Gestational Diabetes Meal Plan

Yes I have it. I was only 2 and 3 points over so it was confirmed.  Now every single day I get to poke myself in the finger 4 times a day.  When most people find out in their 3rd trimester I found out in my 2nd.  Why? Becasue I had my blood work done 2 weeks before I found out I was pregnant so I showed a slightly higher level.  Once I seen my OBGYN, I had to do a fasting test.  Then a 3hr fasting test.  They all sucked as I had to sit in the lab for all that time with nothing to do but watch everyone go in and out.  Not at all exciting.

This is what the needle or 'lancet' (yeah, wordplay doesn't change the pain!) as they call them now looks like:

Notice the skull in the background laughing at me!

and this is what it mentally seems like:

Sure, laugh Gypsy...laugh!

It doesn't hurt much really until after or trying to get blood.  for some reason on my thumbs have blood the rest of my fingers are dried up. lol

So now here is my diet plan (of course all breads/grains will be GLUTEN FREE!):

When I wake up I take my blood draw (today sucked because it took me 4 fingers and 5 needles later to get a decent blood droplet)

BREAKFAST 7:30 - 8:00 am

Wait 1 hour until after my first bite of food then draw my blood again

Starch Group (2 choices)

1 slice whole grain bread

1/4 whole grain bagel

1/2 english muffin

1/2 pita bread

1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal cereal

1/2 cup potatoes

1/2 cup beans

1/3 cup rice/pasta

1 corn tortilla

6 crackers

Protein Group (1-2 choices)

1 egg

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 oz lean meat (turkey bacon)

1 1/2 oz cheese

10-15 nuts

Fat group (1 choice)

1 tsp butter

1 tsp oil

1 tbsp cream cheese

SNACK 10:00-10:30am

Starch (1 choice)

1 slice whole grain bread

1/4 whole grain bagel

1/2 english muffin

1/2 pita bread

1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal cereal

1/2 cup potatoes, corn, peas

1/2 cup beans

1/3 cup rice/pasta

1 corn tortilla

6 crackers

Protein Group (1 choice)

1 egg

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 oz lean meat (turkey bacon)

1 1/2 oz cheese

10-15 nuts

Milk (1 choice) OR fruit group

1 cup milk

1 cup light nonfat/low fat yogurt

1 1/2 oz cheese

1/2 cottage cheese

Fruit (1 choice)

1 sm fruit

1/2 banana

1/2 cup canned fruit unsweetened/drained

LUNCH 12:30-1:00pm

Wait 1 hour until after my first bite of food then draw my blood again

Starch (2 choices)

1 slice whole grain bread

1/4 whole grain bagel

1/2 english muffin

1/2 pita bread

1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal cereal

1/2 cup potatoes, corn, peas

1/2 cup beans

1/3 cup rice/pasta

1 corn tortilla

6 crackers

Protein Group (1 choice)

2 oz lean meat

3 oz of cheese

1/2 cup tuna

1/2 cup cottage cheese

Fruit (1 choice)

1 sm fruit

1/2 banana

1/2 cup canned fruit unsweetened/drained

Vegetable (1 choice)

1/2 cup cooked veggies

1 cup raw veggies

1 small tomato

Fat group (1 choice)

1 tsp butter, cooking oil

1 tbsp oil & vinegar dressing

1/8 avocado

Salad

SNACK 3:30pm

Protein Group (1 choice)

1 egg

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 oz lean meat (turkey bacon)

1 1/2 oz cheese

10-15 nuts

Milk (1 choice) OR fruit group

1 cup milk

1 cup light nonfat/low fat yogurt

1 1/2 oz cheese

1/2 cottage cheese

Fruit (1 choice)

1 sm fruit

1/2 banana

1/2 cup canned fruit unsweetened/drained

DINNER 6:30pm

Wait 1 hour until after my first bite of food then draw my blood again

Starch (2 choices)

1 slice whole grain bread

1/4 whole grain bagel

1/2 english muffin

1/2 pita bread

1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal cereal

1/2 cup potatoes, corn, peas

1/2 cup beans

1/3 cup rice/pasta

1 corn tortilla

6 crackers

Protein Group (1 choice)

2 oz lean meat

3 oz of cheese

1/2 cup tuna

1/2 cup cottage cheese

Milk (1 choice)

1 cup milk

1 cup light nonfat/low fat yogurt

1 1/2 oz cheese

1/2 cottage cheese

Vegetable (1 choice)

1/2 cup cooked veggies

1 cup raw veggies

1 small tomato

Fat group (1 choice)

1 tsp butter, cooking oil

1 tbsp oil & vinegar dressing

1/8 avocado

Salad

SNACK 9:30-10:00pm

Starch (1 choice)

