15.6.16

The difference 6 pounds makes

Weight on a scale. What a stupid and arbitrary number.

Yesterday I had my 20 week check up and the scale at my OB's office said I was 6 POUNDS more than my scale at home. What the heck?? I know I didn't gain 6 pounds in 5 hours. Obviously it's just a different scale (which is why people recommend you only weigh yourself on the same scale every time) 

So why did that number bother me so bad? Why did I go home feeling a little down, and eat a whole pint of ice cream because I was in a "screw it" mood? (other than that ice cream is just sooooo good) Why did I wake up this morning feeling a little less confident about how I look? (even though my scale at home still says the number it did yesterday) 

I don't look different. I didn't gain any extra weight. But it's that dang NUMBER that messes with your mind. Why?

I've talked about this before, but on the other end of the spectrum after losing 25 pounds. And I still have the same thing to say: the number on the scale doesn't matter. I still fit into the same clothes I fit in to last week. I look the same. Obviously that is going to change since I'm pregnant, but that's not the point of this post. 

My point is- I shouldn't feel any different when the scale reads XXX or YYY.

My other point- I'm going to stop looking at my OB's scale. Because it's only going up from here- and until I see a number I'm 1000% OK with that! #babyonboard 

14.6.16

2 Cents: Hurry Up, No, and I'm Sorry

We talked about THIS ARTICLE today on Good Things Utah and I loved it!

I've really made an effort to let Mckenzie be Mckenzie- even when it's inconvenient for me.


You want to bring 4 stuffed animals with you in the car today? 
OK


You want to stop here, unload your wagon and hang out? OK


You're bringing a pile of your dirty laundry out on our walk?
OK



You want to eat your lunch outside on the porch? 
OK


You want to eat all the stale hamburger buns at once? OK



You want to put your own shoes on even though we're 5 minutes late? 
OK



You want to dance around in the middle of the store because I fun song comes on? 
OK- I'll join you.


You want to wear your dress over your clothes on our trip to Target? Get it girl.


Usually when I'm rushing out the door and she is stalling I'm irritated and tell her "come on, let's go!" but she always has a very reasonable thought process as to why she's being slow. She's looking for her hat. She wants to bring her OTHER blanket. She is finding her shoes.

I've had to slow down and realize my child has her very own thoughts. She is learning how to process reason and I need to treat her thoughts as valid as I would treat Bart's.

Obviously there's some restriction. You want a second popsicle? No. You don't want to get dressed this morning? Too bad (Usually- there have been a few times where it's so traumatizing to her to get dressed, but not very often)

I believe in boundaries and rules and in saying no. But I also don't think I need to say no to every unconventional thing she wants.

From the very beginning I could tell she was going to have a BIG personality. A friendly personality, and a personality I LOVED. I made a promise to myself that I would never apologize for her, for just being her.

She walks up to a different mom at the library and tries to sit on her lap to read a book (yes, this happens). I say something to that mom, but I don't ever say "sorry". Why would I? She isn't doing anything wrong.

I don't want my daughter growing up hearing her mom say to others "Sorry about her, she's just really friendly." or "Sorry! She just loves other people". Are those things bad? Are those things I want to change about her? Never. I'll apologize if she hits your kid (and then make her say sorry too) or if she breaks something. But I'm not going to say sorry just because she's braver than both of us.

13.6.16

Good shirt mojo

My FB memories popped up THIS blog post and what are the chances I'm wearing that exact same shirt today? My baby bump is much smaller- but I figured it was a sign of good mojo today.

I got sucked into the black hole of old blog posts and it's been fun to re-read. I've only written 9 posts in 2016. Whoops! I really can't explain it. I know blogs are pretty much out of style, but I never wrote for a big audience anyway so that doesn't really matter to me. I want to be better at documenting my thoughts and motherhood so be prepared for some rusty posts coming your way.

