Life around California

Hey Everyone!

Sorry for the late post and mild gap. I went to Colorado for a quick visit to come back and learn I needed Iron Infusions. When the doctor tells you that you are pale white and you have a saturation of 4% when it should be 50% it means business.  With every pregnancy, every surgery comes all the year later journeys and experiences. This was a first for me. During my pregnancy with A. I never required infusions, however with B it seems my body is just giving up at times when I need it to stay strong. So I experienced 3 weeks of iron infusions and boy was that fun. Here is how they go for anyone curious about an Iron infusion during pregnancy or after Gastric Bypass. 

You arrive, they verify your info. Take you to a room, you get comfy and then they medicate you. I got tylenol and benadryl. The benadryl is suppose to help with any reaction you may have. You get told there is a medication similar to an epi-pen in the med room should you have a reaction, which is extremely extremely rare. Then the fun begins, you get an IV. then you get temps, vitals etc taken every 15 minutes for the 2-4 hours your infusion goes. Expect lots of beeping and no alone time, haha. After all this is done, they start the infusion, it takes a 15 minute monitoring constantly to ensure proper flow, no reactions etc. All I can say from this journey is ask for an extra blanket because you will get chilly and prepare to be sleepy and dose between vital checks from the benadryl! But it is pain free, and actually I have been free from eating ice for several weeks, I noticed a change within 1 week and got my energy back. I was however recently told by my OB not to consider any further children without infusions prior to pregnancy and during. But that is okay with us as we are done with children! 

Life has been hetic in our household otherwise, A is attempting to potty train, learning new words and getting into all the trouble in the world. This child has attitude like crazy. I always wonder why she has such a huge meltdown but I think it has to do with her limited words and becoming frustrated that Mommy just doesnt understand. I am busy in school working hard on finishing Chemistry and A&P 2 so I can apply to RN programs finally. And of course the hubby is busy with Army work. 

Holidays are upon us and that also means B's arrival. My last check up indicated no contractions, no issues, and we did a blood draw for my CBC to see if my iron has improved since the infusions. I am only up 18lbs from my pre pregnancy weight and I go back next week for a membrane stripping and 38 week check up! I am eager to see what my newest little bundle of joy will look like and what personality she will have, but I am also dreading leaving A and childbirth and homework as my semester doesn't end till after she's here! Anyways, Thought I would take a moment of my night and share my infusion update news, and maybe help someone else who may be curious. Have a great week!

Xo

Krista

How do you plan for the 2nd baby???

How does one truely plan for the birth of a second child? I am a planner, a scheduler and I do not like being left to the unknowns. It causes me great anxiety and fear.

I lately have found myself worried about my daughter, She will be 21 months when B arrives and A has only really known me, daddy, and a few close friends of mine. She is not use to being with people without me and I think that sends both of us into a separation anxiety filled attitude. When I have left her she cries for me and it breaks my heart often times I leave when shes napping so she wakes up to daddy and isn't as bad of a freak out. It has gotten worst as I've gotten more pregnant.

The thought of leaving A with someone she barely knows is terrifying to me. What if they abuse her? What if they neglect he? How will she feel being away from us? I cannot get over these fears it took me a lot to return to work after A was born and let someone I didn't know watch her. But this situation is different. I could in fact be away more than 1 day depending on labor, delivery and release from the hospital and A has never been away from me for more than 1 overnight with her Nanny in Colorado. I am trying to find faith that it will work out but at the same time all of this rushes through my head. Someone who barely knows her doesn't know her routine, doesn't know her behaviors, and I really think she'll feel abandoned but I have no choice with no local family and with a 2nd baby you just never know when they are going to come. Will she come way before her due date, will she come after it. We have no clue and I think that's what drives me the most insane!

I have decided to try and get a few people around her to socialize her, and may even interview a few that may come to the house and watch her need be. But I am still so anxious over it all. So if you read this blog and have any pointers, tips, tricks or trades you want to share for how to handle this fear, this anxiety or situation feel free to post a comment to me!

My plan for the 2nd baby is to get the birth plan done soon either before Colorado or After I return from my vacation. To have our bags started for all 3 of us and then to just wait and see what happens. Obviously I have no control but what I can plan for I will plan for! I don't know who she'll go with whether it will be Jeremy's coworkers wife, whether it be a friend of ours that I've hung out with a few times, or a hired person, All I know is I continue to seek peace in this matter and hope that she understands when the time does come We are coming back and we do love her stinky butt.

