36 Week Update

For anyone who's been following along this pregnancy via Instagram, I could not have asked for a better pregnancy up until this point.  I've felt great, kept up my activity level, am generally still comfortable, and able to get a decent night's sleep.

36 Week Stats

• Gender: Going strong and not finding out
• Baby's Weight: 5lb 12oz (anticipating a 7-8lb baby; which is good because I was 8lb 15oz and Mr HaHa was 10lb)
• My Weight: Since being diagnosed with hypothyroidism during pregnancy (under active thyroid), my weight gain/loss has fluctuated throughout pregnancy, but I'm currently at 37lbs gained, which my OB said is excellent
• Cravings: Sadly I've had no strange food cravings! I'll have days where a certain meal sounds good, but I was that way before pregnancy too.
• Readiness: Hospital bag is mostly packed, nursery is mostly done (I'm still debating on decor for one wall or waiting to see what gender we have; and I realized this week that the crib sheets I've been waiting for on backorder were oval shaped....we have a rectangular shaped crib... #pregnancybrain)
• Emotionally: My hormones are a mess.

Baby is breech and has been sitting breech since our 32 week appointment.  Typically by 32 weeks babies figure out orientation and only 7% are still breech. By 37 weeks weeks (full-term), only 3-4% of babies remain breech.

Since I've been planning and preparing myself for an unmedicated natural birth, this discovery been an emotional roller coaster. Instead of focusing on laboring and pain management techniques, I've switched to seeking out methods to turn baby. It turns out, there's a lot.

Spinning Babies is an website loaded with information, an overwhelming amount. From here I've mainly been focused on stretches such as Forward Inversion and Breech Tilt. As funny as it sounds, I've also got to the pool a few times to do handstands in the water. They said this inversion can help give baby momentum to turn (plus, in third trimester and 90-degree days, feeling weightless in the pool is amazing). Chiropractic care, specifically doctors trained in Webster method also has a good success rate for helping babies to turn. The background there is that by aligning your body, you give baby optimal space to make the turn. Most recently, the last techniques I've added is acupuncture and moxibustion.  Acupuncture to direct energy flow through your body to encourage flipping. Moxibustion is an ancient Chinese heat therapy that is basically incense sticks burned at your toes to promote the flow of energy through your body.

It's a strange place to be in; trying all of the above and maintaining optimism while also thinking of the possibility of both a cesarean or natural birth is not easy. Some people would probably describe me as a stubborn person, but I like to think of it as dedicated and determined. This situation is already a humbling reminder that we can't control what happens in our life, but I also think that how we react to situations develops so much of who we are.  

And that is where I'm already struggling. Years ago, I trained for Chicago Marathon.  I rocked my training.  I was beyond nervous for race day, but I was ready; my body and my mind were both ready.  For whatever reason, it didn't play out as I hoped. It was hot, I got sick and I was pulled from the course by medical care.  I was heartbroken. I had trained for months. Just like this pregnancy, for months all I thought about was the experience of the actual race and pictured myself crossing that finish line, yet my body didn't agree. I was depressed. It took at least a week for me to be able not to cry when someone asked how it went. It took two weeks of crying myself to sleep and thinking about what I could have done differently for a different outcome; the outcome I'd wanted and prepared for. 

For years after, I was scared. Scared that I'd never be able to achieve my goal of running a marathon and that if I tried again, I'd fail.  Last year I did run and finish a marathon and it was amazing; mostly overcoming my inner demons that had trailed me for years and caused me to doubt myself.

This is why I'm struggling so much with baby being breech. I don't criticize others who have had cesarean births. It's just that I'm scared that if that's how baby needs to be born, that I'm going to struggle my own goals. It's selfish. I'm scared I'll regret not experiencing a natural birth, the one I've wanted so badly. That's why I'm willing to do all of these non-traditional methods above to hope they promote baby turn. I'm going to do everything possible to try for a natural birth outcome.  If it doesn't work, then I'm going to need to come to peace with that.

