My rights!

I am a good sharer. Always have been. Want a lick of my lollipop? Here you go! Want a bite of my cupcake? Sip of my soda? Sure here, here, and there you go.

That was the old me, the pre-pregnant, pre-breastfeeding me. The day I became pregnant… well things kind of changed. Something changed in me. Something that made me think nourishing my body 24 hours a day was my most important task. During pregnancy it sort of is really. At restaurants Dan and I used to share meals, split smoothies etc. The night it all changed…It was a cozy night, Dan and I sharing a booth at The Bombay house, me 2 months with child. Browsing the menu, it suddenly hit me, I don't want to share! In fact not only do I want my share, and seconds and thirds but maybe I want Dan's share too! And it only got worse from there! I became protective of my food and meals as if my life depended on every last crumb of that meal. Needless to say I made a complete fool of myself at company luncheons going back for 2nds and 3rds and hiding my 4ths at the very back corner of the fridge to have for an afternoon "snack"! Oh and this is when Dan began his thing of taking his pointer finger and lifting up the tip of his nose at me (meaning "hey piggy piggy are you sure you haven't had enough already?" which I pretend to be offended at every time but it makes me chuckle!

I couldn't even sleep an 8 hour stretch. When I was pregnant I had my "midnight" snack right before bed and then my belly would wake me at 3am on the dot groaning for a fill! I even prayed for food. See this post!

Then when lil'Z came plump as can be (evidence that I did not share not even one crumb) I thought the 5,000 calorie days were over. Oh how naïve I was. Little did I know that nursing a little fat boy I would be 4 times as hungry as when I was pregnant! After finishing the meals the nurses brought me in the hospital I was sneaking down to the vending machines to stock up on snacks and that was the beginning of a year or more of 6,000 calorie days (this is obviously an exaggeration, most of this post is if you didn't catch on) but out of curiosity I am starting to track my daily calorie intake to see what it is actually. I will probably make another post about that when I am finished tracking.

I have stopped being embarrassed or excusing myself for how much I eat. I am eating for two people! Its hard work!

So these rights I proclaim as my rights when I am expecting or breastfeeding!

• My rights to 2nds, 3rds, and 4ths whatever it takes to fill me and the babe.
  
• The right to stocking the night stand with snacks
  
• My right to opening a package of a snack while I grocery shop, before I get to the checkout stand. Don't worry I'll pay for it; just scan my 5 empty bags of chips.
  
• My right to eat at any hour of the day
  
• My right to eat meals out of order. If I feel like breakfast for dinner, pancakes, bacon, and eggs it is.
  
• My right to not share anything!
  
• My right to eat dessert first
  

  
  

Does this sound like gluttony to you? Well maybe, but for a Mother with a high metabolism I would say not!

Look what I got for easter....

Zealand Daniel Hunt joined our family on April 9th whether he liked it or not. Dan and I went in at 1 p.m. for my scheduled inducement. I decided that I still wanted to do everything natural even though I was being induced. So they started me up on the pitocin and the contractions started. Dan and I started doing all the things we learned in Lamaze to help with the pain. Things seemed to be going pretty good until I was sitting on the birthing ball and the nurse told me to get on the table with quite the worried look. Zealand's heart beat had dropped. They started unhooking all my cords and paged my doctor, pretty soon there were 7 nurses in the room putting me this way and that trying to get his heart beat back. They put me on oxygen and were getting ready to wheel me into emergency c section and then they got his hear beat back to a good pace. I was pretty upset at this point. They took me off pitocin for about 2 hours so the baby could have a break. Then put me back on. Well about 20 minutes after being back on the pitocin his heart beat dropped again. So same thing all over again. The doctor came in to check me and I had only dilated another centimeter and a half which was to a five after 8 hours of labor. ( I went in at 3 1/2) The doc said it was going to be a c-section because for whatever reason the baby couldn't' take the stress of the contractions.(turned out that he had a knot in his cord that tightened with every contraction cutting off his oxygen) So the nicest anesthesiologist named Bob came and gave me an epidural and they wheeled me into the surgery room. I was scared but happy to have my baby out asap so I knew he was okay. Then about 10 minutes later there he was. Healthy and screaming. 8lbs. 3 oz. 19 inches long born t 10:25 p.m.. The whole thing was so crazy and worth every minute. It really feels like it was all a dream. But I have this lil cutie to remind me it wasn't! We got to bring him home on Easter Sunday which was so fun! I was so happy to get the heck out of the hospital everyone is so so nice don't get me wrong but its like a prison! Here are some pics...
First Bath
And last but not least....Zealand's first photo booth pictures!

