keeping my head above the water; 6 weeks; CSN

Kara is a crying baby and the last few weeks have been tough! She is sleeping 5-6 hours at night which is great, but during the day and in the evening when she is awake she cries the whole time. She's only chill when she's sleeping. It's been really rough and I have really little time to myself - only when their naps overlap.  I'm not sure if it is her stomach and the doctor said it wasn't colic. I've been trying to watch what I'm eating - probably everything I eat is causing her trouble? Veggies, beans, nuts... I could go nuts trying to avoid all of that so I haven't been.  Our first shopping trip - if they didn't have these car carts, I'm not sure how I would have done it?  Nick had a blast though!

Even in the morning, she'll be up at 6 and I try to run on the treadmill after I feed her and she's only happy being held. I let her cry for a bit and try to get in a mile or 1/2 mile then I feel too bad and have to pick her up.  Needless to say, with half marathon in about 4 weeks, I've only done a long run of 6 miles still.

 The 2 week challenge - I lasted about 5 days of having a shake in the morning and I do think it helped with my appetite and energy! Then it was kind of like me forgetting to eat or grabbing something on the way out the door.  The amazing grass flavors with water is do-able but I like them so much more mixed in a frozen smoothie.

Today Kara is 6 weeks old! I had my 6 week appointment and have 3 pounds to lose. I swear this was the same with Nick and then I started gaining weight. This time it might be different because I rarely have time to sit down. Hopefully those 3 and about 10-15 more will come off!

What did I buy with my gift card at CSN stores?

I bought popsicle molds which I am excited to try...... 

A halo swaddle for Kara
 

  ... 

The Bob dualie cupholder console

Some post it notes for scrapbooking




I kind of wish I did the waffle maker, but I might just buy a cheap one anyway. I think I'd use it on the weekends. I just have no space.  What I like about the site is they have tons of stuff and much of it has free shipping. What I don't like is the search box. I feel like there are way too many things that are found when you search for something that don't even relate to what you are searching for. Also, not everything has free shipping. I feel like it should be above a certain spending amount - it should be free. Like Amazon!

Amazing Grass 2 week challenge & Vanilla Chai Infusion Review

I've had the opportunity to try the Vanilla Chai Infusion Amazing Meal this week.  Teri Jo at Amazing Grass sent me a container to try and review. It is awesome!

First, I'll tell you that I have been using the Chocolate Superfood on a daily basis either w/ peanut butter as a little snack by itself or spread on bread or with protein ice cream to get in some veggies and fruit.  Today I used it with nutritional yeast and coconut oil on popcorn.    It was decent. I really like the taste of it actually!

Nick has been having the Kidz superfood mixed with his yogurt and he LOVES it. He'll also have it in a smoothie. I give it to him about every other day. And I bought the berry flavor but I have been using the chocolate much more. I need some ideas to use the berry flavor besides smoothies.

Now the vanilla chai is different than all the rest. It has a great spicy flavor. This one I mixed with peanut butter  and ate it with a spoon - very tasty! I also spread this mixture on bread.  I flavored my protein "ice cream" with Jay Robb vanilla protein powder for a smoothie. I highly recommend it!  Here is the protein ice cream - so tasty!  It is 16 ice cubes, 1 scoop protein powder, 1 scoop amazing grass, 1/2 tsp xanthan gum, and 1/2 tsp guar gum.  Vitamix!!  Delicious. Ice. Cream.

Next they have a 2 week challenge. The menu plan for this is fantastic. I feel like every menu plan I have looked at I could never follow but this has great ideas such as ezekial bread w/ peanut butter, spinach/egg delight - spianch, garlic,onion, spices sauteed in coconut oil + whipped eggs and feta, veggie stir fry w/ fish in a spelt or corn tortilla... just a few of them. I've been trying to follow it as much as possible and I love the ideas. I'll let you know how it goes in 2 weeks but I encourage you to check it out.  It's free! and everyday you get a lesson via email. I'm loving it.

I have been buying the Amazing Grass products through Amazon on subscribe and save - they offer discounts for subscribing and since I'm using them daily, it pays to subscribe!

This past week, I didn't run as much as I should have. I finished the week with 21 miles and change. I also meant to do 8 miles today and I just wasn't feeling it. With 1 month (less) to go till the half marathon, I really have to get in some longer runs - but it is major hard to find the time and motivation!

I was able to go to masters swimming yesterday and I'm already beating people, yay! It definitely made a difference that I swam till the end this time (and didn't run to the end). Last time I could run and have my speed pretty soon after and picked up the mileage quickly too - this time sometimes a 3 mile run seems like a marathon (but swimming feels awesome!) It much harder to get in the pool time wise than on the treadmill but I'm still striving for it in the mornings. Last night Kara (5+ weeks old) slept from 9:30 to 3:30! It was AWESOME!

