Announcing Murch Baby #4!

We are expecting our fourth baby, due October 15, 2015! After battling with my health for many months and often wondering if I'd ever be healthy enough to carry another baby, I am truly overcome with joy and gratitude that the Lord has restored my health and opened my womb once again. Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

My bump on Friday--at 5 weeks, 1 day

The Back Story (which contains some details probably only ladies would be interested in):

As I have mentioned previously, I started struggling with my health in a major way about a year and a half ago when I started having gallbladder attacks. I spent many months with no energy and frequently in severe pain. I had a hard time keeping up with basic household duties and caring for my husband and children. I was the recipient of much help, and by God's mercy, and with the help of a wonderful doctor, I am doing SO much better (and I do still have my gallbladder!).

Throughout the months of dealing with my gallbladder, I was still nursing Joshua (I realize I could have stopped, but I really didn't want to--a discussion for another day!). I was eating a diet of little to no saturated fat for many months and I lost a tremendous amount of weight. I also hadn't had a menstrual cycle since January of 2012 when I got pregnant with Joshua. 

Joshua weaned in September of last year and I went right into GAPS Intro. I had been doing the full GAPS diet for about 6 months and still had lingering issues with my digestion. Doing that made all the difference for me. I was able to eat animals fats liberally and tolerate them well for the first time in over a year--beef, eggs, chicken with skin, ghee. I also added nuts back into my diet. Finished with the intro, I was feeling really good. I was eating plenty of fat, carbs, and protein and not having any pain in my gallbladder! I gained some weight back and eventually had a cycle again about 4 months after Joshua stopped nursing.

During the months of feeling really bad, I had prayed that the Lord would close my womb until I was healthy enough to be pregnant, and for the first time I really felt like I was healthy enough. I was mentally prepared for it to take a while to conceive since my body had been through so much and since it had been so long since I had a cycle, but I truly wanted to be pregnant.

A few weeks after my period, I started to have some pregnancy symptoms, but I brushed them off as other hormonal stuff since I didn't want to get my hopes up. I was super hungry and drinking a lot more water, among other things. I tested at 28 days and it was negative. Same at 29 and 32. Then on the afternoon of Day 35 (at church, after the service--a little bit impatient!) I took another test and almost immediately there were two pink lines!

I am so thankful for this sweet babe. I'm tired and hungry and already feeling a bit round, but truly, I am SO thankful. With my other children, I never had to wonder whether I'd be able to conceive again. I think going through what I went through with my health and then praying that the Lord would restore my fertility and praying that He would bless us with another child has given me a whole new level of gratitude for the privilege of carrying new life in my womb.

"My soul doth magnify the Lord,And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden...
For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation." ~Luke 1:46-50

Pregnancy Update: 40 Weeks, 6 Days

Joshua Gianavel Murch

Born 10/16/12 at home at 3:35am

9lbs., 3oz; 22 inches long

We are once again in awe at the kindness of God towards our family in blessing us with another sweet babe, and thankful for a healthy delivery for both Joshua and I. Birth story to follow soon!

Pregnancy Update, 37 Weeks (!)

Taken this morning--37 weeks & 3 days

As of this week, we officially reached "full-term" status! Both Katie and Benjamin came after their due-dates, so I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for labor to start--but this baby is quite a bit lower sooner, and I started having a lot of pressure and occasional contractions right at 36 weeks. So--I'm trying to be as ready as I can just in case.


Our home visit was last Friday. It was exciting to go over all the details, knowing that within just a few weeks they'll all be back at my house to welcome our sweet boy into the world! Because of all the pressure I'd been having we decided to go ahead and do an internal exam to see what was going on (mostly because I was curious). Baby was at "-1" station and I was 1 cm. dilated.

All seems well with the baby and myself. My blood pressure, glucose, and hemoglobin levels are great. I measured 35 cm., and I've gained 27 pounds. I've been feeling pretty good, though I have some normal aches and pains that come with being hugely pregnant. I have been going to the chiropractor every week, which has helped my back stay in pretty good shape.

While there are a few more organizing projects I'd love to get done before this little man makes his appearance, we are pretty much ready when he is. I can't believe it will be just days until I have him in my arms!

I have gotten to the place where I am actually really looking forward to laboring and giving birth rather than dreading it. I've done it twice in the past 3 1/2 years, so I know (I know) it will hurt like nothing else and be really hard work. But birth is just so beautiful. Even though it's so hard, I look back on both Katie's and Benjamin's births with such awe.

Truly, God has designed our bodies so wonderfully. It's so incredible that the babe I feel kicking around in my belly, this babe who I love so very dearly, did not even exist at the start of this year. In January he was microscopic and now he is a full-sized child who could fit into the sweet clothes that are washed and waiting for him. He has spent his entire life in my belly, and soon my body will do the amazing work of bringing him out into the world.

God's handiwork is just awesome.

How are you other pregnant mamas? Anyone have a new baby?

