Pregnancy Highlights - 7 weeks

How Far Along: 7 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby M is the size of a pea

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I've gained 5lbs blah.. bread is my only relief from morning sickness so I'm eating it constantly

Maternity Clothes: Just a maternity top because I love long tanktops

Gender: another 10 or so weeks to go.. I think it's a girl though!

Movement: Not there yet

Sleep: Exhausted but not sleeping well

What I miss: Drinking beer while watching football! So excited next football season we will have a new person to join the party :)

Cravings: Ugh... Can't even look at most food.. pretty much bagels and oranges have been my major food "groups"

Symptoms: NAUSEA.. I am dying.. I can't wait to get out of this stage

Best moment this week: Talking to my mom about baby stuff.. noone knows yet (besides a handful of friends and family) so its nice to be able to talk out loud with someone about the baby besides my husband.. Makes it more real to me.

5 Weeks

How far along are you? 

5 weeks and 2 days

Total weight gain: 

ugh up 5 lbs since we found out.. BADBADBAD

I am really trying to chill out with the cravings since I am only like a minute into this thing.. If I can't control cravings now - I'm doomed for the next 34 weeks.

How big is baby?:  

Baby M is the size of a sesame and looks like a tadpole.. who knew something SO small is SO important

Maternity clothes: 

 No - but the bloating is KILLING me.. I am wearing Lands End lounge pants to works since they look like dress slacks. PS - SO should have thought of this sooner.

Stretch marks?:  

In some places.. I gained some weight since May so those are to blame.. but I'm using coco butter already so hopefully they don't get too too bad.

Sleep?: 

I am so exhausted every night I get home.. passing out as soon as I am vertical (whether on the couch or in bed) is not an issue. Some nights I stay asleep no problem.. other nights I wake up 100 times. It is really a hit or miss - but it was like that before I was pregnant so not much has changed HAH.

Best moment this week?:

 Jake rubbing my belly and calling me momma bear.. beyond sweet.

Movement?: 

Got a few months before that starts up.. I think it won't be until then that I believe this is real

Food cravings?:

EVERYTHING - but mostly icecream

Food aversions?:

not yet

Yay!

Ok.. so I have sucked at blogging so far. But between holidays and our big news things have been busy. I am happy to say we are expecting our first little nugget. She/He will arrive September 17 (or whenever) 2012 and I couldn't be happier. On that note.. I am also petrified. I plan on being a stay-at-home mom and it's hard to imagine what things will things will be like once my income disappears. One big positive about this whole thing is that we are being forced to cut down our costs and live within our means (which up til about a month ago was just a sick, sick joke). We are finally paying off our debt and saving up. Good parents! But things will be tight and I'm trying to find ways to keep myself preoccuppied once I am a full-time mommy so I don't lose my sense of business savy I worked so hard to get. I know I am leaving the work force MUCH earlier then most expecting moms who plan to stay at home, however, we feel this is the best thing for OUR family. I clearly do not like my job - and this will be a good way to find out just what I am capable of. Right now though I am focused on my little nuggy and making sure it is growing nice and strong. I know you don't announce to the world your preggers til the 2nd trimester. But I figured noone really reads this blog (YET ;) ) atleast that I know on a personal basis. YAY for blog friends.

Cheers to non-alcoholic drinks and a long list of foods you shouldn't eat!

Taking some time to BREATHE

I'm so bummed I wasn't able to post for so long.. but work has seriously been WAY overwhelming. I have been working my butt off (for no particularly good reason) and putting in some serious hours at the office but now it is finally Christmas weekend and I have some time to breathe. I have the next 6 days off (PRAISE THE LORD) and I will be blissfully parking my behind on the couch enjoying every single one of them. I'm seriously over this job but hey I should be lucky to have one right?

RIGHT?

Now I can breathe....

The Fire has been put out.... PHEW.... It may take a few days to calm my nerves.

Good thing the rest of my week is looking not too shabby.
*Tomorrow my boss is working from home so that means a relatively stress free day for me.
*Thursday is the Mass Conference for Women which will be fun and interesting.
*Friday = OFF!!!!! Although my boss already told me she will make me work from home if something comes up.. gee thanks lol.

Tomorrow I am going to the gym on my lunch hour.. I set a goal to work out atleast 30 mins 4 times this week. I have already worked out twice (Sunday and Monday - although Monday was only 20mins - still better then nothing).

Tomorrow I will post my Christmas Wish List (heads up... it's REALLY long lol)

Have been working for 72 hours straight.. and I'm still going strong!

Work is a living NIGHTMARE this week. Our Dec. 30th deadline was pushed to.. you guessed it.. TOMORROW. I am tired, grumpy and feeling rather puffy (why thank you stress eating).

Hopefully the rest of my week winds down and who knows.. maybe Friday off? (YAH, right).