At this point, we'll schedule an external cephalic version (ECV) for next week. This is a manual procedure done by the OB to try to turn the baby by pushing on my stomach/uterus externally. It takes place in the hospital and is scheduled as a cesarean, just in case something goes wrong and an emergency delivery is needed although the odds of something happening is about 1%.

Regardless of what happens in the next few weeks, my biggest goal is that my body is allowed to go into labor naturally. I have to have faith that baby will be birthed however it's meant to be and necessary and in the end all that will matter is having that little love placed on my chest.

(Photos by Calley Watters Photography. Taken August 5th at 35 weeks and 2 days)

Whole 30 Recap

Hi there, long time, no see. It's been a while. Trying to maintain a work-life balance, finding time for myself and Mr HaHa was extremely difficult with my last work assignment and being gone 12-13 hours a day! 

Skip forward, I'm on my next work assignment. I'm living away from home in Vail (Feb-Dec 2016). I have an adorable (company-paid) apartment and love being in the mountains! I don't love being away from my husband, but thank goodness for Face Time and weekends! Honestly, with my last project, I really never had an "me" time; it was work and "us". It's been interesting to be away from home and forcing both Ben and I to grow.

Anyways, moving to Vail, I really wanted to start off on the right foot with a more conscious, healthier diet and lifestyle. Motivated by a friend, my second week here I started Whole 30.  I figured it was best to jump into it before I could get used to anything else; plus I knew it would be easier not having to please Mr. HaHa and just feed myself. I also signed up for the gym and started training for a marathon.  A lot at once!  

You'd think it'd be exhausting, but I've had so much energy! I believe I have Whole 30 to thank for it.  For anyone who isn't familiar, Whole30 is 30 days of no dairy/grains/sugar/legumes/alcohol. It really was surprisingly easier for me than I thought it'd be. I’ve always used Sundays to meal plan for Sun-Thurs; so I kept that schedule.  I also was constantly looking for recipes, so much that I’d get excited and start planning ahead for the next week. I think part of the reason I didn't have difficulty was that I love to cook and found it fun and inspiring to constantly seek out new recipe ideas. 

The most helpful time savers were to prep long-"lead" foods in advance, like roast spaghetti squash or butternut squash the night before so it’d be ready to shred for my meal. I also got in the habit of one breakfast for the work week and making it on Sunday night and then just making eggs a few nights so that I wasn’t making a breakfast from scratch every day.

Another aspect of Whole 30 is no snacking.  This probably terrified me the most. I  was really surprised to find that probably 90% of the days I didn’t need anything and meal times crept up on me!

A few of my fav meals to share (I also have a Pinterest board)

 

Breakfast:

Tex-Mex Hash

@staciehassing.dietitian

Make 4 servings

---------------------------

Ingredients:

½ lb grass-fed ground beef or ground turkey (I used complaint chorizo (Boulder Sausage Company is awesome))

1 Tbsp. chili powder

½ tsp. cumin

¼ tsp. garlic powder

⅛ tsp. cayenne pepper

¼ tsp. dried oregano

¼ tsp. sea salt

¼ tsp. black pepper

¼ cup water

1 Tbsp. coconut oil

1 medium sweet potato, diced small (about 1 ¼-1 ½ cups)

½ cup diced red onions

½ cup diced red pepper

½ cup mushrooms, chopped

2 cups spinach, chopped

Fresh Cilantro, Avocado, Green Onions, Salsa (optional)

1 can of diced tomato with green chili (added)

Lunch/Dinner: I tried to make a 2-serving dinner and have leftovers for lunch

Spaghetti squash pizza crust – I realized part way through baking that I had the oven at 350 instead of 400 so I cranked it up; but my squash never fully seemed to “dry”/bake like real pizza crust. I had to use a fork to eat, but I will definitely try again (and at the right oven temp); I also think I needed to dry to get more of the moisture out of the squash

Complaint BBQ Sauce (I simmered to get the flavors to blend and added water to get to the consistency I wanted), with crockpot pulled pork over a baked sweet potato

