Growing Booby Problems

At first I was hesitant to blog about my ever-so-growing girls, but since this is my way of journaling my pregnancy, here goes.

Pretty much my bras stopped fitting me about 2 months ago, and I would struggle each morning trying to force them into the cup, only to find that every movement I made would make them fall out and I was "adjusting" them every second of the day.  Then I had enough.  I went to Fred Meyer one late night and found the most hideous looking old-lady, wireless nude colored bra.  This was going to have to do until I could get fitted for a proper "sexy and cute" bra.  I mean, I was only 12 weeks pregnant.  By the way, this hideous bra is so darn comfy, I would probably never go back to a pretty Victoria Secret wire bra if it weren't for my husband staring at me as if I aged 50 years right in front of his eyes :)  Don't worry My Love, I'll always wear sexy bras for you :)....even when I'm 80.

Anyway........Zach and I went Christmas shopping up north and I decided it was time to get properly fitted at Nordstrom's and get a perfectly fitting nursing bra.  Even though I'm only 20 weeks, I figured if I'm going to spend the money for a nice bra, I mine-as-well just get a nursing bra, because I figure I will be wearing it for a good 2 years or so.  Plus, a few of my friends who are moms told me to do so.

As we passed the piano player and made our way to the second floor where the bras and panties are, a nice lady approached me and asked how she could help me.  I told her I was pregnant and needed to get fitted for a nursing bra.  As she hesitated, she looked down at my "belly" and asked, "how far along are you?"  I told her the whole spiel....I'm 20 weeks, none of my bras fit and I want to just get a nursing bra.

She was very sweet and knowledgeable.  She took me to the back to measure me (she was probably wondering what the heck kind of old lady bra is that you are wearing).  She asked me what size I normally am and I told her.  My boobs have already grown 3 sizes and I'm only half way there.....agghh!!!!  She laughed at me and told me that I should definitely not invest in a bra, because when its all said and done, at the rate I'm going-my nursing bras will most likely be a 34H.  Ummmmm.......really!??!!  That's gross!  I'm thinking 34 dd, ddd, e, f, g, H!!!!!  So much for not getting stretch marks...I'll probably get them around my breasts. :(  I guess I just assumed my boobs would grow a couple of sizes, no big deal.  Can't wait to see what they look like after I'm done nursing.

She told me to just go buy a cheap bra that I can wear for a month until I need another size and continue doing that until about 2 weeks before I give birth when my milk starts coming in.  The problem is......no bras fit me because my rib cage is so small compared to the cup size.  AGGHH!!!  Frustrating....so I guess I'll just stick to the attractive nude sports bra looking thing that I bought for $10 at Fred Meyer.  It's working just fine.

Nutrition and Baby: Part 1

Now, obviously this is a very serious and important aspect of growing a baby and I have been researching and preparing my body for this for just about a year now.  I'm excited to experience pregnancy/birthing not only because I cannot wait to be a mom, but also because it will make me a better Nutritionist--helping moms and mama's to be.

I never realized that EVERYTHING that I eat and how I take care of my body, as well as what Zach has been eating/lifestyle (prior to conceiving), etc will affect the development of our child. 

Being a first-time mom who is familiar with the work of Dr.Weston A. Price (a Dr. who started a foundation for traditional foods, medicines, etc) , I was naturally curious to see what the "popular" pregnancy books had to say on the matter of nutrition. So I  have been researching A LOT lately on the matter.....well, to be honest, the researching started last year when we were "thinking" of getting pregnant. I was surprised, not by the variety of the advice between the different books, but by the consistency of the message. Many of the pregnancy books included the USDA food pyramid, and in my opinion, the horrible government recommendations. And while some of their advice is useful, much of it is misleading or just plain wrong.  Just the fact that these books tell you to start feeding your baby low-fat foods and cereal like cheerios at 6 months (aka. processed and refined genetically modified sugar and wheat) says a lot.

Ok, I'm not going to dwell on all the negatives, nor do I really want to even talk about them, so I'm going to share all the goodness I am doing :)

Most Important Daily Essentials Include:

Garden Trio (BarleyLife, beets and carrots)

I've been taking this for years and I know that Sophia and I are getting the absolute best nutrition possible!  These are whole foods.....because synthetic never compares to whole foods, so I'm taking this instead of a prenatal. This not only helps with the way she develops, but will help her be a fat and healthy baby :)  My kids will be raised on BarleyLife!  It's God's food and I honestly don't think there is anything that compares.

Essential Fatty Acids and Cod Liver Oil

I switch between these 2 because they do different things, but essential fatty acids are absolutely necessary for the proper development of a baby. New research is showing that ADHD can be caused by a deficiency of EFA's in the mother, yikes!  Also, research shows that children that are given these fats during pregnancy and nursing are more intelligent and have a higher IQ.  I could go on and on about the benefits of good essential fats.  When I stop breast feeding, I'll put the EFA's in an eyedropper and feed them to her that way.

