Fun Facts Friday - 1.17.20

It's Friday!!! And I thought I'd do something something fun for this week's post. I realize that I've gained a few new subscribers/readers so I thought I would share random facts about my life - whether it's autobiographical or milestones (both mama and baby ones) or events & things that may have happened recently that YOU, my audience, do not know of because you're not with me 24/7. And just like my posts about workouts, I will do these kinda posts every so often with hopes that I can maybe turn it into a weekly thing. How's that sound?

1. Ella had her very first dentist appointment this week and she did GREAT! She was a nervous wreck up until it was over 😂 and she even tried to convince us that her teeth were perfect and that she didn't need to see a dentist. It turns out, her teeth are absolutely perfect with ZERO cavities in sight! This mama is quite proud of herself, too 😆 .

Fun fact (inside a fun fact), the dentist we go to is Daniel's old dentist from when he was a kid growing up. We moved to Rialto (his hometown) at the end of 2018 and we wanted to find a good local dentist to trust our teeth with. And when Daniel found that his old dentist was still in business, he was all about it. So it's kinda cool that Ella gets to say "my dentist is my daddy's old dentist!" Okay, maybe not that cool but I'm a mom and I totally think it is lol 😝.

2. Everly had given up her naps since probably before Thanksgiving, which I'm not too happy about but hey, it was bound to happen. She's only 2 years old (and like almost 4 months) and she's already decided she doesn't need them. BUT, this week must have been exhausting for her because she's fallen asleep on me TWICE this week while we were just sittin' on the couch hangin' out. It obviously doesn't happen that often anymore so I took advantage of cherishing these moments. Even took a pic of it because I'm a sappy mom like that.

3. Booked our first family trip of 2020! Yup, it's been long overdue but I finally scheduled a trip to Hawaii. I wanted to go for Christmas so that my girls (and Daniel) could spend the holidays with my family. But it was way too expensive for us so we decided to push it back to Spring (when Ella is on Spring Break). It's been a lil over 2 years since we've all been to Hawaii (Evie was only 2 months old) so I am VERY excited about it.

4. Last weekend I went on an exercise/walk date with a good mama-friend of mine... WITHOUT kiddos (my kiddos) and it was GLORIOUS!!! Mamas, if you can get out for a little bit, you totally SHOULD! It's SO good for the soul to just be able to connect with other human beings other than the tiny ones you're raising or your spouse. This obviously doesn't happen very often but when it does, it just helps keep stay sane.

5. So. I'm a HUGE Bachelor/Bachelorette fan and have been since it first started. There were a few early seasons that I stopped watching the show because, well, life happened. But then I picked up again a few years later and I can't help but watch it season after season.

So I just wanted to share my thoughts on the current season. Which is only 2 weeks in, but I already have a couple of strong opinions about it. First thing's first. I don't have a favorite gal. There's always at least 1-2 that stand out to me on the first episode. But not this season. Hannah Ann seems like a top favorite. And Kelley, too. And while I think they do have strong connections with Peter, I don't know if I see them with him in the end. Madison, MAYBE. But it's too soon to tell. All these women are beautiful and I'm sure they all have great personalities but these producers man... they sure do know how to bring out the catty in some of them. I mean, come on... drama over champagne?! How does that even happen? And I'm pretty sure it's gonna drag on for a few more episodes. With that said, I don't think Kelsey will win over Peter's heart. Yes, she's getting the worst edit of all the girls on the show, but she just seems way too emotional and sensitive.

That's just my opinion.

I can go on and on about the show but maybe I will start a whole new blog series about that soon, too. What do you think? More Bachelor/Bachelorette talk?

6. Lately, I have been obsessed with this... snack. I got the recipe from the Tone It Up Nutrition Plan. I may have modified it just a smidge but it's such a good afternoon snack to have. It contains: 1/2 a green apple, 1/2 a small beet, and a few baby carrots. I pour in some apple cider vinegar, a splash of olive oil, and sprinkle it with a little bit of sea salt. This pic doesn't do it justice, but trust me... It's delish!

7. Also... CAN'T wait for the NFC Championship game this weekend! We are 49er fans and it's been a pretty exciting season for the team and all the fans! Any fellow niner fans out there?

And that's what's been goin' on with me this week! Before I sat down to write this post I didn't think I'd have any fun or random facts to talk about. And I'm surprised I actually had 7 things! Haha. Hope y'all had a great week and cheers 🥂 to the weekend!

