Bump Day: Forming Healthy Habits Before Baby

My due date is exactly two months from today.  Hard to believe that time is flying by so quickly!

I am confident that every first-time mom does her best to prepare for a baby despite the fact that all of her friends tell her that you will never be prepared.  I definitely believe this is true so I'm not getting caught up into the idea of being 100% prepared.  In fact, I know I wont be considering I have a long list of "things I'd like to accomplish pre-baby."  Instead I'm focusing on getting the baby's room ready, finishing our home renovation, and forming healthy habits that will hopefully make life a little easier after the baby arrives.  I recently heard during a training session I attended that it takes approximately 17 consecutive days to form a habit.  Easy, right?!

Here are the healthy habits that I am really working on committing to:

One | Committing to a schedule
Don't get your undies in a bunch here and jump to the comment form telling me that you'll never stay on schedule with a new baby. I already know that. What I mean is that when I say I going to shut down my computer and head home from work for the day, I'm going to do it.  I have a terribly bad habit of finishing "just one more thing" or running errands after work and saying that I will head for home by 6:00 and leaving the store by 6:00.  I'm practicing this now knowing that I will have a little one and a husband who will probably need me at the end of the day.

Two | Drinking more water
I'm reading more about baby care, breast feeding, and general health of the new mom.  This has encouraged me to drink more water.  I'm not used to drinking water until I'm thirsty - however, according to what I've been reading, drinking when you thirsty is a little too late.  Instead, it's important to stay hydrated throughout the entire day.  And, unfortunately soda doesn't count. :(

Three | Eating Healthy
The idea of baby weight hanging around kinda freaks me out even though I know it is inevitable and I will have to be patient with my body.  However, I'm working on eating healthier right now - focusing on more fruits and vegetables as snacks along with whole grain crackers and that sort of thing.  I'm also focused on eating meals more regularly than letting snacks fill me up. I've nearly set all chips and candy aside. (I really like chips, and candy.  Have I ever mentioned that?!) However, I do give in to a little bit of processed sugar each day. Hitting the scale as a first stop at the Dr.'s office is zero fun these days so if I'm going to gain weight, I want it to be healthy weight for me and the baby!

Four | Getting Up Early
Lately, when I'm awake, I'm awake and ready to go for the day.  Strange considering I used to be able to easily sleep in until 7:30/8:00am.  I've actually started setting my alarm for 5:20 on weekdays.  Crawling out of bed at this time is still a little hard but I may as well practice getting up early for an alarm considering a baby will do the same thing with more urgency!  No sense in being lazy.

Five | Staying Active
I don't sit well.  I never have.  Lately I've had to take a few more breaks and tell myself it's ok to breathe heavier after going up the stairs.  Regardless, I'm not allowing myself to become lazy - I still go to the gym, pick up around the house, do my best at making supper every night, play fetch with the dog, and help my husband on the farm with things that I can.

Ultimately I am making a commitment to be healthy for my family.  My parents made this commitment to me and my sisters, and my husband has done the same.  For that lesson, and gift, I am thankful.

What healthy habits did you form pre-baby?

Bump Day: Why pregnant ladies do what they do

This week we hit the 28-week mark, also known as the start of the third trimester! Eeek!  Seriously - how did we get here so fast?!  Adam and I have a lot that needs to get done including finishing up our house, assembling a crib, and figuring out how in the world car seats work... Oh yeah and we need to fit spring field work into the mix!

After being pregnant for 28 weeks I've learned a few things including why pregnant ladies do the things they do like walk funny and touch their stomach.  Yes, prior to being pregnant I just didn't understand these things and found them to be just a little strange.

Here are your answers explained!

Why pregnant ladies walk funny:

This is because our lower back hurts like crazy!  I didn't realize that your spine shifts to help your body find it's new "center of gravity."  This has caused me some serious lower back pain.  After a day on my feet, at the gym or trying to do too much I start to walk funny to avoid back pain.

Why pregnant ladies touch their stomachs:  

I found this super obnoxious until I found myself doing this.  It's because by the time you are 26 weeks along the baby moves constantly and sometimes it's uncomfortable, especially when they get a foot or hand up underneath your rib cage.  By putting your hand on your stomach you can sometimes get the baby to stop moving or get their foot out from under your ribs.

Now you know...  If you have other quirks to explain, let us know what they are by leaving a comment below!