First swim and speed

We haven't had internet for several days so I haven't been able to make a post or read other blogs. We just got it back.

SWIMMING!
Last Friday was my first swim - on my own, since I couldn't get up at 5am to attempt to join the master's team. I got in a half hour - all I could manage around feeding schedule and help with watching the kids - but it felt great! My dad watched the kids for me while I went to the Y.  I haven't been able to go back but I'm really hoping to start getting up early and making it to masters again.

RUNNING
This past Saturday I woke up full of energy. I think it helped that the windows were open and we woke up to a breeze coming in - so nice! I can't wait for this hot humid weather to pass. Anyway, before the kids were up, I went running outside- great weather here for that morning at least. I was able to do 4 miles in about 41 minutes - my speed is getting there! The next day I was feeling a little sore but had to get out. I took the dualie out w/ both kids and ran 3.85 miles in 50 minutes - holy moly that thing is heavy!! After Saturday's run, I knew I could run faster on the treadmill so I've been pumping up the speed and getting in some good runs. I'm back to about 10 minute miles - averaging a little less. This is so exciting!  This morning I got up early to run - naptime is so tough to motivate. I can't wait till I can get into a morning exercise routine again and have more time to myself during the day.

Baby Kara has been very fussy as of late and we think it is from gas. I was trying to limit some foods yesterday and it was tough - I avoided dairy yesterday and didn't know what to eat - ended up with lots of carbs. I eat beans and veggies all the time and maybe her stomach wasn't doing well with it. It's hard for a vegetarian to figure out what to eat though!  On Sunday she turned one month old:

I can't believe it has already been a month.  She eats every 3 hours and at night cries alot. I feed her around 7 or 8, and after alot of crying she goes to sleep for 4-5 hours. So her nice stretch is early on in the night but after what we have to do to get her to sleep, there's no way I'm waking her at 10 or 11 to feed her again. I think in time she'll get it and hopefully her stomach will feel better.

Last time I checked I had 5 lbs to lose - about 2 weeks after she was born. The same 5 lbs that I kept on with Nick until he was 9 months old. I'm hoping with the craziness of 2 kids I'll lose all that weight from both kids!

I'll be catching up on blogs in the next few days and be back into the commenting soon.

Not enough time in the day!

Thank you - all the posts of your relationships with your mom were super helpful and helped me to gain perspective as well.   It's something I need to do something about asap - been going on too long.

Nick likes giving the baby the paci, touching her feet,  and patting her (sometimes a little too hard).

 lil pooh bear:

Workouts
2 kids - a lil crazy!!!  There is very little time to myself. A few minutes here and there. Right now, I'm getting in my workouts when Nick is napping but if Kara is up, it's a major challenge! And there are about 100 other things I want to do when I have time to myself. I'll be happy when I have the energy to get up and workout before Nick is up.   I'm not there yet - Kara is getting up every 3 hours most nights to eat. I've been trying to go to bed early, but when Nick is asleep, I try to catch up on things.  I'm sure soon enough I'll come up with a plan and make it work. I think I am going to try to go swimming on Friday for the first time - 4 weeks + 1 day. Moms of 2 - do you workout in the am??

Eating
Trying to eat well - most of my eating is on the go and eating whatever Nick doesn't finish.  I'm trying to be vigilant so that I can lose this baby weight. I have jelly belly - I forget when that goes away but I was ready for that to happen yesterday!  I don't want to be one of those people who keeps on the baby weight and just keeps adding to it. Still have 'Nick weight' to lose and now 'Kara weight' too. Hopefully with all the running around it won't take too much work?

Things I've tried lately:
Healthy:
Tried some HEAB oats for breakfast for Nick this morning  -nice to have something done and ready to be served in the morning.
in fridge overnight:
1/2 c oats
1 c water
2 T chia

in morning added protein powder, pb and agave

Also tried and liked this recipe:
Bulgur Flat Bread

1/2 cup bulgur wheat
1 cup water

Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 15 minutes.

2 TBSP flax meal mixed with 2/3 cup warm water (set aside while you get the everything else together)
2 tsp yeast
1 cup oats
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup whole wheat flour

When the bulgar is done, blend it in the food processor for a minute. Now put everything else in there and blend for a few minutes. The dough will come together, but it is coarse since it is a whole grain dough. With wet hands, form it into a ball and place in a bowl sprayed with cooking spray. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place to rest for an hour.

