36 weeks

This is just a quick blog this week as I have been dealing with sickness in my family. Its hard to believe in one more week I will be full term. So many emotions are going through my head, this time with Logan I had him and was in the NICU with him everyday praying for my son to come home. I can remember teh emotions of knowing that he was early dn that he was having a hard time getting well. Everyday was a consent stuggle to not be so depressed, and to not think the worst! I can recall not wanting to go and see him of fear of them telling us that he was worse! But then i remeber the times of beig able to spend and hold him. To talk to my son and tell him how proud I was of him for being a big boy and learning new things. I truly relayed on the power of Heavenly Father to help me. Now that does not mean at times I wonder why he was born early or what I did to make him so. These past few days I have been stuggling keeping postive about this LO. I have been having high BP and do not want a hospital stay. I finaly said thats enough and prayed long and hard and asked for stength. Strength is such a funny word. It can mean so many things. I needed to be strong like you women I see. I needed to be strong for my Daughter inside of me. Talk to a dear friend helped me see I am strong. I just needed to be reminded of it. So I tell each one of you YOU ARE STRONG! You can do anything and can move those mountains! Know I love you all! Amanda

your a star!

I am like a star shining brightly,
Smiling for the whole world to see.
I can do and say happy things each day,
For I know Heav’nly Father loves me.

All this week I have had this little song in my head. Each time we would go on a walk I would hum this little tune and would teach it to my son. Now he is saying the star song when he wants to hear it. Now go ahead and read the words again, and tell me that it is not catchy! As I have been singing this song in my head I noticed it was when I was struggling or having a hard time. On Monday I developed a rash on my chest area thinking it would go away I put it aside like it was nothing. Then on Tuesday woke up to it spreading to my neck! I just laughed when i woke up thinking great only I would get some type of strange rash. So I made a doctors appointment for Wed. and prayed the doctor would know what it was! I knew I wanted to do some type of commit to fit project and the movement one that we have heard so much about in mamavation so I have started walking again everyday! We walk five bocks to the high school and take there walking path once around which is 3/4 mile and walk back home which makes it 1 mile total everyday! Now I may not be where Leah, Lisa, Rachel, or Jared are as look at how wonderful they where in NYC, But I do think that subway would be happy with a 34 week pregnant women walking a mile everyday! I started it on Monday and by Wednesday I was beat!!! I wanted to give up until I went to my doctor and he talked to me. As most of you know I have been having some blood pressure problems with this pregnancy, but doctor told me by staying healthy and not gaining weight I would be able to keep this baby in longer. So I did it, now that does not mean I have fallen because I have, but I have 34 weeks without a single pound being added to the scale, until wed. I gained wait for it 3lbs! I was a little shocked when i saw it and sad, but my doctor informed me he was happy to see a 3lbs weight gain in 34 weeks. So when you think about it that way I have done pretty darn good! Then he took my blood pressure it was the lowest it has ever been 124/88 wow I thought ok I am rocking it. He saw my rash and said in a joking way I think it is your body way of saying you do not need to be pregnant any more. We had a good laugh and he gave me some cream to put on it and said ok my OB patient who thinks she needs to see my every week how are you. I told him about my walking and he was happy with it. He said it was fine to do but to just listen to my body. Then he asked are you having BH, I told him well I think that whats they are. He looked at me and said well describe them to me. (On a side note I honestly never had them with Logan as he was my first and he was born at 34 weeks) I told him how they felt like period cramps at this point his face got long and he said Amanda those are not BH lets check you. As I was getting ready to be checked all I could think about was the scare of Logan coming early and all the problems we had. He checked me and said ok your at a fingertip, I asked him if that was good he said well its not bad or good. As he talked to me about what my body was doing having preterm concrations, he said lets just keep her in for three more weeks. I said ok do I have to do anything differently, my answer he gave was simple yes. He gave me a list of things I could do and things I couldn't;t no more walking a mile everyday, no more weight lifting, no more stree (haha yeah right) and no more worrying about this baby coming early!  He said now is the time to take care of yourself let others help you and be willing to ask for help, if I am willing to do that then we will be able to wait till the 1st of nov. and have this baby!  I thought about it long and hard as I was driving home. I was really honestly felt defeated everything I have been striving to do was taken away from me, when the little song came into my head again.

