Updates!

Dear Classic Mom Diary:

Wow, pregnancy has been such a journey so far. We are 20 weeks, so exactly half way, on Thursday. Two days from now! We are also getting increasingly closer to finding out the gender. We have taken the ultrasound, we're just waiting on the doctor to receive the results. I am really excited about that part. I was upset because my doctor said that they would tell me in the hospital, but a few friends warned me they most likely wouldn't. They didn't, as I suspected might happen, so naturally that put a little damper on things, although I didn't allow for it to upset me completely...we got to see our wee one dancing around and yawning, after all!

My dreams have been insane. From people trying to kill me, to people trying to steal my things, and Toby and I fighting, it has been a lot of violence. I can't seem to understand why, I always go to bed with pretty happy or neutral thoughts. I suppose it's one of those hormonal things. I wake up pretty consistently, every 1.5 - 2 hours, although some nights I wake up only twice throughout the entire night! It gets exhausting waking up out of my sleep so much, I'm used to a 10 hour a day, and while I knew I wouldn't be getting that again, I didn't expect to get such broken up sleep already. That's okay.

Baby seems to be doing well. I have felt them kick so many times now, it's lovely. I also have felt it through the skin a couple of times lightly, but T has yet to feel it. Soon enough, he will. He is so excited, although incredibly patient about it. I love him for that. He likes putting lotion on my bump and talking to it sometimes, which is so adorable. I love watching him get involved, one of my biggest worries was it would tear us apart because I would be so moody. That has not been the case. I have been moody some days, but most days I'm in a pretty decent mindset! I find it hard to stay down when I have a miracle in my tummy. 

I came off of one of my stomach pills completely (the nausea one) and cut my dose in half on my other one (stomach acid reducer) to help my appetite, which seemed to be dwindling a bit. It has worked so far, as I have been hungry a lot more often, which is great for putting on the extra weight. Being so underweight means I have to really keep an eye on my weight gaining, and hopefully put on a few extra pounds than expected to help make sure baby is getting everything O.K. Boy do I wish I had listened when people told me to get help with my eating problem when I was much younger, as dealing with it all but alone right now is terrible. My maternity doctor is a busy woman, and only really talks to me about maternity and direct pregnancy-related issues. I haven't seen my family doctor recently because with all of the visits for baby I really couldn't be bothered to sit in another office and wait, wait, wait... But I also didn't reduce anything without my doctors permission to do so if it became necessary at any point, for any reason. 

The heat has been sort of crappy. At night I wish I could sleep in the nude in an ice bucket. The temperatures seem to rise and fall all night long, I wake up dripping in sweat one time, and frozen stiff the next. Aye, aye, aye! Such a battle. I enjoy waking up to little kicks though, it's cute, and strange. Very strange. Getting used to that feeling is taking some time. My tummy isn't a fan of being kicked, so sometimes it makes me sick to my stomach, which is all but embarrassing to say. Sometimes, I feel like I ate my baby, the way they make my stomach so upset every now and again. It's really weird.

Anyway, that's my updates for now. As you may be able to tell from my change in pace, I am slowly sinking into the madness of the brain that is pre-motherhood.

Cheers

Julie

The Day I Knew It Was Baby's Kick

Dear Classic Mom Diary:

The date is April 29, 2015. The time was about 3:30 PM. I had been holding it fresh in my mind that I was all but positive that was some movement I felt last night, but I didn't know for certain. The dogs upstairs started barking, so I ran to the door assuming it was a knock, but no one was there. Irritated, I hollered at them to stop, then went back to my living room. It was literally just crossing my mind: were they kicks? Were they movement? Were they gas? What in the heck was it?! I wanted it to be the kicks. I wanted to be able to say "I've felt it! I've definitely, for sure, totally felt my baby move! It's not just a thought anymore, or a maybe, but I know 100%!" 

I sat down on the couch and scratched my kitties head a bit, and then leaned forward a bit to get comfortable at the computer. I started playing spider solitare and bang there it was. Undeniable, the most forceful one yet. And to top it, as I wrote that sentence "undeniable" I felt another one. Undeniable. Incredible. Breathtaking. My heart is melting with love, happiness, and meltiness. I have no words to describe the emotion in my heart right now. Amazing.

This is a day I will never forget.