To bake, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Bake on a parchment lined baking sheet and form into the shape you want.  I made 4 personal sizes. I baked them for 7 minutes, topped them and baked for another 15 minutes. I just baked the plain ones for 20 minutes.

Not so healthy:


Peanut butter cups

I used not only the graham crackers, but also crushed pretzels for a salty taste. And I skipped the 10x sugar all together and added agave to taste.

I've been eating alot of nut butter with amazing grass powder and agave in the morning, Luna Bars and whatever veggies I can get my hands on.

6 miles :), getting out, time suck

This is quick - first, the computer is my time suck. If I didn't have it, I might get alot more done! :) I haven't been commenting as often or reading blogs, but I try to catch up when I can.

The first 2 days this week we've made it out! It's been pretty good. Yesterday the morning was a bit of a disaster - Nick fell down the steps for the first time... he's ok!  But it was all uphill from there.  Above Nick helping push the stroller around this morning.  I love the boy so much, he melts my heart!

I got in 6 miles, my longest run yet - today! It took an hour and 4 minutes on the dot. I think I can do the half marathon in about 8 weeks under 2 hours - that's my goal. Keep on running!  Any suggestions for building my speed back up? So far, I'm just trying to run longer and stay on my feet longer so that I am ready for the 1/2, but I'm still huffing and puffing as far as speed goes.  Yesterday when we went out, the stores weren't open yet so I ran w/ the double jogger around the huge parking lot of the strip mall I was at for about 15 minutes.  I love the dualie!!

And last, a waffle maker? I have a gift card to redeem with CSN stores and I can't decide what to get.  Waffles would be fun - but just another appliance? 

your opinions: coconut oil vs butter, doctor gift,

Coconut oil versus butter - what do you use and what do you think is better for us? Butter - cholesterol. Coconut oil - high saturated fat.  What are your thoughts?

I want to send my doctor something for 2 relatively easy deliveries and little tearing - she was awesome and delivered both of my babies.  With Nick I had a minor tear but was up and running quickly. This delivery was insane and I had no tearing, and I think that she did a great job getting the babies out!  She has 1 year old twins.  I was thinking some kind of healthy food basket but I don't know if she eats healthy. Also, something cute for her kids.  What do you think is appropriate or would be a nice gift?

Wish me luck - tomorrow will be my first day alone with the 2 kids!  Last night was much much better and Kara slept a 4 hour then 3.5 hour stretch. Nice!! :)  She's on schedule today so far, and has been sleeping in between. It's a whole new day! The kids this morning:

adapting

Kara is 16 days old - she's definitely not as chill or easy as Nick so far. The first week seemed easy. The second week it got a little more complicated. It's going ok! I feel like the second time around, I get out much more- like we've taken Nick to the pool, I've been able to do some errands, I haven't been homebound - yet.  Still struggling a bit with the feeding  - I 'm striving for a 3 hour schedule (some people think schedules are nuts, but this is how Nick slept through the night by 10 weeks).  I get stressed out if I have to feed her before 3 hours because she won't calm down. And trying to stay awake while feeding her at night and keeping her awake too - is tough! I need to have easy breakfasts planned out and ready for the morning. What do your kids eat?  Kara definitely cries more than Nick did in between so it has been a bit of a challenge.    She's feisty! How do moms of 2 fit it all in?

I've managed to get in about 30 min/day of some form of exercise (lifting or running) since Monday. Today I napped instead.  I've ran 3 times - 2 miles, 3 miles and then 31 minutes outside which ended up being only 2.7 miles. I'm going to work on getting my speed back, but for now I just want to get back in shape.  I still want to do a triathlon in the spring.  I dropped the initial 17 lbs and this time I gained 23, so I have that extra weight to lose + another 10 lbs to pre-kids weight. Lots to work on!! I've been eating quick/non prepared things and my hunger has increased since the first week for sure!

CSN stores: product review upcoming

You may have heard of CSN stores from the blog world. CSN stores has over 200 stores with a variety of products including dinnerware sets tons of furniture & baby gear, and really anything you could imagine (vitamix? check.)

Definitely check them out for all of your product needs in one place.  I am looking at purchasing the dualie handlebar console for the BOB stroller, and maybe a carseat snap and go stroller.   I can't decide on the snap and go carseat stroller since it would only work for the baby and not for Nick!  I'll be browsing their products and finding some baby gear for sure! Look out for a review soon.

Here are the baby girl and baby boy :)

We're doing well here. The most challenging thing is getting baby kara on a nursing schedule. I have the book baby wise and the second time around I am trying to be more on a schedule than I was with Nick. However, Nick turned out just fine and slept through the night around 10 weeks.  I think the middle of the night feedings are precious. I love my sleep, but it only lasts a short while (those middle of the night feedings) so I don't mind them at all.