How did you plan for your 2nd baby? What steps did you take for the care of your other child? How did you make a smooth transition at home?

26 Weeks and Counting! Pregnant WITH WLS

What a fun couple of weeks its been, with appointments for catching up for prenatal care that we needed done, to preparing for a trip to Colorado, to getting Jeremy taken care of for work. I sometimes feel as if I am busier as a stay at home mom and wife than as an employee to a large company. Don't get me wrong I am in no means complaining, but some days I feel as if I never stop!

We were able to get our anatomy scan done and A behaved so well alone with me since Jeremy was at work. It is in fact a second baby girl! We are excited and nervous all at the same time! And I am in my 2 weeks of doing my blood sugar finger pricks for my gestational diabetes, OH Boy!

As a gastric  bypass patient we are advocates for our own care. I have done enough research and know how I respond to increased amount of sugars in 1 sitting in a short period of time I would end up hospitalized. So rather than having to do the glucose orange drink I am doing 2 weeks of 4 finger pricks a day. Or another alternative some doctors chose to use is to pull your a1c1 every 3 months from the start of your pregnancy. Let's just say I hate needles and this process and its stressing me out. I am terrified of the results, I am worried for of course B's health as well as she could end up with Diabetes later in life I have them during pregnancy and a week before all this we finally agreed to revamp our diets and get onto a clean eating for after she comes making shopping quicker, and easier for either parent to do!

My 26 week appointment to learn gestational diabetes involved a nutrition course and sadly all that was recommended to me to eat and how much was recommended to eat would never and could never fit in my tummy. And the scale climbed to 190lbs. I often have this mental mind game and battle because of the scale climbing. So at 27 weeks I am 190lbs and that puts me at a total weight gain for the pregnancy so far as 11lbs. I am hoping to stay under 25lbs as I did with A but we will see. Two nights ago I began doing 10 squats a night, 10 pelvic tilts and now I've added in 30 minutes of walking a night tonight, well it actually ended up being 15 minutes because it was 102 degrees. But I went .69 miles.

What the next week entails in our home for us is preparing for Aspen and I to fly to Colorado to visit some friends, attend a memorial service for my best friends mom and to enjoy some time away from the house. By time I return I'll be 30 weeks. So between gathering plane toys for Aspen, planning meals and shopping trips for September, and making sure all is done around the house it has been crazy. I am ready for the break, but sadly I do start my last 2 pre-reqs for nursing school on August 31st so my break will still involve being a Mommy and doing homework for Chemistry and A&P 2. But I know all of this chaos is worth it in the end!

See you again soon!
Krista xo

Pregnancy, Health, Life!

It has been far too long since I have blogged. I keep promising myself I will get better, I will remind myself to blog weekly if I can or daily. Then I get wrapped up in life and space the blog! I apologize for that! 

So you may wonder what is new in this momma's life. Being pregnant was rough the first semester and I am finally trying to get my energy back this second semester! It is here but some days I tend to overdue myself because I think I am not pregnant. I feel the baby move and so can Jeremy now which is even more exciting.


 * How has eating been during my pregnancy?
I eat often I snack a lot more than I actually eat a meal. I have been craving shrimp lately and yes I do give in to these cravings in moderation, I do not believe it is going to harm me as everyone always panics. I eat for snacks a lot of chex mix lately, ice water, hummus and carrots. I have been sticking to Jeremy's diet list he is eating chicken and spinach lately to get fit for a test, so what might I be doing with it because that's just so boring! I make a wrap, it has french or Dorothy lynch dressing then some shredded cheese, shredded chicken and a handful of spinach. It is so tasty!! We eat low carb tortillas when we do eat them. I have become highly addicted to spicy famous daves pickle slices on everything. I also love horseradish sauce, onions and horseradish mustard!! YUM! 

*What do I drink?
I often drink water with ice, lots of it. I swear I am always in the bathroom or asking to stop to pee! I do allow myself to splurge with soda occasionally but have been very strict on water since it is so so hot here! 

*How is weight gain going?
I have only gained 3lbs. I am 22 weeks today and that is great! I only gained 25lbs total with A! So I am hoping to stay the same area to be able to bounce back quickly! 

*Changes/Differences this pregnancy than last?
I have faced so many differences this pregnancy. I am on double prenatal this round to be safe with deficiencies due to WLS. I also am on a heme or carbynol iron and calcium citrate. I am more exhausted this round, have tons more headaches and am WAY more EMOTIONAL! I have no cravings or true desires to eat, often times I have to force myself to eat and remember to eat. 

