Things Mother’s wish they known earlier

I came across this video from a friend who posted it.

As a new mother, its helpful to see. I got some good chuckles out a few items some of the moms wrote.  Some of the sayings you can apply even if you are not a mom…. Enjoy

http://www.mamamia.com.au/parenting/the-things-mothers-wish-theyd-known-earlier/

Back from a long hiatus

After a several month hiatus, what can I say about what has happened over the last 11 months. We’ll start off with the pups.

Abigail went through basic training and passed with flying colors. She also is into agility. She loves it and we will be heading into an advanced class in the near future.   Her confidence is improving every day. Our shy, abused girl has turned into a confident — yet reserved pup. (German Shepherds are naturally a reserved dog) We are absolutely thrilled with her turn around.

Gabriel is still going through acupuncture treatments. He is up to one visit a month unless otherwise needed. He is walking 2.5 miles will little trouble.  He is still taking an herbal mixture to help his back and hips, which is helping him tremendously.  Last month, we took some x-rays of his back hips and found that his hips have not deteriorated over the last year. We are extremely happy with this news.

Our biggest news is — After a troubling delivery, we welcomed our daughter December 10th at 10:19pm. She weighed 7 lbs and 3 oz and 20.25 inches long. I couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful healthy girl. She has brought awe and wonder into our lives. Both Abigail and Gabriel have welcomed her into our pack without hesitation. Both of them are at her side every moment of the day.  When she cries Abby’s mothering side comes out, but there seems to be a greater ‘connection’ between her and Gabriel. We’ll see what happens as she gets older.

There are a few things I was not prepared for when becoming a mother. One is quiet simple, I never thought I could love someone has much as I love my daughter. I thought I loved my husband and there was nothing passed that, but I was absolutely mistaken. A mistake, I’m gladly say, I am happy about being proven wrong over.

The second is the unexpected amount my love grows for my husband whenever I see him holding our daughter, talking to her, teaching her things and playing together.  It is unique to watch a full-grown man from the E.O.D community, part of the United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), accepted into M.I.T,  wireless network engineer cradle his daughter ever so gently and talk gaga googoos. And yes, she has him wrapped around her finger — wouldn’t change it for the world.

My newest crystal

For almost 10 years my husband has been giving me Swarovski crystals whenever he traveled for work, a special occasion or just because. It seems the longer he is gone or the bigger the special occasion the larger the crystal.  Anyways…..

This weekend I got a very beautiful crystal called “It’s a Girl” — gee, I wonder why

Now, I am pretty sure a yellow duck will find a way into the nursery….

It’s a… It’s a…

Last Friday, my husband and I went to the doctors for the ‘big’ ultrasound. We both were nervous, yet excited about what we would see. We found out that we have a healthy baby — all organs are functioning and its moving around quite well. In fact, it’s very active, yet loves to curl up and cuddle.

With that said, let me tell you this…There are two moments in my life I will never forget. The first is the look in my husband’s eyes when we were officially married. The second moment was when the ultrasound technician looked over and she said “It’s a girl”. The look my husband gave me was incredible — one of pure happiness and excitement with the sweetest smile across his face. That look is a moment that I will cherish.

He always wanted a little girl and now he finally has his wish. I could not be happier to be having a healthy baby girl, but to have a husband who is over the moon about her before she has given taken her first breath of air — I couldn’t ask for anything more.

Boy or Girl?? — That is the question

Yup, that’s right! The 20 week ultrasound is coming up this Friday and the ultimate pregnancy question will be answered.

We all can finally move passed the, “What do you want a boy or girl?” question. I have never been asked the same question repeatedly from numerous people before in my life. My response to that question is simply, “I want one of each”.  The order I wanted was a boy first then a girl then I went to the girl first. My reasons were many, but I finally realized raising a boy and raising a girl would be completely different. The order does not really matter much; it will be an adventure either way.

The fact that I’m pretty lucky to be having this child after losing an ovary and having major issues with my hormone levels and cycles. Also, with losing one of the babies early in the pregnancy — I’ll take a healthy kiddo with ten toes, ten fingers, two eyes, two ears… you know all that good stuff.

To have a little fun, I thought about asking you. What do you think we are having a boy or girl? I will give you all the midwife tales answers that I can think of, then you can decide.  So, here we go;

Heartbeats:  in the range of 164 to 152, last doctor’s visit 2 weeks ago was 152.