1 day post run - feeling good. Maybe my leg muscles are a little bit sore?  I did some light lifting today and will attempt 3 miles tomorrow.  I'm not pushing it, though, because I want to enjoy it, not have to do it.   I remember with Nick being starving all the time and eating in the middle of the night because I was so hungry - not the case so far with little Kara. I'm rarely hungry! 

2 miles and birthday wishes

This morning Bill and my mother in law took Nick to the please touch museum so it was me and the baby hanging out. I decided I should try and run and it felt pretty good. I did 2 miles - our a/c wasn't on so it was way too hot to do any longer and I wanted to start out easy. It was slow and steady with a few walk breaks, but felt good!  I really want to swim. I think it's such a great exercise - but I'm going to wait another week or so.

Things are good here - I'm tired, but I think it will be 10x worse next week when Bill starts a new job.   I'm nervous and we had fun together while he was home and I don't want him to go back to work. I wish he was starting after Labor Day.


A belated happy 30th birthday to Bill - on Saturday! Nick helped Bill to open up some presents. And we enjoyed some ice cream cake :)  To Bill: a great husband and dad - Happy birthday!

the all star dad relaxing on the big day :)

some pictures

Thanks Chari for the photobucket info - I did order more photo storage but still waiting for it to show up. In the meantime, here are some pictures uploaded via Photobucket (Chari's suggestion!)

The baby is so good!  Last night she did a nice 4 hour stretch.

Yesterday I tried to hop on the treadmill to see what it would feel like (after I wrote that blog post).  It was weird, so I got off.  My favorite comment right now is from Michelle Simmons that she swam 9 days after her daughter was born  - Dara Torres did it, so she figured she could too! Only Michelle! I love it!  I would LOVE to go swimming.













This picture shows me what I need to work on - nasty back thighs (see my left thigh there? gross) and posture!  Shoulders back! Sit up straight! Have any good thigh tighteners?? Do share!
That's my sister on the left.

I'm really starting to watch what I'm eating now so that I am sure I'm eating nice and healthy and can drop this baby weight! It's always cool to see the initial weight loss - 15 lbs both times with both babies, but then the hard part is the rest!



I love this picture of Bill and I (and Kara) - it was about an hour after she was born and we look and are so happy! (and exhausted)

Getting back out there

How long did you "rest" after having a baby before you started working out again?
With Nick, I had to start training for Boston so I waited a week and ran a mile. From there, I just kept adding on the mileage until about 2 months out I did my 20 miler. I can't imagine doing 20 miles anytime soon.  I signed up for the Philly 1/2 September 19th - 2 months away. I need to get a training plan together and maybe I'll start next week ? I'm not in a rush but I know it will feel GOOD to be active again! The challenge is going to be finding the time to get to the gym or on the treadmill especially in the first 6 weeks when the baby can't go to the gym's daycare. Even after that, she'll still be little and I'm not so sure I want to bring her to the gym daycare.

How long did you wait and what did you start out with?

I realized that my photo account is maxed out because I have posted so many pictures on my baby blog over the last year and a half so I had to upgrade for more storage. It's being processed now and then I'll be able to post more pictures!

Life with 2

Thank you for all of the well wishes!  Everything is going really well. We are tired, but both kids are great. Kara is a really easy baby so far and Nick has taken on some new independence for the most part.  I'll let you know in 2 weeks how everything is going when Bill is back to work, but for now, everything is going smoothly.  Bill is a great help and our families have been super helpful too.  I feel good - you don't realize that you need to take it easy and relax, but you totally do. If I'm up and about for too long, I feel exhausted and even light-headed.  I have to make sure I'm eating enough - you forget to eat in these first few weeks because there is so much going on.  It's weird because I don't feel like I did THAT much work.  I Marathon recovery seems easier - you are just more sore.  Instead I feel like I'm recovering from being sick - rundown, etc.  Otherwise, I feel like I had the immaculate delivery. Like I wasn't even there for it. I'm not sore at all down below.  My ab muscles and back are a bit sore, but that's it. It's totally ridiculous.  I'd push out a baby everyday if it was that easy everytime!

Nick needs to be distracted and kept busy, but so far isn't super interested in the baby. He gets closer everyday to her and touched her toes last night. The baby is doing really good - mostly eats, stays up for a bit then goes to sleep.

Once I feel rested, I'll try to figure out a way to find the time to workout. Right now I'm resting when Nick is napping - that will probably be when I will workout until the baby is old enough to go to the daycare at the gym w/ Nick. It's so nice not to be pregnant and have the baby on the outside!

