Pregnancy Weightloss

When pregnant, doctors say a healthy amount of weight to gain is 25-35 lbs.  If you start off smaller, you should gain closer to 35 lbs. 

I'm 5'3, and weighed 117 (in the evening on doc's scale) when I got pregnant.  This was about 5-10 lbs higher than I prefer to be, but it is what it is.   I've always been pretty small - in high school I was always 100 lbs or less and in college I was about 105/110 - but marriage and a lack of exercise will definitely cause you to gain!  It's ok though, I don't really stress about my weight but wanted to share my story and how pregnancy affected my body.

This was the summer of 2011 - right before I got pregnant.  I would guess I hovered around 112 or so.

The bottom picture I was actually 4 months pregnant.  I didn't start showing until about 21 wks.  I can't completely remember what I weighed throughout my pregnancy, but I think at 4 months I had gained about 10 lbs.  

Now, there's no denying that I ate and ate my way through pregnancy.  I'm talking Einstein's bagels and orange juice for breakfast every day (this was a 1000 calorie breakfast lol), Philly cheesesteaks or Fudruckers for lunch, and whatever I felt like for dinner (Chick Fil A? sure.  Yogurtland for dessert? Definitely).  I also didn't exercise much (well, I walked about 1 mile per day if you count that).  I'm surprised I didn't gain more, and also very thankful.

Left: 6 months; Top right: 7 months; Bottom right: 8 1/2 months

I feel like my arms and face gained the most weight, which is weird because still to this day I can barely zip up my pre-pregnancy jean shorts.

So anyways, all and all I gained 36 lbs.  I was 153 lbs when I got to the hospital to deliver.  For my next pregnancy, I fully intend on eating healthier and working out.  Labor was pretty hard for me and I attribute a lot of it to the fact that I was so out of shape.  

8 1/2 months

Off topic but looking at these pictures totally makes me miss being pregnant...even though I wasn't one of those girls that loved pregnancy.

Now on the to weight loss...

Came home from the hospital weighing 147 lbs.  They say you lose at least ten pounds after birth, but I managed to only lose the exact weight of the baby (um, not fair).  I almost fell off the scale when I saw that, as I was expecting to weigh at most 140!

I didn't really do anything the first two weeks, and I mean anything, but I somehow managed to get down to 133 lbs.  Walking around and doing normal things hurt, so exercise was out of the question.  I did breastfeed, so I attribute that and just losing general bloat weight to the weight loss.

This was 11 days after I delivered

About 2 months after I delivered, I started doing P90X as often as possible.  I also started eating less and healthier.  I got down to 125 lbs within 3 months of having her, and currently weigh 122.  I would still like to lose 5-10 lbs, but I'm pretty happy with where I'm at.  It's funny how your priorities shift once you become a mom -  yes, I'd still prefer to look how I did in college, but as long as I'm healthy than so be it.  Truth be told I just don't have the time or the energy to work out as often as I'd prefer, and sometimes grabbing fast food for dinner is just easier and less time consuming than cooking.

Hmmm, I've just realized that I don't have any "current" photos of myself other than the ones in John's Birthday post.  My camera is completely bogged down with pictures of Camdyn, haha.

So to be continued!  I'll have John take some pics of me tonight and this weekend (his favorite thing to do...haha...not) and post a follow-up.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

CAMDYN IS HERE!!

So this is definitely a little late and I apologize, but having a baby is definitely time-consuming!  Especially at first since you're also recovering from labor (btw, no one ever tells you how painful it is!).

Camdyn Ellie Brooks was born on May 10th at 11:44am.  My water broke at 2:00am and John and I rushed to the hospital.  Driving over there was very surreal - and even now when I drive past the hospital I tear up!  I started having contractions around 2:30 and my oh my those are PAINFUL!  Anyone who is able to give birth naturally is literally my hero!  I got an epidural around 4:30am and that was a gift from God.  Pain = Gone!  I was able to talk and laugh with John and the nurses while waiting to progress more into labor.  Around 6:30am nurses came rushing in and hooked me up to oxygen.  They said the baby's heart beat dropped and they were concerned.  They gave me a huge ball to put between my legs to get her in a better position.  This (the oxygen mask and ball) happened twice before I could start pushing.  Little Camdyn was head first, but was slightly turned, so they wanted this to be corrected before pushing.

At 10:00am, I began pushing.  Even with an epidural, that is probably the hardest thing I've EVER done.  I kept telling the nurses that with my next pregnancy I'm going to work out that way I can push better.  It was the most out of shape I've ever felt!  After 15 min I thought I was going to die...but continued to power through for almost two hours before she was born! 