Strawberry avocado salsa (I mixed up, added balsamic to taste and let sit for 30min) over salmon and spinach; it was kind of odd over the salmon, but I think it’d be odd with any meat. I’ll keep making and just eating with spinach as a salad

Roasted butternut squash (seasoned with pepper and fennel seed) mixed with compliant sausage and roasted kale <I wanted to do squash as noodles, but had a hard time running them threw so I gave up)

Juli Bauer’s Buffalo Chicken Casserole 

I used my greek marinade over chicken and roasted veggies

Obsessed with chimichurri over meat. I think steak/veggies and zoodles/marinara were the only meals I repeated because I like them both so much.

 

For snacks I keep dry roasted almonds, complaint Lara bar and apple/banana with almond butter.

I really feel so great that there’s a lot of stuff I don’t really see a need to add back into my diet.  We leave for vacation on 4/2 and I want to be able to have flexibility to eat there and know the impacts of foods; so I’m following Whole 30’s 10-day reintro plan starting today (hummus at lunch!) to make note of what effects food groups have on me; but moving forward I plan to be pretty strict Whole 30 during the week (except red wine) and then more lax on the weekends but still eating/drinking consciously.

Even without having my final weigh in, my skin is clearer, I moved down 2 sizes on my belt loop, my stomach is flatter and my rings are spinning on my fingers! Plus I feel like I have more energy, sleep well and wake up without being groggy.  I’m so glad I took the plunge and did it!

So on to Reintro Day 1: Legumes!

Sweet Potato Nachos

I experienced so many good meals during Whole 30 and now that I'm done; I don't want to stop! I followed Whole 30's Fast Track Reintroduction; essentially adding back in one food group at a time and pausing to see the effects.

My goal in reintroducing food groups is to know how my body will react if I give myself a break. Like I said above, I feel so great physically and mentally that I want to continue with Whole 30/clean eating.  So, my goal is to follow 80/20. During the week when I'm cooking for myself, no issue. But what's life without a little fun, especially on the weekends, right?!

I combined a few recipes to whip up a delicious meal!

Potatoes:

·  4 medium (about 7 oz each) sweet potatoes, skin on, wedged

·  1 tbsp olive oil

·  1 1/2 tsp paprika

·  pinch cayenne pepper

·  1 tsp garlic powder

·  Coarse salt and fresh-cracked pepper

Cook at 425 for 8-9 minutes on each side

BBQ sauce:

1 can tomato paste (6oz)

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup unsweetened 100% apple sauce

1 tbsp coconut aminos

1 1/2 tsp chili powder

1 1/2 tsp chipotle powder (see note below)

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp all spice

1/4 tsp cayenne powder (optional)

Mix together, simmer over low heat and add water to get to a consistency you like.

I mixed the potatoes and bbq with chicken, cilantro, jalapeno and red onion and viola! 

Quick Deal

I'm recovering from yesterday's adventures in snowboarding. If you follow me on instagram (@justcallmehaha), you had a chance to see what I was up to. There was practically no traffic due to the Bronco's game and there was fresh snow (in the mountain, not Denver) galore! 



Now I finally get why people get excited for fresh powder; it's SO much easier!



Of course, I'm still a beginner so my neck is a bit stiff from some falls, but I'm really improving. I even went down the bunny hill without any spills. Go me!



Between the mountains Sunday, and a run outside Saturday (only my second outdoor run since the move), I feel more like myself and more active...



...which is good considering Saturday night we went to Bull and Bush Brewery for dinner. When we came out in Summer 2011, our friends brought us here for dinner. It was my first brewery of Denver. It now seemed kind of surreal that two and a half years later, we're out to dinner that. Since I was starving, I succumbed to the burger of the month: bacon cheese burger with grilled cheese sandwiches for buns.

Here's a quadruple deal to shop: Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy have 35% off online purchase today with code NEWSTYLE and Piperlime is joining in the fun for 25% off purchases. Plus save an extra 30% on Piperlime sale items with code HAPPY. Don't forget ebates for another 7% back!

Don't understand ebates? Read here.

