I hurt! My body is so mad at me for not being more active and it's telling me about it now. It's so hard to be active in winter, in Iowa, while pregnant. Yes those are my excuses and I'm sticking to them! I have been planning my fitness (or something like that) routine for after Leo's born...it includes lots of walks just me and my boy and then both of my boys :) I hope that I'm more motivated to eat better and just exercise more once I have him. I have been eating better...at least a little but there are still those temptations...like ice cream and cupcakes that I indulge in because he wants them ;)
Why do I hurt? I just got done moving all of my merchandise to the new store location! No, nothing was too heavy but up and down the stairs really paid. I originally planned to move this weekend and really let Tim move most of the stuff (I'm giving like that) but I got an email from Aimee last night saying that they want her to have a c-section next week! She has placenta prevera (or something like that) and had some issues and they don't want her to go into active labor. She and the baby are completely fine they and there shouldn't be any complications but if she would go into labor she could h;ave issues with bleeding too much so they are playing it safe. So we wanted to make sure I got in there and could learn her register and such before she had her little bean. I'm so happy that they will both be fine and I'm so excited for her to have the baby! They opt'd to be surprised on the sex so I can't wait to know if Leo's going to have a little girlfriend or a boy to play trucks with!
So all the items are at the store and we've actually gotten a lot out already and will continue to put stuff out tomorrow. I'm so relieved to be done with that and Tim will move the big stuff (furniture, etc.) this weekend for me. It's a breath of fresh air and if you or someone you know has every had their own business you understand how rewarding and how taxing it can be. It's so nice to have that push and to know that it's not just on my shoulders but I have someone to help think of fun things and help push me to go through with them!
Some things we've come up with so far:
Shopping Happy Hour: Once a week, probably Wednesdays, hosting a special from 4-6. There are a lot of bars in the area as well so this should be really good!
Girl's Night Out: My friend Carrie told me about a store in Mason City that does this where one lady, once a month wins a Girl's Night Out for her and 10 friends to come shop after hours and there is wine tasting, food, eye brow waxes, and other fun stuff for free or they just tip the person. We figured it would be great advertisement and a fun way for friends to get together and relax while they shop.
Sidewalk Sale/Open Houses: We want to get together with the other stores in the area and host one big Sidewalk Sale/Open House for the Spring and Summer to really bring people down to the Village.
I'm also going to have a booth on Saturdays at the Farmer's Market which is huuuuuuge here...they probably have 2,000-3,000 there each Saturday in the summer so it should be really great advertisement and another way to sell my handmade items.
So even though I'm whining right now to Tim to give me a foot rub and how much I hurt I feel amazing and really am motivated for the upcoming weeks and months.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Love is in the air
Valentine's day has came and went and it was the 5th wonderful one that I've gotten to spend with Timothy. We never doing anything super exciting since after Christmas and then both of our birthday's in January we're just tired, but we do use the day to spend together and just enjoy this last Valentine's day that we'll have as just a couple...although we're both pretty excited to have a new Valentine next year.
I was so moved by the sermon at our church yesterday and we have one every few weeks that really confirms that it is our spiritual home (that and all the wonderful people!). The sermon was lay lead which we have once a month. A lay lead service is where members of the congregation actually pick and plan the whole service and perform it. I love these services because you never know what you are going to get and they usually leave you rolling laughing! This weeks was more serious however, it was in honor of the right to love. Yesterday the Unitarian Universalist declared it "National Standing on the side of Love" Day (http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/). A UU congregation is a welcoming congregation so that means all people are welcome to explore their spiritual and religious paths. I feel so lucky to belong somewhere that respects all love...even if it may not make sense to them.
We got to hear from a lesbian couple who is raising their twin boys and the struggles they have had to face up until now (go Iowa!) in the adoption process and so on because same-sex marriages are not legal everywhere. I understand that this is a very touchy subject to a lot of people but I really think we need to look into our hearts on this matter and not our minds. How would you feel (or maybe you were made to feel this way) if you were told that who you were created to love was wrong? I know that a lot of people disagree with it on a religious level and you know what that is ok...that is why everyone gets to choose the church they attend and the way they worship and if their church does not want to perform ceremonies for these couples that is completely ok. Heck, my mom and dad had churches turn them away 25 years ago because mom had me in her tummy! That is their choice but it should not be anyone's choice who you marry or love but your own. I continue to hope that each state will follow Iowa's lead and make this a legal issue and not a religious issue because I'd love the god momma's of Leo to get the opportunity to have the piece of paper to legally prove their love.
