Pregnancy: 7 Ways to Aid in Waking Up

Photo by Jason Sheveland

Stretching

While still lying in bed, I begin stretching by rotating each of my ankles 3-5 times, then I flex my toes towards my head (as my calves can get extremely tight throughout the night). I hold this stretch for approx. 15-20 seconds on each foot.  Next, I (very slowly) rotate at the waist and stretch my lower back (Lumbar & Sacral regions) both sides. Finally, I do a full body stretch and take another deep breath.

Deep Breaths

By the time you get to your Third Trimester, your lungs begin to have less room as baby continues to grow and prepare for his or her arrival.  Although I find that I can breathe fairly well when lying down, it is always nice to sit on the side of our bed, raise my arms up over my head (to create just a bit more room) and then take a couple deep, rejuvenating breaths.  Ladies, you know the kind of breathes I mean. The kind of breath where you feel it awaken your body, all the way from your fingertips down to your toes.  

Photo by Sandara Lee

Shower-But With a Twist

There is nothing like stepping into a nice hot shower in the morning. However, if you are still feeling groggy and dreary eyed by the end, try switching over to cold water and letting it run on you for your final 10-15 seconds before you end your shower.  Whoa! Now wasn't that invigorating? 

Essential Oil

***First, there are Essential Oils that should be avoided during pregnancy. Before venturing into the world of oils, I encourage you to take a look at the following link. It lays out what oils pregnant women should steer clear of. http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2010/08/essential-oils-and-pregnancy.html

Second, because Essential oils are highly concentrated, they should not be used directly on the skin.  The way that I use them is 1) I take the lid off and smell the fragrance, 2) I add a few drops of the oil into a couple table spoons of oil (usually Grapeseed or Almond Oil) and then rub it onto my skin. 

My favorite "wake me up" fragrance is Peppermint. 

 Ice Water

Grab a glass ( I usually just use the same glass I had by my bedside), fill it with fresh, cool water and then add a few ice cubes (add cucumber, strawberries, lemon or lime) and drink it down.  Having a glass of water before eating breakfast has been shown to awaken your digestive track-preparing it for breakfast. After my first glass, I often refill it immediately, and then aim to drink at least 10-12 glasses of water throughout the rest of my day. 

 Breakfast-Fruit & Protein

During my first pregnancy I dealt with 14 weeks of "all day sickness".  My Midwife mentioned that although it may not sound good, eating protein for breakfast was really important and could help alleviate some of the nasty nauseousness I was feeling.  She was right!  When I started to feel nauseous this pregnancy, I remembered what she said and ate some protein.  Sometimes it's a few slices of cheddar cheese, other times it's been beans/nuts or scrambled eggs.  Most of the time (not all), eating protein has helped me not only feel better, but has increased and lengthened my energy. 

Photo by Amy Aldworth

Fruit is another great source of energy because of the natural sugars and antioxidants found within it. Many times, I've added some blueberries and banana to hot (or cold) cereal, or waffles.  Other times I enjoy eating a small bowl of mixed fruit or for a nice mid-morning snack I may cut up apple slices and dip them into plain Greek yogurt mixed with Peanut Butter, Cinnamon and Honey.   This pregnancy I have been craving watermelon, so there are moments I have sliced and diced some watermelon and enjoyed that.  Yum! Make it your own. Whatever fruit you like, have some on-hand
 for your morning meal or mid-morning snack. 

Day Light

When I get a chance to either sit inside (by a window where the sun is shining directly in), or if I get a few moments to venture outside to lounge in the sun, I find that my senses seem to awaken almost instantly.  Any areas of my mind or body that are still fighting grogginess, seem to awaken as I take a deep breath of that morning air and close my eyes.  If you are able to, another great way to enjoy the morning is by taking a stroll, which of course get's your blood pumping. 

Have a great day!! 

Philoteknos {Re-post}

The following was my first blog post ever and I decided that I wanted to re-post it today.  Enjoy! 

Q. What does God's Word (the Bible) say about being a Christian Momma?

A few days ago I had a conversation (on Facebook) with one of my cousins about this very subject and found what the Bible has to say pretty encouraging and insightful. So, if you are a momma, a soon-to-be momma, or if you have the desire to be a momma some day,  I highly encourage you to take a moment and read further. 

Although there are many examples of how to be a godly woman spread throughout God's love letter, there seems to be only one address that speaks directly to the special love that a mother has for her offspring and a very crucial role that God has bestowed and blessed many women with.  In the New Testament, in Titus 2:4-5, this is what it says, 

"4Then they (older women/mothers) can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the Word of God." 