Herbal Fiberblend

Ok, so this isn't so much for Sophia, but for my own well being :)  I've also been taking this for about 8 years now and can't live without it.  Let's just say this keeps me regular, thanks.

When supplementing, its very important to be putting legitimate GOOD researched products into your body and not some cheap Costco fish oil.  OK, I'm preaching, but HEY, that's what I do for a living....I'll stop now, but please feel free to ask me any questions about supplements :)  I love helping people feel their best!

I'm also supplementing with:

• Folic Acid
• A wonderful Calcium/Mag/Vit C and Vit D powder (calcium should ALWAYS be powder form)
• Leaf Greens (a powder that contains five-nutrient dense leaves of barley, broccoli sprouts, faba beans, field peas and spinach)
• B12 (as needed ) this was my life saver when I was nauseous in my first trimester

I think that about sums it up!  All of my lab work came back PERFECTO!!!!  In fact, my Vitamin D was off the charts, which is usually very low in this part of the country because we get little sun.  My midwife said it was because of the Cod Liver Oil and the good Calcium powder that contains Vit. D.

I would love any feedback on supplements and pregnancy.  I love to learn.  Feel free to share what you know! :)

Yah for good nutrition :)

Will Sophia look like Daddy?

Zach was possibly the cutest baby I've ever seen.  From his olive skin, big beautiful eyes and long eye lashes to his breathtaking smile, I wonder what Sophia will get from her daddy....

 look at those eyes

 His lips....still one of my favorite things about him

 with his daddy

 and his beautiful mommy

 determined then....determined now

 brother Johnny

 brother Joey

 brother Garett

My husband--the most honorable and wonderful man that I know! xxooxx

Merry Christmas!

Christmas is over and I'm already excited to Spring Clean and get Sophia's nursery ready....OK, I know I'm a little anxious and over zealous, but this happens every year to me.  Once Christmas is over, bring on the three "S" Spring, Summer and Sophia! 

Mama got sick this past week for the first time in years.....I could tell that a cold was on the way, because my throat started to hurt.  Right away, I started taking TONS and I mean tons of BarleyLife.  I also made homemade ginger tea (its delicious) and has anti-inflammatory properties.  All you do is boil a medium piece of ginger in about 4 cups of water for about 30 minutes, yummy!  I also upped my Vitamin C by a lot and the cold went away in a couple of day, thank goodness!  I can't afford to be sick, especially during Christmas.  I'm still a little "stuffy" but feel fine.

Sophia got some adorable gifts this year from her Nana's.

 A beautiful pink blanket and cute soft clothes from Nana Gwen

Her 4th of July outfit from Nana Kathy

(by the way, both my mom and Zach's mom have decided that they will both be called "Nana," but isn't it Sophia that will decide what she wants to call them :)

21 weeks or so.....

 My stomach muscles are almost unrecognizable :(

"Sophia now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like she's practicing martial arts as her initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to her activity as you get to know her better. In other developments, Sophia's eyebrows and lids are present now, and her vagina has begun to form as well.

Love you Forever

 

My Mama in the delivery room

Knowing that Sophia is my first born, I can't describe the love I already have for her.....not because she is a girl, but because I was my moms first born baby girl and my mother never showed me anything less but how much she loved and cared for me.  One thing is for sure, I ALWAYS felt special and loved..... and still do!  I only hope that Sophia feels the love that I felt as a little girl by my mother.  One of the books my mom always read to me was Love You Forever and she would always recite the special verse:

I love you forever

I'll like you for always

As long as I'm living

My baby you'll be

She's the Length of a Banana!

140 Days to Go!!!!

"Sophia weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against her torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of her head to her bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, she's measured from head to toe.)
She's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for her digestive system. She's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in her bowels, and you'll see it in her first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery)."

How I'm Doing.,....

How far along? 20 weeks exactly!  Half way there!!!

Total Weight Gain: Today I weighed 136 so a total of 14 pounds! This seems a little high, but oh well....I've been enjoying myself :)

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, however I cannot button my jeans anymore.....thank goodness for the baby bump elastic thingy that Jen gave me :) I pulled out a 10 year old long-stretchy skirt today as I was scrambling in my closet in a panic trying to get out of the house on time for work.  As long as it stretches, it works.

Baby’s Size: 13.5 centimeters (about the size of an eggplant) and measures about 1/2 a pound.

Movement:I cant feel her yet, but she was moving a lot in the ultra sound.......I can't wait to actually feel her daily!

Sleep: Ok, so the dreams are out of control.  I've never been one to remember my dreams, and I wake up with full details....they are just so random :)   I always tell Zach about them and he laughs.  My dream last night was that I was floating down the river with Britney Spears and someone else and a Tick stuck to my thumb.  I twisted it off and it left a big wound.....weird.