I am like a star shining brightly,
Smiling for the whole world to see.
I can do and say happy things each day,
For I know Heav’nly Father loves me.

I laughed to myself and thought well that its I will do happy things each day to help others complete their goals there are setting, I can still eat right and still Can walk so what if its only around the store to get some things or outside to play with Logan, guess what i am still moving! I can lift can goods into the cabinet right! See these are things I can still do I do not need to shut down and give up! That is what others may have done, but i will not do it! I will not lose everything I have worked so hard to do this pregnancy! I can still be a support to others this si what a star is! So I am telling you all now I am stillCommit to Fit Campaign and Jared ! I am still going to do the challenge set by subway and Lisa. I will still get in my movement when I can. I will not let this get me to stay in bed and be sad. I want to thank each and everyone of you for the kind words you have given me. I love u all in ways you may never ever know. I am so thankful you picked me to be SOTW! It is a great honor and something I can say thank you truly for! I am ready to have a beautiful and healthy little girl and I thank everyone of you for your prayers. So I again will tell you each one of you are a little star shining brightly for all the world to see! Till next time xoxo Amanda

Gratiude

Latly I have been doinga  lot of thinking., Wondering what is next in our lives. I mean yes we are having a baby, but what next? I have been thinking way to much about this as I have been stressing out. Well this weekend was General Conference for my church (the church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints)

Many talks are given on how we can improve areas in ouf lives, but one hit me liek a ton of bricks. It talked about being greatful and having gratitude. So I thought to myself what am I greatful for? Well first off I am greatful to be alive in a country where we are free. We have so many freedoms and some of those are how we eat. Now this may seem werid to some that I have said this, but it made me think. I am so lucky because I can choose what I want to eat. now yes sometimes my choices suck, but most of the time my choices are not bad. Most of the time I am the one making healthy meals for my family. Just yesterday I made gutton free browines my family had no clue and ate them all. Then I thought to myself I am greatful that I can go to a store and pick up food that is good for you. Now with that being said I am so happy and thankful for Mamavation I know there are so much I need to do, but with the help of a wonderful online friends, who I can say will always be there for each other is great. To know that we all want teh same thing which is to be health. For some of us it to lose a huge amount of weight and to learn to kepe it off, for others it is to just learn how to live everyday being healthy. The thing is I know now that we can do it. We can make the choice now to live our life in a way where are children will see our good choices, and one day thank us. I am greatful for every chance I have been given in my life where I have been pushed, where I am able to make choices that will help me in the long run. I now know there are no quick fixes. I have now made a choice that after I have this baby I will be under 200lbs. I am not scared to tell you I am 228 lbs I have been for almost eight months now. But I will lose this weight I will be able to run after my son and not be faint, I will be able to take both kids on a walk and not pass out after wards. And I will not forget mamavation when i am done, because this is why i am making this choice. If it was not for mamavation i would always be willing to quit when I make a bad choice. SO i am greatful for each one of you. Thank you for being there for me, I want you to know I love you all and think of you everyday! XOXO Amanda

when life gives you lemons make OJ!!!