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Tags: #bachelornation #funfacts #tgif #fridayvibes #weekendvibes #healthysnack #momlife #thebachelor #champagnegate #milestones #lifeevents #popculture #currentevents

Workout Wednesday - First Workout of 2020

I know it's not Wednesday... but I was hoping to start a series of Workout blog posts FOR Wednesday... I just couldn't get around to actually posting it till NOW. 😝 😝 😝

But I will definitely try my hardest to hash one of these posts out every so often on a Wednesday. Posts that highlight a workout (or workouts plural) I've done that week or something fitness related. And hopefully, it'll become a THING and I can keep it going for awhile. Wouldn't that be somethin'? 😉

Ok so some of you may remember that last year, my goal for 2019 was to focus more on ME and that thing called self-care. Something I have struggled with since becoming a mom - something so many of us struggle with. And one of the things that was a priority for me, was getting back in the gym. Just to give you a little bit of an update on that - I did manage to get my gym membership. But it also took me AWHILE to get my groove back. Because of Daniel's crazy work schedule (sometimes he works late and/or on weekends), it was difficult for me to maintain a consistent workout in the evenings (which I prefer). So I had to settle for 5am wake-up times to get into the gym at 5:30am or 6am depending on how many times I hit that snooze button. Not gonna lie, it was brutal at first. But after a couple of weeks, it became my new norm. There was a lot of "jumping off the wagon" as the year went on because finding that balance is still a struggle for this mama.

This year, I'd like to continue working on this goal. Because there is so much room for improvement, especially when it comes to being consistent. And I figure, blogging about it regularly and sharing the workouts I do will help me stay accountable and maybe even motivate and inspire others to do the same.

So let's get right down to business, shall we?

My first workout of the year didn't happen till Monday, January 6th. I like to do a leg workout at the start of my week (focus on glutei/hamstrings) and then again later on in the week (quads). And this is what I did...

Warm-up: run/walk on the treadmill for 10 minutes. I usually like to do a HIIT run/walk combo but this time, since it was my first day back since Thanksgiving, I just did a brisk walk.

Then it was onto the weights. Please note: I have included pictures of the equipment I used and a video (not my own because I haven't quite figured out how to film myself doing these workouts without feeling awkward in front of the other gym goers) to help demonstrate the move I'm doing.

1. Leg Press (4 sets x 12 reps) - I did a combo of wide (6 reps) and narrow (6 reps) on the 45-degree leg press machine.

Equipment Used:

Demonstration:

2. Squats (4 sets x 10 reps) - I usually use the squat rack but because it's been awhile, I decided to use the V-Squat Machine.

Equipment used:

Demonstration

3. Seated Calf-Raises (3 sets x 15)

Equipment Used:

Demonstration:

4. Hip Adductor (4 sets x 15 reps) - I usually scoot forward a little so my back is not against the seat. And depending on how much I want to challenge myself, I will do this with my butt completely off the seat in kinda like a squat position.

Equipment Used:

Demonstration:

5. Seated Leg Curl (4 sets x 15 reps)

Equipment Used:

Demonstration:

6. Glute Press Down using the assisted pull-up machine (4 sets x 10 reps)

Equipment Used:

Demonstration:

And then here's where I should highly advise a good stretching sesh afterwards but I totally skipped it and went home 😝. I know, that's not a good habit. Stretching helps prevent injuries and I should really be doing them especially since I am getting older, which makes me more likely to have some kind of injury. But I'm stubborn.

Also, since we're talking about what we SHOULD be doing, I need to tell y'all that I am not a certified personal trainer (although I did consider becoming one at some point) so if you decide you'd like to try the workouts I do but have never used the equipment before, please make sure to do your due diligence to learn how to safely use the equipment.

There ya have it! My first workout of the year! And let me tell ya, I am still SORE from it!

Your turn!!! Tell me some of your favorite workouts in the comments below! Also, I'm always open to suggestions regarding workout posts, so tell me what you'd like to see on my blog! More workouts? Maybe even some highlights on fitness apparel/fashion? Let me know!

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Tags: #fitness #workouts #glutes #legday #legworkouts #newyearsresolution #fitnessgoals #legworkout #gymworkout #wod #workoutoftheday #goals

Birth Story: Everly Rose Edition

*Originally posted February 7, 2018 on Fab . Fit . Me*

Hmmm. Where should I start?

Do I start this post at the exact moment I went into labor? Or do I go back a couple of days and work my way up to the moment?

How about we start a couple of weeks back. Yeah let's start there. Back to when I was 38 weeks and very pregnant.

At my prenatal appointment my midwife examined me and I was 1 cm dilated 80% effaced.

My first thought: yay! Let's get this show on the road! But in reality: This means absolutely nothing. Baby could come early... or not. She'll come when she's ready.

Another week goes by.

No contractions.

No water breakage.

No nothing.

At my 39 week check up (Wednesday) I was examined once again. This time, 3-4 cm dilated and still 80% effaced. The excitement returned. And then my midwife reminded me again... baby will come when she's ready. And apparently she was not ready. We decided if nothing happened by my next appointment, we would do a membrane sweep - not a fun procedure but a better option than having to be medically induced.

So I did what any pregnant lady who was being pregnant would do... I hoped and wished for my uterus to go into labor. Like right away.

I spotted a little bit the day after my doc appointment, which can be normal after a pelvic exam. But I was soooo hoping it was my mucus plug. Because then that would mean I could go into labor soon!

The weekend came.

And then it went.