Love

Julie Maye

Growing A Smart Fetus

Dear Classic Mom Diary:

One of the most important aspects of being a parent is having the responsibility of teaching your child the mandatory skills to grow and succeed in life. Typically, we hope our children will continue carrying this thirst for knowledge throughout their life, as this is generally what helps raise people from surviving to thriving and successful. As parents, we have the incredible opportunity for customizing these lessons and delivering them to our children in ways that they will efficiently grasp the knowledge and want to continue learning more. 

When it comes to teaching our growing babies, toddlers, and children, there are an incredible number of research papers and resources available to you. As much as we'd maybe like to, however, we cannot do much in way of teaching a child who has yet to be born. If you're like me, though, you're already questioning and researching the ways you can include learning into your daily lives to encourage continual growth and development in your baby. This is important, in my opinion, as the sooner we look into these matters, the sooner we can develop an opinion, and ultimately decide what position we would like to take when teaching different lessons to our children. We can also develop a wide range of background knowledge on these topics, to ensure that we have a variety of ways we can deliver each individual lesson, so that our children can confidently grasp these news concepts.

While I have no advice on how you can teach your unborn baby to walk, talk, dance, or play guitar, I do have something for you. Below, I have a list of 6 important factors in helping promote healthy brain and baby growth in the womb. Although we may not be directly teaching anything through this, we are encouraging a healthy foundation for all of our later lessons to be delivered to. Please note that I am not a medical physician, and I strongly advise you take the information you find below and elsewhere on the internet and always receive a second opinion from your doctor, to confirm that each method is safe for your unique pregnancy. (Not all women are the same, remember!)

1. Take Your Prenatal Vitamins

When choosing a prenatal vitamin, it is best to visit your local health store to receive the most accurate advice. While pharmacies are ideal, you can also find stores that are holistic health stores, and they will provide you with the best natural ways to receive the necessary amounts of each of the nutrients that are crucial to the healthy development of your little one. Not only do prenatal vitamins have zinc which is magnificent for healthy brain development, but they also include other substances such as folic acid which is thought to help minimize the risk of spina bifida and other birth defects.

2. Get Omega-3s with DHA

Omega-3 is excellent for pregnancy, but you can take it a step further and get Omega-3 with DHA for an even larger impact. Omega-3 is thought to have an incredible impact on the brains ability to function efficiently, as well as supporting overall healthy brain development. DHA, or Docosahexaeonic Acid, is thought to promote healthy brain development and protect neurological function. 

While you can also consume Omega-3 through fish, it is a good idea that you consult your doctor to discover which fish are safe for your pregnancy. In general, it is recommended that you avoid certain fish due to their potentially toxic levels of mercury contamination. These fish can include: shark, tilefish, king mackerel, tuna and swordfish. Some fish that are less likely to have toxic levels of contamination may be: salmon, catfish, pollack, whitefish, tilapia, and shrimp. You should not consume more than about 12 oz of fish per week. Make sure you consult your doctor (or prenatal health practitioner) for a thorough list of what's safe and not safe to eat during pregnancy.

3. Snack On Fruit and Veggies

It isn't news that fruits and vegetables are necessary elements of a healthy diet. They're also excellent tools for pumping antioxidants into your body during pregnancy. The same antioxidants that help protect baby's brain tissue from damage. It is best to choose deep-colored fruits and vegetables to receive the highest amounts of antioxidants (such as: dark leafy greens, papaya, blueberries, and tomatoes.) They also contain a variety of other nutrients that are important to the rest of your babies developing body and organs!

4. If You Haven't, Quit Drinking

Alcohol is a substance that should be kicked to the side during pregnancy and breast feeding. While Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is not typically a concern unless heavy drinking is involved, alcohol can still impose a threat to the health of your babies brain. Even when consumed in moderation, alcohol has been known to promote problems with learning, attention, memory, and social skills later in life. While I have heard from some ladies that their doctors have recommended a glass of red wine a day, I would strongly encourage you to get a second opinion on this subject. I am not a physician and am not attempting to go against the words of your doctor, especially since I do not know the reasoning behind giving this advice, but it may be beneficial to get a different perspective in case there is a healthier way of delivering the same benefits to your fetus. 

5. Can I get Protein with that, Please? 

During pregnancy, your protein intake must jump by 10 extra grams per day. This is because it helps in building cells and making hormones for your growing baby. Improving health of cell production ultimately includes improving brain health, too! Some excellent protein boosters include: a yogurt smoothie, a cup of bean soup, peanut butter on whole wheat bread, chicken, or lean beef.