1 slice whole grain bread

1/4 whole grain bagel

1/2 english muffin

1/2 pita bread

1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal cereal

1/2 cup potatoes, corn, peas

1/2 cup beans

1/3 cup rice/pasta

1 corn tortilla

6 crackers

Protein Group (1 choice)

1 egg

1 Tbsp almond butter

1 oz lean meat (turkey bacon)

1 1/2 oz cheese

10-15 nuts

Milk (1 choice)

1 cup milk

1 cup light nonfat/low fat yogurt

1 1/2 oz cheese

1/2 cottage cheese

FREE FOODS:

(One serving is 1/2cup cooked or 1 cup raw) Asparagus Bell pepper Broccoli Brussels sprouts Cabbage Cauliflower Carrots Celery Chilies Cucumbers Green beans Onion Romaine Lettuce Squash, summer Spinach Tomato

V-8 juice (6oz glass)

Zucchini

Week 14

Week 14

My Baby's Development: If I could peek inside myself now, I'd see a baby the size of my clenched fist (and come to think of it, at 14 weeks of fetal development, my little one can clench his or her own fist!) which is probably meant for his/her father jk. As fetal development continues, my baby also has the coordination, strength, and smarts to wiggle his or her fingers and toes and even suck a thumb (how cute is that?).

At 14 Weeks Pregnant, Your Baby is a Mover (But Not a Shaker Yet) - Growing by leaps and bounds, by week 14 of pregnancy, my baby is leaping and bounding. He or she is on the move almost constantly — and those movements are a far cry from those jerky twitches of last trimester. They are now ballet-like, smooth and fluid. Speaking of ballet, it'll be years before I start nagging to stand up straight — but unbelievably, he or she is doing it right now, without any prodding!  No slouch anymore, your baby's neck is getting longer, helping his or her head stand more erect. This gives my 14-week-old fetus a more straightened-out appearance.

Growth is happening on top of the head as well, my baby could be sprouting some hair (though the final color may not be determined until birth) and the eyebrows are filling in, too.  Hair growth isn't limited to the baby's head, though.   He or she is also covered with a downy coating of hair called lanugo, largely there for warmth. As fat accumulates later on in my pregnancy (the baby's fat, not yours — though that will accumulate, too), most of the lanugo will shed — though some babies, especially those born early, still have a fuzzy coating at delivery (it sheds soon afterward).

Moi: I've been diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes (google it).
Decreasing need to urinate frequently: Mmmm kinda sorta but still have the urge to wake myself in the wee hours of the night and morning.
Decreasing fatigue: I have my good energy days and my not so good ones.  I feel drained and not talking on some and ok on other days.
Continued breast growth but decreasing tenderness: While your breasts are still growing and changing (for instance, your areolas are probably darker and your nipples may be on “high alert”), they may not feel as achy as they did in your first trimester. Okay so they still seem the same to me. I better pop out some breastest or my kid is going to have to survive on formula.
An end to (or decrease in) nausea and vomiting: This actually started the 1st week of October and lasted for only 2.5 weeks.  Thankfully!
Varicose veins: None that I've noticed but I wear good long socks!  Thank you to Derby or I would've never really had any.
Possible nasal congestion: I think so my nose feels weird...not like a growing weird but more like kinda dry on some days or like I got some boogers but there's none. weird i tell ya!

Weeks 12 and 13 were Supersonic (Take a Peach, Take a Plum)

Pardon me for not keeping up with this but I was on a fabulous and much needed quick vacation cruise to tacoland.  Mexico.

Week 12

As J.J Fad rapped:

"Eenie meenie disaleenie ooh wah bop a leenie
Asa cotcha Liberace I love you
Take a peach, take a plum
Take a piece of bubble gum
No peach, no plumb, no piece of
Supersonic"

My Baby's Development: My baby weighs a full half-ounce and is about the size of a large plum. Most of his/her systems are in place, though there's still plenty of maturing to do. For one thing, his/her fetal digestive system is beginning to practice contraction movements necessary for eating, and the bone marrow is busy making white blood cells — weapons against germs once he/she is out of my safe haven. The pituitary gland (at the base of the brain) has started producing the hormones that'll enable him/her to make babies of hi/her own in a couple of decades or so.

Moi:  If all those changes in your baby sound dizzying, that may just be you dealing with yet another problematic pregnancy symptom: Lots of women experience occasional dizziness and/or feel faint due to progesterone, which causes increased blood flow to your baby by relaxing your own blood vessels. The decrease in blood flow to your body and brain, along with typically lower blood-sugar levels during pregnancy, can set your world a-spinning. Do your part to keep your equilibrium by eating regularly, getting adequate rest, and standing up slowly.

