the birds

No, not the Hitchcock movie - I'm talking about the birds that are now flying over my little girl's crib.

I actually bought this set for my sister a while ago - she's in college and needed something to spruce up her boring room, so I found these and gave them to her as a gift...but they didn't stick to her wall very well. Since then, they've just been hanging out in a bag in my parents' basement...until now.

Like I said in my last post, Avery's nursery is meant to be an experience for her - with things to learn from and objects that carry some meaning (like vintage storybooks that used to be her Gramma's when she was little!). These little birds surprisingly have some meaning of their own!

My sister and I have matching tattoos (for the most part - Amanda (as always) added some flair to hers with a dandelion transforming into the birds). We decided to get them after her 18th birthday and it honestly took us a while to figure out the perfect design - we have different personalities and styles so it was pretty awesome when we finally agreed on a design. We chose bird silhouettes to go on our rib cages: 5 little birdies that fly with us and represent our family - Amanda, me, mom, dad, and our "brother" Buster (who had just been put down due to old age and depleted quality of life...tear). For me, at least, my birds remind me that I will always have someone "flying" with me - someone to talk to, to go to in times of need, and someone to watch over me. I think my sister thinks the same way about her birds.

So I am sharing this design with Avery in her nursery - she will have her very own birds watching over her as she sleeps.

Avery's Space: Update

We've been working really hard (and really slowly) to make Avery's space a calming, unique and just plain awesome place. Instead of overloading with colors and images (jungle theme? no thanks!), we have chosen to make our little girl's nursery more of an experience rather than just a room. Ok, that sounds a little crazy - its just a nursery, right? No! It's her very own space where she can grow and learn and we plan on filling it with things that will help her experience life and not just sit there staring at purple zebras and hot pink monkeys.

Avery's room, so far, is beginning to feel like such a comforting place to be. A mixture of old and new, textures and colors is what we are going for. Her walls are a very, very soft aqua/seafoam green color - such a calming effect, which is perfect for a baby's room. We've added elements such as a nightstand with a mirror at her level - functional yet educational (what baby doesn't like to look at herself?), a furry rug thrown over the ottoman - aesthetically pleasing yet educational again (textures are important to learn!). Vintage and new story books line her wall and classic stories are topping her nightstand.

Avery's closet is still a work in progress, but will have plenty of storage (which will be neatly labeled, of course). We also have yet to receive her dresser that we ordered - perfect for organizing the things we will be using every day.

There is still quite a bit of work that needs to be done, but its getting there. Sunday evening will most likely consist of putting together a gallery wall for above the dresser and hanging up some little flying bird wall decor in lieu of a mobile (sneak peek of the gallery wall is at the bottom of this post).

We are so excited to finish up Avery's room and can't wait until she's here to enjoy it!

friday faves: the poop pod edition

After much (and I mean much) deliberation, we have finally settled on a combination of newborn cloth diapers for Avery! I know, I know - this is soooo not exciting for most of you. But do you know how many choices are out there? It's insane! There are literally so many different options that I don't think I even got a chance to look at half of them. So yes, I am extremely excited that we have finally picked the things that we are going to purchase for Avery to do her business in.

In the beginning, I was flip-flopping between cloth diapering and disposables: we decided to do disposables, then 28 weeks came and I decided I wanted to do a combination of cloth and disposable, now we are all in for cloth diapering (for the most part - daddy may use disposables when going out, and Gramma Ash says she's willing to cloth diaper at her house when she watches Avery (!!!) but will use disposables when going out as well).

So last night (after a mini meltdown about being overwhelmed with diaper choices) Seth and I sat down and talked about and researched what we thought we each would be most comfortable with. Price is definitely a huge factor for us - we would like to be at around $200 for all the newborn diapers and accessories (accessories can be used throughout the entire diaper-bound baby time though).

This is what we have come up with and we plan on ordering soon after our baby shower (next weekend! eeeeeek!):

1 & 2. Newborn Indian prefolds package.

