Taking care of myself (and Belly Tuesday!)

First, some pictures of my belly at 18 weeks!(photos by Megan, my amazing office mate and friend)



Isn't that just amazing! I feel like I'm growing bigger every week! I catch myself just staring down at my belly as I walk around the hospital at work. ha.

I also wanted to write a blog about how I am attempting to take care of myself during this pregnancy. There have obviously been some major changes in how I treat my body, although, I don't want those changes to stop after we have Captain Jack. I hope to continue more healthy habits and a way of thinking about my body and the way I look.

I'll start with my perspective on my body. It has been very difficult to plan to grow bigger. Most of the time, its hard (and often painful) to feel my body grow and stretch and make room for Captain Jack. My mind is saying, "Mary, this is great! Its a miracle what's happening to you!" My heart just can't follow that thought. My co-workers have been wonderful. Everyday, I have women telling me how amazing and good it is to grow. And, it is. God has made this body in such a way to make room for an amazing thing to happen! A baby is growing (hopefully growing healthy and strong) and I have been charged with caring for Captain Jack now, and for the rest of my life. So, with all that said, I'm learning to see my body as beautiful, no matter how big I get! I have to, really, because there is no going back. Its also much healthier for me to think that way too.

Now, since we found out we were pregnant and "with child" if you will, I had to make some changes with how I take care of my body. I have obviously changed the way I eat (staying away from certain fish, heating up lunch meat, limiting tuna and coffee and so on). I had to give up most medications to help my chronic tension headaches. Lets face it, Tylenol does little to no good for headaches or any other aches (although, I have started loving Tension Tamer tea, a heating pad, and regular pre-natal massages to help with those things :) )

I think the most important thing that I have done for my body is getting involved in Belly Yoga at Belly Bliss in Denver. This has been so good for me! I wasn't very active before, but I knew I needed to incorporate some exercise (other than walking at work--many miles a day!) It has been so nice to go to Belly Bliss (where I will also take other classes such as Cloth Diapering and Blissful Breastfeeding) to meet other pregnant women and really care for my body. Yoga for the expecting mother helps her prepare for labor as well as for after birth. It certainly helps with mindful breathing through labor as well as focusing on what the body is doing doing the birthing process. On a side note: this sounds like it's coming directly from a pregnancy book. And that makes me laugh a little. There are MANY reasons why prenatal yoga is helpful. And, I'm thankful it's something I can participate in that is restful and refreshing. SO, I have decided to get up (hopefully) every day and spend time with the Lord and in prayer as well as do 20 minutes of yoga. I have been so tired lately, but this is something I'm committing to! I need to start my mornings with Jesus and just learn to breathe a little better. So, just putting this on my blog (whether people read it or not) will help me in the mornings.

Lastly, to really care for myself, I'm trying to spend as much time at home with Chad as I can! He is definitely a source of strength and someone God has blessed me with! I really do love staying at home with the boys (Chad, Ripley and Willis). I wouldn't have it any other way.

In other news, Chad and I got back from a really great weekend in Breckenridge with his mom (Grammy) and some of her friends. It was a good weekend of skiing and spa time for me.

Also, I plan to post some pictures of ideas for the nursery and would love, no NEED some feedback. :)

Chad and I are about to go grill. Food (this may be a theme in my life?) tis a'calling!

Lucky Me!

I know I said I was going to start doing "Belly Tuesdays", and, I promise, I will. This past week I was a tad busy spending time with my parents! It was their first time to see our home and only their second time to see Colorado! I sure do love them. We were able to clear out the room that will be the nursery as well as switch around some rooms in the home. We made a MASSIVE Goodwill run and made all 4 rooms in our home functional! We now have a master bedroom, a nursery, a guest room, and an office. Perfect! We were also able to go to Boulder one day and have a mom/daughter and dad-in-law/son another day. Dad went skiing with Chad while mom and I shopped Arvada and bought some maternity clothes. Mom, Dad, and myself went to Black Hawk to see the casinos. I came away $35.00 richer, Dad made .40 and Mom, not so much. We were also able to see my Aunt Carol and Uncle Glen and the cousins, Syd and Hailey. It was a good trip, filled with naps. I am a lucky woman to have such an amazing family. :)
Here are some pictures from their trip (including a "Belly Tuesday" picture--at the basketball game!)

Chad and Dad skiing at Breckenridge. Apparently, it was just amazing that day. Dad hadn't been skiing since we left Santa Fe 15 years ago! Go Dad!

Belly Tuesday picture! Not the best picture of Chad after his game (Sorry Hubs!), but the best picture of my belly and the four of us.

Dad and I at Chad's weekly basketball game! Gotta love the hat

Chad and my Mom at Woody's! It's one of my very favorite places to eat in Colorado! The very BEST pizza I have ever had. seriously

This is Mom and I at Woody's!


That's it for now! Just wanted to make sure I update on a weekly basis! More to come! Right now, I'm heading to a tasting with Chris and Shelby! When there is food calling, I better answer.

Belly Tuesday!

Following the advice of my sister-in-law, Carrie, I have decided to start doing "Belly Tuesdays" and provide a picture update of my belly's growth progress. I feel like my belly has just POPPED! Seriously. I feel like I woke up last week and thought, "well, this isn't a pee belly". Its really there. The baby is growing and is healthy, as far as we know!
Here's me at 15 weeks:

Crazy, huh? You probably can't see it like I can see it. Its strange to have this new belly on me. But, be excited! I will try my very best to post a new picture every Tuesday!



In other news, I had my 15 week check up and Triple Screen on Monday. This test is to test for birth defects and genetic disorders like Down Syndrome. This test is optional to everyone, but is becoming more of the "norm" for expecting mothers now a days. The heart beat was strong and healthy at 140! They say (whoever "they" are) that a heart beat at 140 and below may be a boy. We'll see! My ultra sound is March 23. I'm super excited.

Chad and I just returned from Oklahoma to celebrate his grandparent's 60 wedding anniversary. Isn't that amazing? 60 years! I pray that Chad and I can be celebrating that one day with our family surrounding us.

Also, Papa Jim and Nana Sue (my parents) are coming to visit this weekend. We are very excited. The hope is to get the nursery cleaned out so it can become a "blank canvas".

I also thought I would add a few more pictures of my life as of late.


Here is me with Nana Arnold this past weekend:









Then, here is Shelbs and I at the boy's b-ball game last week. Shelby is getting married August 15 to Chris. We are so excited for them. I love having one of my very best friends so close. I love her, for sure. As a side note, as you can tell, I obviously love that hoodie.





Well, I'm off to take a nap with the newly groomed puppies, Willis and Ripley.

Blogs to come (and I promise, they will come eventually):

The Should Dos
Belly Yoga
Nursery Updates
Belly Tuesday!