Decreasing need to urinate frequently: Thank goodness, not every half hour but still kinda sorta frequent.
Excessive saliva:  No thank you.
Flatulence: Not so much. =)
Increased sense of smell: YES!  My nostrils are working OT!
Increased vaginal discharge: Extra discharge is completely normal during pregnancy — thanks to increased estrogen, which stimulates your body’s mucous membranes. Not so much because I've had spells of bleeding =( guess the stress is what its stemming from.
Occasional headaches: Nope thank goodness!

Now onto the big finale!!!

Week 13

I'm finally into my second trimester!!

My baby's Development: being as large as a peach now, that big old noggin of his/hers is now about half the size of his/her crown-to-rump length (that’s one reason why your little peach looks more like an alien from outer space at this point). By the time you give birth, the body will catch up, measuring three-quarters of his/her total size. What else is going on in there? Tiny bones are beginning to form in his/her arms and legs, the intestines are beginning to move from the umbilical cord to the abdomen, and to serve your growing baby's needs, the placenta is also growing.  It weighs about an ounce now and will weigh one to two pounds at birth (something else you'll soon be able to blame your weight gain on!). The vocal cords are well under construction (the first step toward saying, "I love you, Mommy!"). And because he/she can move his/her arms and legs in a jerky fashion, he/she may be able to get her thumb into his/her mouth (a habit that may come in handy for self-soothing when a newborn).

Moi:
Decreasing fatigue: mmm still have my bouts of tiredness and draining energy.
Breast tenderness and changes:  I haven't seen much changes here and that sucks so far. lol
Food cravings and aversions: not really and that's a good thing!
Heartburn or indigestion: None so far
Constipation: None so far
Occasional faintness or dizziness:  I kinda sorta did when in Mexico but it could've been due to the exhaust from the cars
Visible veins on body: Hope none!

Hold the Tequila...it's the size of a LIME!

Lime
Week 11

My baby's Development: Slightly more than two inches long now and weighing about a third of an ounce, your fetus is growing by leaps and bounds.  Hair follicles are forming, fingernail and toenail beds begin to develop this week and by next week, the nails themselves will start to grow.  Your baby's body is straightening and his or her torso is lengthening (sounds like a yoga pose, doesn't it?). Other poses your baby can assume now: stretches, somersaults, and forward rolls. And while you can't tell this baby's gender by its cover yet, testes are developing if it's a boy and ovaries if it's a girl.  Ears nearly in their final shape, open nasal passages on the tip of her tiny nose, a tongue and palate in the mouth, and visible nipples.  Hands and feet have indvidual fingers and toes.

Moi:  Supposedly the morning sickness was to pass but I've been a little sick here and there.  And this morning, geez, my breakfast didn't like it's resting place because it went down the drain.  Minimize bloating and gas (caused by digestion-slowing progesterone and your growing uterus) by grazing instead of gorging and steering clear of notorious gas producers, such as beans, fried foods, soda, and sweets.  Are your two favorite positions these days sitting and lying down? Pregnancy fatigue is normal. That's because you're running a baby-making factory that's in business 24/7 (and since you're the only employee, you're on the clock around the clock), causing your pregnant body to work harder at rest than your nonpregnant body did on the run. And for the next few weeks, a baby's not the only thing in production — so is the placenta, the magnificently complex mission control that will serve as your baby's life-support system until delivery. The result? You feel tired and overworked, even when you're not doing a darn thing. Your energy should pick up once the placenta is up and running and your system adjusts (as best as it can) to the hormonal changes of pregnancy — probably early in the second trimester. In the meantime, keep your blood-sugar level up with frequent snacks of complex carbs and protein (cheese and crackers; nuts and dried fruit), try a little exercise (which can actually give you an energy boost), and most of all — listen to your body. When it calls for a break, take one.

Frequent urination: Check! But not nearly as much as before.

Breast tenderness and changes: Geez, I woke up last night while laying on my stomach because I felt like my nuggets got punched.  So sore and tenderoni. ugh.

Nausea and vomiting: Here and there but nearly as bad as the beginning of October.  I was in the bathroom more than Mr. Clean.

Excessive saliva: No slug trails just yet.

Food cravings and aversions: The only things that I've really wanted recently was (1) Celery with Lemon & Pepper (2) Cold Apples or Pineapple Chunks or Black Seedless Graps (3) Cod & quinoa ohmg I made this the other night and I wanted to make out with myself. haha

Bloating: I felt like I gained 15 pounds but in reality I've not gained anything. Sheer good luck.

Occasional faintness or dizziness:  Not really and that's good!

Total weight gain/loss: I checked this morning and it showed I lost 1 lb, I cue that to going GF again and sticking with it.  Makes sense because when I'm not GF, I really am super sluggish.

Sleep:  I want to sleep more now and I get to bed earlier.