I was so moved by the sermon at our church yesterday and we have one every few weeks that really confirms that it is our spiritual home (that and all the wonderful people!). The sermon was lay lead which we have once a month. A lay lead service is where members of the congregation actually pick and plan the whole service and perform it. I love these services because you never know what you are going to get and they usually leave you rolling laughing! This weeks was more serious however, it was in honor of the right to love. Yesterday the Unitarian Universalist declared it "National Standing on the side of Love" Day (http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/). A UU congregation is a welcoming congregation so that means all people are welcome to explore their spiritual and religious paths. I feel so lucky to belong somewhere that respects all love...even if it may not make sense to them.
We got to hear from a lesbian couple who is raising their twin boys and the struggles they have had to face up until now (go Iowa!) in the adoption process and so on because same-sex marriages are not legal everywhere. I understand that this is a very touchy subject to a lot of people but I really think we need to look into our hearts on this matter and not our minds. How would you feel (or maybe you were made to feel this way) if you were told that who you were created to love was wrong? I know that a lot of people disagree with it on a religious level and you know what that is ok...that is why everyone gets to choose the church they attend and the way they worship and if their church does not want to perform ceremonies for these couples that is completely ok. Heck, my mom and dad had churches turn them away 25 years ago because mom had me in her tummy! That is their choice but it should not be anyone's choice who you marry or love but your own. I continue to hope that each state will follow Iowa's lead and make this a legal issue and not a religious issue because I'd love the god momma's of Leo to get the opportunity to have the piece of paper to legally prove their love.
Monday, February 8, 2010
16 Weeks and Counting Down :)
I had my 24 week check up today with the midwife that is quickly becoming my favorite! There are 4 midwifes at the office I go to and they have you see them all so you are comfortable with who delivers your baby. They are all so sweet but Kim gives off more of the "mom" vibe without being old and she has her own children and grandchildren so she really understands the questions, urges, and wonders of being an expecting momma.
Some people have asked why I chose to use a midwife instead of a regular OB/GYN so here are a few reasons.
1) Like I said there are 4 midwives in the practice I go to. There are 11 doctors. Right there it gave me a much better feeling to only have to meet with 4 people instead of 11 so I can have at least some familiarity with them before the big day.
2) Midwives are women and most OB/GYN's are men. Not saying men can't be wonderful (they have many useful purposes) but when it comes to birth and the miracle of pregnancy I want to have someone instruct me that has gone through it and truly understands it.
3) Midwifery, to me, is more of an artform than a science. I don't believe the miracle of birth should be sterilized or unnatural. Midwifes, from what I've heard/read, will help mothers develop a natural birthing plan and they are there from start to finish! Whenever I watch the Baby Stories and such the doctor only comes in to check to see if the momma is dialated and then when she's pushing. A midwife is there the entire time to coach and help you through it.
4) Midwifes are less likely to push drugs on the woman. Many doctors will start a woman on Petosin when it's not really needed just to speed things along. This may sound great but it can actually make labor more violent and it is extremely stressful to the unborn baby. Doctors will also move to c-sections quicker than midwives. Statistics show that the most c-sections (unplanned) are performed in the last hour of the doctors shift and in the late hours of the day...which just seems a little fishy to me.
5) We chose a midwife lastly because that was the solution that seemed right for us. We had the luxury of even getting the choice...if we lived in Mason City still I don't think we would have. It's been a great experience and if you get the chance to pick I would suggest to at least see a midwife during one of your pregnancy visits to see if it's right for you!
So back to the appointment. It went great! I measured right on target but when we went to hear the heartbeat it was a little scary because it took a little longer than every other time. She explained though it was because the machine kept picking up my pulse and it made it hard to hear Leo's. Once she did though she let me listen extra long to put my mind at ease and she said it was just perfect!