 

So as you can imagine I'm in no mood to make up a really engaging post today. It was hard just brushing my hair this morning. So I stole a post from my favorite blog (and inspiration) Table for MORE

http://www.tableformoreblog.com/

 

I found it really interesting that we pretty much can't eat anything these days without fear of killing ourselves from poison and chemicals. Oh well.. I think I have eating almost all the 7 "deadly" items today.. WHOOPS.

 

Enjoy :) (And thanks, Allie!!)

 

Here is the list

7 Foods You Should Never Eat

By Prevention Magazine Published December 02, 2011

Food scientists are shedding light on items loaded with toxins and chemicals--and simple swaps for a cleaner diet and supersized health. 

Clean eating means choosing fruits, vegetables, and meats that are raised, grown, and sold with minimal processing. Often they're organic, and rarely (if ever) should they contain additives. But in some cases, the methods of today's food producers are neither clean nor sustainable. The result is damage to our health, the environment, or both. So we decided to take a fresh look at food through the eyes of the people who spend their lives uncovering what's safe--or not--to eat. We asked them a simple question: "What foods do you avoid?" Their answers don't necessarily make up a "banned foods" list. But reaching for the suggested alternatives might bring you better health--and peace of mind.

1. The Endocrinologist Won't Eat: Canned Tomatoes

Fredrick Vom Saal, is an endocrinologist at the University of Missouri who studies bisphenol-A.

The problem: The resin linings of tin cans contain bisphenol-A, a synthetic estrogen that has been linked to ailments ranging from reproductive problems to heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Unfortunately, acidity (a prominent characteristic of tomatoes) causes BPA to leach into your food. Studies show that the BPA in most people's body exceeds the amount that suppresses sperm production or causes chromosomal damage to the eggs of animals. "You can get 50 mcg of BPA per liter out of a tomato can, and that's a level that is going to impact people, particularly the young," says vom Saal. "I won't go near canned tomatoes."

The solution: Choose tomatoes in glass bottles (which do not need resin linings), such as the brands Bionaturae and Coluccio. You can also get several types in Tetra Pak boxes, like Trader Joe's and Pomi.

Budget tip: If your recipe allows, substitute bottled pasta sauce for canned tomatoes. Look for pasta sauces with low sodium and few added ingredients, or you may have to adjust the recipe.

Pile Your Plate with These 25 Nutrition Superstars

2. The Farmer Won't Eat: Corn-Fed Beef

Joel Salatin is co-owner of Polyface Farms and author of half a dozen books on sustainable farming.

The problem: Cattle evolved to eat grass, not grains. But farmers today feed their animals corn and soybeans, which fatten up the animals faster for slaughter. But more money for cattle farmers (and lower prices at the grocery store) means a lot less nutrition for us. A recent comprehensive study conducted by the USDA and researchers from Clemson University found that compared with corn-fed beef, grass-fed beef is higher in beta-carotene, vitamin E, omega-3s, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), calcium, magnesium, and potassium; lower in inflammatory omega-6s; and lower in saturated fats that have been linked to heart disease. "We need to respect the fact that cows are herbivores, and that does not mean feeding them corn and chicken manure," says Salatin.

The solution: Buy grass-fed beef, which can be found at specialty grocers, farmers' markets, and nationally at Whole Foods. It's usually labeled because it demands a premium, but if you don't see it, ask your butcher.

Budget tip: Cuts on the bone are cheaper because processors charge extra for deboning. You can also buy direct from a local farmer, which can be as cheap as $5 per pound. To find a farmer near you, search eatwild.com.

20 Ways to Save At The Supermarket

3. The Toxicologist Won't Eat: Microwave Popcorn

Olga Naidenko, is a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group.

The problem: Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize--and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then.

The solution: Pop natural kernels the old-fashioned way: in a skillet. For flavorings, you can add real butter or dried seasonings, such as dillweed, vegetable flakes, or soup mix.

Budget tip: Popping your own popcorn is dirt cheap

Top 10 Food Mistakes Your Making

4. The Farm Director Won't Eat: Nonorganic Potatoes

Jeffrey Moyer is the chair of the National Organic Standards Board.

The problem: Root vegetables absorb herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides that wind up in soil. In the case of potatoes--the nation's most popular vegetable--they're treated with fungicides during the growing season, then sprayed with herbicides to kill off the fibrous vines before harvesting. After they're dug up, the potatoes are treated yet again to prevent them from sprouting. "Try this experiment: Buy a conventional potato in a store, and try to get it to sprout. It won't," says Moyer, who is also farm director of the Rodale Institute (also owned by Rodale Inc., the publisher of Prevention). "I've talked with potato growers who say point-blank they would never eat the potatoes they sell. They have separate plots where they grow potatoes for themselves without all the chemicals."