Food Cravings: See above in Food Aversions/Cravings

Best moment this week:  Last week when I seen the baby on in the Ultrasound monitor and I seen the hands, feet and the baby was active and moving all about.

Movement: I feel some little flutters or something, it's not gas because it doesn't come out but im not entirely sure.  It's usually when I'm lying on my stomach.

Gender: Don't Know

Labor Signs: NO!

Belly Button in or out: Innie

What I miss: Having more energy

What I am looking forward to: Not being so tired!

Weekly Wisdom: Don't let anyone rain on your happiness.  If they do, smile, and enjoy the drops that will wash away the dirt and make everything look even better once the sun shines through.

Milestones: Almost at 12 weeks!

Movement

I don't believe I've felt the baby move, but.

But, I did see it move today.  Today was a check-up and on the screen I seen my baby move his/her little hands and kick it's feet.  The doctor said, the baby was moving quite a bit!

Prune

Prune Week 10



My Baby’s Development:  My baby (now the size of a prune,but not nearly as shriveled) has small indentations on his/her legs (soon to be knees and ankles!), and has tiny arms (each are reonly abou the size of this number 1)even have elbows that bend. Inside that little mouth, tiny buds of baby teeth are forming under the gums. The stomach and kidneys are kicking into gear, producing digestive juices and urine, and if it's a boy, his testes are making testosterone (how manly!).

Moi:   For many moms-to-be, those pesky pregnancy hormones cause the smooth muscles of the large bowel to fall down on the job — they get sluggish and you get constipated. Whole grains and veggies can help, as can drinking lots of water and exercising regularly. You might also be coping with headaches and newly visible veins as your body's blood supply ramps up (it'll increase by 20 to 40 percent over the course of your pregnancy!).  I have seen a day or two where to me, my skin seemed pale but with red dots (not like connect them but just flushed)  My uterus is now the size of a small grapefruit. How charming.

Frequent urination:  Not as bad as the weeks before but I'm still waking up at all hours of the night.

Fatigue: You probably still feel as if your get-up-and-go has gotten up and gone, but don’t worry — in about a month you’ll be feeling less tired. In the meantime, don’t be super mom-to-be. Ask for help, get some rest, and work in some exercise when you can. Yes, it seems counterintuitive to go out for a walk when you want to crawl into bed, but you’ll feel peppier (promise!) — and you’ll sleep better.

Breast tenderness and change: Sometimes I grope myself to make sure there's a change. I'm so anxious to have boobies.  Still slightly tender but not as bad as before.

Nausea and vomiting: Not as bad as before but still get the occasional sickness!

Heartburn and indigestion:  Thankfully not yet.

Flatulence: I'm normal in this department and it's been alleviated. =)

Increased vaginal discharge:You’ve got more blood flowing to the pelvic area (good for your sex life) thanks to the pregnancy hormone estrogen, as well as more mucus. The result is a thin, milky-white discharge that you may be seeing now. It’s harmless, so don’t bother with special wipes or washes — these could change the delicate balance of your genital tract and lead to irritation.

Bloating: Oh wow, yes I feel so bloated, I feel like I just cant stick in my stomach =(

Constipation: I hope not to get this too much or at all, I brought home a grinder so I could do some flaxseed treatment

Occasional faintness or dizziness: Your body is still getting used to all that blood pumping through it, so it’s no wonder you feel dizzy occasionally. Be sure to sit or lie down as soon as you feel light-headed (so you don’t fall). To decrease dizzy spells, carry healthy snacks around for a quick blood-sugar boost and stay hydrated

Increased sense of smell: Very increased!

Total weight gain/loss: hmmm, im afraid to step on the scale.

Sleep:  I-N-T-E-R-R-U-P-T-E-D  from visiting the powder room so often I think I actually sleepwalk there just because I’m so use to it now

Food Cravings: Fruit and Veggies.  Although I really wanted a Neopolitan shake from Inn-n-Out so I got one but on my second sip, it was way to sweet.  I've noticed if a food or item is sweet it's double sweet for me and I can't

Best moment this week:  After my scare, I seen the ultrasound and heard the heartbeat and was just so happy that everything so far has been okay.

Movement: Just my heart when it flutters!

Gender: Everyone says a boy but I’m hoping for a girl. In any case, as long as he or she are healthy and has all limbs joints and happy, then I’m happy!

Labor Signs: None!

Belly Button in or out: Belly Button is in but my belly is feeling like it's sticking out. lol

What I miss: Working out like I use to and skating.

What I am looking forward to: another week!

Weekly Wisdom: Be present. 

Milestones: No obsurd cravings!

Visible veins on your body: That increased blood supply is also responsible for the road map of veins crisscrossing their way across your belly and breasts. Those veins are doing the important work of taking nutrients and blood to your baby. So there’s nothing you can do but wait. They will disappear though!