Her typical weird quirk of bringing 3029834 with us on our walks

Summer is in full swing at the Bowen house and we LOVE having Bart home. He coaches a few hours in the morning, and then he's home with us. He still leaves for a few days at a time for football camps, but for the most part he is home. I can't explain to all of you how great of a man Bart is. In church yesterday we talked about "true greatness" and I couldn't stop thinking of the man I married. He has chosen to take on such an active role as father and husband and treats me like a complete equal. He is the sweetest and best dad to Mckenzie and every morning as they leave the house I can't help but get emotional at the love I feel for both of them. Seeing your strong, tough husband hold your baby daughter's hand out to the car is the sweetest view.

DIY pouring station = a huge hit


Mckenzie started swim lessons last week and she is like a fish in the water. She has NO fear and we've spent almost every day at our clubhouse pool. She only stays in the toddler pool for a few minutes before she wants to go play in the big pool. The swim lesson is pretty laid back and she is slowly starting to learn how to blow bubbles and float on her back. We also discovered this amazing splash pad close to our house and love to go there too. It's nice because I don't have to be attached to her hip at the splash pad. My love language is STILL independence.

Saying "CHEESE"! 

Speaking of independence, Macs has been shifting a little bit at nap time and bedtime and the last week I've had to rock her to sleep! I haven't done that since she was maybe 4 months old. If I do lay her down still wide awake she wants to hold my hand as she falls asleep. My guess is she's just more aware of the dark and being alone. It's the sweetest thing and I don't mind at all. It's funny, because when she was a baby I was really strict about her sleep habits and any kind of "help" because I didn't want to create bad habits. So I didn't do a lot of rocking to sleep or extra attention. And it worked for us, and she thrived. Now that she's older and changing, I don't mind giving her that extra snuggle time if that is what she needs. Plus I'm taking advantage of every single moment with her before her brother gets here! I rock her for a few extra minutes, or read her a few extra books because I know our alone time together is so precious. I've really loved this stage, and this extra-attachment phase she's in just adds to that love.

That's all for today- if you're bored- go see how good your candy skills are with this post: 

1.6.16

It's a Boy!

We're having a baby boy! I'm so excited. That has been my guess all along and it was so fun to get it confirmed today. A BOY! I can't stop smiling about it. I mean, I can't stop smiling about a new baby in general, but there's something about knowing the gender that takes everything to the next level. Now I can call it him and think of it as a little boy, not just a baby. Bart is thrilled of course and one of his first comments about it- "what if he doesn't like sports??" I told him his daughter knows more football signs than most adults, I don't think it's going to be an issue with his children.

Minus the fact that I got a cold this past weekend, I have been feeling really great. I've felt him move a few times, and I'm excited to have that be a regular thing again. I've been able to keep up on my exercise routine and my cravings have calmed waaaay down. I'm back to eating normal food cooked up in our kitchen. No more daily fast-food craziness. Plus, I slept AMAZEBALLS last night, so that puts you in a good mood for, like, days.

I don't know why I haven't been taking the time to write more. I like to type things out but it's just not very convenient anymore. Probably not a good excuse. Plus I don't have much of an update that isn't already posted on my other social media accounts. I'm trying to tone down my life-sharing. It's really hard when you have a kid as cute as mine- every photo is sharable!! ;)

Okay- that's all I have for tonight. #sorrynotsorry

25.4.16

12 Weeks and Hot Dogs

This won't be published after I write it since the cyber world doesn't know I'm pregnant yet. Everyone in my daily life knows, we just haven't posted anything yet.

But I have some time tonight and I wanted to write down how this pregnancy is going so far. I'm 12 weeks and this has been much better than the first time around. With Mckenzie I was sick for 16 weeks. Just dead on the couch from 1pm until I crawled into bed around 7. I still crawl into bed around 7, but being tired is much better than being sick. I was only pretty sick for about 2 weeks every day, and then it went away. I get sick in the evenings usually but it's random and maybe once a week is it enough for me to just want to sit and not do anything. Bart has taken such great care of me and Mckenzie when that happens.

My main pregnancy side effect would be insomnia, and I have to take a Unisom every night or I don't sleep at all. Even with a pill I have crazy dreams every night and usually wake up several times. But I haven't reached the pee-every-hour stage so thank goodness  for that! Plus I'm taking naps when Mckenzie goes down for her afternoon nap, so usually my fatigue is manageable. My other side effect, which is the same as last time, is bloating. Like- belly looks 5 months pregnant bloating. It doesn't matter if I eat a little or a lot, it will poke out within 10 minutes of eating anything.