I am so thankful that this pregnancy is going along so well. When you've had a miscarriage it's always in the back of your mind that something bad can happen at any time. Thankfully Leo is growing to be a healthy boy and I've been doing my best to be as healthy as possible. I've really be watching my weight gain (12 lbs at 24 weeks...not to bad) and what I eat. I've been trying to go by the rule: Would I let me toddler eat this? Before I put it in my mouth. That way I'm not excluding everything but I'm limiting (like I'm probably not going to let my 3 year old eat fast food 3 meals a week, ice cream is fine as a treat not a daily snack, etc) and it's been working well. I'll admit it's getting a lot harder though these last few months! My blood pressure is also really good which will hopefully limit my changes of having preclampsia. I have my gestational diabetes test next visit so hopefully that will go well too!
Finally the belly is popping and I'm stretch mark free! Lets all cross our fingers that this continues. Tim has being giving me belly rubs a few days a week so hopefully this helps. Even if it doesn't it's a really nice time for me and a way for us to be close during the pregnancy. I'm so ready for it to warm up though...I'm going to make some dresses to wear doing the last few months because pants are just not comfy at all to me.
Only 16 more weeks until our little Leo is here to snuggle and I can't wait! It's amazing how much love I have for him...I'm sure it will multiple by even more once he's here.
Some people have asked why I chose to use a midwife instead of a regular OB/GYN so here are a few reasons.
1) Like I said there are 4 midwives in the practice I go to. There are 11 doctors. Right there it gave me a much better feeling to only have to meet with 4 people instead of 11 so I can have at least some familiarity with them before the big day.
2) Midwives are women and most OB/GYN's are men. Not saying men can't be wonderful (they have many useful purposes) but when it comes to birth and the miracle of pregnancy I want to have someone instruct me that has gone through it and truly understands it.
3) Midwifery, to me, is more of an artform than a science. I don't believe the miracle of birth should be sterilized or unnatural. Midwifes, from what I've heard/read, will help mothers develop a natural birthing plan and they are there from start to finish! Whenever I watch the Baby Stories and such the doctor only comes in to check to see if the momma is dialated and then when she's pushing. A midwife is there the entire time to coach and help you through it.
4) Midwifes are less likely to push drugs on the woman. Many doctors will start a woman on Petosin when it's not really needed just to speed things along. This may sound great but it can actually make labor more violent and it is extremely stressful to the unborn baby. Doctors will also move to c-sections quicker than midwives. Statistics show that the most c-sections (unplanned) are performed in the last hour of the doctors shift and in the late hours of the day...which just seems a little fishy to me.
5) We chose a midwife lastly because that was the solution that seemed right for us. We had the luxury of even getting the choice...if we lived in Mason City still I don't think we would have. It's been a great experience and if you get the chance to pick I would suggest to at least see a midwife during one of your pregnancy visits to see if it's right for you!
So back to the appointment. It went great! I measured right on target but when we went to hear the heartbeat it was a little scary because it took a little longer than every other time. She explained though it was because the machine kept picking up my pulse and it made it hard to hear Leo's. Once she did though she let me listen extra long to put my mind at ease and she said it was just perfect!
I am so thankful that this pregnancy is going along so well. When you've had a miscarriage it's always in the back of your mind that something bad can happen at any time. Thankfully Leo is growing to be a healthy boy and I've been doing my best to be as healthy as possible. I've really be watching my weight gain (12 lbs at 24 weeks...not to bad) and what I eat. I've been trying to go by the rule: Would I let me toddler eat this? Before I put it in my mouth. That way I'm not excluding everything but I'm limiting (like I'm probably not going to let my 3 year old eat fast food 3 meals a week, ice cream is fine as a treat not a daily snack, etc) and it's been working well. I'll admit it's getting a lot harder though these last few months! My blood pressure is also really good which will hopefully limit my changes of having preclampsia. I have my gestational diabetes test next visit so hopefully that will go well too!
Finally the belly is popping and I'm stretch mark free! Lets all cross our fingers that this continues. Tim has being giving me belly rubs a few days a week so hopefully this helps. Even if it doesn't it's a really nice time for me and a way for us to be close during the pregnancy. I'm so ready for it to warm up though...I'm going to make some dresses to wear doing the last few months because pants are just not comfy at all to me.
Only 16 more weeks until our little Leo is here to snuggle and I can't wait! It's amazing how much love I have for him...I'm sure it will multiple by even more once he's here.
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