Lower abdominal achiness: Like so many pregnancy symptoms, round ligament pain (which is just a fancy name for those growing pains in that burgeoning belly of yours) is probably something you never expected. What’s causing them? The ligaments that support your belly are stretching out (and getting thinner); and as your belly gets heavier, the weight pulls on the ligaments, causing pain (sharp or dull). The best thing to do is get off your feet and get comfy.

Scarey Situation and an ultrasound picture

On Friday I had a bit of a scare.

I noticed some bleeding but I thought it was ok, but then this dark red (almost black) like substance came out and for a while there I thought the outcome was going to be really bad.

I called Kaiser and they sent a message to my doctor and I waited at home for a few hours, then I started having some pelvic pain. So I called again and they booked me to go in and see an OBGYN.  I went and he did an ultrasound to make sure everything was fine.

The heartbeat was strong and I seen how much this little one has grown.  It's truly crazy.  I started to cry but for good reasons.  I realized even more how much this is a miracle.

I guess he or she just wanted me to see him or her and know everything is okay.  The head looks like it's to the side and looking to your left you can see where the eyes are, the nose, a bit of the ear, the lil arm limbs and the heart.

9 Weeks

Olive

Olive You

Week 9

 My Baby’s Development:  Good-bye embryo, hello fetus!  Now the size of a green olive, my baby has grown about an inch since last week. Tiny muscles are beginning to form, so while he/she might not be ready to pump iron, he’s/she’s gearing up to move both arms and legs.  They say I might be able to hear something at my next visit but guess what? I already have last week.  The head has straightened out and is more fully developed, the ears are much more prominent, and some new organs (the liver, spleen, and gallbladder) are forming. My baby fetus is also making spontaneous movements of his or her arms and legs now that minuscule muscles are beginning to develop, though I won't feel my tiny dancer for at least another two months.

Moi:  They say - Chances are you've never felt so tired in your life and for good reason: Your body is working overtime preparing for motherhood as it develops the placenta, your baby's lifeline. However, they must have never endured a roller derby practice!  At the same time, your metabolism and hormone levels are surging, which triggers a decrease in blood sugar and blood pressure. The result of all this: pregnancy fatigue.  Relief is around the corner as your energy level increases (and morning sickness decreases) over the next few weeks once placenta construction is completed.  The most benign and typical type of vaginal bleeding during pregnancy is called "implantation bleeding" and comes from the spot in the uterus your little fetus has chosen to implant. If the bleeding continues, your doctor or mid-wife will probably recommend that you avoid any heavy/high-energy activities and avoid sex. You may also be placed on modified bed-rest to improve implantation.

Frequent urination:  “Extravagant” should be my word because it just seems to fit these days.  I pee and pee and pee.  If there were a pee fairy, I’d be freakin’ rich!

Breast tenderness and change: OHMG my nuggets are so tender.  Not the kind that you think hmmm, can you spare some bbq sauce.  I feel like I got hit with a dodge ball in both. I think I’ve gained like .25 ounces in boobage.  Not much but definatley a subtle change. Can there be a boob fairy? Please?

Excessive saliva: Thankfully not yet.

Heartburn and indigestion:  Chew some sugarless gum. Chewing increases saliva, which then neutralizes the acid in your stomach. Tums or Rolaids also eases the burn (and gives you a calcium boost to boot). So far no heartburn for me. Yay!

Flatulence: Got enough gas to rival a frat boy?  But if you’d like to keep those embarrassing explosions to a minimum, try opting for small meals that won’t overload your digestive system as much as large meals do. I’m kinda glad at this point that I sleep alone because sometimes I feel like I’m in fraternity: ‘Lamda Gassy Beta Phew’.

Bloating: To keep that gassy, bloated feeling to a minimum, eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water to avoid constipation (see below), which can aggravate bloating. I think I need to hook myself up to an IV on some days…yesterday I felt like a bloated puffy fish it was uncomfortable and it sucked.

Constipation: To avoid even more bloating, try to get those bowels moving at their normal (or prepregnancy normal) pace. Besides drinking lots of water, have a go at fruit and vegetable juices to make you go. You could try hot water and lemon first thing in the morning (or last thing at night) — some pregnant women swear by it!  Not so far, I have flaxseed and it will be my best friend

Increased sense of smell: You would think I have an aardvarks nose with my sense of smell these days.

Total weight gain/loss: Lost 1 more pound since 2 weeks ago (Total is 10.4 pounds that I’ve lost since Sept 1^st).

Sleep:  I-N-T-E-R-R-U-P-T-E-D  from visiting the powder room so often I think I actually sleepwalk there just because I’m so use to it now

Food Cravings: Fruit and Veggies.  Thankfully!