The solution: Buy organic potatoes. Washing isn't good enough if you're trying to remove chemicals that have been absorbed into the flesh.

Budget tip: Organic potatoes are only $1 to $2 a pound, slightly more expensive than conventional spuds.

What to Really Look for on a Nutrition Label

5. The Fisheries Expert Won't Eat: Farmed Salmon

Dr. David Carpenter, director of the Institute for Health and the Environment at the University at Albany, published a major study in the journal Science on contamination in fish.

The problem: Nature didn't intend for salmon to be crammed into pens and fed soy, poultry litter, and hydrolyzed chicken feathers. As a result, farmed salmon is lower in vitamin D and higher in contaminants, including carcinogens, PCBs, brominated flame retardants, and pesticides such as dioxin and DDT. According to Carpenter, the most contaminated fish come from Northern Europe, which can be found on American menus. "You could eat one of these salmon dinners every 5 months without increasing your risk of cancer," says Carpenter, whose 2004 fish contamination study got broad media attention. "It's that bad." Preliminary science has also linked DDT to diabetes and obesity, but some nutritionists believe the benefits of omega-3s outweigh the risks. There is also concern about the high level of antibiotics and pesticides used to treat these fish. When you eat farmed salmon, you get dosed with the same drugs and chemicals.

The solution: Switch to wild-caught Alaska salmon. If the package says fresh Atlantic, it's farmed. There are no commercial fisheries left for wild Atlantic salmon.

Budget tip: Canned salmon, almost exclusively from wild catch, can be found for as little as $3 a can.

6. The Cancer Researcher Won't Drink: Milk Produced With Artificial Hormones

Rick North is project director of the Campaign for Safe Food at the Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility and former CEO of the Oregon division of the American Cancer Society.

The problem: Milk producers treat their dairy cattle with recombinant bovine growth hormone (rBGH or rBST, as it is also known) to boost milk production. But rBGH also increases udder infections and even pus in the milk. It also leads to higher levels of a hormone called insulin-like growth factor in milk. In people, high levels of IGF-1 may contribute to breast, prostate, and colon cancers. "When the government approved rBGH, it was thought that IGF-1 from milk would be broken down in the human digestive tract," says North. As it turns out, the casein in milk protects most of it, according to several independent studies. "There's not 100 percent proof that this is increasing cancer in humans," admits North. "However, it's banned in most industrialized countries."

The solution: Check labels for rBGH-free, rBST-free, produced without artificial hormones, or organic milk. These phrases indicate rBGH-free products.

Budget tip: Try Wal-Mart's Great Value label, which does not use rBGH.

7. The Organic-Foods Expert Won't Eat: Conventional Apples

Mark Kastel, a former executive for agribusiness, is codirector of the Cornucopia Institute, a farm-policy research group that supports organic foods.

The problem: If fall fruits held a "most doused in pesticides contest," apples would win. Why? They are individually grafted (descended from a single tree) so that each variety maintains its distinctive flavor. As such, apples don't develop resistance to pests and are sprayed frequently. The industry maintains that these residues are not harmful. But Kastel counters that it's just common sense to minimize exposure by avoiding the most doused produce, like apples. "Farm workers have higher rates of many cancers," he says. And increasing numbers of studies are starting to link a higher body burden of pesticides (from all sources) with Parkinson's disease.

The solution: Buy organic apples.

Budget tip: If you can't afford organic, be sure to wash and peel them. But Kastel personally refuses to compromise. "I would rather see the trade-off being that I don't buy that expensive electronic gadget," he says. "Just a few of these decisions will accommodate an organic diet for a family."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/12/01/7-foods-should-never-eat/#ixzz1ffS9DrA1 

I need to find my happy place

OK - I totally had a post yesterday and I was all ready to post and BAM.. my computer shuts off randomly.. I check my drafts and only 1/4 of it was saved. TRY NOT TO FLIP OUT.

My boss asks me to work late last night and come in early today.. ok that's fine.. Come into work today and I get a nice phone call (she gets to work from home on Friday's.. I do NOT) "ohhh I need you to work this weekend too.. THANKS"... TRY NOT TO FLIP OUT

Now I am working on this project and I am dealing with Microsoft 2010 and finally get this stupid presentation put together.. get an e-mail.. "Heather this won't work.. try again"

FLIPPING OUT

To my defense - I only got like 3 hours of sleep total last night and had the craziest dreams ever.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this kind of stressful environment. Thank god I have this blog to vent and not go stuff my face with 900 cookies. Kind of funny - yesterday I was contemplating putting off a family since I was having a good day at work and was thinking I would miss my job. Then today came around and I remembered everything I can't stand about corporate America.

I should have been a farmer or one of those people who sells bracelets on the beach..

Well that is my rant today... Not having a very good morning as you can see but here's hoping for a better afternoon! :)