Poor baby came out blue and wasn't crying.  This scared the crap out of me.  Was something wrong with her?  Why wasn't she crying?  I kept asking the nurses and doctors if she was ok, and they kept saying "yes," but still...no crying.  I hadn't read much at all about labor and one could definitely say I was unprepared, but I knew for a fact that a baby is supposed to cry as soon as they're born.  More nurses/doctors rushed in and hooked Camdyn up to oxygen and got her breathing.  She still never really cried, but thank God she is ok :)

The rest of the stay is pretty much a blur.  Doctors and nurses in and out of the room checking on both me and Camdyn.  The staff at the hospital was AMAZING though.  They were great at comforting me and helping me with everything.  I give my birth an A+ for that reason, even though it was "traumatic" for both me and Camdyn.

Leaving for the hospital!



Last picture of me pregnant



In hospital bed, this must have been after epidural since I am smiling



Hooked up to oxygen and with that giant ball between my legs



John and I waiting to see Camdyn



Baby Camdyn - 6 lbs 7 oz and 19 3/4" long

First family photo :)  My world <3

39 Weeks...

So I'm officially 39 weeks today!  Due date is ONE WEEK away (or sooner!).  Well, errr...or later :/  John and I's one-year wedding anniversary is May 21st...so I'm *really* hoping I can avoid her being born on THAT day!  The doctor said a few weeks ago that they induce after 40 weeks, and as long as your body is cooperating (meaning you are dilated/effaced I'm assuming), they will let you decide the day.  Ok - that being said I pick the day I'm 40 weeks and 1 day - May 15th! :)  BTW at last appointment I was 3 cm dilated and 80% effaced!

We had a great weekend!  Friday night had dinner with my parents and some of their friends, followed by delicious Yogurtology.  Saturday John had a few bids in downtown Phoenix, so I decided to tag along so he could take me to Mary Coyles - the BEST old fashioned icecream shop ever!  Then walked around the mall for awhile in hopes of getting Camdyn to drop...unsuccessful...still pregnant.  Sunday same thing - mall walking in hopes of getting baby to drop.  Today I will probably be hitting the mall yet again to get my walking in!  I would walk elsewhere, but it's VERY hot outside...especially for being pregnant.  Mall is the only place I can think of where I can actually get some exercise.

Poor hubby is out working all the way in Gold Canyon, this week and last week.  Yup, Gold Canyon is the city where the candles come from, so that's pretty cool!  But it's also so far away he doesn't have cell phone service!  **Side note - he DOES receive texts somehow, so if I go into labor he'll be getting a text and coming back, no worries!**  Being that far makes for some VERY long days for him, so I'll try and make sure house is clean and dinner is ready when he's home so he can relax. 

Now for Pregnancy Update:

How far along? 39 Weeks and counting...

Total weight gain: 35 lbs exactly.  I'll probably end up gaining 40 total which isn't tooo bad.  Next pregnancy I will definitely watch what I eat a little more.
Maternity clothes? Nope, just longer tank tops and jean shorts now since it's so hot.  My jean shorts are just a few sizes bigger.  Baby is so high up that I can even button them!
Stretch marks? nope!
Sleep: A lot better, actually.  I wake up about 4-6 times to pee, but I fall back to sleep right away which has been nice.  I need my rest NOW before Camdyn is here!
Best moment this week: Being 1 week from my due date
Miss Anything? not really lol - maybe not being completely exhausted just from walking up the stairs haha
Movement: it's slowed a lot lately.  I feel her a tiny tiny bit in the morning, then in the evenings she moves, but other than that she's pretty comfy I'm guessing
Food cravings: lately it's been junk food.  I'll admit, I had 4 paradise bakery cookies two days in a row last week, plus had Sprinkles cupcakes and desserts from another yummy bakery, Sweet Tooth Fairy :)  man i'm actually surprised i haven't gained MORE weight lol! 
Anything making you queasy or sick: anything that smells bad
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: nothing really :(
Symptoms: just the usual
Belly Button in or out? out
Wedding rings on or off? on - I haven't swelled really at all.  Feet get a tiny bit swollen if I walk a lot, but even then I am the only one who notices it
Happy or Moody most of the time: happy!!  except in the mornings - for some reason i'm very cranky in the morning and then am fine as the day progresses
Looking forward to: feeling that first super painful contraction - then I know I'm close!