Best moment this week:  When the father said he still loves me. Were going through a bumpy road right now.  Also when my cousin sent me a ultrasound pic of a blueberry. Haha cute.

Movement: just my patas to the toilet.

Gender: Everyone says a boy but I’m hoping for a girl. In any case, as long as he or she are healthy and has all limbs joints and happy, then I’m happy!

Labor Signs: None!

Belly Button in or out: In

What I miss: Sleeping through the night, being able to skate and some of my friends who were in my life who I've sadly lost touch with.

What I am looking forward to: My nuggets growing, hey although its temporary, it's safer than a boob job! And when talking to my BFF Rosa, her son will only be a year older than my kid.

Weekly Wisdom: Tell the ones you love, that you love them.  When someone means so much, don’t let stupid things get in the way, soften your heart, smash your pride and enjoy what time we have with one another.  We never know when that time will be up.  Sometimes I have to remind myself as well.

Milestones: Still losing weight and yes I’m still eating.

On a sadder note, my previous supervisor Dio Sanchez passed away this past Monday and I was lucky enough to send him an email to let him know that I'm growing a little human inside of me.  My current supervisor Theresa let him know in person and he smiled.  In my email I let him know of the wonderful traits he shared with his children that I would love to pass on with my little one, to be vested in his/her future and to not only teach them, but learn along beside them.

Raspberry

I kind of think of Raspberry Tart from my childhood favorite cartoon 'Strawberry Shortcake'

Although its a sweet little charactor my baby is actually graduated from the size of a Blueberry to the size of a large fruit 'Raspberry'

Week 8 - Raspberry

Week 8

My Baby's Development:  My baby is growing at an amazing rate — about a millimeter every day — and now is the size of a large raspberry. My little berry is looking a lot less reptilian (even though he/she has webbed fingers [which are differentiating now] and toes, the tail is just about gone) and a lot more baby-like these days, as the upper lip is forming, the protruding tip of that cute button nose, and tiny (and very thin) eyelids, eyelids, legs, and back continue to take shape. The heart is beating at the incredible rate of 150 times per minute. Even though I can't yet feel it, he/she is now making spontaneous movements by twitching his/her tiny trunk and limb buds.  The

Moi:
My baby's digs are growing, too. Amniotic fluid increases at a rate of about two tablespoons per week to accommodate my womb's growing tenant.

Fatigue: goodness yes! I went to Target and Old Navy the other day and after I was pooped! Well I did some house cleaning and made breakfast too so that may be taken into account.  But last night I was cleaning my room, made dinner, went to the store and was pretty much okay.  Maybe because I was able to eat better and had more nutrition to help me through the day.

Nausea and vomiting: ugh, still here. Every. Single. Day. Well i didn't chuck yesterday so that was good.

Food cravings and aversions: I'm not craving much, just mostly can't stand meat.  The other day my cousin was talking to me and she had corn chips and guac and i had to plug my nose, it was gross.  Weird because i love both of those.  And alcohol, eww makes me kind of gag, especially on the breath of someone.

Flatulence: Along with the bloating and constipation comes that other common scourge of pregnancy: flatulence (aka farting). The (aptly named) hormone relaxin, along with progesterone, is working to relax the muscles in your body, including those in your gastrointestinal tract. This causes food to move along more slowly, which leads to indigestion and gassiness. What can you do about it (except apologize to those around you)? Try to relax when you eat — tension can cause you to swallow air along with your food, which can form gas pockets in your belly. Have to remember this. lol otherwise: No comment!

Bloating: Those swell pregnancy hormones may cause you to swell as they slow down your metabolism. Try to drink lots of fluid and follow a healthy diet to avoid constipation, which only aggravates your bloated feeling.  I do have to drink, more water which I'm doing but I can't tell much because im always chucking.

Constipation: Fiber can be your BFF in the fight against those sluggish intestines, so add some fiber to every meal. But pace yourself if you’re not used to a fiber-rich diet or you’ll find yourself gassier than ever before: For instance, replace that white rice with brown and serve it along with your roasted chicken and veggies but don’t overload your system with a dish of brown rice, tofu, and broccoli.  This is helpful, I haven't been yet but I'd like to avoid this at all costs.  Flaxseed, where are you?!

Increased sense of smell: If your heightened sense of smell is making mealtime preparation unbearable, switch to foods that you don’t have to cook. If there’s a window in the kitchen, leave it open. Or just cook the foods you can stand to eat.  This is a must. I almost gagged when slicing garlic and the mushrooms last night but I wanted pasta so bad, I had to suck it up and cook. It was an easy no tomatoe, no cream sauce based pasta.  Light and tasty.