Other Updates from this pregnancy:
::5 Weeks
::17 Weeks
::22 Weeks
::27 Weeks
::32 Weeks

An update on The List

A couple of weeks ago, I shared the list of things I want/need to get done before Baby #3 makes his appearance. Thankfully, I've been able to chip away at it quite a bit. My original goal was to have everything done by September 10, which I don't think will happen--but I'm shooting to have it done by the end of next week. We'll see how it goes!

To do:

• Organize all our children's clothes. Sort things into hand-me-downs for Joshua, a few special girl items to save, and items to consign/give to Goodwill.
• Wash, sort and, and store clothes Joshua will use. Put newborn and 0-3 month clothes in his drawer.
• Put together a toy organization system Katie can handle by herself.
• Fix the cabinet door on the children's dresser.
• Make cloth wipes
• Clean and set up bassinet
• Freeze at least 10 dinners worth of food, plus breakfast items {I have 4 dinners' worth of main dishes frozen plus a few miscellaneous things}
• Order more cloth diapers (I'm thinking 10-12 more) and get them washed and ready to go {The diapers are here and have been washed once. They say to wash them 3-5 times before using}
• Get noise machine, hamper, and GoodNite Lite for Katie and Benjamin's room {The noise machine is working out so well we opted to skip the GoodNite Lite for now}
• Pick up a new DVD or two for Katie and Benjamin (not because I advocate rotting their brains in front of the TV all day--but I know there will be the occasional moment when I really need something to hold their attention during the transition into life with three babes)
• Purchase a Baby K'Tan carrier (I've finally settled on this to add to my baby-wearing arsenal)
• Order birth kit
• Gather other birth supplies {Everything is bought. I just need to get it all in one place}

Getting ready for Baby #3

That photo of our little man was taken almost fourteen weeks ago. Y'all, that means I have less than 7 weeks until his due-date!

I am getting really excited to meet my sweet baby boy, and my brain has definitely transitioned into "getting ready for baby" gear. Since this is my third time welcoming a baby into the world (and it's been less than two years since I had a baby boy), we have basically everything we need. It's just a matter of organizing and getting ready. And, since I have some experience, I also know what things will matter to me after the birth and be important in making for a speedy recovery and peaceful transition.

A couple of weeks ago, I put together a list of things I want to do and things I need to (or would like to) buy before Joshua makes his appearance.Thankfully with help from Ben and my Mom, I've been able to chip away at my list.

To do:

• Organize all our children's clothes. Sort things into hand-me-downs for Joshua, a few special girl items to save, and items to consign/give to Goodwill.
• Wash, sort and, and store clothes Joshua will use. Put newborn and 0-3 month clothes in his drawer.
• Put together a toy organization system Katie can handle by herself.
• Fix the cabinet door on the children's dresser.
• Make cloth wipes
• Clean and set up bassinet
• Freeze at least 10 dinners worth of food, plus breakfast items 
• Order more cloth diapers (I'm thinking 10-12 more) and get them washed and ready to go
• Get noise machine, hamper, and GoodNite Lite for Katie and Benjamin's room
• Pick up a new DVD or two for Katie and Benjamin (not because I advocate rotting their brains in front of the TV all day--but I know there will be the occasional moment when I really need something to hold their attention during the transition into life with three babes)
• Purchase a Baby K'Tan carrier (I've finally settled on this to add to my baby-wearing arsenal)
• Order birth kit
• Gather other birth supplies

My goal is to have everything finished by September 10, so we're ready a month before the due-date (just in case he comes early--though I'm not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen!).

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for supporting this site!

Pregnancy Update, 32 Weeks

32 weeks, 1 day

32 weeks already?! That means I only have one more prenatal check-up until my midwife and birth assistants come for a home visit--and after the home visit, we go to weekly check-ups until this little man makes his appearance. Basically, I'm going to blink my eyes a couple of times, and this babe will be here.

We had a check-up with my midwife yesterday, and everything looks great. I've gained 23 pounds so far. My blood pressure was still good (106/60--it has been right around 100/60 the whole pregnancy), Baby is measuring right on (32cm.) and sounded good. He is head down and in a great position for birth already. Last time I went he was quite low, and gratefully he has moved up some. It was a little early to be feeling the pressure I was feeling!

He is a busy, busy guy and is the first of my three to actually wake me up during the night with his antics. I will be interested to see if his personality matches his busy-ness. With Katie and Benjamin, this did prove to be the case! I think it's pretty fun to have several months to begin getting to know your baby before you give birth.

I am feeling pretty good overall. I've started to waddle a bit and bending over are getting a little more difficult, and the past few days I've had a hard time getting back to sleep after waking up to use the bathroom in the wee hours of the morning. I'm really hoping that is just a passing thing, and not something that will happen all the way until I'm waking up with a baby in the wee hours of the morning!

I've been thinking more earnestly about actually preparing for Joshua's arrival and have a list going of things I want to do/buy. So far, nothing is crossed off. But--my mom is coming into town next week, and I'm hoping to make a good dent in the list while she's here. I'll probably share a little more about my plans with y'all before too long.