Symptoms:  Skin is still freaking out and weird dreams.  I don't really feel pregnant other than the fact that I have a belly now.  I bent over in the car the other day to grab my water bottle on the floor and it kind of hurt because I smooshed my belly. :)  I guess I forgot it was there.

Best Moments this week:  Finding out the sex!  Can't wait to meet her!

Food Cravings:  Fresh Strawberry and passion fruit pop-cycles from Trader Joes.

What I am Looking forward to: Christmas and my sister's birthdays!

Goal this week: To get out some Christmas decor and get a stocking for Sophia.....I usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving, but I've been so busy and I've been gone every weekend.  We have Christmas at our house, so I need to get it festive!

Our Trip to Reno

Me and beautiful Auntie Kiana

Auntie Bernice pointing at my "fat belly."  Well put by a 9 year old.

20 weeks

Auntie Kiana, Papu Joey, Auntie Bernice and Daddy Zachary

Virginia City 

We had so much fun with Zach's Dad's side of the family (the Greek side) in Reno.  The weather was beautiful and sunny every day.  I finally got some vitamin D!  I love them so much, its always hard to leave.  See you next time in Washington when Sophia is born!!!

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!!

Sophia Lynn Kosturos
(Sophia means Wisdom in Greek, Lynn is after me and her Nana Kathy)

God has blessed us with a baby girl, and we couldn't be more excited!  When we got the ultrasound, we got to watch her for about 20 minutes.  I couldn't stop staring at her, while crying of course.  I was actually so emotional that I think I cried for about an hour after we left the hospital (HOLY EMOTIONAL!!).  The first 10 minutes or so of watching her, she was moving all over the place, even sucking her thumb (just like Daddy predicted).  Then she must of been so tired that she conked out and fell asleep. It was the most precious thing I have ever seen.  She is measuring a little longer than 'normal,' 13.5 centimeters curled up.  It must be all of that Barleylife she's getting.  We got to see every part of her beautiful body, including her heart beating, her brain, her spine, her bum and of course all the limbs :)

My father- in-law, Joey and sister-n-law, Bernice were there to watch her with us.  It was absolutely amazing!!!  Zach and I couldn't stop talking about her for the next few days....in fact, we still keep talking about her :)  We cannot wait for her arrival.  

When we got home from Reno, we were surprised with some yummy sugar cookies made by Uncle Gary and Miss Lindsey.  Thanks guys!  We love you :)

18 Weeks and the Bump is Growing!

Side View

If I wear black, its hard to tell from the front.

"Your baby weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound."

A lot of Researching Going On Up In Here

 Lately, the hype seems to be delivering a baby planned on a certain day and a certain time with tons of people watching.  Birth has become more of a "show or production," instead of letting the mother and baby work together when they are ready and delivering when the body is ready to deliver.  Our plan is to deliver naturally without the use of drugs.....so let's pray baby Kosto will not give us any problemos! :)  

I'm not saying that using drugs means that every woman or their baby will have the horrible side effects that can happen and of course you can have a perfectly healthy baby and birth with the use of an Epidural, I just find it quite interesting that a lot of women don't do the research when there are many scary side effects that are very common with Epidurals....nor do doctors or nurses warn women on the side effects--its just become the "norm."  Bottom line, there is a risk.  In fact, one of the patients that comes into our office has had two kids.....the first delivery was fine with the use of an epidural, the second pregnancy (8 years ago) didn't go so well.....today she suffers from horrible back pains exactly where the epidural was injected and her child HAS many of the side effects listed below, so again--its a risk.  She is actually pregnant right now and has the SAME due date as me :)--her plan is  "definitely not using drugs because of what happened."  I understand if it is absolutely necessary for drugs and I am very thankful for conventional medicine if needed or in case of an emergency (which is very rare), but to just plan on using drugs without even trying doesn't make sense to me......that's just me :)

Side-effects:

• Short term: Nervousness, tingling around the mouth, tinnitus, tremor, dizziness, blurred vision, or seizures, followed by depression: drowsiness, loss of consciousness, respiratory depression and apnea.
• Long term effects: loss of perineal sensation and sexual function, neurological complications, backache (weeks to years), postpartum feelings of regret, loss of autonomy, fecal and urinary incontinence or bladder dysfunction (inability to urinate), & paresthesia ("pins and needles").

* Side-effects on the baby:

• Direct drug toxicity, fetal distress/abnormal FHR (can lead to emergency cesarean), drowsiness at birth, poor sucking reflex, maternal fever (impeded thermoregulation from numb skin) leads to fetal hypothermia and neonatal, NICU workup (spinal tap, etc.), poor muscle strength and tone in the first hours, neonatal jaundice, decreased maternal-infant bonding, behavioral problems & hyperactivity up to seven years (suspected).