Carter has arrived!

These were taken a few days before Carter's arrival - - I gained a lot, 

but in a healthy way!  

I continued working out as often as I could, but as you can see I had a HUGE belly!!

39 Weeks Prego-

Carter made his grand entrance on July 16th- weighing in at 8 lb's, 7 oz's, and 21.25" long, he was healthy & big!

Mom & Carter

Mom, Dad, & Carter

Big sis & Carter

Right after he was born!

He is now 3 weeks old, and we can't imagine life without him in it!  He's doing great, starting to sleep better and he is nursing well!  I had to cut out dairy products, but once we got that figured out he has been feeling much better!

Here are a few pictures from the past 3 weeks - we are all so in love with the new member of the family!

First bath :)

Me & Carter, 8 days old!

1 week old

Going on his first walk with Mom, Dad, Elisabeth & the dogs!  1 week old!

First doctor's visit- 3 days old

Cheese!

Playing with his big cousin!

Sis & Carter

1 week old!

2 week's old

And these are all from 2.5 week's old:

First bath!

Hanging out with his daddy!

We are all doing really well!  I started working out (slowly to start!) and eating healthy- working my way back to my pre-prego weight!  I am working on doing that in a healthy way because I don't want it to effect Carter or his food supply!  I'm over halfway there - I'll try to keep this updated with progress reports!

A BIG THANK YOU to all of our amazing friends & family, and my awesome clients!  We appreciate all of the kind gifts, calls, cards, rides for my daughter to cheer practice, & food that you guys have provided!!  

Jen, Pat & family :)

Prego update :)

I have done quite an awful job at keeping this blog updated while I've been pregnant!  It's been a crazy 9 months, but I'm hanging in there!  I'm now a little over 36 weeks pregger's and expecting baby boy to arrive any time now...  I went in to L&D last Thursday with contractions, but thankfully got to come back home!  I've now been having contractions every 10 minutes or so for about a week (with a few breaks, thankfully!) but they said to wait to come back in until I am 5 minutes apart for over an hour, and I can't walk or talk!  I have another appointment on Wednesday, so we'll see if I've made any more progress!  FYI- my daughter was born at 36+6 and was perfectly healthy, so we aren't worried about him not being ready (and the fact that I had a scan almost 2 weeks ago and he was almost 7 pounds, and measured 40 weeks at 34 weeks... big boy!)

The room is ready to go, and me & daddy are as ready as we can be!  He installed the car seat yesterday, and has been awesome with getting the room ready.  He re-did another dresser and got everything hung on the walls that we have found while "thrifting" the past month (lots of old sports memorabilia, looks very cute!)  I'll have to get some pictures posted of the room sometime!  He did a fab job :)

My daughter won't be back home until July 1st from visiting her Dad & his family, so I'm hoping that she will make it in time :)  Even if she misses the birth, she is going to be an awesome big sis!

Health & Fitness- I have done my best throughout this pregnancy!  Not perfect by any means!!  I've kept up with my workouts up until the past few weeks, where I had to take it easy.  Lots of lifting and bootcamps until then, but the running was cut short around 32 weeks...  I was contracting too much to run further than a few miles.  Now I just walk- my belly is HUGE!  and heavy!!!  I have definitely gained more weight than I wanted to, but I guess that's just how my body does while prego!  I haven't stuck with paleo perfectly, but I still eat pretty healthy, and compared to my not-quite-so-healthy first pregnancy 13 years ago, I'm still pretty much gaining the exact same way (not much for about 25 weeks, then BOOM!!!  Big growth spurts!) 

My advice to any pregnant mama is to just do what you can- keep moving if your doctor allows it, and eat healthier.  Don't deprive yourself (I've had ice cream or SnoBiz a few times!) but keep in mind that your baby is eating what you eat :)  You are going to gain weight, your body is going to change, and you're going to not love a lot of the changes!  LOL!!  It's part of it, and it's TOTALLY worth it! 
Post-baby, I plan to nurse him and work my way up to my workouts again when it's allowed!  I'll try to keep the blog updated with my post-partum workout updates!  The main thing is that I'm healthy for my baby!

I hope that everyone is doing well- time to figure out dinner plans!
Jen

Happy Monday!

It is COLD outside this morning!  I didn't expect to head out to bootcamp at 5am and be greeted with a frozen car, snow, & freezing temp's!  Where, oh where, did that warm spring weather go?!!

FAITH:

I didn't make it to church yesterday... I woke up after Sunday School  had started!  I'm going to look for a new devo book or plan online today since I finished the last one- any awesome suggestions?!  Maybe something about being prego or being a momma...