Now, although there is a lot in those two verses we could unpack, we are only going to focus on the first half of this section. The word 'love' that is mentioned in this scripture derives from the Greek word, Philoteknos (pronounced fē-lo'-tek-nos). This word expresses a specific and unique kind of "mother love". The idea that this word brings across, is that when we as mothers care for our children--nurturing them, teaching them a biblical word view, playing with them, embracing them affectionately, being available to them, and as gotquestions.org states, "tenderly befriending each one as a unique gift from the hand of God", we, as momma's, are walking in obedience before the Lord. Now if that wasn't the biggest run on sentence, I don't know what is? :)  You get the point though right?  Our kids are special...really special, and they are a unique display of God's abilities to imagine and create. 

One more thing, from what I've read, the Bible never states that every single woman on the face of this planet should be a mother.  Some have no interest, some physically cannot, however, for those women that God does bless with children (whether biological or adopted), we need to take that responsibility seriously.  We are assisting in the shaping and molding of that human life.  

If you want, check out some of these other address that have to do with raising kids. 

Availability-Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Teaching-Psalm 78:5-6; Deuteronomy 4:10; Ephesians 6:4
Training-Proverbs 22:6; Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12
Disciplining-Ephesians 6:4; Hebrews 12:5-11; Proverbs 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14
Nurturing-Titus 2:4; 2 Timothy 1:7; Ephesians 4:29-32

Lord, 

Thank you for our son, thank you for the joy and life he brings to our lives. Please teach me to be more available and nurturing.  Let me see him through your eyes and please give me wisdom, discernment and patience in raising and teaching him about the big and small things in this adventure we call life.                                                        ~In Jesus' Name, Amen                          

Lyrical Latte Monday-May 27th

Photo by Amber Spung

Whether you have a career in the business world, or are a homemaker like me, Mondays can sometimes seem to drag by, in fact, they are notorious for being a day that most seem to dread. Then I had this thought, "Hey! I love music and so does almost every other person on the face of this planet. Why not post some great tunes on Mondays to help get us going?"  

We all know that music and lyrics can have this amazing melodic 'power' to help encourage and inspire the human soul to keep going (to persevere), or get going (a good swift kick in the bootie). So I have decided to begin posting a music video each Monday and I'm calling it, "Lyrical Latte Monday". Catchy eh?   "Lyrical"-explanation not needed. "Latte"-because there is nothing like an iced or hot cup of coffee (or tea) to give you a bit of a 'pick-me-up' and zest when it comes to your day.  

I chose this song to kick off this Lyrical Latte Monday thang, because I really dig The Crowder Band, and I have been a huge fan ever since my good ol' days with Y.W.A.M. Denver ('02-'05). 

Take a listen and enjoy! Happy Monday!

10 Things Not to Say to a Pregnant Woman

Photo by Dinidh OBrien

When a woman is pregnant, her body is changing and growing throughout those 9 months, and with those changes can come fear, apprehension, and insecurity about her body. A word to the wise, it would be very advantageous for those around her to never say...or sing...any of the following.  :) 

10. Are you pregnant? 
9. You are HOW far along? Wow! You look like you could give birth now! 
8. People, don't ever refer to a pregnant woman as an elephant or any other type of large mammal.  
7. You are looking "over gross" (commenting on the woman's weight). 
6. How many DO YOU have in there? 
5. You're HUGE!!! 
4. You look about ready to explode!!!  
3. Singing as pregnant woman walks by, "Rolly Polly, Rolly Polly".....Yes, this actually happened.  
2. Are you sure you aren't having twins?  
Drum roll please.........
1. You could use that thing (belly) as a table to eat a meal.

The Need for Taking a Moment to Stop & Rest

Yesterday afternoon, while my 16 month old was cozy and warm, asleep in his crib.  I turned off the TV, turned off the radio, put the laptop aside, and slowly slid the window open. The melodic lullaby's of birds was first to greet my ears, then with it, the soft sound of a spring shower as it began to perform a sweet cadence against the windows and rooftop.  I sat down in our rocking chair, leaned back, closed my eyes,  and just listened. 

My lungs took in the fresh fragrance of springtime blooms and water soaked earth.  As my eyes watched transparent rain drops slide down the glass, I was flooded with memories of my childhood.  I remembered the simplicity of it all. I recalled my families first spring in Western Oregon, having recently moved over the Cascades from Eastern Oregon. 