 Nick looks like the jolly green giant. He seems HUGE to me now.

I would also like to say that I was terrified of getting the epidural so I was biting my fingers (I do that whenever I get a needle)  and humming a made up song, hahahah. I was so tired but it makes me laugh thinking about that.

And this week so far I've wanted cinnamon sugar toast in the morning. Totally random!

Welcome baby Kara!

Kara Juliette

7/15/10 at 11:03pm

6 lb 7 oz

20 inches long

(9 days early)

Her name was somewhat inspired by Kara Goucher :)

The short - simplest delivery ever. 2 -3 pushes, maybe 2-5 minutes of pushing?  And I felt nothing. As soon as I got the epidural I had no pain and was in heaven. Before that, I wanted to DIE.  

The longer version:

Contractions started 9pm Wednesday night. Slept 2 hours tops on Wednesday night, they were strong but not intense enough that I couldn't talk through them. They were 15 minutes apart.  Since it's the second time, I'm thinking definitely by Thursday morning/noon there will be a baby.  We watched the childbirth video to make sure we knew when to go to the hospital, I ended up calling the doctor to make sure (5 minutes apart - intense contractions).  Thursday morning - took a bath, was pounding food in the middle of the night: 2 Clif Z bars, toast. Ate 2 slices of pizza for breakfast - I'm exhausted and mostly sitting around. Contractions are 10 minutes apart, still not completely strong.We took Nick to the park to get out for a bit but it was really hot out.  Bill and I went to the doctor at 2:30 for my weekly appointment.  We were both kind of hoping they would say I was ready to go to the hospital, but I knew I wasn't in enough pain. The contractions were 5 minutes apart but only 30 seconds long and totally manageable.  I was 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced. Pelvic station +1/+2 - the highest ones.  My doctor is on vacation this week so the doctor said it could be that day, or not. It could also stop. I'm feeling deflated.

Got home - am not a happy camper. Can't sleep because am getting contractions. I took suggestions  for how to speed up labor: walk around, be active, so I took it to the next level and started re-cleaning the floors, vacuuming upstairs again, picking up Nick, and then we went to the pool. The contractions were intensifying for sure, by around 4:30. We basically took a dip and cooled off at the pool, then left and went to my parents. I was miserable there! My sister had come home and brought me ice cream from one of my favorite places on her way home.  We left Nick there and went home, and ended up leaving for the hospital shortly after.  We got into a room around 7:45 and I was having brutal contractions 2-5 minutes apart.  I was grasping the bed rail, Bill was massaging my lower back - the back pain was the worst thing EVER. I wanted to really die. I hated the part where they ask you tons of questions in the beginning and keep the monitor on you and you can't move that much.  Finally around 9:30 the anesthesiologist came and I got the epidural. From then on, I was in heaven. I could have danced around the room if I was allowed. I had to lie flat but I felt nothing.  They broke my water around 10pm, and I progressed super quickly. They checked me and I was at 5 and soon after, I was 9 cm dilated.  Just before 10, the doctor said I would probably have the baby by 11, and I was shocked (and nervous as hell)!

I was just laying there in no pain and feeling NOTHING and they said it might be time. I did one push and they had to get the doctor in because the baby was ready to come out!  It was unbelievable and so easy, maybe 2-5 minutes long. I think they had me to about 2 more major pushes and some 'baby' pushes and she was out.  When her head first came out, the cord was right around her neck. I could see in Bill's face something was wrong, but he said nothing was wrong.  That's when I had to do the baby pushes and the doctor looped it around and she was fine.  I can't believe I couldn't feel any pain whatsoever. I had no tearing at all (had minor w/ Nick) and seriously would have never known she was coming out unless they were telling me. I love you epidural! The doctor said I was made to have babies. Ha.

The difference between this and Nick was that I probably got the epidural too late or it wasn't as good (didn't hit the spot right on) - I don't know but it was a totally different experience.  The good - I felt nothing. The bad - I couldn't get up for a couple of hours - my legs were tingling. With Nick, I had 30 minutes of no pain then the contractions came back. But 1/2 hour after I had him, I was ready to roll. I also could feel my legs the whole time.  I would do it this way again and again.  I think it also helps that the 2 of them have been little babies. I think that I can thank my mom for that? Is that how it works - all of us were pretty small in the 6s also.

Right after that, I thought someone said it was a boy. So I was thrilled asking "It's a boy?" then they showed me the baby and it was a GIRL! I was in semi-shock and I'm not going to lie, I was a little disappointed.  Going in, we felt much better about the boy name and then we had to sleep on it how we would spell Kara - C or K. I wanted the K all along and then in the last week or 2, I kind of started liking the C. Bill was all for the K, so in the morning we decided to go with the K.