 

To You and Yours

Front of our card

 

Back of our card

For the past three years I've been doing double sided holiday cards with our year in review. It's a fun way to remember the past year and a great way to tell our friends and family that we don't get to see as much as we would like to, what we've been up to.

 

I'm not sure how the map idea came to mind; but it turned out just as I'd envisioned!

 

Right now we're somewhere in the middle of our twelve hour road trip back to our hometown. I hope you're snuggled warm and safe with your loved ones. Merry Christmas!

Weekend Wrap-up (+deals)

This weekend goes down in my books as summer perfection.

Please excuse the mix of iphone and DSLR pictures as we recap my weekend.

Friday night we babysat my favorite kidlets, E&M. This duo is now 9 and 7 and I started babysitting them (found through Marquette's student newspaper) approximately seven years ago this month. How insane is that?  We have a special bond.  Their mom said that starting at 1pm E was counting down the hours until our arrival.  They text to say that wanted to be sure Ben came too.

I'm forever intrigued with how their personalities have developed. M (the boy), threw out one-liners all night that had my stomach aching from laughter (E: M, why are you walking so strange? M: I'm not; I'm just using my awesome body parts to move differently). E loves to entertain and had us singing karaoke.  We enjoyed the rooftop pool (we taught the kids how to play gutter ball) and desserts are the fro-yo spot down the street.

Saturday morning we slept in (until 10am! No idea the last time we've slept that late) and picked ourselves out of bed to each go for a run. There's nothing like a few miles (6 for me) on Lake Michigan. I love Saturday morning runs.  Speaking of love, Oscar is a huge fan of my post-race watermelon. 

We ran a few errands and took the dogs along for a car ride before hitting up Oak Street Beach.  We don't typically go to this beach, but me oh my is the view gorgeous! It also doesn't hurt that there's a bar on the beach, Oak Street Beach: Food+Drink, that whips up some fantastic margaritas.

Following the beach we stopped over to B&B's apartment for to try some tasty New Glareus beers they'd brought back from WI recently (this fruit ale Serendipity was greated!).  Ben and I headed home to tend to the dogs before grabbing a late night dinner at Southport Lanes.  Their craft menu is more impressive every time we go. Ben ordered Founder's Devil Dancer, which is a tripel IPA. beer  and put my Avery anniversary ale to shame.

 

Sunday was our big day. Huey and I's date day as I like to call it....volunteering for Chicago English Bulldog Rescue at Market Days (which is similar to Pridefest with lots of awkwardly dressed people (or perhaps I should say barely dressed?), but I didn't want to capture any of those pictures).

Betty came to the event and she and Huey were reunited! At first they didn't seem to be excited to see one another and after a few minutes, wherever one went, the other was sure to follow. I cannot tell you how much I love this little peach.  She feels that same as she kept jumping on her hind legs to give me kisses. I am so happy she went to a great family who actively comes to our events.

Some things never change; such as both trying to squeeze in at the water bowl.

 Since I brought my camera along, I couldn't help but attempt to capture pictures of all the bullies.  Huey is a crowd pleaser. That tongue gets him lots of attention.

Then there's Porkchop.  The sweetest four-year old lady with one blue eye and one brown.  She's a big girl, but that's just more of her to love. 

Roman is the dog of a volunteer and had the most docile demeanor about him. 

Betty and her bow. What's not to love? 

Willie is an 11 year-old boy who's owner had him since he was a puppy but recently when into hospice. He has such a puppy face. 

 When will this sweet boy find his forever home?

And the reason for my sleepiness. I volunteer for several hours at the festival, followed by a home visit for a potential adopted. I sat on the couch briefly with Ben before fulfilling our Sunday Night, Pizza Night ritual and putting a big dent in editing my Colorado trip pictures.

 

As Ben was cozying up in bed, I left to go back to the festival to help tear down...but it was all worth it because I got to meet this guy:

 

Kirby is a 10-month old puppy who recently came into rescue after someone called animal control seeing this poor puppy in the background of  their neighbor. He has luxating patellas on his hind legs (basically that the joints are deformed and he can't probably walk).  Now in the rescue's care, he's had one of the surgeries needed to correct them.