Still no baby. 😖

Sunday night I went to bed but had the hardest time falling asleep because Baby was doing some major kickboxing in my belly. Kicks, jabs... I swear it felt like she was trying to claw her way out. I thought maybe I might go into labor!!! But then it all stopped just after midnight.

*sigh*

So... Monday, life went on as normal. Hubby left for work. Ella and I went about our daily routine - play, eat, play...and played some more. At about 3-ish, Ella and I snuggled up in bed for our nap. At 5-ish, I woke up to the same dancing act in my belly that kept me up the night before. Ella was still asleep so I just laid there and rested and let Baby beat me up from the inside.

And then I felt a pop.

Did my water just break?

I didn't move. I just laid there. Waiting. For what? No clue. I never experienced my water breaking when I went into labor with Ella. In fact, my water didn't break till right before I had to push. The doc had to break it. So I waited. Not long after, I felt myself wet my pants involuntarily. Either I really had no control over my bladder anymore or my water did in fact break.

I got up and ran to the bathroom. My undies and shorts were completely soaked. But I thought, if my water did break...wouldn't there be more fluid? Like what you see/hear about in the movies? So I wasn't sure.

Looked at the time and it was almost 6 pm. Called the hubby, who was on his way home from work but stuck in traffic. He arranged for his brother and sister-in-law to come get me and take me to the hospital. My brother-in-law took Ella home with him while my sister-in-law drove me to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital about 7 pm. At this point, I still wasn't 100% sure that my water broke - denial at its finest. The nurse taking care of me told me they'd check me out. If it did break, I'd be admitted. If it didn't, I'd be sent home. My sister-in-law stayed with me till the hubby arrived. The midwife came in and examined me. Turns out, my water did break. And I was still 3-4 cm dilated. I felt zero contractions. But once they hooked me up to the monitors, it showed that I was indeed having contractions. I guess I do have a high tolerance for pain.

So here's the deal with having your water break well before you are in active labor. There is a small window in which the doctors would like to have the baby delivered. The main reason is because there is a huge risk of infection that could lead to complications for me and the baby. That's when they asked me if I wanted to try to hurry my labor along with the help of Pitocin or if I wanted to try and see if my body would let labor progress naturally. I opted to try the natural route instead. They gave me about 2 hours to see if anything magical happened.

At around 9 pm, I was examined again. By then I was experiencing stronger contractions. Not too painful. But dilation had not progressed at all. So we agreed to start the Pitocin. I had been on the fence about getting the epidural up until this point. But after realizing how late it was and that Baby P #2 was not going to be born any time soon, I said yes to the epidural. I chose the opportunity to rest and sleep through the night so that I'd have the energy to push at the end of it. I remembered just how exhausting it was when I had Ella. And I was not looking forward to being completely sleep deprived before the newborn stage even started.

So they pumped me up with fluids and started the Pitocin. About an hour later, the anesthesiologist came in and got the epidural going. The contractions came on strong once that Pitocin was in my system. And once I got the epidural, it was instant relief. And I tried my best to get some sleep. I don't think I slept much. I guess I was just too anxious. But I got to relax through all those contractions.

At 6 am my nurse examined me and said I was fully dilated and wanted me to do some practice pushes. After a couple of pushes, she had me stop because there was still some cervix. So we waited.

At 7 am there was a shift change and I got a new nurse and midwife. My new nurse didn't try to hurry things up. She wanted me to "labor down" (let baby make her way down the birth canal) so that I wouldn't have to work so hard to push. I was totally fine with that. So we waited some more.

It was some time after 9 am when I was given the go to start pushing. Totally different experience from the last time for sure. I didn't always feel the pressure of the contractions with the epidural. So my midwife and nurse both had to coach me on when to start pushing when a contraction I didn't feel would come on. It didn't seem like I was pushing very hard because I couldn't feel much, but they assured me I was doing an awesome job. After 3 rounds of 3-4 pushes (about 15 minutes), Everly Rose was born.

I was totally relieved I didn't have to push for 4 hours like I did with Ella.

And thank God I had chosen the epidural route because guess what? It wasn't over yet. I bled. A lot. They couldn't stop the bleeding. The midwife was all up in there doing everything she can to make sure everything that needed to be out was out and that everything that needed to be stitched up was stitched up. But the bleeding wouldn't stop. I shudder at the thought of having to endure that without the epidural.

Anyway, I tried my best not to freak out when she called for the OB that was on staff that day. But before the OB showed up, my midwife finally got the bleeding to stop and was able to finish me up. And then, of course, I spiked a fever. The risk of infection we tried to avoid happened anyway. I was put on antibiotics immediately and because of the fever, I was not allowed to go home 24 hours later like I should have. But at least Baby was fine.

*sigh*

And there you have it, folks. My birth story. Finally. It only took me 4 months to write. LOL

I still cannot believe I pushed out a 9 lb baby!!!

Evie - skin to skin bonding with Daddy

My entourage, my coaches...

Little Sis meeting Big Sis for the first time...

Tags: #birthstory #postpartum #secondbaby