My sister and mom came with balloons and flowers and hung out for a little bit then left. It was around midnight.  Nick came this morning for the first time -he seemed super quiet and confused and wanted nothing to do with the baby. This afternoon he went near her to try to give her the bottle, but whenever we try to put him close to the baby, he wants to get away. I think he'll warm up to her. :)

Welcome to the family Kara!

Final pregnancy stats:
Same heart rates as Nick
Cravings were the same except new one: coffee
Felt like I was carrying higher than w/ Nick all along, and all over the place
Tons of heartburn all throughout up to yesterday (way more than with Nick)
Very similar pregnancies - had to stop running around 34 weeks exc 2 miles on this past Tues & Sun
Swam all throughout up until the day before (3000 yds/1 hour 3x/week)
23 lbs gained (22 w/ Nick)
Baby born at 38 weeks and 5 days (9 days early)
pre-race (delivery) fuel - Z bars, toast, pizza (w/Nick too!!), grilled cheese, peanut butter & agave w/ amazing grass, these cookies on HEAB's blog (ridiculous), milk

It's a girl!

Kara Juliette

7/15 at 11:03 pm

6 lb 7 oz

20 inches long

The short of it - the epidural was the best thing EVER for this delivery. I wanted to die before I got it - the back pain was awful.   After going to the pool and staying on my feet most of the afternoon/evening, we got to the hospital and to our room around 7:45. I was still 3 cm and so upset!  Contractions were intense and 3-5 min apart. I got the epidural around 9:30 and they broke my water around 10.  I think I pushed maybe 2 or 3 times,  about 2-5 minutes and felt NOTHING. It was amazing. No tearing and little pain and besides that I've slept 4 hours in the last 2 days, I feel fantastic. It was the easiest delivery I could imagine!  I was convinced at the end it was a boy so it took us some time to get the name together.  Thanks for the well wishes!  I'll write more details later.

still here

I thought last night when I was laying there that by say noon today there would be a baby. Imagine my dismay that I'm still not having strong enough contractions that I can't talk through. I'm 3 cm dilated and 90% effaced but the doctor said the contractions could just stop.  They are 5 minutes apart but not strong enough or long enough - I just squat or bounce and it goes away in about 30 seconds. Was the doctor  telling me it might stop for absolute worst possible scenario??  Ahhh contractions get worse! Baby let's move!!!  I feel like I'm in fake labor now and I'm just waiting around. It 's horrible!

On a thankful note - your descriptions of labor - chain saw was my favorite - CRACKED ME UP!
Thank you!

Any tips to get things moving quicker, let me know! Was thinking of running?  Standing up for a while? What to do.

erratic contractions

I think today's the day??

I started having contractions last night around 9. They've become as close as 10 minutes but as far as 15 minutes. They don't seem to be progressing (they are more intense but not any closer together ) and I just feel like I am sitting around waiting! I probably slept 2 hours tops last night and really wish I took a nap yesterday.  With Nick, it took 27 hours from when I started having contractions (the very start) to when he was born. How long will it take this time? 27 hours would be midnight tonight.  And I already want an epidural.  Don't they have over the counter epidurals you can get and feel nothing?

Here's how I would describe what contractions feel like - an inner tube around your hips/stomach that is piercing and stabbing you all around back to front.  How would you describe them?

Around 1am I was starving and ate toast. 3 am I had 2 clif Z bars and for breakfast I could really go for some pizza.  When I called the doctor to ask when I go to the hospital the 2nd time around, he said when contractions are 5 min apart - I thought that is when you go the first time around. When did you go? My water didn't break last time or this time, otherwise I'd be going to the hospital already.

promo code & recipes round 2

Here's a promo code if you want to try Jay Robb!

2 things I tried again -
protein cake using 2 egg whites  - negative
seed crackers pulsing for about 1 second and keeping the seeds intact - positive!

So the protein cake - it looked awesome - it rose really high, I used one ramekin. But then, on the inside, I could see white from the egg whites. Well, that totally grossed me out so I threw away any parts that had the egg whites in them. I'll do it again the first way w/ the flax!

The seed crackers after 30 minutes:

 Fully baked:

 Comparison from trial #1 (on the right). So much better!

Seed crackers - I pulsed the seeds for about a second. They turned out so much better! The batter seemed more normal (not grey) and was easier to spread and clean up. Do you eat those mary's crackers? I have never tried them, but these ones are really good.