* What exercise are you doing currently?
I am not exercising at this present time and I think that has to do with the extreme heat we live in. The heat makes me feel very sick and light headed so I have been putting it off. I did begin Kayaking today with A and Jeremy and it was amazing for my arms. We are working and discussing on me beginning Cross-Fit exercises at home after baby and squats! I also have began walking at nights with Jeremy but we have been inconsistent in it with the heat, life and him in the field working. However I do feel chasing my super hyper active toddler around has given me a good run for my money in exercise! And we do go float and swim the pools as much as we can! 

* Anything different planned for this baby from my 1st?
I do not plan on doing anything differently with this pregnancy or baby than my last. The only thing I do know is I don't need half the baby stuff I got with A and that I plan to take an easy approach to much of it. Making sure A is involved enough. Being outside and active. More baby-wearing maybe. However I plan to still breastfeed which will affect my diet after baby too! Oh and I know I don't need nearly as many baby clothes as I bought and had last time!! 

Anything else you wish to know or have questions about with a WLS post pregnancy feel free to ask!! 

Here is 18 weeks 6 days photo! 

Much love,
Krista

Hey Hey!

Hello Followers!!

I am sorry that I have been away from my blog for quiet a while. I didn't plan to be away intentionally however sometimes life gets the best of us! I had walked away last leaving you a post about how I had been experiencing a sickness and was unable to work out. Well that sickness was news that we weren't really ready to share yet. However the time is here! WE are expecting our 2nd little girl! I am currently 15 1/2 weeks pregnant and my energy level this time around is gone. To get up and function is a huge effort on my part lately. However, I am seeing a light in this long tunnel and feeling refreshed! So, whats new besides being pregnant again... Revamping our diet!

At the beginning of this crazy pregnancy, all I could get by eating was carbs, carbs and carbs. For anyone post gastric bypass surgery you know this is a bad habit. However we also cannot starve ourselves or avoid carbs because it is needed for the babies development. However what we can do is limit them. We are transitioning to 1x a month grocery shopping and meal planning that includes a diet of no sugar, less than 20g of carbs a day and protein, protein, protein.

My soon to be hubby is trying to get into the Army's special forces selection in September so this means, not only do we need to get him in shape we need to make a life long change to stay active and clean eating. Sometimes this is easier said than done. However a recent study we watched called "Sugar-Cause of Candida- Candida cause of cancer" I think really got my soon to be hubby in the right mindset to focus on letting go of his diet coke addiction and to change to a cleaner eating life style. However to not experience the toxic release of candida dying its a slower process for him. He will begin with taking probiotics and using coconut oil in his foods. However I think once you read about candida and learn the affects it has on your body you would see why its so critical to do the steps correctly and to clear out and get a clean gut!

So, what will this blog entail for the next 6 months! Well I am out of school. So my plan is to blog about our meal prep, meal planning, and recipes. As well as workouts. I am focused on being active as much as I can this pregnancy and trying to not gain any more weight than I did when pregnant with my first!

You may ask us what ever happened to your bet you wrote about. It went poof! However we are both focused on this mission together to eat clean, be active and be there for our daughters. I hope you enjoy the way the blog will run for a while and in a few months we will be back to reviewing proteins, adding in some crossfit and hiking!

Have a blessed day!

UPDATE!

Sorry for the late posts! It has been crazy and due to some unforeseen medical issues I've been facing I have been unable to work out as I should be. I am getting back on the band wagon with eating finally. I am detoxing from carbs this coming week. Everyone has an addiction that they battle, Carbs is mine! I am weighing in today at 179.4 lbs. I have been dehydrated and forcing myself to finally drink more water.

My previous post discussed the 5 day pouch test! I successfully completed it after starting it with tons of struggle and self control battle and did loose 5lbs. However I began struggling and went back to old habits due to the health problems.

What is the one addiction you face with food? What is your best way to conquer that addiction? What are your goals and dreams?

I do pretty well once I overcome temptation, I am so tempted and once I learn I don't need the Carbs to survive I do quiet well. I enjoy a protein only diet and felt more energy and not so cruddy after detoxing. I also like the slimmer feel without the bloat!
Encouragement is my biggest help! I love people that check in on me and encourage me!

Here's some motivation for you tonight!



I do not have the rights to the photo and I am not reimbursed or sponsored by any products I discuss! I hold no liability to it.