No really how many times are you given a task or maybe a challenge in life and it seems like every happeneds and you are not able to complete it in the way you want to? Well latly in my life it seems this to be the case. I have noticed a trend that everytime I am doing good or things are good in my life something happeneds to knock me back down to where I was. Now I know that these things happen to us all which is why I wonder How many of us get back up? I know that I have to always remind myself Amanda it could be worse there are many other people who have it bad compared to you. Now this does not always work and sometimes I just want to have a pitty party, but I will say that by making my lemons into something even if its not what I thought I wanted it to be I am able to get through my day a little better. I know that I am not perfect and have a long ways to become it, but its nice when you can look and see the real you the one others see. I look at my son a lot and notice that he takes after many of my traits, he is over dramaic which I am, he fights sleep, again me, and more then anything he cries when he doesn;t get his way. It makes me laugh to see a mini me. He looks like me and now he is acting like me. Now not all of my traits are bad he loves veggies and will eat them over meat. He loves to give hugs and comfort people who are crying. He is a perfect example of what I should be like. He plays outside everyday runs, jump, bikes, then he gets  a wholesome lunch takes a two hour nap and is ready to play again. I have been thinking if I was to only do what he does I would be much more healthier so I have tried it. I got up ate a good breakfast, went outside and played with him. Ate lunch took a nap and played some more. I never felt so good yet so tried in my life! Man no wonder he is in good shape, but it made me think, I need to be more active. Its funny I thought I was going well until I noticed how hard it was for me to walk the whole store of walmart shopping. I cringed thinking about pushing logan in a stroller in a mall! So what can I do to improve, well first off I am going to make sure I am walking again EVERYDAY! I am making my mom go with me and useing her diabetes as an exsuce to make her come with me. I am going to pass on foods I don;t need, even though I am pregnant it is no reason to pig out. I am going to make sure I am drinking my water. And more then anything I am going to take those lemons those task that just seem to never go away and make something of them! I know that if I do this I will have the best five more weeks before this little girl comes. I know that I will be in a place to take care of her and my son. Till next time know I am here and love you all, Amanda

Changes

Well its that time again to update everyone on hows it going in the Odair household. First off, Logan got a new big boy haircut! I cried a little seeing his curls leave him, but boy does he look so cute and more like a little boy now. I can not believe he is almost 2 and 1/2 the time sure does pass! Stephen is doing great in LPN school he is loving all the work he has to do. I am not sure if I am loving it as much seeing he is gone most of the day and night, but it is so nice to see this change in him. He is now thinking of going to PA school, yeah I said great so how much longer will that be. He said maybe by teht ime I am 40 we will be done with school! lol

Now an update on the baby and the pregnancy. Things here have been well stressed to say the least. I have been having lots of concactions, and honestly all the signs of preclampcia like I had with Logan. I have been having bad headaches, being dizzy, feet swollen just by walking a block or two, and seeing spots. I knew the signs and choose this time to not ignore any of them. By doctor is wonderful!!!! He has told me time and time again do not screw and that if I think anything is happening I need to call his office and if it is after hours to not be scared to call the L&D nurse and ask questions. As he said they are paid to listen to us pregnant women! I went in on Thursday for my 32 week check up and everything was great with the baby. Heart rate 159 to 162 and also I am measuring a week ahead which he says is a good thing. I love how you get all the good news before the bad comes. First off my blood pressure was high! 138/94 now they did have me lay on my left side for five mins and it changed to 130/84 now I can not always lay on my left side, but it was ok. I mean so many things are different I am healthy which is number one for me! I have not gained any weight in fact I have lost weight. I walked everyday, eat right (ok I still crave those darn french frys and have some but hey they are my weakness and I am pregnant) I make sure I am drinking my water (even if it makes me pee) and more then anything I have changed the way I think! Honestly attitude is something that has to come when you are making a change. I never once have said I can not do this, instead I have a note that tell me everyday I can do this. I know it is tough and I know that I will fail sometimes, but its ok, with every fall there is a chance to be picked up and that is why we are such stronger people for trying to keep news things and goals in our life's. So what does this mean for me, well first off I am not able to pick up Logan anymore. I have to let others do that 28lbs is too much weight for me. I can hold two gallons of milk at a time and really that is all. I have to watch for signs that show early labor, and high blood pressure. I have to be willing to ask for more help, but more then anything it means that I have to be willing to take control and to keep this little girl inside of me as long as I can. It can and will be done!!!! Asking for help is one of my many weakness, but with others help this little girl may be small, but she will be able to come home with mommy and daddy this time. Trust me there is nothing worse then being wheeled out of the hospital with congrats balloons and flowers, but no baby! That is not a choice this time! We are going to do whatever it takes even if that means I have to lay on my left side all day! lol I want to thank everyone in the MAMAVATION world who have bene there for me. You know who you are. You are truly inspiring people and I am so lucky to have you! Also if you are looking for a life change apply to be the next mamavation mom! Take the chance and let mamavation help you the way it has helped so many others. Talk to other moms out there and see the change. Look at Lisa and Rachel who get to run in New York with Leah and Jarod from subway!!!! Come on that can be you!!! Know that no matter what we are here for each other. One reason mamavation can live and support so many women is because we are willing to help each other out. Reach out to your sisters online, talk to them when you are having a bad or good day. Talk to them to help you make a healthy choice. I know I have many times. Be willing to take that next step, and also find the ones who have fallen away and help them come back. Let them know that you are there for them. Sometimes all it takes is one friend to help someone through there day. I love you all so much! The tears I cry for you are tears of joy. You will be seeing a LOT more of me on twitter now as I have to keep it easy. But even with that I will not gain weight I will keep the promise I have made to myself and my daughter. Know you all loved and thought of often, till next week.