This package comes with 24 newborn prefolds and 4 diaper covers - we have a choice between Thirsties and Bummis (or a combo).for the covers and are choosing the combo so we can try out both kinds as we have no clue what will work best on our little girl. The package is $74.99 - that's a good deal considering covers can get crazy expensive (upwards of $20 a piece for some!).

I thought the prefolds would be scary for Seth, but he is totally prepared to give it his best - and I think he'll do just fine :)

3. Fitted diapers.

Seth loves this option, especially for when he's still in cloth diaper training mode. The fitted diapers have snaps on them so they function like a prefold, but you can actually snap them closed instead of having to pin or snappi (more on those in a bit) them together.

We are planning on getting 5 of these as they cost $5 per diaper - not too bad, but definitely not as cheap as prefolds!

4. Proraps newborn diaper covers.

We decided that only 4 diaper covers are not going to cut it for us - we hate doing laundry and if we can extend our laundry business to even every other day as opposed to every day, we are happy campers.

These diaper covers were highly recommended by our friend Ashley, and at only $7.99 a pop on Amazon, we will be treating ourselves to 4 of these little guys, making our diaper covers a total of 8.

5. Snappis.

These hold the prefolds together when they are on your kid. Kinda essential. They are a cool alternative to actual pins - they have little teeth (like an ace bandage closure) and stick right into the cloth without potentially stabbing you or your baby.

We are getting a 3 pack because I will probably lose at least one at some point. I may order some actual pins too though - they seem a little more secure to me and I wouldn't mind trying out both.

6 & 7. Pail liners and wet bag.

Um, we need a liner for our diaper pail - actually 2 (as Ashley so kindly reminded me) for when one is in the wash. Less trash bags? Yes please!

I also need a wet bag that will fit in my diaper bag for those stinky used diapers when we are on the go.

8. Rockin' Green laundry detergent.

Last, but definitely not least, we need some detergent to wash those stinky poop pods! Again, Ashley recommended this brand to me and I trust her judgement. It also helps that we live in the same area, with the same city water so whatever works in her wash will most likely work just fine in mine too!

Friday faves

I haven't done a Friday faves post in a few weeks, so I figured it was time for a new one (especially since I really do have some faves from this week!). The last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind - finding out my medical issues, participating in the pregnancy MRI study, not to mention that it takes me like, 80 times longer to pack my food for work now, which is FOREVER for a lazy chica like myself.

Anyway, on to the list (insert image here of me in a charging position with a sword...no? K.)!

1. This rug from IKEA.

Although this may look like it was ripped off some poor little furry animal baby (not a sheep though, right? Those aren't furry, more like wooly - is that a word? Or does it just apply to mammoths? I'll never know), it was not. I would never fave such a thing. But but buuuuuut this rug will look super sweet in Avery's room, no? You wouldn't know, as I just realized that I haven't posted any progress pictures of it...but trust me, it would be adorbs.

I've been trying to find an excuse to buy this. I wanted to use it as well, a rug in her nursery, but decided it would get too easily nastified. But now I have a use for it...and its not for on the floor! Gasp, say you? A rug not on the floor? And I say, yes!

We just bought a simple black storage ottoman for me to put my feet up on when I'm using the glider - the actual gliding ottoman is way too big for our space - and frankly, the plain black microfiberness kinda irks me. I mean, for $17 it was a steal, but still. Sooooooo...I'm gonna drape this cute $10 rug over it and it will look so chic...just like the rest of our little girl's space!

2. These boxes from IKEA.

More IKEA lovin', I know.

I picked up 2 of the small sized boxes on my last trip and fell in love! They are so crisp and clean looking. Since we are adding a 9 cube cubby thingy thingy to Avery's closet, I thought the larger size of these boxes would look great filling up those cubes. And at $6 a pop (for a 2 pack!!), who could pass that up? Plus, they come with lids - a definate plus seeing as how we plan on moving out of our teeny house within the next few years. Less packing? You had me at less! (What? I said I'm lazy).

3 & 4. Yogi  Tea Vanilla Spice Perfect Energy and Soothing Caramel Bedtime.

