Written February 23, 2017

I hope to put my heart and soul into this sweet boy in the same way I did for Nieva. Its of course a touch more difficult as I have more I am spread between these days. I will include some weekly bump shots to catch up here.

I have been working with Sandra Maurer of Whole Beginnings to stay on target with some different things in pregnancy and delivery preparations. We started working together on fertility education and now are working on pregnancy education. Have been re-educating myself on a ton and newly educating myself as well as so much has changed or been learned in the past 7 years.

We are still working on whether we would like to opt for c-section due to history or try for natural birth. There is much that goes into that decision and is ours alone, but will keep the progress on that decision updated when more has been determined. That will of course dictate which direction I ago with a lot of my research and preparations.

As far as health, there has been some ebbing and flowing. Nieva was sick off and on about 6 weeks here. Two positive strep tests and then suspected influenza and then last week I had caught a horrid viral cold of some kind. This week Nieva broke out in rash and low grade fever and a barky cough. Long story short this has been interrupting my yoga teaching schedule and my groove. Starting fresh this week.

We purchased a treadmill (something we have wanted to do for a long time as our development has no sidewalks and ice and snow isn't cleared the best) and today was my first day to start on that. I know what people say about treadmills. They turn into clothing racks lol. Also, I have a membership at the Y. But I am really hopeful to keep at this for the sake of our little peanut and this will make things a lot easier for me. I also am doing a lot of squats and my yoga personal practice as well as teaching kids and restorative yoga. I have found I am VERY "vata" (see Ayurvedic constitutions) this winter. Very anxious and overwhelmed thinking about everything to prepare for babe. The dry cold weather is making it worse. Also, worrying about nutrients and what to eat or not eat and getting enough protein and thyroid healthy foods.

I have been vegetarian for over 5 years now so have been incorporating some (pregnancy-safe) sea food here and there and I can tell the iodine uptake is helping with thyroid function and mood. Even though I am really not a big fan of fish or eating any animal for that matter, I am working towards balancing and unfortunately the supplements alone were not doing the trick for me. Seeing many studies show eating (pregnancy safe non-mercury) seafood is linked to higher intelligence and health in children later... so we decided to focus on healthy options a few times a month. Have been inspired while reading "Your Fit Pregnancy" (Willick) and am hoping to incorporate some healthy changes from that as well.

It has been incredibly difficult to find credible information about proper exercise technique in pregnancy. I am incredibly thankful I studied a weekend last year under the fabulous Carole Westerman (Can find her work at www.yogaglo.com) out of Omaha. I am working towards my prenatal yoga certification under her (Am already an RYT-200 level certified yoga instructor). I learned a ton about posture and adjustments for pregnancy as well as ways to avoid issues with diasti-recti, swelling and sciatica. Working with Sandra of Whole Beginnings has also been awesome to add new tools to relacation and yoga practice.

Today, I am starting a personal challenge. I created a 30 day challenge for the moms in one of the Cancer Mom groups I am in (Momcology has been an amazing resource for us having a childhood cancer survivor) so we could have some accountability together. I am modifying for me a touch for pregnancy and excited this will also give me accountability. Today for me was just 25 minutes walking on the treadmill, 25 squats and some gentle floor yoga. I walked 3-4 miles at the Omaha Zoo Tuesday and will be walking a lot I am sure on upcoming vacations so trying to stay in the groove of moving which is hard when I am editing and on the computer a lot. (Excited for a 12 hour wedding this weekend at a gorgeous apple orchard/barn venue, Texas in 3 weeks to shoot a wedding, Cali in April, Spain and Italy in May, and Florida in June). Also, making a commitment to cutting out cheese and sugar as well as possible. That is tough when I already eat a restricted diet, but going to do my best! No fatty cheeses for lent.

In other news, we got a baby shower scheduled for April 22 which my friends Kristin, Danielle and Kyriel are putting on. Making a registry and guest list for that soon and am SO excited to have a social thing to look forward to! :)

We also are in the process of switching rooms around prepping the nursery and also picking out a name.

Lots of updates and more to come!! <3