6. Increase Your Iron Intake

Iron is an important element of your blood, and during pregnancy you can have up to 50% more blood coursing through your body - that's a lot! With all that extra, it's important that you're getting enough iron to carry the oxygen through your bloodstream. Generally, your doctor will screen your iron levels for anemia. This is done through a blood sample, where they also test a few other things to make sure you're in good shape! Your doctor will recommend a healthy amount of iron for you to add to your diet, although typically this can be found right in your prenatal vitamin. You can also enhance your intake by including in your diet iron-rich foods such as: lean beef, chicken, and legumes. 

Meditation and Pregnancy

Dear Classic Mom Diary:

Meditation has been an important part of my life for roughly two years now. I am still considered new to the exercise, however I feel I have learned an incredible amount since I started practicing. While I am no master or guru, I would like to deliver my opinion on the subject, as well as my recommendations as to where you can find excellent meditations and information on the net. 

What is Meditation, Exactly?

According to the dictionary, the definition of meditation is: verb. To think deeply or focus one's mind for a period of time, in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation. That being said, meditation can have a wide meaning and purpose for many different people. Meditation has had a firm grasp on society for a long time, with roots dating as far back as 1500 BCE. Ancient India, China, and Buddhist India all have deep ties in the history of meditation, which all started showing up in documented history around the same time, beginning with the Hindu traditions of Vedantism.

What this means for you is that meditation is a long-used and well understood exercise. Whether you seek religious, spiritual, or personal information, growth, relaxation, space, or understanding, meditation can be a beneficial aid for you. In fact, many would recommend that everyone attempts to include meditation practices into their regular routines, as it is extremely beneficial to mental and emotional health.

How Can Meditation Benefit Pregnancy?

Both you and your unborn baby can benefit from meditation during pregnancy in significant ways. In fact, the Vivekananda Yoga Research Foundation conducted a study and found that daily yoga and meditation during pregnancy seems to improve birth weight, reduce premature birth, and lessen overall medical implications in newborn babies. 

Meditation has the ability to reduce anxiety and stress by incredible amounts, which is one of the most beneficial aspects of meditating during pregnancy. As many expecting mothers can understand, stress tends to run high at various points throughout the pregnancy. Stress and anxiety can cause a series of negative side effects for both Mom and unborn baby in ways including: increased risk for miscarriage, lead to premature delivery, increased labor and delivery pain, and more. You should note when reading this, however, that having regular stress throughout your pregnancy will likely not have negative effects on your fetus. In order to learn more about dangerous levels of stress, please consult your physician, as that is beyond my qualifications. 

Other benefits include higher endorphins that make pain more manageable (and has been noted to make delivery more manageable, as well.) Meditating can also lessen the need for caesarian sections and epidurals. In fact, research showed that of the females who meditated throughout pregnancy, there was a 56% decline in the needs for caesarian sections, and a whopping 85% less need for epidurals. Meditation also improves the bond felt between a mother and her child, as well as many other beneficial factors.

How Can I Start Meditating?
Meditating can be done in a variety of ways, but the best part is that you don't have to sign up for a class (unless you want to) and you don't have to wait. You can literally close your eyes right now and focus inside on your breathing, and be meditating. To bond better with your baby, and really maximize the benefit of the breathing exercise, place both of your hands gently around your belly. Place your focus beneath your hands, and focus on what you feel: warmth? Do you feel any movement? Breathe slowly. (Each time your mind wanders about, take notice and return your focus to breathing deeper into your tummy. If a thought happens to come to your mind, let it leave just as effortlessly as you pamper yourself with your full attention. It is ideal to try this for five minutes a day, adding more time as you feel comfortable to do so.

Another meditation you can utilize if you are wanting something specific is making a mantra and utilizing it during your practice. As you build strength with the method above (or when you feel comfortable to) add a mantra. Talk nicely to yourself with empowering words of encouragement. "We will have a healthy, strong, fulfilling delivery. I will get through this pain." "I am strong for me, I am strong for my baby." Whatever words make you feel strong in your heart, use those, and say them to yourself on a regular basis. 

Alternatively, you can turn to Youtube and search the words: "Pregnancy Meditation" or "Pregnancy Meditation Guided" and receive a variety of meditations you can follow that will help teach you how to meditate on something. Eventually, you may feel comfortable enough to move away to just a musical background, or even silence. This is how I started meditating two years ago, when I was having sleep issues and nightmares. It is still one of my most favored methods of meditation, as I have a wandering mind.