 

His name was originally Kermit; which is quite funny considering that Ben and I often joke about having a gaggle of bulldogs with Sesame Street names.  Although we've said next we'd want to do Bert and Ernie; it almost seemed as if Kermie was meant to be ours.  But...who are we kidding? We can't handle a puppy right now!

 

Plus it was decided that Kermit is somewhat mocking to the way his hind legs look when he walks; hence the change to Kirby; so maybe that's a sign too.

 

 Linking up with Sami

Farmers Market Finds: my weekend

I have just a handful (now two) Fridays off remaining in the summer. Last weekend worked out perfectly for a trip back home to spend time with my family and to see my friend, visiting from Texas, and meet her six week old daughter.

 

After running just her third half marathon in Duluth (all three of which she did in nine months), my mom decided she wanted to train for and run a full marathon.  Through her running group, she learned about a small trail-course marathon in Wisconsin in September and signed up. This last weekend she was scheduled for a 20-mile run. 

 

Not being in nearly good enough shape to run 20 miles, I joined her on the second half of her run for a solid 8.5 miles along the Mississippi River.  She's using the Jeff Galloway training method, which involves running for 5 minutes and walking for 1.  We downloaded an app on her phone and surprisingly, I adjusted well.  Towards the end of our run I was yearning to hear that walk buzzer!  The only downfall was that we were out for 1hr 45min and did 8.5 miles.  Typically I would do about 10.5 in that time period.  Regardless, it was a nice start to the weekend!

 

Friday I bopped around town for some errands, including a much needed cut and lowlights before meeting up with my girlfriends for dinner at the new Barrel House bar/restaurant in Moline.  The fish tacos, sub avocado for wasabi, were delicious.

 

I called it an early night because I had plans the next morning to go with my mom and grandma to the farmer's market.  My grandma has been doing extrememly well since my grandpa's passing in the spring.  One of the regular "dates" my mom and Grams have is attending the Freight House Farmers Market every Saturday morning. 

 

They have their plan down to a T.  First they stop over to get bread from the vendor that sells out and then hit up The Crepe Guy for one of two rotating crepe options (savory or sweet) before finishing their shopping. 

 

I love love love crepes, mainly sweet (as witnessed here), so it was a no brainer to choose the cherry cheesecake with fresh Door County cherries. Uh-mazing!



Chicago has dozens of farmer's markets, including the big Green City Market in Lincoln Park.  We've been a handful of times, but it's a pain to drive to and after buying sunflowers and attempting to bike home with them once, I've learned my lesson.

 

My mom has her handling down.  She fills up her basket every week before heading home.

Here are my purchases, which make me really excited for meal planning this week.  I'll be utilizing the goodies below and have two recipe posts that will come as a result.  I'm currently salivating just thinking about the bruschetta chicken we'll be eating tonight with fresh asiago foccia bread (bottom right).

Saturday afternoon held some quality time with the girls and the baby. I sent a few gifts from the registry for her shower, but after making onsies for my cousin's baby, I couldn't resist making a few more; especially given the cute Texas themed cut-outs!

Add in a few ruffle butt leggings, baby girl ornament (I love giving ornaments that have a significance as gifts), home made headband and Old Navy bulldog pajamas (E and M have worn these since I bet them and now seven years later as "big kids"; still do), and I consider it a nice gift basket.

As cute as baby clothes are, nothing can compare to the baby.  My friend is working on building her photography portfolio so I asked if she'd mind for me to jump in and snag a few pics.  How precious is she?!

Saturday night was dinner with the fam at our go-to restaurant, Cafe Indigo, which we also at lunch at, before more friend and baby time.

I wrapped up the trip with homemade brunch with my family on my parents gorgeous patio before snagging a few peaches from their peach tree and hitting the road. After three weekends away, while fun, I'm looking forward to sticking around Chicago these last couple weekends of summer.



Linking up with Sami