Increased vaginal discharge: Yet another bodily fluid introduced to you courtesy of estrogen — leukorrhea, a thin, milky vaginal discharge. (When estrogen increases blood flow to the pelvic area, it stimulates the body’s mucous membranes.) Leukorrhea protects the birth canal from infection by maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria, so don’t try to douche or wash it away.

Occasional headaches: Not so much thankfully.

Occasional faintness or dizziness: Again not so much thankfully.

I love dairy

I love dairy, but apparently not as much as this homeboy

I love dairy and am so glad that I can drink/eat it.  I heard that many folks can't and don't have the taste for it.  I love greek yogurt and love milk.  Besides my mom lost a tooth when she was preggo with me so I def need to be on the safe side and increase my milk intake.  Especially since it's a protein and Im not eating much meat these days.

All milk that I buy are from Cows NOT treated with the growth hormone: rBST (wikipedia it)

Why do I choose to drink Organic milk? Well mostly for health reasons that I choose to believe. 

I got this today from Orgnaic Milk Review site  (10/12/10) and check it out:
One requirement of organic milk is that the cows are not treated with antibiotics. Organic milk cows must have access to pasture.  They cannot be treated with BGH – bovine growth hormone, which increases milk production. People feel this is important because there is concern that BGH hormones in milk could lead to higher levels of IGF – insulin growth factor – which is linked with cancer and that it could raise the risk of other hormone-related cancers. They can only be fed grain or grass that is not treated with pesticides.  Check out #6 on the list of the 7 foods experts won't eat.

I usually buy my Organic Milk at Costco but here are other one's that I really really like:

TJ's Organic Cream on Top Milk 
for some odd reason, this taste different....not sure how but just taste better to me.  Maybe the name leads me to believe it tastes better but I do like buying it.

Straus Family Creamery
okay, this one is one of my fav's as well.  Is it because the cool bottle and cap that I can reuse over and over for other liquids or it just tastes better? Not sure but I do like it.

Clover Organic Farms Organic Milk
yup, this one is a good one too.

Blueberries do not like meat!

Every single time I eat meat, I get sick. 

This weekend at my sisters baby shower, I ate some mmm good meatballs.  They were so good that 'blueberry' made me taste them again.  Ugh.

Yesterday (Monday) was a county observed holiday.  So I made some GF banana pancakes with Turkey sausages.  I could only eat the sausages if I had some Agave Nectar on them.  Or I felt like I was going to get sick.

Today I went to Starbucks and got a Chai Tea Latte.  Then I took my friend to McD's for a coffee and she got me a sausage mcmuffin.  It tasted good but 1/2 hour later, it and the chai tea were revisiting the entry point.  So I will keep in mind, no meat for now.

But I have to do my best to be GF while preggo because I do not want to look into the nursery room and see my kid looking like this:

Blueberries heartbeat

Today was my 2nd doctor's visit.  I heard the heartbeat.

But it was there!  I'm trying to upload for you to hear what i'm talking about, but it's not working =( so just imagaine it sounding like a cross mix of Pac-Man and a Washing Machine.

Here is a picture to see the little Blueberry:

It looks more like....i don't know but if your new to looking at these kinds of pictures, it's the lighter side of the black cashew looking part.  Not much to look at this point huh?

Tip - Sick Bag

I have this bag at work that I use for when 'Mary' comes along.

But being that I won't be needing those items for a while I will have to change what's inside of it.

So...here are the tools for my sick bag:

     * Toothbrush (if you don't brush after you chuck, your gross)
     * Toothpaste (you need this with the toothbrush, duh)
     * Mouthwash (I prefer this as an after just to be sure, I never know who I will run into in the lobby)
     * Hard Candies (because this tends to keep me from doing 2 chucks in a row)
     * Rubber Band (or headband whichever comes in handy to hold your hair back when your chucking)
     * Hair Clip (to hold the long parts of your hair out of the way)
     * Black Liquid Eyeliner (well for me, mine comes off from the tears that fall out from gagging)

Yup, those are my tools.  I like to hit the trial sized bin, but I do keep a regular sized toothbrush and toothpaste in my bag.

Happy No Matter What

I know they say to wait.  To wait to tell anyone because anything can happen from now until the 3rd month I believe.

But in my case, I figure this.  At this point, I may need all the prayers I can, so yes I'm telling you and you and him and her and them.  Because I feel that a combination of everyone's prayers is mightier than mine alone.  I won't be alone in this in the future so why start off like that now.

If in the worst case at my appointment next week there is no heartbeat, then that is God's will and I'll go from there.  I will be sad and disappointed but I will look at it as, it's been a lot of years I mean A LOT of years since I was last pregnant so....God is letting me know, it's still a possibility....in the future.

If in the best case at my appointment there is a heartbeat, I'll still need those prayers for a healthy baby.

