Big (…or little) News!

 

I’m pregnant! 7 months pregnant to be exact. Yes, very pregnant 🙂

Here’s some of the fun details:

 

Due Date:

End of March 2017 

 

Gender:

I wanted it to be a surprise so we opted not to find out. So many people tell me that waiting to find out the gender until birth was one of their top most incredible moments and I can imagine! The anticipation even thus far has been so fun! Zach thinks we are having a boy. At first, I totally thought the baby was a girl because I had a few baby girl dreams, but lately I’m thinking it may be a boy, too. My side of the family and most of Zach’s side think it’s a boy. Plus, a lot of people tell me that I’m carrying like I have a boy. We shall see! I can’t wait 🙂

 

 

Planned or not:

Definitely a surprise baby! This may come as a surprise to a lot of you, but Zach and I never planned on having kids. It’s not that we don’t like kids. Because we do. A lot!  But we love the life we’ve built together during our 13 years of marriage… including lots of sleeping in, going out, freedom, fun, adventure, travel, romance, incredible intimacy, great communication, do what we want, whenever we want. 

 

Looking back, we had so many fears about having kids. We truly thought that kids would ruin everything we loved about our life. Finding out that I was pregnant was a huge emotional roller coaster for both of us.

 

In fact, we didn’t even tell anyone I was expecting until 18 weeks because we were having a difficult time wrapping our heads around everything. We both sought some therapy – as a couple and one on one – to express and get rid of all our fears, resistance and concerns around child birth and child raising so we could move forward with excitement, gratitude and love. And now I can honestly and confidently say that we are both thrilled about this new little blessing. It will definitely be a new kind of fun and adventure, but one that we’re welcoming with very open, joyous, grateful and loving arms. 

 

I realize there are so many people who have been struggling to conceive and what I just wrote doesn’t seem fair. I debated even sharing my feelings around it because I didn’t want to cause any hurt. If you are struggling to get pregnant, please know that I see you and I care about you. I don’t know why some things work out the way they do. But I personally find hope in knowing that all things do work out for our highest good and in the perfect timing. That promise has gotten me through a lot of life’s curve balls over the years and it’s eventually always proven true. Perhaps you may find some hope and comfort in it, too:

“He knows us far better than we know ourselves….That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives is worked into something good.” Romans 8:28, The Message

 

 

 

How I’m feeling:

So so great! Dare I say…..phenomenal?! It’s true – this has been such an easy, comfortable pregnancy. I feel incredibly healthy, strong, vibrant and I have an abundance of energy. I even feel more compassionate, loving and tolerant, which I never was expecting because I’ve heard so many horror pregnancy stories from friends and family. I’M SO THANKFUL…and so is Zach!

 

 

Cravings:

Fruit! Fruit, fruit and more fruit, but even more so in the first trimester. I can’t get enough of kiwis. I eat 2 or 3 a day and each time I eat one, I act like it’s the best thing I’ve ever eaten in my entire life. Zach says I look and sound like Homer Simpson eating donuts while I’m eating my kiwis haha! During the second trimester, I seemed to want all the healthy fats. Especially cheese and dairy. Givemeallthecheesethankyouverymuch.  And now that I’m in the 3rd trimester, I want protein. So. Much. Protein. Thankfully, I haven’t wanted sweets or desserts at all. No weird cravings either.

 

Looking back, I find it incredibly fascinating that my body intuitively craved the exact nutrients needed for a baby’s optimal development at precisely the right time. Our bodies are SO COOL!!!

 

Names:

None yet. We have fun discussing names, but nothing stands out to us yet. I want to see a face and a personality before I pick out a name so we’ll probably pick something after the baby is born. In my mind,  as soon as we see the baby we’ll just know and agree. People tell us that’s a horrible idea, but Zach and I are such spur of the moment kind of people and we think our way will suit us just fine.

 

Now I want to answer your questions! Ask me anything….

 

As you may have guessed, I’ve done loads of research on easy, healthy pregnancies and comfortable, natural deliveries and am committed to taking the best possible care of myself and my baby. Because I’m in the holistic living field, I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by some of the top experts and doctors in holistic, natural pregnancies and I’m taking full advantage of their knowledge and experience.  I’ve always taken really good care of myself, but now that I have a little one counting on me for nourishment, I’ve stepped it up a couple notches. Especially in the self-care and rest department.  I’ll share my pregnancy must haves in an upcoming post. I believe they are a huuuuuge reason for my super easy pregnancy and abundant energy and I can’t wait to pass on the knowledge! 🙂

 

But in the meantime, Zach and I want to put together a video answering any of your questions surrounding pregnancy and birth, our feelings, what we’re doing, the details, etc. As you may have guessed, we are doing things a bit outside the box of a conventional pregnancy and birth. So if you have a question please comment below. Nothing is too personal or off limits so don’t be afraid to ask us anything! Or if you want to share any encouragement or tips for us newbie parents, we’d absolutely love to read them, too! 

 

 

 

Thank you for sharing in our joy, being a part of our lives and for your continued support and encouragement!  You are a blessing to me!