Privilege of being a Mother

So here i sit...one day after my due date and still plump as saint nick. Except I think I am the least anxious person about this situation. My family and friends especially my family seem to be at the edge of their seats letting the thought that I could go any minute (but I think I will be induced) consume their thoughts from morning until night. I'm not being vain, its true that they are. As I am when someone close to me is expecting.
Yes it is a bit of a bummer-roo to have your due date come and go and still have the child IN instead of IN YOUR ARMS but he is just taking his sweet time enjoying his last few days in the womb...however enjoyable it could be in those cramped quarters.
And I knew that my due date was just a very approximate date from the beginning but somehow I let my self get wound around it and didn't once picture myself going even one hour over my due date. I'll take that as a lesson learned as a first time mother. As I look back on the past 9 months I can not believe how fast it really has gone. It feels like I have been pregnant forever yet just like every special time in our lives, it has flown by! I have come to realize that I really do love being pregnant! No I am not crazy...through the sickness, the weight gain, the sleepless nights, the heart burn, the physical discomforts could go on and on....it has been a roller coaster ride...but the kind you want to keep riding again and again. Once again I am not crazy. It is such a miracle what the body can do and I have come to appreciate and respect my body in new ways after this miracle that has been created and that I will soon meet. I have always thought that the "miracle of life" was just that...a miracle but it is real to me now, it is something so different when you are the one actually experiencing it. I know I will have many other chances to bear other children but this is the only time I will bear this child... Zealand....and as much as I can not WAIT to hold him...it has been a joy to carry him for 9 months. I am sure in the first few months that I was sick I could have never pictured myself saying this but now that I am nearing the end I have a chance to reflect and what a reflection it is. It has been rough indeed, more times then not....but with support and the right attitude and perspective it has also been a joy and a time I will never forget. I have thought of the things that have helped me through... 8 certain things came to mind and I am going to call them my "pregnancy survival kit"

#1 My Husband
He has been there every step of the way. Supporting me, taking in endless accounts of my everyday experiences being pregnant (which are not always so lovely), being my coach in Lamaze class, keeping me laughing, back rubs, loving my new big belly body, preparing with me to become new parents. Thank you Dan!
Thank you thank you thank you! I love you!

#2 Exercise
It is hard and I wasn't totally faithful to working out my entire pregnancy but when I did I found my body and mind feeling lots better (just like when I am not pregnant) and more willing to take on the pregnancy discomforts. And I obviously do not know from experience yet but I have heard many times that exercising throughout your pregnancy makes a world of a difference when labor and delivery come along. we shall see!

#3 Peppermint
Taking a warm shower or bath with a few drops of peppermint oil in the beginning when i was so nauseous was the only thing that gave me any comfort or relief.

#4 The right Pre-Natal pill
The right pre-natal pill for me was New Chapter's "Perfect Prenatal". Not only do I believe it is so perfectly delivering to my baby what he needs but it has things that help me as well like Lavender that I believe helped me sleep better at night.

#5 Pre-Natal and Post-Natal Education
Books, Magazines, Classes, Weekly email updates on my babies development, I could not get my hands on enough of these resources. It helped me to feel calm and to understand the new things my body was experiencing. I was less fearful knowing and being knowledgeable about what was going on. It also helped me to prepare for what is to come and to know what to expect for the most part. Most part because some things are just unexpected another lesson I have learned.

#6 Having a sense of humor
Being able to keep things light and laugh at the things that might otherwise be embarrassing or frustrating kept me happy throughout my pregnancy. Giving my self (my body) a break and realizing the epic thing that it is doing helped. I hear about women going crazy during their pregnancy and my husband as my witness I feel that I was mostly sane and pleasant to be around most of my pregnancy. I kept myself joking and finding the humor. A huge part of being able to do this I contribute to my Husband again.

#7 A good solid pillow ....or 8
I would have saved myself a good ten minutes of perfectly positioning pillows every night before bed (you have all seen this task portrayed in this post) had I purchased this comfy and handy pillow....The Snoogle at the beginning. Totally worth it!

#8 My BEST-EE the Potato!
I have had many many food aversions throughout my entire pregnancy but there has been one specific food that has not let me down...that has comforted me countless times...it is the POTATO! In any shape or from. Mashed, baked, french fried, potato wedged, hasbrowned, however he comes I accept him with open arms! and the best part there is no limit to how much of him I can eat. I just never get sick of it. Thanks Potato!

And that's that...my personal pregnancy survival kit!

I have posted several quotes from church authorities about being a mother but I just found this one today and I love it just as much as the others....

bounds of Creativity Unlimited

Posted: 02 Apr 2009 01:00 AM PDT

"If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next."You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us (see D&C 46:11–12). The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter."What you create doesn't have to be perfect. . . . Don't let the voices of critics paralyze you—whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside."If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Happiness, Your Heritage," Ensign, Nov. 2008, 119

Just a little update. I will be induced April 9Th if Zealand has not come on his own. I really hope he does because being induced will make my wishes of wanting to do and unmedicated labor will be that much more painful. I think I have decided if I do have to be induced that I will be getting and epidural. bugger. Wish me luck!