How are you other pregnant mamas doing? I'd love to hear your updates in the comments!

PS: For those who are interested, here is my 32 Week update from when I was pregnant with Benjamin.

Pregnancy Update, 27 Weeks

27 weeks today--sorry for the blurry phone picture!

Time definitely goes by at lightning speeds when you spent your days chasing little ones and keeping up with the needs of a growing family! I can't believe I'm already at 27 weeks with Baby #3! He's going to be with us on the outside before I know it (which also means I am going to be in labor before I know it--eek!).

I had a check-up with my midwife yesterday and everything looked great! In addition to typical stuff she checked my hemoglobin and glucose levels which is standard for this point in the pregnancy.

We choose to decline the traditional glucose test  and instead go with a non-fasting finger-prick test. This is completely fine with my midwife because:

     ::I have none of the risk factors at all for gestational diabetes and
     ::it's gross and the syrup is not exactly health food.

My glucose has been well within the 'normal' range every time I've had it checked as an adult so far, as it was this time. For you numbers folks, it was 92 and "normal" is up to 130.

My fundal height was 28-29cm., which is a 6 cm. jump from last time. He's a growing boy! I've gained 17 pounds so far--a little more than I had gained with Benjamin at this point, and a good bit less than I had gained with Katie (I started my pregnancy with Benjamin much heavier than I started this pregnancy, and about the same as I was when I started my pregnancy with Katie).

The baby is already head down--but with the amount of movement I feel, who knows if he'll stay that way! I think he is my busiest baby in the womb so far. It feels like this child is doing somersaults all day and all night.

I have overall been feeling really good. I've continued to exercise regularly, which I think helps a lot (only indoors though--it has been way too HOT for outside walks). I have to be careful not to stay on my feet too long (more than 2 hours seems to be my limit) without sitting down for a bit or my feet and legs get tired and sore. I also do get an occasional headache--but those are really my only 'complaints' (besides the occasional punch in the bladder, which I don't love)!

My mom is coming up for a week at the end of August to help me get ready for Baby Boy's arrival (she'll also come up around my due-date and stay until he's a couple weeks old--so thankful for her help!). When she leaves, my due-date will only be 6 weeks away. 6 weeks!

I'm trying to come up with a realistic list of things I'd like to get done while she's here. Any tips for transitioning from two three-and-under to three three-and-under? :)

How are you other pregnant mamas doing? I'd love to hear if there is any way I can pray for you and your babes!

Pregnancy Update, 22 Weeks (It's a...)

Baby's sweet profile

I intended to do this update at 20 weeks, but time has just gotten away from me! I cannot believe that this pregnancy is already definitely--even if I go a week overdue again--halfway over.

There are days when I wonder what in the world I'll do with three little ones (though I do know, of course, that God will give me the grace I need to handle a new season of life!) and other days when I am so anxious to hold this sweet babe, whose kicks I enjoy feeling throughout the day with increasing strength and frequency, in my arms.

By God's grace, I've continued to feel great. I'm definitely the most in-shape I've ever been during a pregnancy (still able to do jumping jacks!). I've gained 13 pounds, and so far my blood pressure and other labs have looked good. I'm hungry all the time and drink water like a camel, but I guess that's to be expected for a pregnant mama--especially during the summer! This will actually be my first time getting big during the summer months, so I'll be interested to see how it compares.

I'm due for an appointment next week with my midwife and after that it's just one more until we move to appointments every other week. Once it gets to that point, I feel like pregnancy flies!

Two weeks ago today, we were able to catch a glimpse of our baby when we went for our mid-pregnancy ultrasound. Thankfully, Baby appears to be developing well.


We were also delighted to find out we'll be welcoming another boy into the family!

When it came time to look for the gender, this little one had his legs tightly crossed and a hand blocking the view of his bottom! Finally, the ultrasound tech said we had a girl.  But, then Baby moved around and she got about 8 pictures that confirmed his boyhood, so we're pretty confident she was right despite her initial announcement. We haven't chosen a name yet, but I think we have it narrowed down to a couple.


And that's about it! How are you other pregnant mamas doing? Have any of you had your babies?

Staying Healthy Through Multiple Pregnancies, Pt. 3

If you missed the other parts of this series you can find them here: Part 1 (pregnancy nutrition), Part 2 (prenatal exercise and chiropractic care).

For those of you who are new to this little series I've been doing, we've been talking about how to keep ourselves healthy when we're in the whole cycle of being pregnant, nursing, or both for many years at a time (this June I'll be at 4 years myself!). Because our bodies are working hard to grow new little people (and we spend so much time and energy pouring ourselves into meeting their needs--as we should!), it's easy for our health to slide, but that's definitely not the best scenario!

We have talked about nutrition as well as the benefits of exercise and chiropractic care (links above). This time we're going to talk about supplements. I don't take all of these throughout my entire pregnancy, but they're all excellent and can be helpful in aiding gaps in our nutrition (though they're definitely not a substitute for good nutrition!).