I focused on one of my memories--our first home on this side of the mountains...my Great Grandma's home...or it had been. After Great Grandma passed, we had the honor of living in that sweet little home for a short time. I can still remember the familiar smell that permeated the inside of her home, and the bookshelf in her dining room that was designated for us kids. It was filled with boxes of all kinds of treasures that a child seeks to know and play with.  

 Memories of my first experiences within this house, day after day of good ol' Northwest spring rain storms, sweep past my minds eye....

There were several years growing up that my parents chose not to have a TV in the home, (looking back now, I am so thankful, for it taught me to listen and to play) instead, most of my entertainment came from playing with my two pet Gerbils,  listening to the radio, petting my cat (Katrina), playing outside (I was a complete "Tom-boy"), and sitting by the window of my bedroom. I would rest my head on my arms while watching and listening to the rain drops fall.  Having lived the last several years of my life in the desert, where we didn't get a lot of rain, my 7 year old self was easily mesmerized by the little drops of water zig-zagging their way down the window. 

As time progressed, so did technology, and with it my tendency to stop and listen to the sweet sound of the rain and drink in the smell of its' earthly goodness. Between the business of life: school, family, kids, friends, jobs, TV, Netflix, CD players, Ipods, Pandora, the Internet, and the day to day sort of stuff...somewhere in the middle of all of that...I forgot what it was like to be serenaded by the simple beauty that is all around me.

 I remembered, and it was rejuvenating and calming all at the same time.  With the constant "noises" of our lives that are, many times, 24x7. It's so refreshing to remember to have those moments of turning off all that "techy stuff", and just resting and enjoying the solitude with it's natural and organic goodness.  It's good for us--holistically (had to throw in that "buzz word"), and it's a great and valuable thing to share with our tech saavy kids as they grow up in an age where time without something on--is rare. 

Our To Do List

Although this week is probably going to be pretty busy, I'm hoping that it will also be productive. Today I am working on being intentional by scribbling out a "To Do" list.  On it are things that we will need to get done before Baby #2 arrives.   Some of the things on this list include: moving 3 dressers to different places, putting up a shelf, moving another shelf, putting up curtains, taking a load to Good Will, and moving some items to our garage for safe keeping. Of course this is besides all of the day to day chores.   Our goal is to do a couple of these things each week over the next few weeks. 

Hope your week is a great and productive one! 

Until next time....

Mother's Day 2013

Pregnancy Journal Entry-Week 31

Hi Sweet Boy,

Yesterday marked the beginning of week 31 gestation for you and boy oh boy I think you want out.  :)  You were head down and pressing down much of the day yesterrday.  But you need to say in and "cook" a bit more....at least 6 weeks ok?  Good! Now that we have that settled.  

Photo by Douglas McGrew

This week, you are around 4 lbs and approximately 17-18 inches long.  Although you are moving a lot, I have begun to notice you are beginning to run out of room.  Also, over the past week I've begun to notice patterns in you being awake and active vs. times when you are sleeping.  

We had a check-up last week and you are doing great! Your heart beat sounded amazing and you are measuring healthy and normal.  Daddy and I are still praying for you every night.  Your big brother is almost 16 months old and is really beginning to sign and talk to and with Momma and Daddy more. He is growing and learning and can't wait to meet you. He even has a couple of books that are helping him learn more about having a little brother and what it is going to be like when you arrive.  We pray that over the next couple of weeks you continue to stay safe inside Momma and that your body continues to grow and get ready for life outside.  

We love you Cutie Pie! 

Ordinary Missional Living

Before I begin this post.  I want to make sure and preface it by saying that this article is geared towards those mothers that are also homemakers and may be dealing with feelings of inadequacy or guilt for not "doing more".

********

Before I began my own journey of motherhood, I would hear from other mother's that they were struggling with feelings of "shame" and "guilt". They felt that the only thing they were known for was, "being a mother" and they were feeling pressure from those around them to do more--be more. Yes, they had gifts, talents, dreams, and visions (some of which they did incorporate on a daily basis), but was it ok they weren't involved in "ministry" and were choosing to focus on raising their kids in this season of their life? 

Not yet being a mother at the time, I could only imagine what their internal struggles regarding their new identities and search for significance might be. Now, as a momma of 15 months, I am beginning to have some personal insight and understanding into what those fellow mothers were going through. There are moments when it's really tough being a new mother. Not only is the learning curve in parenthood HUGE and a constant thing, but sometimes we can feel lost in the midst of it all. 