Food Cravings: You might want to sit down for this one. After over 13 years of not eating meat, I have become the lamb and bison connoisseur. With that in mind, we get our meat from the local farm. Also, baby carrots, apples, grapes, and some good old Italian food.  I am not for sour or salty or even sweets.

Chinese Birth Chart: Says we are having a girl. (age at conception with month of conception)

Mayans Birth Chart: Says we are having boy. (age of conception with year of conception)

Skin Clarity:   I am a little more teenage year-ish than my normal healthy skin.

Morning Sickness:  None

Carrying high or low: Here’s a pic to help you with that decision —

So, what do you think?

Running pregnant and Abby

Yes, my running shoes are still collecting some miles.  The first several weeks of my pregnancy, I really didn’t accomplish much of anything.  However, I did become the master of sleeping at all times of the day.  Around week 11 or 12 hit I was gaining strength and manage to head out for a few runs.  Of course, I got the okay and ground rules for running while pregnant from my doctor. I was a little nervous to do so with the early issues in the pregnancy, but after the lengthy conversation with my doctor my fears were reduced.

Running while pregnant is quite unique. I have given up running for mileage while on the treadmill. Instead,  I try to complete between 35 to 65 minutes.   Since, I am running at a slower rate completing the idea of multiple miles seem a bit daunting.  This is simply, because going from running an easy pace 845 – 9 mm to 1100-1130 mm makes a mile seem so much longer than it really  is.  Running on the treadmill has given me the benefit of getting water bottle refills.  I have my trusty Ultimate Distance Fastdraw Hand-held bottle for when I am out on the road, which is usually empty by the time I get home.

I am still working with Abby, when the summer weather is manageable. We head out for our early morning runs (430 – 5am). We  run about 3 to 5 miles. She has improved her cardio and focus. We still have a few hiccups in the first mile, but once she gets going she is hard to convenience its time to call it a day.

With our soon to be new family member, DH & I have decided to reach out to a local dog trainer and behaviorist to help us with Abby’s issue with meeting new people and dogs.  We were working this on our own, but with the pregnancy I need a little more help with physical part of training.  She is not aggressive when meeting new people or dogs, she is scared and overly uncertain about yourself. Working with the trainer, we will be able to help her overcome these fears in a controlled environment and with dogs that laid back and are used to dealing with “odd dog behavior”. From there, we can head to uncontrolled areas like a park or Petsmart.

Now, if only this summer heat-wave would pass and stay away. 120 degrees of heat and humidity is just not fun…

Our not so little secret anymore

Well, in terms of size its little somewhat small. So, whats our secret, we are excepting our first child in December… December 18th to be exact. We had a rough few early weeks, where we lost one baby during week 7. There is nothing anyone could do, miscarriages are just part of pregnancy. It did leave me worried and nervous about what would happen next. When we finally could to see our baby and hear the heartbeat many worries seemed to wither away. I was cleared to return to ‘normal’ activities a week later.

I have been running, but not at my normal pace. I’m running about 2 to 3 minutes slower and downing more water than a camel. And you know, I think I’m storing it like a camel, too!! I have been running for time and not for distance, but with entering the second trimester and my energy levels returning to normal I will begin to try to reach 25 – 30 plus a week. It is down from my 35 or more miles per week, but I don’t mind. I have been doing light lifting. Its kind of funny, I have been finding that lifting is not so much of chore as it has been in the past.

The pups are doing well. I think Abigail had known what was going on before anyone else did. She rarely leaves my side. Gabriel is the same way, but at least he gives me some room unlike Miss Abby. She has to be in touching me, which drives me nuts. I do find it somewhat cute and annoying that they both of them will work together to herd me into a room or  a certain direction. Usually it is to the couch or bed, a place where I am not up and walking around. I think its just because they are lazy and do not want to follow me into different rooms or up the stairs.

I have taken most of my races for this summer off the to do list. Mainly, because the distance in the summer heat is a little risky. Running them at a normal pace would have me completing them before the heat is really turned on. Finishing even 30 minutes later will raise the risk of heat stroke and/or dehydration.  I do have a few shorter races I will try to complete during the August and September. I am still planning on training and running the Philadelphia Half Marathon, but I think I may need to have a fellow runner run with me, since its about a month out from my due date. My doctor is very supportive with keeping my activity level up, but we are both under the same understanding that it’s a day-to-day and month to month type of evaluation.

