For the Love: Chapter 1- The Worst Beam

I am always looking for a good book. Recently, a friend of mine loaned me a book that she had read. It's called "For The Love" by Jen Hatmaker. The minute I picked it up and started reading, I knew this book was for me. This author gets it. I will be writing a little about some of the things she talks about. So, moms, wives, women.... listen up- this is about to get good.

Chapter 1: Worst Beam Ever

Balance: I laugh at this. People always talk about the perfect work and home balance. Yea, try as I may- I don't have that. Sometimes, some things get put on the back burner. Sometimes, some things don't get done as well as the other things. I have accepted it. What you can do is chose the things you CAN balance and put those on the beam and then chose the things you just CAN'T EVEN and those get put off, for now. For me- cooking a good dinner, playing with my kids, time with my husband, getting a good night's rest, going to church, spending time with family- those all get put on the beam. Those are important to me. Things that get put off the beam for now: Time with friends- I love you guys, but I don't have the time and energy right now. It's not like I don't want a girl's day. I just don't have it in me. Working out every day. Again, I love to do this, but I just can't seem to fit it in consistently so for now it's off the beam and I'll do it when I can.

There is the unattainable, ridiculous standard that we all feel as moms and wives that we have to meet. We think we have to do it all and do it all well. Stop exhausting yourself. It's not worth it. God did not put us here on this Earth to be exhausted, stressed out and at the end of our rope. He wants us to have joy and peace. Stop comparing yourself to others. Don't guilt people for making choices regarding their beam. God's gifts stare you in the face every day- do you see them? Every minute that you waste is a minute you will not get back. What can you do to stop worrying about balancing everything? What can you take off the beam to make life more joyful?

Pregnancy

Today's post is all about that bump!

 

That pretty much sums up this pregnancy for me. This is my second time around and the two pregnancies couldn't be more different. 

Pregnancy #1- Landry, my son

With my son, my husband and I tried for close to a year to get pregnant. We had actually just started seeing a fertility specialist to ensure everything was ok when I ended up getting pregnant naturally. I truly believe God led me to that doctor though, because I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism early in my pregnancy. I also had low levels of progesterone. Who knows if I would have sustained that pregnancy had I not been under the careful care and supervision of Dr. Schnell at the Center of Reproductive Medicine. She was amazing. My time there was amazing. I can't imagine life without Landry, so I am forever grateful to them for taking such good care of me.

With Landry, I never felt an ounce of sickness. I never threw up. I never felt nauseated. Nothing. I felt totally normal. Cravings with him were egg rolls and corn dogs, a tall glass of milk every night and sweets! I could eat a cobbler anytime. My thyroid was an issue though and the weight would jump on me so fast. It took quite some time for them to get my levels under control. However, I did workout all the time when I was pregnant with him. I stopped working out at 38 weeks and had him a week later. The weight I gained was all over- in my face, legs, booty, everywhere! I gained about 36 pounds with him. I only swelled when I was on my feet too long teaching. My blood pressure was amazing. My doctor was a little worried I was going to have a big baby because I was measuring 2 weeks ahead at some point. She had me convinced that I was going to have a 9 lb baby! WHAT?! I was terrified. Luckily, that was not true. Exactly a week before my due date, I delivered a healthy and normal sized 7 lb 6 oz baby. My water broke at home the night before and I went in. I was in labor for 23 hours- took me forever to dilate fully. About an hour and a half of pushing and he was here. I did have to be induced and I had an epidural. Not sure if any of that played into the length of my labor, but I was so close to having a c-section. I am glad I didn't have to go that route! Whew! Landry turned 2 in December and is the most amazing little boy. All was worth it!

Pregnant with Landry

Pregnancy #2 Lydia, my daughter

I am currently pregnant with my second baby. I am nearly 32 weeks along. This one was completely different. My husband and I wanted to try and time this one. Landry was born in December, right in the middle of the school year. I wanted to try and have this baby closer to the end of the year so that my time off would roll into summer. We literally got pregnant our first month trying. I was shocked, given it had taken us so long to get pregnant with Landry, I wasn't expecting that. I took all the necessary precautions to get on progesterone again to ensure things were ok. I have a new doctor this time and I love her. BUT, this pregnancy is different. For the first trimester I felt sick nearly every day. I had to suck on preggie pops, take unisom and vitamin B, I threw up (once but still!), nothing sounded good to eat. I mean NOTHING. My energy lagged severely. Every day tasks were hard. Overall, it was better than a lot of people I have known, but for me it was the opposite of the first time. This time, I have gained almost all my weight in my belly- it's huge! I haven't had any really big cravings this go around. Mexican food and soup and salad are some of the things I have preferred to eat. I find I don't eat as much and I have gained as much yet, but I am on track to gain about the same amount as I did with Landry, maybe a little less. Again, my blood pressure is great, no swelling, and I still workout 4-6 times a week. I found that being active helps me feel better, sleep better, and get back to pre-pregnancy weight faster. Lydia is due in April and I can't wait to meet her. 

Were your pregnancies different? How? I would love to hear some other pregnancy stories! :)