This morning I went swimming - the only thing getting me up in the morning is that I know I can't swim for 6 weeks after the baby comes (which really, totally stinks). Not just for swimming with the master's but also swimming at the pool!  I am so bummed about this!  It didn't feel great this morning and sometimes I try to go back to sleep but this morning I didn't - I should have. The rest of the day I have been so exhausted. Instead of napping, I was making spinach balls and some kale/barley for healthy food to freeze.  Note to self - take the nap next time! I've had some back pain and been a little crampy but then it seems to go away.  Oh well. One minute I'm ready and the next minute I'm nervous about how I'm going to adapt to life with 2 little ones that are not independent - and trying to enjoy the ease of just having one!

A glorious 2 miles & Jay Robb summary

This morning I woke up and tried going on the treadmill. I made it to 8 minutes (only .6 miles) and it wasn't comfortable so I lifted instead.  After lunch while Nick was napping, I tried again and had a glorious 2 mile run. That is a record, I haven't ran that much in about 5 weeks.  It felt really good cardio wise but wasn't all that comfortable in my lower abdomen. I definitely pushed it a bit - the level of comfort and probably won't do too much the rest of the day, but it was worth it!

JAY ROBB
I just wanted to summarize my Jay Robb experience and tell you what I will ultimately use.

There was whey protein, egg white protein and rice protein.
The whey was my favorite in either vanilla or chocolate. It was tasty, went down easy, made great "ice cream" and I thought the ingredients and nutritional facts were stellar.  The egg white protein and rice protein would fight for 2nd, but it wouldn't be close to the whey. Today I mixed the strawberry egg white in the mixer and it still had chunks in it - the taste of the strawberry is definitely tasty, but I preferred the chocolate one, which seemed to mix well. 

Bars: There are 4 bars - cashew coconut - love the combo, very tasty! Fudge brownie - absolutely delicious, and then peanut butter Jay bar and Almond Energy Bar. I am saving the latter two for when I'm in the hospital and need energy or a boost. I'll report back on them but the bars are definitely very tasty and high in protein.  Thumbs up!

I ended up ordering one vanilla whey bag and one chocolate whey bag.  I think if I wanted the rice taste, I would order the chocolate or vanilla rice protein, but it was an iffy taste for me. I think I'd bag the egg white. I think it will be hard to get past the whey and want to order the other two so I'm sticking with the whey! If you have a food allergy or don't do whey, I'd say try either the rice or egg white protein and I would definitely recommend the bars.

If you spend over $25, you get free shipping.  For 12 oz of chocolate/vanilla, the cost was $23.75.  I got one of each so scored free shipping. Thank you Beth at Jay Robb for the opportunity to try these out!

yum yum yum: Protein Cake

Tonight's dessert - Protein ice cream and Protein cake!   I must say I was a bit iffy about the protein cake when I mixed it up and dumped it into 2 large muffin tins (after I realized I didn't have a small loaf pan). Um.. delicious, it was a great dessert and I didn't feel like I was eating junk!  This comes from Chocolate Covered Katie's recipe here.  Her pictures are so much better too, so check that out!

Here's what I used:

CC Katie's Fudge You! Chocolate Protein Cake

• 1/4 cup chocolate protein powder (I used Trader Joe's hemp protein powder - all out of Jay Robb or I would have used that).
• scant 1/4 cup canned pumpkin (I used a bit less than 1/4 c)
• 1 and 1/4 tsp ener-g egg replacer  (I don't have this so I made a flax egg - 1 T flax + 1/4 c water)
• 4 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 cup water 
• 2 T whole wheat flour (I added this in since I thought the batter was a little thin!)

I added cinnamon and a handful of chocolate chips. I think the egg replacer or even an egg would have made it less moist but still it was super tasty and the consistency was good. It would probably be even better and more cake like with the ener-g or egg.


I baked in a large muffin tin (two of them) at 350 for 30 minutes, then turned off the oven and kept them in for another 10 minutes.  Next time I'll try the 390 that Katie recommends and maybe use the egg.

+ Strawberry protein ice cream with whipped cream and m & m's

Seed Crackers

Today I made these crackers from Averie's recipe. They are delicious, although they don't really look that spectacular - definitely not as good as hers do!  I think my batter was too dry, and that I should have had the vitamix on low, not high. I only blended the seeds for about 5 seconds, maybe even just one pulse and they were ground up majorly. I'll try it again, but for now they do taste good!