Anyhow, that’s all for now….Enjoy your weekend.

Quick Update

Just a quick update on Gabriel. We have made it to once a month acupuncture treatments. So, far things are going well. The third week is a bit troubling, but nothing to take a step backwards.

His EPI is at bay and he is now a wonderful 91 lb dog. It’s amazing to me to look back at his health record and see 64 lbs in June 2010.

At the age of 6, he is healthy, happy and currently fast asleep on his mat.  We couldn’t ask for more…

Have a great rest of the day.

Sunday Morning Walk

It’s been a while since we took the pups for a good long walk through the woods. We headed over to NN Park. It’s a little bit of a drive, but definitely worth it. We wanted to get the walk in before the heat and humidity made any activity outside for dogs almost impossible.

Surprisingly, the park was not full of people, which is fantastic for us. Walking through the park with two German Shepherds and a crowd of people is not so much fun, specially, with a big white dog. Kids always think they can just run up with arms waving crazy to Gabriel while the adult do nothing to stop them.  It’s always so frustrating, since Gabriel doesn’t like the crazy kids. We passed only two small families, perfect.

Gabriel did well on the 3 mile loop. Abigail worn herself out with smelling every little thing.  They are both sleeping and have been since we got home. It’s a perfect way to start a hot and humid Sunday. Now, its time for some BBQ.

Wish you all a great Memorial Day weekend. Remember, this ‘holiday’ is to remember those who gave their lives defending our freedoms.  All the wars, not only the current war in the Middle East, but the wars before.

No Work, No Run

for one complete week?!?! Insane! The good news I get to use some of my 185 hours of sick leave. Yeah, I don’t take off work much.  So, I have been home with the pups curled up and “frying my brain”. I have never watched so much T.V. or movies in my life. Seriously, I watch about maybe an hour or so a day, with the so being for a movie. Growing up there was no TV  Sunday night through Friday and on the weekends we barely had time between chores, homework and sports. So, yes, it’s a ton of TV for me.

I did watch more than enough news to make myself worried crazy. Sorry, but worried sick, just too much of a pun.  Aoi-vey, we have some serious issue in the world. But my favorite is that the government is looking at shutting down, which means many people will work but not get paid, our tax returns will be delayed — YET — the government officials that have BS’d each other for years, decades, centuries will get paid. Wow, we have some very poor laws in America. Politicians are having a pissing contest while families are fighting to make ends meet, soldiers are on the front lines,  health care is out of control and don’t forget the gas prices and the effects of that. So, yes, let’s make sure those Politicians fight like high school students and get paid for it.

But, I digress — being sick and watching T.V.. Yeah, the news will no longer be on in this house for a good few weeks.  I did watch some good shows on History Channel, NASA, National Geographic (or is it called Planet something), and Food Network (total food porn with some shows in the triple X rated version). I learned some good recipes to try, though. I did finally get to see “Eat, Pray, Love”, which has made me what to actually read the book. Books are always better than the movie.  Brain officially fried, but totally worth packing on the couch with Gabe and Abby. I think I may have slept through a good amount of the shows. It was one of those  ”the shows over already didn’t it just start” type of thing.

I’m sure you are wondering, what’s caused me to be out of work, no running and frying my brain (because reading is too much work, right now). Sunday, it started a sore throat and by the afternoon I was running a fever and swallowing was extremely painful. Monday and Tuesday about the same. Oddly though, Tuesday I started building up a ton of congestion. Wednesday went to the doctors and scored an infection. Not fun, so I’m on antibiotics. And let me tell you, I have never felt so congested since I had pneumonia in middle school. And its all coming out — even better, so lady like. LOL.

This infection has set me back a full week in training for my half on May 15th. Yes, I know I ran one that long ago, but I really need the hill training segments for the next several weeks.  13.1 on flat land is a 180 from 13.1 on a hilly course.  I’ll play it by ear to see if an 8 miles on Saturday will be possible. I’m now worried about making my goal of getting under one hour and 50 mins. I just want to reach that goal.

I signed up for the Philadelphia Half, where I want to get below one hour and 45 mins, but that will mean I need to reach my under one hour and 50 min goal.

Alright, back to resting, coughing and all that fun sick stuff.