::Food-based prenatal vitamin: Using a multivitamin that is made of food rather than synthetic "vitamins" means your body will use a lot more of the nutrients. I've been using Garden of Life Raw Prenatal this pregnancy, which contains probiotics. If you use a vitamin without probiotics, I highly recommend adding a probiotic to your supplements. This brand is good.

::JuicePlus+:This is an excellent supplement, especially if you have a hard time getting enough fruits and veggies in. It is made of 100% fruit and vegetable juice. Studies show that it greatly boosts immunity and protects DNA from free radicals. And, it's safe to take along with your prenatal vitamin.

::Liquid Calcium/Magnesium: I use this brand as needed. Most prenatal vitamins don't have enough calcium and it's an especially important nutrient during pregnancy and nursing because your body will leach calcium from your bones if you don't consume enough!

::Red Raspberry Leaf: This is basically the miracle herb for pregnant women. It is great for toning the uterine muscles, among other things, and clinical trials actually support a shorter labor and reduced use of forceps during delivery. (Source: Botanical Medicine in the Home) You can buy a red raspberry leaf pregnancy tea or make your own. Red Raspberry Leaf is also available in capsules. I've been using the pregnancy tea blend my midwife gave me which has hibiscus for flavoring and it is delicious!

::Omega 3's: Our standard American diet is very high in Omega 6 fatty acids and sorely lacking in Omega 3's. The ratio of Omega 6's to Omega 3's in our body plays a vitally important role in our overall health. I've read that some studies show a higher IQ in children whose moms takes an Omega 3 supplement during pregnancy. Nordic Naturals makes excellent quality Omega 3 supplements.

While there are other supplements that can be helpful during pregnancy if any particular symptoms show up that need to be addressed, this is a basic list that would be good for most any pregnant or nursing mom.

And, as a note: I am not a licensed health care professional--just a mama who's a nerd about health and nutrition. Please discuss any supplements with your health care provider, especially if you're pregnant!

And, I believe that concludes this mini-series! If any of you have questions I'd be happy to follow up with a Q&A post.


This is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.

Pregnancy Update, 17 Weeks

I'm amazed that I'm already 17 weeks along with Baby #3! In my experience, pregnancy goes faster each time (perhaps because I'm a bit busier each time than you were the time before!).

I have been so thankful to have felt really well this pregnancy, even compared to both of my other two. I had some minor nausea and cravings/aversions during my first trimester but they have all subsided. Though I was a tad bit more tired than usual, most days I didn't sleep in or take a nap and did just fine (though I definitely had my off days). This was quite the contrast from my first two pregnancies, when I had to sleep at least 9-10 hours at night during my first trimester and needed naps most days.

I don't know if this is related to our ever-improving diet plus the fact that (for the first time), I was consistently exercising before getting pregnant and have continued working out several times a week from the very start of the pregnancy. But, I know those things certainly haven't hurt and I'm thankful to God for such a kind providence!

This is The Bump and I on Wednesday, at exactly 17 weeks. I think I look a lot smaller than I did last go around (here's a picture at 10 weeks) but I think it's probably because I weigh so much less than I did last time and I was able to work my core more in between pregnancies.

I've gained seven pounds so far. At 17 weeks with Benjamin, I was only up one pound, but at 15 weeks I had gained five and then lost it all in a nasty stomach bug. With Katie, I had gained 13 pounds by the time I was 16 weeks.

We've had three check-ups with our midwife so far and everything has looked great. All my labs came back fine and Baby's heartbeat has been strong (between 150 and 180). I've also been going to my chiropractor every two weeks, which has helped my back and hips tremendously.

I felt my first definite baby kick on April 23 at 15 weeks, 5 days. It was sooner than I've ever felt movement before, and oh-so-sweet! I'm feeling movement at least a couple times per day now. It really is so incredible to feel a person kicking around in your belly, and I am so thankful for every day with this precious babe as my constant companion.

We have our next midwife appointment in a week and a half, and then on May 25 we have our big 20 week ultrasound scheduled! I'm really excited to see our baby. In addition to making sure Baby is developing well, we're hoping to catch a glimpse of the gender. Unlike my last two pregnancies, I have absolutely no "hunches" this time around (I was right the first two times), so it will be really fun to find out! We have tossed around some names but we haven't decided on a name for either gender yet.

I can't believe the halfway point in this pregnancy is only three weeks away (technically--though given my record of going overdue it's probably more like three and a half weeks away. ha!). I'm so thankful to the Lord for a third healthy pregnancy. His grace toward me is so incredibly abundant, and far beyond what I could've ever dreamed of.

How are you other pregnant mamas doing? I'd love to hear in the comments!

Staying Healthy through Multiple Pregnancies, Part 2

If you missed the first post in this mini-series, let me fill you in a little bit.

We've been talking about how to stay healthy when you're having several children who are pretty close together. I know mine aren't super close (no "Irish twins" so far), but my third will be born before my oldest turns four, so they are still pretty close together. Ben and I started focusing on getting me as healthy as possible before I became pregnant this time around, and have continued to prioritize my health throughout this pregnancy.

