while.  But no stretch marks, leg cramps, or ankle swelling yet

-Exercising regularly again
-Lovin' the advantage of these prego hormones and their affect on my hair and nails

-Experiencing "pregnancy brain" more frequently as well :)

-Love feeling baby's wiggles getting stronger

At 23 weeks Austin has:
-Gained no weight.  Shocker.
-Been accepted into Des Moines medical school at half tuition
-Made a pay raise
-Felt baby's wiggles multiple times
-Is taking the "How to Live with Preganacy Hormones 101" course
-Has planned our Babymoon trip in March.  Can't wait!
-Staying as studly as ever

To Keep the Weirdos Out

Seeing as our munchkin is on the way we are making our blog private starting in one week.  If you would like to continue reading about our awesome chaos you'll have to message me your email address before then.  Happy Sunday!

Some Wise Preggo Advice

I was just talking to my friend, Cami (who is having her baby in less than a month! Woohoo!), and she gave some really good advice about baby names that I want to remember.  Seeing as I am in such an odd chatty/writing mood I'd better write it down now or else I may be retrospectively writing it when I'm 40 and finally getting around to it.

Advice #1  Don't tell the general public what you are naming your child till it is born.  I really liked this advice because I don't want people giving me their opinion on the name I picked out for my baby.  It's my baby, I'm carrying it for 9 months, and if you're not my husband I don't care to hear your commentary on the subject (Calm yourself preggo hormones...okay, now I'm good.).  Also names are bound to change.  Might as well keep it as simple.

Advice #2  Names with meaning.  I have always been on this bandwagon.   Give them a role model to look up to.  My brother was named after a king in the bible and I remember watching him as we grew up.  He was so proud that he was named after "one of the good guys" and it was endearing to see him trying to be like him.  And in a world where there aren't many gentlemen and manly men role models out there, we are going to have to create that for them.  True, you can do that without naming them after someone, but that is one way I choose to do it.

Man I am annoyingly opinionated today.

Also (that's as good as my segues get today),  here is a video to watch about becoming more like Heavenly Father:

Drum roll, please

We're having a boy!  

For Austin's birthday we had his family come down for dinner.  Afterwards we stopped by my sister's house where we opened our "present" of balloons to tell us the gender!  It was a surprise to see those blue balloons float to the ceiling.  Tricky baby, we though you were a girl!  But it was a happy surprise :)

It was so nice to open and celebrate it all with family; to feel their support and happiness for one of the newest members of the family!  

Hey, buddy! At 18 weeks you are 15.2 cm, a little over 6 inches, and boy you are a mover and a shaker!  Every time we've had an ultrasound, even at 10 weeks, the technicians have commented on your wiggles.  It makes me happy to feel you everyday now and have gotten used to your schedule of wiggle time and resting time. Your dad felt you for the first time this weekend, which was surprising cause I thought it was a little early, but hey! We'll take it!  I have finally grown too big for my first piece of clothing.  But I don't feel too bad, it was a pencil skirt ;)  I'm trying to keep up with your growing body and have started feeling VERY hungry every 2 hours.  The nausea bug has turned it's ugly head and now I get sick if I don't eat soon enough! Oh dear. I love knowing now that you are a boy and am very excited to have you come!

How to Make Healthy Lunches and Not Go Crazy

You can't be married to Austin and not learn to love nutrition.  Really.  In college it was one of our main topics of conversation and needless to say, it's on my mind A LOT. So, per his recommendation (and as part of my own "find-out-everything-about-children-before-I-decide-to make-one" course) I took a nutrition class the last semester of college.  Best class ever.  Everyone should take one.  It's a whole lot easier than people think.  It only gets complicated when someone is trying to sell you something.

Prego side note: Although it feels like I can eat a boat load of food now that I'm all prego, pregnant ladies only need 300 extra calories a day...that's like eating an extra yogurt and slice of bread (while nursing you'll need 800 extra calories....crazy, eh?).  So eat more often not necessarily bigger portions and please don't slap me with your crazy prego hormones.

Go here to check out cool nutrition stuff.
Here is a healthy meal planning site
And here are some free delicious recipes from that awesome site (the veggie tostadas and chicken tortilla soup are my favorites)

Back to the story.  A result of taking a nutrition class was that I began packing lunches for Austin and I everyday during college.  Now that Austin works in the mornings I still get up to  pack his lunch and can say that I've got it down to a science. Literally takes me 3 minutes...I timed it this morning.  