Um, YUM. And the caffeine in the energy tea is enough to keep me going for the day when I'm beyond exhausted (kinda like today). The bedtime tea is soothing (hence the name) and delicious at the same time and works wonders at relaxing the bod after a long day. Also, I'm pretty sure these are safe for pregnancy and nursing as there is no disclaimer about it on the package (others like the Breathe Deep tea state, "do not use during pregnancy or while nursing," so...duh).

5. The Organizher line of planners and organizers by Mead (found at Target).

This planner is seriously a lifesaver. I got it when I found out about my gestational diabetes, and thank goodness for that because my schedule has since blown up with doctor appointments, research participation, and baby stuff! I love that its undated - so if you buy it in the middle of the year you don't have to toss it when the next January comes along - you can just keep using it until you run out of months!

They also have mom planners for baby feedings, etc. (I'm totes gettin' one), meal planners (want that too), and budget diaries! It's a seriously awesome line for the type A personalities out there (and I know a few of you read this - so get yo asses to Target and scoop some of these up)!

6. Blue footed boobies.

Because I love them.

so ya got the diabeetus...

Diabeetus. You know, like the guy in the commercial with the mustache? Anyone? Ok.

Well, I found out on Monday that I have gestational diabetes...and its Thursday now. I mentioned in my previous post that I was super serious about doing whatever it takes to keep this from affecting my baby and my birth plan and so far its been working out great!

I thought I would post the food regimen that I've been following since Tuesday morning - with all the details - in case there's someone out there that would find it helpful. And hey, its a pretty great preggo diet to follow even if you don't have GDM!

I think the problem was that I was eating way too many carbs and sugars in the first place. I thought I was being relatively healthy, but in the end, my body just doesn't need that much sugar. Here is what I was eating (pretty regularly) as of Monday:

Breakfast: Grapefruit, Yoplait cherry-pomengranate Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup Bear Naked berry granola.

Snack: Banana

Lunch: 1/2 peanut butter and jelly sandwich on 1 piece flax and fiber bread, 1 cup Amy's lentil soup.

Dinner: Cesear salad, 1/2 cup Near East parmesan couscous.

Snack: (this was after I heard my glucose results, so not really normal) protein shake - 2 tbs Aria vanilla protein powder, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk.

After doing some research, here is what I've been eating the past few days (with normal blood sugars as a result - I started taking my blood sugars on Tuesday night (goal sugars - under 120 2 hours after each meal and between 60-95 fasting)):

Tuesday:
Breakfast: Protein shake - 2 tbs Aria vanilla protein powder, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, generous handful spinach, 1/2 banana, 1cup frozen raspberries, 1tbs flax meal.

Snack: 1cup miso soup.

Lunch: Ezekiel sprouted grain English muffin with 1 smashed avocado and 1 tbs chimichurri, carrots and hummus, protein shake - 2 tbs Aria vanilla protein powder, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk.

Snack: handful raw almonds.

Dinner: chicken enchilada soup, 1 square Endangered Species 88% dark chocolate. (BS 2 hours after was 83)

Snack: 1 piece Ezekiel sprouted grain bread with 1.5 tbs peanut butter, Protein shake - 2 tbs vanilla protein powder, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Wednesday:
(Fasting BS was 75)

Breakfast: Protein shake - 2 tbs vanilla protein, 1cup unsweetened almond milk, handful spinach, 1/2 banana, 1 cup frozen tropical fruit, 1tbs flax meal. (BS 2 hours after was 64 - a little too low)

Snack: 1 piece Ezekiel sprouted grain bread with 1.5 tbs peanut butter.

Lunch: Ezekiel sprouted grain tortilla with 1/2 can tuna mixed with 1 avocado, sprinkle of cheddar cheese, Vanilla protein shake. (BS 2 hours after was 95)

Snack: 1 square 88% dark chocolate.