In the first post, I discussed pregnancy nutrition, which is probably the most important issue to focus on in keeping yourself (and your developing baby) healthy. This time, I want to draw your attention to the importance of exercise, and the benefits of chiropractic care.

Exercise during pregnancy

Photo Credit

 I didn't really exercise much while I was pregnant with Katie. I was working 40 hours a week and just didn't feel like it. I gained over 50 pounds that pregnancy! I didn't do much exercise between my pregnancy with Katie and my pregnancy with Benjamin, either.

Even though I started walking regularly in my second trimester with Benjamin, I definitely felt the effects of my lack of fitness after he was born. My abs were shot, and as a result, I had a lot of trouble with my back for many months following his birth. In fact, it's still not completely better.

I have gone to my chiropractor with some level of frequency since before Benjamin was born just to keep me functioning, but I noticed the biggest long-term improvement when I started doing this Postnatal Bootcamp DVD . I think strengthening my core made all the difference in the world. I did this workout regularly up until I suspected I was pregnant.

Once my suspicion was confirmed, I bought the Prenatal workout DVD set by the same lady and have been really enjoying it this pregnancy. I try to exercise 5 days per week (though that doesn't always happen!), trying to do the yoga portion every day (and alternating between cardio/toning and walking) because I notice a big difference in my back and hips if I do.

In my experience, exercise during and after pregnancy (assuming you have the OK from your doctor or midwife and you're doing exercises that are safe for your stage of pregnancy or postpartum recovery) can be very beneficial. It's energizing, helps moderate weight gain, helps with fluid retention and circulation--just all around good stuff. And, keeping yourself in shape during pregnancy makes it much easier to get back to your pre-pregnancy body and prepare your body for carrying another baby eventually as well.

Chiropractic Care During Pregnancy
I was introduced to chiropractic care when I started having trouble with my sciatic nerve at about 35 weeks pregnant with Benjamin. After hobbling around for a few days, I finally went in and ended up going regularly. I also had really awful back labor with Benjamin.

Before that time I really had barely had any back pain in my entire life, pregnant or not. Since then, my back hasn't ever been 100% perfect again and I have grown to love my chiropractor. Some women like getting their toenails painted? I like getting my back cracked. ;)

Between my pregnancies, I had been going for adjustments just when I felt like I really needed to. At my first prenatal check-up, one of the burning questions I had for my midwife was how in the world I could avoid back labor and her advice was to get regular chiropractic care throughout the pregnancy.

I've been going every two weeks, and we're hoping that keeping everything well aligned will do the trick and prevent the back labor when this sweet babe gets around to making his or her appearance. Back labor is usually related to the baby's position (though Benjamin was not posterior), and having a well aligned back and pelvis makes it harder for the baby to work him/herself into a bad position.

So, that's that! What are your experiences with exercise and chiropractic care during pregnancy? How have you moms of many kept yourselves healthy through so many pregnancies?

In the next installment (and I think the last), we'll be talking about some supplements I highly recommend.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you order any of the products off of Amazon, I will earn a small kickback. Thank you for supporting this site!

Homemade herbal pregnancy tea

32I've never been great about drinking pregnancy tea. I think I just don't like Red Rasberry leaf. But, I know how beneficial herbs can be in addressing specific health concerns during pregnancy and otherwise. When I recently had to design an herbal pregnancy tea for an assignment in my natural health course, I was excited to try to come up with one with nourishing herbs to address pregnancy complaints and tasted good.

After some trial and error and help from my wonderful sister-in-law, this is what we came up with:

Peppermint (2 parts)
::Pleasant flavor
::Helps with nausea


Red Rasberry Leaf (1 part)
Red Rasberry Leaf is a wonder herb for pregnant women.
::Contains calcium and iron (both very important during pregnancy and birth)
::Is said to reduce risk of miscarriage and postpartum hemmorhage
::Strengthens the uterine muscle.
::Some clinical studies show that regular use during pregnancy can decrease the length of labor.
::Eases morning sickness

Nettle Leaf (1 part)
::Helps with leg cramps
::Contains iron, chlorophyll, and Vit. C
::High in calcium
::Helps prevent fluid retention
::Helps with hemorrhoids postpartum
::Encourages healthy milk supply

Alfalfa Leaf (1 part)
::Increases Vit. K, helping prevent hemmorhage
::Increases available hemoglobin
::Encourages healthy milk supply
::Eases morning sickness
::Can help prevent tooth decay

Dandelion Leaf (1 part)
::Increases mineral absorption
::Helps with constipation, loss of appetite, and upset stomach

Chamomile Flower (1 part)
::Helps with upset stomach
::Calming effect (can help with insomnia)

Milk Thistle (1/4 part)
::One of the best herbs for easing morning sickness

To enjoy, use one tablespoon of loose leaf tea to every cup of water throughout pregnancy.

Do y'all drink pregnancy tea? Do you make your own, or buy pre-made tea bags?