My eating it totally different this time too. With Mckenzie I couldn't choke down a veggie, and this time I just want nothing homemade. I would eat out for every single meal if I could. In fact, I told Bart I'm not having any fast food this week. We'll see if I survive! My biggest craving has been hot dogs. I would eat a hot dog every day. But I usually try to limit myself to like 3 a week (except this one!). I think it's more the soft soft bun I love...Bart thinks it's so weird. He said in the 7 years he's known me I've never eaten a hot dog, and in the last month I've had like 10. There's no explaining it! I don't like cooking and nothing in my kitchen ever sounds appetizing, but I'm trying to behave myself. I've really enjoyed greek yogurt and making my own Lunachbles with cheese and turkey with GF crackers. It's my go-to lunch.

Speaking of GF- gluten hasn't really affect me too much during pregnancy, so I'm not too strict about it. But this past week I had 2 different migraines and I wonder if that's from the bread- so I'm also staying away from that good stuff this week too. Migraines are never worth a sandwich. Ever!

Since I'm feeling pretty good, and my first trimester has been during relatively nice weather, I've stayed active. With Mckenzie, being pregnant November-Jan during my first trimester and feeling like crap- I didn't exercise. Ever. It's been SO nice to be able to sweat and move my body and work hard. I've been running the same distances and at a little faster pace, and I've really upped by strength training. I know exercising is really only going to get harder, not easier, so I'm trying to make the most of if while I can. As I was stretching after my run tonight I remembered I only did a yoga video with Mckenzie when my belly was huge. I'm sure that video will make an appearance, just hopefully not for a few more months.

I had an ultrasound last week and saw our little peanut move around and it was so fun! I love hearing the heartbeat for the first time. It reminds me something is in there. With Mckeznie, since I was so sick I really needed that reassurance that something was going on, and it was going to be worth it. But this time around I know the amazingness that is cookin' up in there and I'm just so happy. Mckenzie is so sweet around babies, I know she's going to be a funny big sister. I'll have to protect the new baby from her hugs and snuggles and poking of the eyes- but I can't wait to see her meet her sibling. The idea of having 2 kids just blows my mind. There are things that don't scare me anymore (yes, you'll know when it needs to eat) but there is a whole new set of questions that won't be answered until it gets here! Mckenzie is at such a fun age right now, it just makes me even more excited to have another one.

Because everything is pretty different this time, everyone is convinced it's a boy. We'll find out June 1st!!

6.4.16

Mckeznie at the moment

Obsessed with oranges and water. Other favorite foods include oatmeal, berries, pasta and anything else that's for dinner. 

Wakes up crying from her nap like its the worst day ever 

Can't go anywhere without Dog and her baby doll. She also loves to have as many stuffed animal friends on her lap as possible. 

Walks around yelling "mommy!" in the most authoritative tone

Points to her diaper and says "poop" all day. Even when she's clean (it's the best when she does it in the middle of Sacarment Meeting) 

Speaking of church- yells "daddy!" Whenever he sits up on the stands and usually goes over for a visit 387 times 

Calls herself "Nenzy" or "Neney" 

Loves playing with laundry (dirty or clean) she knows which clothes are hers and she will take them from the pile and go hoard them in the corner of her room 

Loves to "run"- which is the cutest thing you'll ever see and she only biffs it about 30% of the time 

Loves to sit on my lap and read books. We read 30 books in one sitting and I have severa of the books memorized. Time for the library! 

Has opinions and can't be fooled too easily. 

Says "no" to any question asked. She doesn't know the word "yes" yet. If she yells "no" then she means no. If she says no nicely- she usually means yes 

Thinks every animal says "moo". Points to any and all animals and says "moo" (dog on her dress, lion logo on the hotel in SLC, pig on my Dirty Dash shirt- all say Moo) it's the best when we're driving. She'll randomly say moo and you have to figure out what animal she saw. The only time she is accurate is when she sees the Chic-fil-a billboards 





LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...