Averie's GF Vegan Sweet Seed Crackers
1/3 C Chia Seeds
1/3 C Flax Seeds
1/3 C Sunflower Seeds
1/4 C Agave (or Honey, Maple Syrup, or combo)
1/4 Tsp Allspice (or use cinnamon only or pumpkin pie spice)
1+ Tsp Vanilla Extract
2-4 Tbsp Water if needed

Blend (blender, vitamix or food processor) first 3 ingredients. Add in agave, allspice and vanilla, then water. (I think I added about 4-5 T water and needed more.  It was sticky getting it out of the vitamix and I added more water to help spread it along.) Spread on cookie sheet and cook at 300 for 30 minutes. (My edges got a little burnt). Flip (it stuck a little bit but I did use a silpat sheet) and bake the other side at 300 for 30 minutes (mine didn't make it 30 minutes and I lowered the temperature because it started to look too dark). I'll try this again - I like it more seedy.

I like the idea that this recipe is mainly seeds!

Last night's dessert was a big scoop of pecan/almond/cashew butter with a scoop of chia seeds, a scoop of flax, a swirl of agave and some oats thrown in. It was very yummy! That was followed by my favorite Whole Foods Duplex Cookies (like oreos with one vanilla and one chocolate side).

I ran today!

I did about 2 and a quarter miles today! I did a mile on the treadmill at the gym - with only one stop at 1/2 way for a few seconds. It felt good!  Maybe that will help get things moving along.  We dropped Nick off at the Y playzone and 30 minutes later they came to get me because he wouldn't stop crying. Aww.. it was his 3rd time there this week and I thought he was getting used to it (the other 2 days he seemed to enjoy it!) but today he wasn't into it.  I got in the rest at home while Nick was napping. 

Yesterday I took some almond/pecan/cashew butter + chia seeds + flaxseed + oatmeal and topped it with 'ice cream."  I wanted something nut butterish and it was good!  What's your take on uncooked oats? I wasn't sure if I should cook mu concoction in little balls.  I've made chocolate protein 'ice cream' and strawberry protein 'ice cream' today and last night to go with oats, and I want to make this high protein "cake" at some point. The 'ice cream' makes a huge portion, is very refreshing and keeps you full for a while.  I think I am going to order a chocolate and vanilla whey protein from Jay Robb. What's your favorite protein powder? Before I was using Aria (Trader Joe's sells it).   Maybe once you start telling yourself this stuff is dessert, you don't need the real deal?

Healthy Food; 38 weeks

I forgot to report about my 1st cup of coffee - ever.  I had a cup of decaf coffee a couple of days ago with almond milk and whole milk and some sugar. It hit the spot, but I haven't had one since. Weird craving that day.

I'm in a weird phase right now and besides my need for butter/cheese and bread, which I'll have maybe one time each day, I'm pretty much only into healthy eats. I have no cravings for weird things but I just want healthy stuff (well there was the bag of m & m's that I purchased and TJ's vanilla cake mix that I made into cookies but I'm not even into eating them!). Why couldn't this have been going on the last 38 weeks!?

 the final bowl 

 the ice cream

the crisp

For breakfast, taking inspiration from Heather, I made protein ice cream in the vita-mix with oatmeal blueberry crisp. For the protein ice cream, I used the Jay Robb vanilla rice protein, about 15 ice cubes, 1 cup almond milk + skim milk mixed and 1/3 tsp xanthan gum. I didn't use guar gum because I don't have any and I don't use stevia, but I feel like the protein powder is sweet enough without it. The rice vanilla flavor It was better than the strawberry flavor but still I was iffy about the taste and prefer the whey and egg white proteins.  I put that in the freezer while I waited for the crisp to cook. I took 1/2 cup oatmeal + about 1/2 to 1 cup blueberries and blackberries (they were frozen), 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp flaxseed and a sprinkle of maple syrup. It was inspired by this post: Polly's crisp.  It was a delicious and filling breakfast!  Now for lunch I kind of want some kind of nut or bean concoction so I'm going to look for some easy ideas.



38 weeks
Well - sleeping is frustrating. I have been getting around 6 hours on a good night, maybe 7, and I am one of those people that needs my sleep - 8 hours. I've been cranky! It's not that I can't sleep, it's that I can't fall asleep. And let me tell you, I'm exhausted when I go up to bed. I usually just can't find a position and can't breath! I end up propping myself up and falling asleep 1/2 sitting up and waking up with a sore neck around 4am, then going back to sleep for another hour or 2. Sleeping is the worst right now.

Energy wise - somehow I have it throughout the day and besides doing activities with Nick, I've been doing the cleaning and making small meals to freeze.  I've been working out everyday. My schedule is something like this:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday mornings: Swim
Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday - lift and elliptical/bike
Saturday - yoga

I'm ridiculously slow for swimming now. I feel like I am way behind and half floating. I don't know how people keep their pace up! I never bought a maternity bathing suit so my bathing suits are all stretched out and I need new ones.