Disclosure: I am not a medical professional. It is recommended that you speak with a healthcare professional before consuming herbs if you are pregnant.

Weight Watchers Online

Since childhood, I have had a difficult time staying at a healthy weight (read: I've been at least a little bit overweight since I was a little kid). Before I got pregnant with Katie, I was within 5-10 pounds of an ideal weight. BUT, I gained about 50 pounds while I was pregnant. Though my weight fluctuated some after Katie was born, when I got pregnant with Benjamin I was only 10 pounds below my end-of-pregnancy weight. I lost 10 pounds early in my second pregnancy and then gained a total of 20, putting me at the same end-of-pregnancy weight I was the first time around.

This time, I lost my pregnancy weight by the time Benjamin was 6 weeks old (yay!), but that still put me 30 pounds heavier than I was when I got pregnant with Katie. At the beginning of the year, I decided I was going to make a concerted effort to get back to at least what I weighed when we got married, and hopefully about 5-10 pounds less. So in February, I bit the bullet and signed up for Weight Watchers Online. Since then, I have lost 18 pounds. It works!

For those of you unfamiliar with Weight Watchers here's a quick rundown: You get a daily points allowance based on gender, height, weight, age, activity level, and breastfeeding status (this is part of what attracted me to the program--they make extra allowance for breastfeeding to avoid compromising milk supply). Each food you eat has a points value. Staying within your allowed points should help you lose 1-2lbs. each week. I started off at 50 points per day, and am down to 48 since I've lost some weight.

At first glance, it might seem Weight Watchers has some incompatibilities with a real food diet. They recommended eating low fat/reduced fat dairy (and everything else) and avoiding fat which I am convinced is not healthy even if you want to lose weight. And, they promote artificial sweeteners as a good alternative to high-calorie sugar, which I definitely think is a major no-no! So, here are a few tips I've gathered from four months of following the Weight Watchers PointsPlus system.

::Eat lots of fruits and veggies. Fruits and vegetables are SO good for you, and the Weight Watchers PointsPlus system allows as many as you want (for the most part--potatoes, corn, coconut, and avocado do count against your daily points allowance). I know my produce consumption has increased quite a bit since I started the program.

::Eat your fat. Most fats count as 1 point per teaspoon. However, I find that when I am more generous with fat, I end up eating less throughout the course of the day. For example, eggs with buttered toast "lasts" longer than eggs with plain toast. Since your body cannot properly absorb many nutrients without adequate fat intake, it's really important to make sure you get enough!

::Protein, protein, protein. Lean proteins do not usually take up too many points, but they keep you full for a long time. Eggs are only 2 points each, and make for a healthy, filling, and cheap meal anytime of day. :)

::Watch the sweets and empty calories. One thing I love about this program is that there is room for splurges as long as you stay within your points. Hello? I can eat ice cream a couple times a week and still lose weight? Yes, please! ;) But, empty calories really do add up and eat away at your points allowance if you don't watch them carefully.

::Measure everything. I have gotten in the habit of serving most of my food with measuring cups and spoons. That way, I'm not too generous with my portions. You have to stay within your points diligently to lose weight on the program (the little bites do add up even if you don't track them! ;)

I've been really happy with how successful Weight Watchers has been for me so far. It's $18 per month, but since it's helping me get back to a healthy weight, we really think it's worth it. I signed up through ebates and got a $10 rebate (plus an extra $5 just for signing up for ebates), making it even more affordable to begin.

How have y'all gone about losing your baby weight after pregnancy? Have any of you tried Weight Watchers?

This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.


Disclosure: The ebates link is my referral link. If you sign up through my link, I get a small kick back. Thanks for supporting Covenant Homemaking!

Pregnancy Update: 40 Weeks!

Earlier today--exactly 40 weeks pregnant!

 Well, today is the due-date, but apparently little Benjamin missed the memo! My absence the past week wasn't because I had a baby without telling y'all! My birthday was last week and my mom came into town on Friday to be here for the birth and my recovery. I've been enjoying spending time with her, and blogging has been pretty far from my mind--I'm sure you can understand! It's such an exciting time around here.

I had a check-up with my midwife yesterday, and everything still looks good. I haven't had a single high blood pressure reading the entire pregnancy, which I am so thankful for! I also have basically no swelling or water retention. My wedding rings even still fit--I had to take them off two months before Katie was born because they were too tight. I've also only gained 21 pounds this pregnancy, instead of twice that like I did last time. I think our current diet versus the way we used to eat, as well as being much more active have helped me stay so much healthier this time around.

Surprisingly at 40 weeks pregnant, I am feeling really good. I don't have many aches and pains. There is some difficulty with bending over and rolling over in bed, but certainly nothing intolerable. I'm so thankful to have had two relatively easy pregnancies. I know some women are just totally miserable for the entire 9 months! The only reason I'm anxious to not be pregnant anymore is because I am just SO excited to meet this precious baby and hold him in my arms, not because I'm exhausted and sick and tired of being pregnant.