FAMILY:

We had a pretty awesome weekend!  Saturday we got stuff done around the house, I got grocery shopping done & dessert made, and we went to my Grandma's house for an early Easter get-together (hence the dessert!)  Sunday was a pretty lazy day- E went to a cheer clinic & I was lazy most of the day :)

Baby O is doing well!  He is moving around quite frequently now!!  He still doesn't have a name, but he did get a few new clothes this weekend.  We went to the Rhea Lana resale event in Springfield, and found some cute baby clothes!  I still need to register, plan out the nursery, etc... but at least I got a few things accomplished!


FITNESS:

Workouts are going well!  I've been keeping up with my workouts, usually 5 days a week... not as intense as they used to be, but I'm keeping up with the weight & just taking it a tad bit slower!  This mornings workout was pretty awesome- I felt good afterwards!  

Nutrition- going MUCH better now that I'm farther along!  I definitely didn't eat very clean at the Easter dinner (who can pass up the yummy homemade foods that my family makes?!) but otherwise I'm doing pretty well!  Example- breakfast today was 2 organic eggs, 1/2 avocado, and 2 slices of nitrate-free bacon (and a cup of coffee!)  and I've already had a huge glass of water...  fellow pregos- hang in there!  Do what you can to be healthy for both yourself & the little one!

I like these little quotes- reasons to be healthy & exercise!

Being an example for my family, friends, & clients is a great reason to be healthy!!

A-Z, Fun pregnancy survey :)

I saw this on another pregnancy blog & I thought it would be fun!  I have so many friends that are expecting this summer- I think several of us are going through similar prego circumstances with our bodies & food cravings!!
~Jen

 

 

A is for age:  35. Yikes.  And prego!  I’m up for it though- this is the happiest that I’ve ever been in life J 

B is for breakfast today:  2 eggs, bacon (YUM!), and coffee

C is for currently craving:  Something sweet.  That’s pretty much what I always crave this pregnancy.  Rolos sound pretty amazing, but I shall resist! 

D is for dinner tonight:  I have no clue.  I don’t love to cook even when I’m not pregnant, so now I have a good excuse!  HAHA!!  Last night I made a scrumptious salad (with chicken, olives, feta, & greek dressing- it was pretty amazing!)

E is for favorite type of exercise:  I heart <3 my bootcamp classes!  I’m still lifting (just not as heavy!) and running some.  I also do the crossfitmom.com workouts- I love her stuff!!  My big ‘ole belly is expanding at a rapid pace, so having modifications is necessary these days!  Example- I can’t do hand-release pushup’s without squishing the little guy!  Last nights class was pretty awesome- we did hang power snatches, push-up's, & pull-up's (modified for me- I can't do a regular pullup anymore- I'm too 'belly heavy' I think HAHA!- BOO!)

F is for a fave food:  Sushi--  I. Love. Sushi.  And since I don’t like the raw sashimi stuff anyway, I still have it every once in awhile (like last weekend- girls night with my awesome daughter!  She loves it, too- I’ve trained her well!!)

G is for gross food:  Lots of it is gross at the moment.  Most every kind of meat.  Actually it’s the SMELL of most of it more than the taste!  Except for bacon, it is always good!!

H is for hometown:  Springfield!  I was born here, left for quite awhile, but realized that it’s where I want my kiddos to grow up!

I is for something important: God & Family. 

J is for current favorite jam: Food jam- grape jelly!  Song jam- I love the Mary J. Blige channel on Pandora.  It has all of the good ones J

K is for karaoke:  I love to watch people sing karaoke.  Other people.  Not myself!  I have been known to sing a few times, but that doesn’t happen too often! 

L is for luxe: I try to be pretty thrifty.  That way I can buy more clothes (& shoes!) and not feel bad about it!  I don’t skimp out on workout shoes- they are worth every penny! 

M is for muffins: Banana chocolate chip paleo muffins.  LOVE!  Speaking of, I have some bananas that need to be used…

N is for something you need:  an energy burst would be pretty amazing. Or a massage- my lower back just aches 24/7 these days!

O is for occupation:  Personal trainer – mixed in with babysitter for my nephew a few days a week, chauffer for my daughter & her friends M-F, and wife!

P is for pet peeve:  Mean people.  Seriously, if you don’t have something nice to say then keep your trap SHUT!

Q is for a quote: I love quotes- I always post them as motivation for my clients, and right now I’m liking this one:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”- Swindoll

R is for running: I used to be a fast runner- state qualifier in high school cross country!  Now I run for fun & health- it’s pretty awesome when you have one of those ‘great running days’…  you could run forever and feel GOOD!  Since being prego I’ve ran 2- 5k’s and both have been MUCH slower.  I just take it easy & run a few miles on my good days- sometimes I’m walking more than running!