Dinner: 2 eggs scrambled with a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, 4 pieces turkey Bacon, 1 piece French toast on flax and fiber bread with 1 tbs syrup. (BS 2 hours after was 96)

Snack: Apple with 1 tbs peanut butter and 1 tbs nutella mixed together (YUM)

Thursday:
(Fasting BS was 75)

Breakfast: Cinnamon drip coffee with 2 tbs skim milk and 1/2 pack splenda (note: this is rare - I have coffee MAYBE once every other week), Protein shake - 2 tbs vanilla protein powder, 1 tbs unsweetened cocoa, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1/2 banana, handful spinach, 1 tbs flax meal, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk. (BS 2 hours after was 82)

Snack: 1 cup miso soup.

Lunch: Eziekiel sprouted grain tortilla with mashed avocado mixed with 2 tbs mango peach salsa, a sprinkle of cheddar cheese and domains lettuce, chocolate protein shake. (BS was 95 2 hours after)

So that's where I am right now! I know that was a bit lengthy, buy hopefully helpful to anyone who needs it!

a turn of events

Life is full of surprises. Things that we don't expect to happen often do. That's why my birth plan leaves space for different possibilities (cesarean, drugs, etc.). I've kept an open mind about all of that as well as if breastfeeding doesn't work out. All the big things. I don't want to feel like a failure so I've started preparing myself for the and, if's and buts that come at delivery and after the baby is here.

I didn't expect to have to worry about anything until then.

Yesterday I got a call from my OB telling me that my 3 hour blood glucose test came back abnormal. And that she was extremely surprised. So was I. I still am.

This means that I have gestational diabetes.

I will be meeting with a maternal fetal medicine specialist later this week, as well as a dietician. I will go on a special diet and have my blood sugar monitored for a few weeks. Then hopefully my blood sugar will be stable. If not, my next step is medication.

I know that this is just a temporary condition - it will resolve after Avery is born. But on Sunday night, I was just laughing with my friends Michelle and Melissa about how easy my pregnancy has been (no problems whatsoever - Michelle called me the "pregnancy goddess"). As a person who has not had any health issues before, this diagnosis comes as a low blow.

The stigma surrounding this condition definitely doesn't help me cope with it. A girl I work with said, "I thought only fat people get gestational diabetes?" This bothered me. Sadly, that's what I had thought too. So I started to do a little research.

In pregnancy, your body is outta whack. That's just how it is. And that includes not only noticeable things (morning sickness, aches and pains, etc.) but also not so noticeable things. Your body is busy doing other things (like growing a person) so it forgets to regulate other things: yeast levels (gross, but true), blood pressure, and blood sugar. The bigger the placenta gets, the more difficult a time the pregnant body has regulating blood sugar. In a normal person, the kidneys and pancreas would just correct this. In my body, not so much. So reading these things made me feel a little better: my gestational diabetes was likely just caused by me being pregnant, not by anything I did or didn't do.

Last night I went out and bought a new planner. I'm going to start keeping a food log and changing my diet before I even meet with the dietician. I want to give Avery the best start possible and I need to start now. I looked up a typical diet for gestational diabetes - and its not too different from what I've been eating. I can see that being a problem. So I looked for something a little more extreme.

I found this story and meal plan and felt a connection right away. No, I'm not Vegan. But I try to be healthy. And I can relate to this woman's story. It's helped me feel a little better about my situation. Her meal plan is something doable for me - I plan on adding real meat to it and altering the dinners to still fit mine and Seth's lifestyle. We went shopping last night and I bought pretty much exactly what is on her breakfast, lunch and snack list. My dinners will be either protein packed or salads. This is a diet that I can do, that I'm ok with, and that I'm confident will help me.

I'm willing to do anything to ensure that I can still try for a natural birth. I may have gestational diabetes, but I'm not going to let someone tell me that I should get induced or that I will probably need a c-section. If those end up being my only options after I've tried everything, then fine. But I want to know that I did everything I could. I don't want to let my little girl get too big, or to have low blood sugar to compensate for what my body can't do for itself. It breaks my heart knowing that my body's issues can affect her sweet little one. I don't want to let it happen.

And I won't.

[pictured: green protein smoothie - 1/2 frozen banana, 1cup frozen raspberries, 1 cup plain unsweetened almond milk, 2 explode vanilla protein powder, 1tbs flax meal, generous handful spinach]