Contained Chaos

Welp I'm down to the wire of this pregnancy. 39 weeks and as of yesterday at my OB appointment, no sign of Miss Violet coming soon. 60% Effaced and 1cm dilated, for those that have kids, they understand that language. For those (like myself) who do not, it just means she's not really ready to come. She can still come any day now or weeks from now. Violet was at the same exact state last week so I think I've made a really comfy home for her and she's perfectly content. I'm not complaining, it's like contained chaos inside. She goes with me everywhere I go, eats when I eat, sleeps when I sleep and I don't have to worry about daycare issues and THAT sounds a whole lot easier then actually having her! In any case, if she's at the same state next week on my due date next Thursday we'll schedule me to get induced the follow Tuesday or Wednesday (10/14-10/15). I'm perfectly fine with that, in fact I like the scheduling part. It will be like I am going to another scheduled doctors appointment. Regularly, I am not a huge planner or need things on a schedule, but with this, I think I would just prefer it. I can make sure I'm ready and not looking like a disastrous shit show going into the hospital. My friends and family can plan accordingly and I can just feel like I remembered to pack everything etc.. Sounds way better to me. I tend to keep my hair looking nice and go to bed with my eye make-up on. You never know - and I refuse to look like ridiculous mess when I go into the hospital. HAHA- yea I know sounds fairly ridiculous but I have no shame in admitting that I may be slightly vain. I have rules of what pictures are allowed to be taken and posted as well. The friends and family have been warned. I also have rules about obnoxious bows for Violet. LESS IS MORE people LESS IS MORE!! I do not want ridiculous LARGE flower or bow headbands ever in her hair, like EVER!!!

Ok so on to more exciting things - I have definitely slowed down at the gym I'm rounder but still have only gained approximately 20lbs. My kid is perfect in size so no worries there as of last week she weighed in around 6lbs 11oz. In any case I still strive to get to the gym 5x a week and 1 day at yoga. I haven't been squatting nearly as much or rather doing a lot of our supplemental work at the gym. This Monday (at 38.5 weeks) I back squatted 175 no problem, it felt light and made me feel good about myself hahaha. There really isn't anything I can't do still. I'm just a little heavier so my reps are a little lower. I can do Handstand Push-ups still, butterfly pull ups, push-ups, cleans, KB swings with 53lbs. I'm just safe and slower about it. What helps, doing EMOMs and/or built in rests. EMOMs help because I stick with a set amount that I can maintain. Built in rests WODs keep my rests in order for me as well. Yesterday our class wod was 16min EMOM, Odd minutes - 5 touch & go power cleans, 10 push-ups. I could maintain it all only did 115lb for the cleans. I do my push-ups with my feet on a 45lb plate so I clear my Violet bump and I could maintain 10 push-ups unbroken. It was good. I get worried I'm losing strength and I know I shouldn't worry about that - I will be back in the gym full speed ahead in no time, but what can I say?? I worry!!!! There are days when I feel tired or off and I can't do the prescribed weight or I have to modify more, I roll with it and make adjustments. I'm lucky to be in tune with my body as much as I am because it does make the modifications easier for me to do or suggest to others. My goal is to be back in the gym a week after I have Violet. As long as all goes according to plan, that shouldn't be a problem. I swear I have videos but someone else takes them and he refuses to give them to me, I don't know what the hell he plans to do with them! HAHAHa... Yoga although I only go one time a week, has definitely worked wonders and I strongly recommend it for anyone especially pregnant woman. The relaxing aspects are wondrous, while the stretching and other movements help realign your back and really assist with any back or hip pains you may be having. Here are a couple of links to check out.

Benefits of Cat Cow Pose for pregnancy

10 Pregnancy Yoga Poses To Try

So I decided to take a breastfeeding class - WHOA I've never seen so many boobs that weren't mine in one sitting. Don't be scared it wasn't other woman in the class it was only on video. Okay I'll reason with you, I've possibly have seen some boobs in a porno a time or few but not for a two hour sitting at one time, so it was a bit intense!! There was a lot of nipple action!!!!! HA - In any case, the class was informative. It did give me a baseline of knowledge to know what to expect when I do try this breastfeeding thing. It will be hard work and I can tell it's definitely a hands on experience in order to actually learn how to do it......but I'm up for the challenge because the benefits for Violet as well as myself are next to none. I've also taken up reading a couple of books. I do recommend these books especially for the working mom. Not that if you don't work you shouldn't but as for this full-time working mom I will definitely need a routine and schedule. Attempting to have Violet on a routine and hopefully by the time I do go back to work she sleeps through the night, will make life way more manageable. The two books I am reading are Baby Wise and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Baby. When children sleep through the night and/or get on regular sleep patterns it does help with fussiness and lord knows if I had a fussy baby - I may go nuts! ;-)

On top of reading I've also been food prepping and freezing things to have healthy food prepared instead of trying to cook once Violet is here or relying on others to bring me or make me food. I have 4 meals thus far prepared. It will be key to get my nutrition completely in order to ensure I lose the weight gain as well feed Violet nutritious food.

1. Pesto Chicken with spaghetti squash
2. Savory Pot Roast with cauliflower and carrots
3. My homemade amazing Carnitas
4. Chicken Stew with Spaghetti Squash.

Below are pictures of my chicken stew and the recipe.

• 4-5lb Organic/Free Range whole chicken
• 1 large spaghetti squash
• 2 16oz organic chicken broths
• 1 small bundle of organic carrots chopped
• 1 small bundle organic leek chopped
• 1small bundle of celery chopped
• 2 tbsp of organic coconut oil or butter
• Sea Salt to taste 
• Pepper to taste
• Herbs de Provence
• Organic chicken bouillon (1-3 tbsp)

Use the seasonings suggested as you see fit to your tasting.

Throw everything except the spaghetti squash in the crockpot and only half of the seasonings. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Check whole chicken and if meat is falling off the bone it's time to debone. Turn crockpot to warm and remove the whole chicken on a cutting board to begin deboning. Re-add the shredded chicken to the crockpot. 

While you're de-boning the chicken; cook the spaghetti squash in the microwave. Keep spaghetti squash whole; poke holes in it with a knife and cook for 4-5 minutes in the microwave. Turn spaghetti squash over and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes or until soft to touch depending on size of squash. Once complete shred the spaghetti squash and add crockpot. Taste broth, and season accordingly. 

Turn crockpot back on and cook for an additional 2-3 hours on low or 1-2 on high.

And finally - some updated pictures of my favorite aunts, uncles and grandparents