Me & Baby Z

 

My very talented sister-n-law took some pics of my ever growing belly this past weekend! I love them and think they are such a great keepsake and a way to capture this special time in my life and keep some pieces of it forever!

p.s. 33 weeks tomorrow only 7 to go! eeeeeeeeeeeee!

A typical night w/the Hunts

Not portrayed....the 152 times that I get up to pee
The many squares surrounding me represent pillows.

Adorable

Here is our sweet baby....He is so cute already! The ultra sound went amazing and Zealand was putting on quite the show for the camera he even stuck his tongue out. It was amazing! I love him!

Please...Let it Snow..

STARBURSTS!

This is my latest craving! For the past while I haven't been craving anything really. but lately STARBURST! I want to BATHE in starbursts!

Today I thought to pray for snow because I really want a white Thanksgiving....but instead, yes I prayed for it to snow Starbursts!

Whats going on in my buddha belly?

So I just thought I would share whats going on in with Baby Z ! I am 21 weeks today and tomorrow I will have an ultra sound (so excited) and I'm going to post the picture so be sure to check back!!!!!

( I get these emails every week to show me how the babe is growing from Baby Center) I love it!

21 Weeks
See the big picture
How your baby's growing:Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now, and if you're having a girl, her vagina has begun to form as well.See what your baby looks like this week. How your life's changing:You're probably feeling pretty comfortable these days. You're not too big yet, and the usual discomforts associated with early pregnancy are, for the most part, gone. If you're feeling good, relax and enjoy it while you can — the third trimester may bring with it a new crop of complaints.That's not to say you won't have some minor glitches to deal with now. For example, increased oil production may contribute to the development (or worsening) of acne. If that's the case, be diligent about washing well with a gentle soap or cleanser twice a day, and make sure that any moisturizer or make-up you use is oil-free. Don't take any oral acne medications — some are very hazardous during pregnancy — or use any topical acne products without first checking with your practitioner.You're also more prone to varicose veins now. As your pregnancy progresses, there's increasing pressure on the veins in your legs; higher progesterone levels, which may cause the walls of your veins to relax, can make the problem worse. You're more likely to get varicose veins if other family members have them. Also, they tend to get worse with each successive pregnancy and as you age. To help prevent or minimize varicose veins, exercise daily, prop up your feet and legs whenever possible, sleep on your left side, and wear maternity support hose.You may also notice so-called spider veins (a group of tiny blood vessels near the surface of your skin), particularly on your ankles, legs, or face. They may have a spider- or sunburst-like pattern with little branches radiating out from the center, they may look like the branches of a tree, or they may be a group of separate thin lines with no particular pattern. Though they may be a bit unsightly, spider veins don't cause discomfort and usually disappear after delivery.

Zealand Hunt? Just maybe!

AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE EXCITED!
P.S. Motherhood is the best thing EVER!

Boy or Girl?

On Monday we get to find out if the baby is a Zealand or an Isla (our names picked out for a boy and for a girl)? Care to take a guess??? For whoever that guesses right and is the first to answer I will name my first born after you. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh ha thats a big fat joke. But I thought it would be fun for all of you to take a guess! I will be sure to let ya'll know on Monday! eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee I'm so excited!

Funny Cravings

So I have had a hard time with the change of my eating habits I have had to make since I found out I was expecting..... I'm so sick all the time and only very paticular things sound good and so this is what my doctor told me " you are IN SURVIVAL MODE, if you feel like a choclate shake and mcdonalds burger every day then that is what you eat!" OH MY! What a long road I have ahead of me! For those who know me well I am or should I say was a VEGAN. Now Del Taco and Einstein bagles is a regular food hot spot for me these days. So I have had some very interesting paculiar cravings that are pretty funny as well.

Craving #1 Ice water in a plastic cup with a straw. But not just any plastic cup and not just any type of ice. I love the plastic cups that you get at places like Bajios (the free water cup) And I love the pebble ice. A delight and comfort for some odd reason

Craving #2 Del Taco. Weird because for one reason I haven't had fast food in 3 1/2 years! I tell no lies! But Del Taco was my very favorite in H.S. Going through the drive through brought some nostalgia of late night runs way back when. I can proudly say that I have only gave in to these Del Taco cravings 3 times though.

Craving #3 Hot and Sour soup from P.F. Changs. Its like heaven in a bowl PEOPLE! Not only do my taste buds do a little dance from this sweet awesome soup but for some unknown reason I can be throwing up my guts and if I have just one cup of this soup I'm good as new!

Craving #4 Einstein Bagles. Not just any but the I die for the Sun-Dried tomato with the Jalapeno Salsa Cream Cheese Shmear! Dan and I made two trips to Einsteins Saturday!

So pretty much NO healthy cravings. Swell! And eating something that doesn't sound good when you are prego is pretty close to that feeling when you are so full you feel like the food is stacked up to the top of your esophagus and then imagine hopping on the zipper ride at an amusement park right after and you might understand the feeling a bit! I like to whine about it! Ciao for now!