Meditation has the ability to benefit everyone, and don't we know that pregnancy is a time where we can take all the benefits we are offered! Even if you just want to start with short mental vacations, meditation can deeply benefit you and your unborn child. Keep an eye out for my next meditation article where I discuss how it can benefit young kids, when implemented as a part of a regular daily routine. 

Cheers

Julie Maye

Royal Baby Gaga Breast Milk Ice Cream - Say What?!

Dear Classic Mom Diary:

Royal Baby Gaga Breast Milk Ice Cream is making news articles everywhere since the announcement of it's return. You may have seen this breast milk ice cream idea floating around back in 2011 for a while, but this year it is being launched right in time for the second royal baby's birth. Now typically, I'm not one to jump on these what's-trending band wagons, but this one was just too humorous for me to pass up.

The company behind this frozen humor is a London-based outfit known as The Licktators. When you visit their website ( which can be seen here: http://www.thelicktators.com/) you quickly learn that this is very real - and not the first of it's kind. In fact, The Licktators are also responsible for other comical flavors, including: Doughnut Disturb, John Lemon, Choc N' Roll Rehab, and more!

After a quick dig for some more information on this clever release, I came to learn that there was actually a much deeper purpose for this ice cream release. Not only was it intended as an adorable tribute to the soon-to-be royal baby number 2, but it also carried a punch in the breastfeeding community. According to People Magazine "...The Licktators teamed up with breastfeeding campaigner Victoria Hiley to toast the birth of royal baby No. 2 and raise awareness for breastfeeding in public..." What an awesome and positive spin on such a unique dessert! With all of the stigma on public breast feeding, it can be a real treat to have such a positive and funny outlook on the whole thing.

What's perhaps most interesting about this flavor of ice cream is the fact that they actually use real breast milk in the recipe. Of course, the donated breast milk is approved by the hospital prior to use, however for those of us with weak stomachs, this may be a big red flag. Fortunately, The Licktators also released a DIY Breast Milk Recipe that you can make from the comfort of your own home! (Meaning if you're not up for it: you can substitute the breast milk for something a little more palatable.) You can find the recipe here: http://www.thelicktators.com/baby-gaga-recipe.php. Unless you're willing to make it, however, you likely won't be able to purchase it from anywhere other than a few select London stores, and online. Personally, I wouldn't want to risk a melted breast milk surprise showing up in my mail one day. Not to mention, I'm not sure that I could get over the idea of eating breast milk, particularly that which is not mine! Still, this is a pretty adorable release. +1 for The Licktators!

What do you think? Would you try the Royal Baby Gaga Breast Milk concoction? Or would you try mastering the blend at home? Let me know! 

Cheers! 

Julie Maye

5 Things I Can't Wait To Experience With My Baby

Dear Classic Mom Diary:

Every single expecting mother experiences the "I can't wait's", as I like to call them! That is, things like "I can't wait to see them smile!" or "I can't wait to meet my newborn!" And of course we do! Nothing compares to the painfully long, yet exciting 9 months leading up to the birth of a new family member. Especially when you're the parents. 

Personally, I have a list a mile wide and eight miles long in small font of the "I can't wait's". Oh yeah, it's bad. Many, many of my thoughtful moments have been spent pondering what life will be like with a new baby. Of course, being that I have never had a child before, nor have I really been around young children much in the recent past, I am also overwhelmingly nervous! In attempts to calm it down and focus, I have decided to share my list of the 5 things I can't wait to experience with my baby! 

What are yours? If you aren't expecting, feel free to chime in with what you were most excited for, or what you are currently looking forward to in your forever growing relationship with your children!

1. That First Smile
Honestly, I think this one is pretty high on just about anyone's list! What is not exciting about this wait? Will it be like Dads, or Moms? Will it happen right away, or will they cry? I can't wait to learn! This will be so exciting, after all these months, to see my little look up at me with unconditional happiness and love is going to be incredible. I can't wait. 

2. To Realize I've "Got It Down"Truly, my biggest fear is that my lack of being around small children in the past couple of years is going to leave me totally clueless and insane. I don't know why, my Mom ran a childcare facility from our home when I was younger. I know it will all come back to me as I'm doing it, and instincts will kick in, and I have help and resources for what I don't know. But I look forward to the day when I stop and realize we have a routine down, and we know what we're doing - for now. That will be nice. 