38 Weeks + Update

It's been awhile since I've posted.  Lots been going on - last Wednesday I had my 37 week dr appointment and found out I am 2.5 cm dilated and 70% effaced!  Dr said the baby could literally come any day now!  6 days later, still no baby :( lol.  I've completely cleaned and organized her room, kept the house clean, and sorta started packing hospital bag (well, layed out the bag and thought of what I want to put in it!) for when she comes!  I've also tried to speed things along by running up and down the stairs, going for walks every night, drinking raspberry leaf tea, and eating spicy foods.  Still nothing.  I'm realizing that little Camdyn is going to come when SHE wants to, not when I want her to :)

John and I spent Saturday having a "Date Day" - more on that later - as it very well could have been our last weekend as just the two of us.  Sunday we picked up our free washer/dryer (thanks Beth & Christina!!) and came home to find our Schnauzer having severe tooth pain.  I took him to the dr yesterday and he's going in for surgery today to have some teeth pulled.  $500 later, I'm sure he'll be fine.  Definitely even more grateful now that we got a free washer/dryer!

So here is my 38 week update:

How far along? 38 Weeks

Total weight gain: lost 1/2 a lb at my last appointment...we'll see where I'm at tomorrow.  Probably still around 33 lbs total gained though.
Maternity clothes? Not lately, actually. I have long shirts that I wear, and I've been living in jean shorts that are just a few sizes bigger than what I normally wear. And of course T-shirts and soffie shorts to lounge around the house in.
Stretch marks? nope!
Sleep: Well, we got our fan installed in our bedroom so two nights ago I slept like a rock.  Last night, I was worried about Duke and had a lot on my mind, plus I have to pee about 6x/night, so I don't think I fell asleep at all actually.
Best moment this week: Finding out baby could come anyday!
Miss Anything? hmmm not really this week
Movement: yup! very active little girl.  She's been moving more so than usual...not sure if that means she's coming or setting up camp in my belly!
Food cravings: OJ has been my main craving, other than that I'm always up for anything
Anything making you queasy or sick: anything that smells bad
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: minor contractions here and there
Symptoms: Just tired
Belly Button in or out? out
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: lately I feel like I've been happier, but I do cry randomly over small little things that really shouldn't make a person cry
Looking forward to: coming home with Camdyn!

37 Weeks - Full Term

So I am officially full-term with this pregnancy, meaning baby could come anytime and will be as healthy as can be!  Most first-time mom's deliver a few days to a week late, though, so I'm not expecting to have her anytime soon.

  

Here's a little survey:

How far along? 37 Weeks

Total weight gain: 33 lbs - yikes!!  Doctor said a lot of times smaller women gain a little bit more weight.
Maternity clothes? Not lately, actually.  I have long shirts that I wear, and I've been living in jean shorts that are just a few sizes bigger than what I normally wear.  And of course T-shirts and soffie shorts to lounge around the house in.
Stretch marks? nope!
Sleep: not the best.  I fall asleep relatively quickly, but then wake up about 3-4 times to go to the bathroom and never go back to sleep.  I then get up at 6 with my husband and attempt to go back to sleep at 7, but the neighbor dogs bark ALL morning long, so I normally just lay there.
Best moment this week: Baby Shower for sure!!! 
Miss Anything? Sleep! Granted, I've never been a good sleeper.  I do miss my pre-pregnancy body though lol
Movement: tons, especially in the evenings.  I think she's trying to come out my belly button!
Food cravings: OJ has been my main craving, other than that I'm always up for anything
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Just tired
Belly Button in or out? out
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: haha both :)  mostly happy but I also do get very moody randomly
Looking forward to: meeting our little girl in a few weeks!!

4 more weeks...

4 weeks until Baby Camdyn is here!!  John and I have been busy moving and getting everything set up.  John's been very hard at work putting her room together (painting and wainscotting / putting together crib / installing fan / etc).  It's coming along great!!

Light pink walls and the wainscotting will be Swiss Coffee (ie off-white)

The wainscotting took a little while to figure out, but once he got the hang of it, it was smooth sailing.

Priming the wainscotting - paint to come soon.

So pregnancy-wise I've been doing great!  The move was definitely extremely tiring, and it's a lot of work getting the house ready, but I've been feeling completely fine other than being exhausted.  I went on Maternity Leave last week, so it's been a huge blessing to be able to sleep in, run errands, clean, and be a housewife!  John's super busy and a super hard worker, so I've been helping him with advertising and handling the budget, and making sure he comes home to a clean house, dinner, and dessert (dessert more for me!).  I've also been getting up with him to make him breakfast and lunch...I figure it's the least I can do considering he's awesome and letting me stay home for over a month without even having a baby!!

Here's a few pictures of me and my growing belly:

John and I at my friend Vanessa's wedding - I was 30 weeks pregnant

35 weeks pregnant with our stroller / carseat combo

36 weeks pregnant - shirt's a little too small lol

36 weeks pregnant

36 weeks pregnant - helping with the nursery

I can't wait for the room to be done so I can start decorating!!  I painted her name a few weeks ago, so I'm going to hang that above the crib:

Ahh can't wait to meet our little girl!!