Amanda

A day of fun

So things here have been so crazy that sometimes I am wondering if I am breathing. Knowing that our new baby could be coming in as little as six weeks, has really gotten to me. I have noticed more and more how much we need to get things ready. I just got her crib up was excited about that. But I have been thinking a lot about how Logan is going to handle it once she comes? Will he be excited, upset, or just not care??? I have also been thinking I need to make sure I am getting as much time in with Logan as I can. So on Saturday we went to Carthage MO, to the Precious Moments Chapel. The drive is only an hour away, and it is a free to get in. The drive was nice expect for all those dang BH concrations. Honestly I can not drive more then 30 mins without getting them. It started to rain on our way, but we said a little rain does not hurt anyone. By the time we got there it was nice and sunny again. As soon as we got there we got Logan stroller out and started inside. The one nice thing is that most of it is outside so I knew I would be getting my walking in. It was so beautiful there. I have always had a love for precious moments and was excited to share it with my husband and son. Logan was a little unsure of them at first. He kept close to us when we enter the chapel, but that only lasted about five mins before he was out of daddy's arms and running around! I love the peace that comes when you are there. You can see the love the artist has for heavenly father and its nice to see. After we got done we let Logan run around outside and man I started to noticed two things first, I am really pregnant, and second how much harder it is to walk a long distance. I laughed when I thought in my head man my stroller is almost like my walker. At one point I was thinking I am sure glad I am heather this time around because I am not sure I would of made it back up those stairs! The rest of the day was wonderful. I had a nice chicken salad for lunch and some water with lemon. The amazing thing was that I walked away feeling great! I was so happy that everything was better this time and that I am in a place where I am proud of myself. I have so many people to thank, but the person I wanted to thank right now would be my husband. He has been a support this whole time, ate craving with me when all I wanted was carrots and hummus, He has helped me make good choices, and keep me on a path I wanted to be on. Here are some pictures of this weekend. P.S. Chef request looks so yummy! I would love to have some!

30 weeks

This week marks the 30th week being pregnant. So many thoughts are going through my head. First off this time with Logan I was so sick and have already gained 25 lbs. Next this marked the week they think Logan stopped growing inside of me the way he was to. This was also teh week we found out we would have a peemie baby. My husband losted his job, and we honestly where stuck! Now with all of that being said it is so different this time around. Yes my husband is not working but one day a week, but we are moved in with my parents! We have a healthy son who only shows two signs of being early, two out of 150 that there could be not that bad! I haev only gained a total of 5lbs this whole time, but with that being said I also lost 20 lbs so really not weight gain. I have a communty of women who I am so lucky to be a part of who help me everyday! So I feel so bless to be healthy, happy, and honestly home with family. Don't get me wrong my sister was only 4 hours a way, and I was so lucky to have you Kristy there in the same town. Its been nice having a mommy here this time knowing she will get to see little Annalyse when she is born, that my husband will be there and there will be no stress! Ok I know there will be some, but not like last time. I am in a very different mind then I was last time. It is crazy that I am not taking an depression pills at all, I know its because I am healthy and walking! With taht bieng said there are tons of things that still ahev to happened! Have I metion we have no car seat! I do also know that my little girl will have one before she comes home! These are things I know and so greatful being blessed with. Thank you to everyone who have been my support while I have been pregnant. You all know who you are. I am excited to be moved in and ready to talk to everyone again. Know how much I love you all! KNow I am here even when I am quite! So really THANK YOU MAMAVATION! Without you I wouldn't be where I am. I am a very lucky women! Love you, Amanda
p.s. to all my friends far away who have asked I am registered at Babies r us under Amanda ODair