Yesterday my midwife checked, and I was 2cm dilated and 40% effaced. Not a whole lot--but I guess that's 2 centimeters I don't have to deal with during labor! I've been having some contractions off and on, but nothing consistent enough to convince this little guy to make his appearance. So for now, we wait...!

Pregnancy Update, 38 weeks

I fully intended to have a picture with this update, but as of yesterday I'm sick, and I am somewhat disinclined to post a photo of myself in maternity yoga pants and a t-shirt for all the world to see. I'll do another update next week (maybe the last one with Baby Boy on the inside!) and hopefully have a picture to go along with that one!

So, today I am 38 weeks and two days pregnant, putting me just 12 short days away from my due date! I can hardly believe how fast this pregnancy has gone by, and am getting quite anxious to meet this sweet little man who's been my constant companion for the past (almost) 9 months.

Besides being sick since yesterday, I have been feeling surprisingly good for being as far along in pregnancy as I am. I'm not sleeping as well as usual, due to frequent bathroom trips and the need to switch which side I'm sleeping on to keep my poor hips from aching. As a result, I have been a little more tired than usual and have slowed my pace down a little bit--which is probably needful at 9 months pregnant regardless of how well you're sleeping!

I had a check-up with my midwife yesterday and everything's looking pretty good. I've gained 19 pounds so far, and measured 38cms. Thankfully, my blood pressure is still completely fine (at 38 weeks with Katie, it was 130/90 at my check-up), and I am getting more and more hopeful that this baby can actually be born at home! The other good news we got was that my Group-B Strep screen came back negative--I was positive  when I was pregnant with Katie and had IV antibiotics during my labor, so I'm pretty excited about the negative results this time. She checked my hemoglobin and glucose as well, and both were good.

This past Friday, I had contractions for a couple hours and we got a little bit excited about the possibility of meeting our boy, but they stopped and I haven't had any since. Thankfully, it was a reminder that I needed to finish gathering all the supplies we need to have here at home for when he actually does decide to make his appearance. So, I now have all the supplies I need in a box in our room--complete with granola bars and some other healthy snacks. Labor's hard work, you know!

It's almost surreal that within a few weeks, I'll get to meet my sweet baby boy and hold him in my arms for the first time. My mom is coming up the 17th and will stay with us for a couple weeks, which will be so nice. It's hard to wrap my mind around what it will be like to be home with TWO little ones during the day, and I'm sure having Mom here to help with the transition will make it a lot easier--especially since I've been told I'll need to go two weeks without lifting Katie!

How are all you other pregnant mamas doing? Has anyone had their babies since the last pregnancy update? I'd love to hear!

And now, I'll go back to resting, drinking tea, and taking vitamin c, echinacea, raw garlic, and Juice Plus in hopes of getting better quickly and regaining my strength for the big day! My mother-in-law is going to bring some of her delicious soup over for dinner tonight--isn't that so sweet?!

Pregnancy Update, 32 Weeks

Baby Bump at 32 weeks. Excuse my hair--it was really windy!

 A whole four weeks have gone by since my last pregnancy update. I am amazed at how fast time is flying and can hardly believe we're due to meet our little man in just eight weeks! We had a check-up with my midwife yesterday morning, and everything looks great. I only have two more check-ups until I reach full-term status. Unbelievable!

Baby Benjamin is still head-down {yay!} and he seems to be growing well, based on my measurements. Over the last couple weeks, I've definitely felt his movements getting stronger and more frequent. I have also been able to feel him hiccuping as of late--I'm going to guess this is more fun for me than it is for him! The work the Lord does in knitting together each person in his or her mother's womb never ceases to amaze me. Just seven months ago, our sweet baby was smaller than a pinpoint. At this point, he is well developed enough that even if he was born in the next couple of weeks (which I hope he's not, of course), he would most likely do fine with very few long-term difficulties. Wow!


As for me? I think I'm doing pretty well for being seven and a half months pregnant. I'm definitely starting to feel BIG. I've noticed a slight waddle to my walk, and simple things like bending over and rolling over in bed are becoming more difficult. I'm so thankful for my sweet husband--he's always willing to help with things that are difficult around the house as I'm getting bigger, and he graciously puts up with my need to hog the bed sprawl out at night in order to be comfortable.

My blood pressure hasn't given any indication of being problematic like it was during my pregnancy with Katie, and we're hoping and praying it stays that way. If it does, everything looks like we'll be good to have a midwife assisted home birth sometime in 6-10 weeks!


How are you other pregnant mamas doing? Have any of you had your babies yet?

Pregnancy Update, 28 Weeks

Yesterday, at exactly 28 weeks

I simply cannot believe we are due to meet our sweet baby boy in just under twelve weeks! I know it is going to fly right by, especially with the holidays, and he'll be in my arms before I know it. I am really looking forward to welcoming Benjamin, Jr. into our family and having a sweet little newborn again (and here's hoping he's as good of a sleeper as his big sister was!).