I thought for a long time I was infertile or what not because it's been so long.  I was using contraceptives but guess what? They are not 100% safe as I am being made aware of.  My prayers were always hoping that one day I'd be pregant.  I never planned on now.  I had other plans to attend too, but we can't control what's laid out for us.  I had to unswitch my medical coverage, I wanted to lose a lot more weight before I could even think about wanting this to happen and more but I'm happy no matter what.

I feel blessed and this is a miracle.  This will be my mantra.  Happy No Matter What.  That is all that I can be. I cannot start this off negatively, I wouldn't want my child to ask me one day, "Hey mom, what did you think when you found out?"  "Oh, kid, you were unplanned and the thought of you stretching out my cooter made me miserable and I wasn't happy at all....or excited." 

I'm the evolution of an unplanned pregnancy.  I know what it's like in some instances that I won't share here.  I was the mud in the tire that got stuck but in the end, I turned out fine.  Why? Because I came into the world with so much love that I never missed out on anything else.  This world is ugly enough and negative enough that I can't do that or let myself believe that. Even if my hormones or life tosses water soaked sponges at my face, I will do my best to smile, breathe and keep moving.  Even if my facial muscles hurt, if I'm out of breath and I feel like I'm walking with cement buckets on my shoes.

Now I'm not going to throw a pity party.  Because right now I see the road as such:

What may right now seem as a long and lonely road, there is light.  How that light beams upon me is in God's hands and I will be okay with whichever path it leads me too next.

I like to view this as: after I've hit that beam of light, this is what it will look like next:

Even more light.

Blueberry

Week 7 - Blueberry

It's officially Week 7 and my baby is the size of a blueberry (and 10,000 times bigger than at conception). That's crazy!



Week 7 Development



My Baby's Development:

Most of the growth is concentrated in the head as new brain cells are generated at the rate of 100 per minute. My baby's mouth and tongue are forming as arm and leg buds sprout, and those little kidneys are getting ready to do their job (pee production and excretion). Kinda weird and gross to think I have extra pee and poop inside me somewhere. lol



My baby is going out on a limb this week as his or her arm and leg buds begin to sprout and grow longer (and stronger), dividing into hand, arm, and shoulder segments — and leg, knee, and foot segments (though the limb buds look more like paddles than hands or feet at this early stage).

Also forming this week are my baby's mouth and tongue. And although my embryo is just one month old, it's already gone through three sets of kidneys. The ones in place now are the permanent set and are poised to begin their important work of waste management. In about a week, my baby will start producing urine. Lucky for me, there's no need for diapers (yet). As my baby matures inside you, much of that urine will be excreted into the amniotic fluid, swallowed again by your baby, and then excreted again in a continuous cycle.  Now, this is gross and I will save this to show him/her that hey, eating vegetables ain't nothing when he or she was recyling some of that amniotic fluid! lol

Moi:
Bigger Breasts:  My baby might be the size of a blueberry, but my breasts are supposed to probably look more like melons. By this point, some expectant moms have grown a full cup size.  However, so far, they are just tender little nuggets. =(   They seem like little baby melons...well...premie sized at least. The areola, the dark area around the nipple, has already gotten darker and larger — and will continue to grow and deepen in color over the months to come. So I'll have what may seem like burnt chocolate chip cookies? WTH?

Pregnancy aversions: ugh. no joke. I hate beef. Meat.  but I had a taco, but now I'm burping it so it's gross again.  Just thinking of Beef/meat makes me SICK!

Frequent Unrination: Check.  I think I need a pillow and a TV in the restroom. Ok ok im exaggerating but I'm sure that will come in handy later....but I did get to visit my stall frequently.  I have been drinking more water to help avoid being stuffed up. lol

Fatigue: Check

Breast Tenderness & Changes: The 1 other thing I was looking forward too...I'll have to keep an eye on these little nuggets to see if they grow into little melons.

Nausea and vomiting: I'm trying to stay away from my pills, but geez, I feel slightly quesy.  *update* I had to take one last night but I was still kinda sick and I tossed up that Taco Hell. ugh. Grossness.  My boss said to look at it as: "Barfing is Beautiful".  =)

Excessive Saliva: gross. Hasn't happened yet and I'm glad because snail trails are not cute!

Food cravings and aversions: I haven't had any yet. I'm just SOOO undecided!

Heartburn and indigestion: I guess I have to either drink BEFORE or AFTER I eat because too much food with fluid, will distend my stomach and aggravate burn. I hope this doesn't happen, I seen my friend and she was eating like 20 tums a DAY!  I should start staying away from spicy, fatty foods and caffeinated drinks (which I don't drink much anyhow).

Consitpation: my answer will be Probiotics in yogurt and maybe pill form after I check with my doctor. Probiotics (which I've always been a believer of) stimulate the intestinal bacteria to break down food better and help your digestive track keep things moving.