3. To Survive Being Peed/Pooed On

As of right now, I have yet to hear of a single new parent who wasn't the recipient of an unwanted baby present. Maybe it's when you're toweling off after a bath, or maybe it happened during a diaper change. As much as I wish I could avoid this, I am going to face it head on! I wonder where it'll be, and whether or not I'll vomit! (Truly, sorry future kiddo!) 

4. First Time I Hear Their VoiceWhat, oh what will my little sound like?! I can't wait to hear the voice that will chime in my ears for the next...rest of my life. I'm sure it will be the most beautiful voice, ever! 

5. The First Time They Reach Their Arms Out

You know, for a hug, or to be held. I can't wait for the first time I really feel needed, and get to physically see my hard work and long hours paying off for little's sake. It will be such a lovely feeling, I know. 

So, what are/were yours?! :)

My 3 Biggest Fears in My First Trimester, And How I Overcame Them.

Dear Classic Mom Diary:

I think it's natural that everyone has fears in their pregnancy. For me, consistently looking back on how I overcame my fears is essential in the process of me defeating future ones, as well. So far, I have had a few fears, but none that I couldn't manage. In other words, I came out of the other end of trimester one with a big huge success, and for that, I made myself an award. My fears were pretty standard to what I've seen elsewhere, so I have to admit that first and foremost a lot of my information and courage came from internet research, and lots of it. Plus, talking with my doctor and getting a well-rounded second opinion on subjects I have any concerns or questions regarding. 

1. What if I never stop getting sick?

The unfortunate truth that I've heard around the block is that for some moms, yes, this may be your new reality. For me, I stopped taking my stomach pills without being advised to when I suspected I was pregnant. This came out of another fear which I'll talk about in a minute, but was really a silly thing to do. In retrospect, I should have waited, and maybe contacted a pharmacist to get a proper insight as to what medications would and would not be O.K to take. Anyway, I ended up extremely ill, vomiting like crazy. I lost 10 lbs during those 3-4 days (that honestly felt like a week or two) that I was consistently getting sick. I was in the hospital for a few hours with my boyfriend, where he skipped work to take care of me at my bedside. I was put back on my medication, and given another medication to take that was intended for pregnancy nausea. Within' 3 days not only was my stomach returning to normal but I had a huge appetite. 

Some people are not as fortunate as I was, in the sense that I had an answer and a cure stamped next to my sickness. For some, bananas work, extra sleep, pregnancy-safe nausea medicine, and even just a bland diet can help. For others, hang in until the second trimester, I hear that's when it eases off for the majority of women!

2. What are people going to think?

This never should have mattered, but given my new family's current situation, I was worried that people would think I was unfit to be a parent. The truth is, there absolutely were people like that. They were extremely unwelcoming of the news, and intensely rude about it, too. What I learned, though, was my worry was that they would be right. In having those people think so negatively and poorly about our situation, I think I was granted the ability to see my own strength and develop a small foundation of confidence in my abilities that will be ultimately tested in the future. Basically, what others think doesn't matter. It's not like their opinions will change the fact that I am about to introduce the most beautiful little package into the world soon, with the most caring, honest, and loving man I could've ever hoped to be with. Are we a little earlier than hoped? Maybe. But does that mean we're incapable? Heck no. 

 3. What if I miscarry again?

The "again" isn't necessarily a worry for every woman, but I guarantee every newly pregnant lady has had the fear of miscarriage cross her mind at least once during these hectic twelve to thirteen first weeks of pregnancy. If you're lucky, you found out late, and you only have a few weeks to wait until you're in the clear. Or, maybe you have awesome mind control and don't worry about things like that. I, on the other hand, have anxiety and a previous poor experience backing my fear. For the ladies who also stand in my shoes (and of course, the others even right up to the super awesome mind control women) I can promise you this is a valid worry. The best thing you can do is lead a healthy life and ask plenty of questions in your doctors appointments, or with your midwife. Talk to friends, family, everyone. Get advice on how you can stay healthy. Or, if that makes you uncomfortable, just stick to the doctor and midwife. Tune the rest out. Whatever you do, don't look everything up on the internet. In fact, promise to yourself that you won't even look at the internet for anything symptom or body related - stick to Pinterest and it's wonderful selection of baby images. The internet brings unnecessary stress to a pregnant ladies' life - save that for later, right now, enjoy your news. When your doctor has put you in the clear, and you are confident that you have a healthy pregnancy underway, then use the internet (in moderation!) for other pregnancy related things.