We had a check-up with our midwife today and everything seems to be going great. My blood pressure had already started going up at this point in my pregnancy with Katie, and so far, it seems just fine this time around. She checked my hemoglobin and glucose and those were both good as well. And, Baby Boy is in the right position with his head pretty far down, but we know he could still wiggle into a different position before he gets head down permanently.

Aside from getting up every night to go to the bathroom (which didn't happen when I was expecting Katie) and the occasional leg cramp, I haven't really been experiencing a lot of the typical discomforts that accompany this stage of pregnancy. I do find I need to take it easier than I do when I'm not pregnant. If I don't, my back and feet are pretty achy by the end of the day.

I've only gained 8 pounds this pregnancy, bringing me almost up to what I weighed when I got pregnant, since I lost 10 pounds during my first trimester. Since Baby Benjamin appears to be growing just fine and I'm feeling good, we're comfortable with the lack of weight gain. I'm thankful that I won't have a ton of extra weight to lose after he makes his appearance, since I had a bit left from my pregnancy with Katie when this one started out.

I've been trying to go walking 4-6 times every week. When my Mother-in-Law joins me and pushes the stroller, we are able to go a little over two miles, but when I go by myself I only end up going about a mile and a half before I get a little uncomfortable--I guess pushing the stroller adds some extra strain to my muscles. Who would've known?

I'm so thankful to the Lord for keeping both Baby and me healthy for these 28 weeks we've been together, and look forward to meeting this boy soon! How are you other pregnant mamas doing?

Pregnancy Update: 22 Weeks

Baby Bump today--exactly 22 weeks

This pregnancy seems to be going by a whole lot faster than my pregnancy with Katie. I can't believe we're only 18 weeks (plus or minus) away from getting to hold this precious baby in our arms! I felt Baby move for the first time about 6 weeks ago, but I've only been able to feel consistent movements for a couple weeks. It is so reassuring and precious to feel my sweet baby kicking around in my tummy as I go about my day. A couple nights ago, Ben got to feel Baby for the first time, which was really exciting for both of us.

The first picture of our sweet boy's face.

We had our mid-pregnancy ultrasound a week ago, and in addition to being so thankful that Baby looks completely healthy, we were thrilled to find out we're having a little BOY! He was not the slightest bit shy about it and really left no room at all for doubt about his boy-hood.

I am so thankful to the Lord for a second healthy and relatively easy pregnancy thus far. What a blessing and joy to be entrusted with two precious children to raise up for the advancement of His Kingdom!

How are you other pregnant mamas doing?

Amazing deal on Rainbow Light Prenatal Vitamins

Prenatal vitamins are not a replacement for a healthy diet during pregnancy, but they can certainly help tie any loose ends. I take Rainbow Light Prenatals because they are food based, so the nutrients are easily absorbed by the body. In addition, , and I was able to get them for $21! they contain some herbs to help with pregnancy discomforts and they have pro-biotics to help with digestive health. They have been recommended to me by more than one midwife as the best prenatal vitamins on the market. 

 

I bought a big bottle when I found out this baby was on the way and it is just about empty, so I was researching the least expensive way to get them and decided to go with Amazon. Normally, a bottle of 360 tablets (a 4 month supply--you take 6 per day) would cost well over $60 at the health food store, and a little less on amazon. This morning when signed in to place my order, they were priced at just over $21! Plus,  I had a $5 gift card that I got by using swagbucks, making them just over $16. And, I signed up for a free trial of Amazon Prime at checkout, giving me free 2-Day shipping as well (if you do this, make sure to cancel it if you don't want to pay for a year subscriptions!).

If you're trying to get pregnant, you are pregnant, or you're nursing, I highly recommend looking into this great deal!

Pregnancy Update: 17 weeks

This pregnancy seems to be flying by (though admittedly on some days, it seems like December will NEVER get here!). I simply can't believe I'll be at the halfway mark in just three weeks (and possibly in my next update, I'll be able to tell y'all if Baby is a he or a she)! I think having a toddler to chase around all day makes time go by a lot faster.

We had a check-up with our midwife on Friday and all seems to be well. My lab work from my first appointment was great. I am only up one pound so far for the pregnancy--which is fine since I'm still hanging on to some of my Katie weight. Baby's heartbeat was good and strong at 150 beats per minute, and much to my happy surprise I felt my first definite baby kick while sitting on the sofa at my appointment. What a thrill that was! I have felt Baby a few times since then, and it's kind of like being pregnant for the first time all over again--I get so excited every time. :o)

Thankfully, I am pretty much 100% back to my normal self, aside from needing a wee bit of extra sleep at night (about 9 hours instead of 8). I've finally started going for a brisk walk about 5 days out of the week. My mother-in-law has been joining me and we bring Katie along in the stroller. It's been quite nice (albeit kind of hot!). I'm really hoping the consistent exercise will help my labor be a little shorter than my labor with Katie was.

I am so thankful to the Lord for a healthy and not-too-difficult pregnancy thus far. How are you other pregnant mamas faring these days?

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