Awhile back I began to have this inward dialogue, a wrestling of sorts I guess one could say. I began to ask some different questions. Who was I before the birth of my first son?  Who am I now? Am I ok with just being known for being J's mother? (Like that is a bad thing? Not at all!)  Have I lost my identity?  Why don't I do any of the hobbies I once found so much fulfillment in doing?  Is that ok? What about ministry? What about a career? Why do I feel like I should be doing more?  Isn't raising a family a ministry in and of itself?   I have continued to grapple with many of these questions and feelings the past few months.  Then this past week my hubby and I read the following article, The 'New Legalism', written by Anthony Bradley.  http://www.worldmag.com/2013/05/the_new_legalism In this article the author writes, "How the push to be 'radical' and 'missional' discourages ordinary people in ordinary places from doing ordinary things to the glory of God."  This was one of the key things I was feeling. Having been deeply involved with youth ministry, and then worship ministry for more than a decade, I found myself backing away from those things and focusing on motherhood. In the midst of all of the questions I had been asking myself, this was at the heart of it all. Was being 'ordinary' ok? Was I ok with focusing on motherhood and being a homemaker? Could I see this as the ministry God has for me in this season of my life?  After reading that article and doing some personal soul searching and prayer, I found I could finally take a deep breath and be a mom, without the guilt of feeling like I needed to have what the society views as a career, or what 'the Church' may view as ministry.     

 Motherhood is a ministry.  Fatherhood is a ministry.  Parenthood is a ministry.  Why is it that we think that it isn't, or that we get bored and feel like we have to do more? Be more?  My husband asked me a question the other day, "Why is it that we (Christians) feel like ministry in the church or community, or even having a career so many times takes precedence over our own flesh and blood? 

We are on this earth for such a short amount of time. Each of us (our lives) are but a breath....a vapor in the span of time.  In that breath of a moment, some of us are given the opportunity to raise a family and in that short time of 18-21 years we have but only 5-10 formative years that we can hopefully focus the majority of   our energy on our children. During those first 10 years (between the ages of Newborn-10 years old), they are hungry little sponges, soaking up everything around them--24 hours a day. They are constantly watching and listening to us and searching for guidance, while at the same time, beginning to learn who they are a part from us.  After those first crucial years, their independence increases and they will search for answers to questions many times from outside their home.  Our hope and prayer is that (although we are not perfect and we will make mistakes as parents), that our children know that they were a top priority. When we look back, our hope is that our family came first, instead of work, a career or ministry.

In closing, let me say that I am not against mothers or fathers who work full-time or are dedicated to their work, nor am I against parents who are involved with ministry outside your family tribe. This post may not be a very popular post, but I felt it was necessary for some fellow mother's who are struggling right this very moment.  Be encouraged!  You are on a journey that is humbling, challenging, amazing and growing, all at the same time.


Until next time....

Toothbrushing Adventures

Teaching a 15 month old how to brush his own teeth can be extremely frustrating or delightfully hilarious.  It all depends on the attitude of the parents.  When J started getting his first teeth around 6 months, we picked up a rubber tooth brush (slips over my index finger) and fluoride free tooth gel. He adjusted pretty well to that, since he was "teething" and to him it was just another fun thing to chomp on.  

Then, around 14 months we began switching over to a real (baby) toothbrush, not only because he had more than 10 teeth (and Momma wanted to have a hand left from all of that chomping), but we felt he was beginning to be at a place of being able to imitate us.  The first several tries ended in me almost straddling him, trying to get a brush in his mouth, Momma frustrated, and then he'd throw a HUGE tantrum when I'd take the brush away for the night.

Time for a new approach. My husband suggested that I bring him his toothbrush and maybe J would grasp a little more by imitating him.  Hubby to the rescue!! Great idea! So for the last week or two, this has been our approach.  J knows that after his evening bottle, and after choosing his PJ's (we have just started letting him do this, through a suggestion by a friend) and a diaper change, it is TOOTHBRUSH TIME WITH DADDY!!! I grab both of my guys' Tbrushes, and they have some time of just brushing together and Doug instructs and shows J how it's done.  Then we let J just mess around with his brush on his own for a bit, then Momma finishes up.  He is just now beginning to open his mouth for me so I can do a quick once over-top and bottom.  I have learned that this 'once over' will last about 15-30 seconds before he's done, so Momma has to be quick. This approach has done wonders, and we now fill that J is beginning to not only have some fun with brushing his teeth, but learning too.  Yay!