So for those of you who are stumped in the lunch department or want to eat more healthy I will share the wealth:

Tip 1 and only:

Make it convenient.  One difference between eating healthy food and junk food is its convenience.  How I've handled that is not buying junk food and make healthy food easy to grab and in plain sight.  Thank you Mom for brainwashing me with that mindset since childhood!

How to build it:

1.  Main dish. 

a)  Learn to love left-overs.  I don't particularly love cooking all the time.  So, if I cook enough in one dinner to last us two days and do that about 3 times a week, we will have enough lunch variety for about a week and a half.  We usually get backed up (like this week) and I end up not cooking for a couple days.  Bonus! 

b)  Always always always always put the left-overs into individual Tupperware containers while cleaning up dinner! You're there, it's there, and you're not going to want to do it in the morning while you're rushing out the door.  Just do it right then and there.

2. Veggies.  

I always make and store a vegetable with the main dish.  We really aren't picky in this house so it can be as easy as opening a can of green beans.  If I'm feeling real go-getterish I'll put together carrot and zucchini ziplock baggies while making dinner to just throw in the lunch box in the mornings. 

3.  Fruit.  

Easy to just pick up and throw in there. Apples, bananas or oranges are my fruit of choice.  Grapes and strawberries take a couple more seconds since you have to put them in a bag.  But for the sake of tossing it up, I'll do it sometimes.  

4.  Yogurt.  
Like I said, it's convenient and gets a serving of dairy in there.

5.  Something to munch.  

A roll, muffin, granola bar, baggie of trail mix.  Something that is easy to grab.  I try to make it whole grain.  I loved having this in between classes in college.  It kept me away from vending machines.

6.  Dessert. 

I usually do a pudding, cookies, maybe a candy bar if they're on sale....like I said, something convenient, that Austin or I will look forward to, and that is a good portion size.  Ya gotta do good in the dessert department!

Literally takes me three minutes to throw this all into a lunch box and we even calculated how much it costs: $3.25 a meal.  Not too shabby.  

Therapize me Cap'n: Life lessons

Getting into the professional world was a semi frustrating experience for me.  At first it was nothing I expected it to be.  When I say "nothing" I mean I was asking myself, "Did I really go to school for 4 years to end up playing board games with people all day??!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!".  Nothing was organized, nothing was evidence based, bla blah bla, whine whine whine.

I felt so stuck and alone.  There are other therapists working for my company, but we only work one at a time.  So when I am there I'm literally the only one.  It felt a little lonely.  So many different populations to work with: geriatric, adolesent, women, men's military, women's military.  But no one to ask for advice, no one to bounce ideas off of.

Yes, it can hard putting on the big girl panties.  But, it's amazing what can happen when I decide to be humble and wait.

A couple weeks ago I started training a new therapist.  Part of that training is that I let her plan and run a few sessions while I observe and critique her.  She was the answer to my prayers!  She was not new to the field and I was so grateful to be able to observe her experience.  Just the way she set up and ran her group turned a key in my head about how to take my  therapy groups from just doing activities to actually providing therapy!

Here are a few new standards for Heidi's patients:

1.  To begin each session in a way that is calm, individual, establishes a rapport with each patient letting them know that I do care about them and their treatment while at our facility.
2.  To establish baseline rules of conduct at the very beginning of each session.
3.  To provide the patient with comprehensive and easy to remember tools they can use once discharged
4.  To incorporate an element of fun into at least a part of the session.  Laughter can sometimes be the best medicine.
5.  To challenge my patients to examine themselves and find parts that they are proud of and like.

It's amazing what one example can do!  And as a result I have been more effective in my therapy sessions.  My patients are more engaged and I present myself in a much more confident and capable manner.

Although nothing physically has changed in my department this experience alone has changed how I see everything with how I do recreation therapy in this setting.  I used to blame my problems on the facility, "They've set it up so the patients only expect games from the recreation therapist   So they're not even in the right mind set to do 'real' therapy!".  What a lame excuse.  It was because of the way I ran my groups that the patients felt it was okay to act the way they did.

I wish I knew some great concise quote that inspired you all to re-evaluate how your actions effect those around you to nicely wrap up this post....but nothing comes to mind and I'd rather be spending time with my hubby right now.  So....peace out.

A little distracted

Today I was going to do a post about what I've learned about being a therapist.  Quite interesting  really.  But then I got distracted by yellow and grey...some of my favorite color combinations.

I love everything about this room...just need to remember it.

Love the fabric. 

Such a cute wall.  If I had a room of my own to decorate I think I could paint that by hand.