S is for favorite healthy snack:  Fruit.  I love it!  Right now I’m into blueberries, mandarin oranges, strawberries, bananas, & apples (in no particular order!) 

T is for favorite treat:  Rocky Road ice cream. YUM! 

U is for something that makes you unique:  I have long toes!  LOL!! 

V is for favorite vegetable: sweet bell peppers have been a fave lately!

W is for today’s workout:  It hasn’t happened yet- bootcamp at 6pm!  If it gets warm I may go for a walk this afternoon with my nephew...

X is for X-rays you’ve had:  feet, knees, legs, elbow, wrist…  probably more! 

Y is for yesterday’s highlight: I spent most of the day with the hubby, got flower seeds going with Elisabeth, had a fab workout with my bootcamp ladies, & dinner & the 'Bible' show with Pat, Elisabeth & Ryan last night!  It was a great day!!

Z is for your time zoo…as in animal that I would HAVE to visit when I go:  hippo J  He rolled over last week while we were there & Elisabeth was pretty excited to see that!  I'm glad that we have a little zoo locally, but I'm definitely looking forward to the STL Zoo next month (if the weather cooperates!)

Winter blast!

I was a little bit surprised that SPS had classes today- but E made it there safe & sound!  I'm just hoping that the next snow blast holds off until AFTER I have to pick her up :)  Despite all of the downfalls to winter weather, it is absolutely beautiful outside today!  Click on this link from our local news channel to see some of the awesome beauty that is out there!  KY3 Winter Pictures, February 26, 2013


FAITH:
We have been going to a new church for several months now, and are all really enjoying it!  Great people and a wonderful environment for our family!  God has been so amazing to our family, and has blessed us beyond belief!

FAMILY:
Our family is doing well!  Pat has been blessed with plenty of work and my clients have remained amazing!  Elisabeth is still liking her new school & has made a great adjustment to middle school!  She is looking forward to her spring break trip to DC with her classmates!  Ryan is continuing to improve with his health, and we love to have him over as often as we can!  We are ALL looking forward to the arrival of the new baby :)

Today I'm hanging out with my awesome little nephew- he is already 6 months old!  We have been having lots of fun on the days that he gets to hang out with me.  I can't wait until the weather is nicer so we can be outside!!

This was from last week- he is rolling all over the place now!

FITNESS:

My workouts have been pretty amazing for a pregnant chick :)  Nothing new to report, but I'm staying consistent with the workouts and trying to stay as healthy as I can for the wee one!  Yesterday morning I had a great workout- and felt really good!  I am glad that I'm starting to get a little bit of energy back in this 2nd tri!

My bootcamp & personal training clients continue to amaze me!  I won't call them out personally, but the results that are coming in are pretty awesome!  I'm also doing a corporate weight loss challenge with a local corporation and they are doing an amazing job!  The weight loss is continuing at a great pace, and we still have several weeks left!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Prego update, & working out!

I have LOTS of people asking me about my workouts & nutrition now that I'm pregnant...  I'll be hitting 20 weeks on Wednesday, so needless to say I've had to make some workout adjustments with the growing baby bump!

Prego mamma workout tips:
I am still doing all of my workouts- I do the morning bootcamps, and for the most part I do the workouts in full.  There is some scaling that I do now, both for the safety of the little one & out of necessity due to the increased belly size!  I don't do any core work, or anything else, flat on my back.  I either lay to the side, or find another move.  (My doctor ok'd this- I've kept in touch with her and she said I could continue with everything!)  Push-up's are modified a little bit also- today I did them using dumbbell's so I could get closer to the full range of motion.  I've also heard that using a mat/parellets/wall are good substitutions.  I can still do pull-up's and all exercises with weights.  I have dropped down to just using the bar (45#) on all overhead lifts, or using dumbbells.  I either do lower box jumps or stay with the regular height and do step-up's.  Burpee's have become a bit of a challenge since I can't go flat on my belly!  lol...  so I usually go down to a plank, then add a push-up, then pop back up.  Running has slowed up, and I think I may get a support band to ease the braxton hicks that keep occuring.  I'm sure that there are more, but those are the main ones that I can think of!

Nutrition:
As far as nutrition goes, I'm definitely not a shining example of healthy eating...  but I think that I am a realistic example of what many health-conscious people go through when they are pregnant!  You definitely start off feeling guilt about not continuing to eat the way you were (for me it was paleo) but I was honestly not able to do that.  I was really sick for about 15 weeks, and I still have quite an aversion to meats.  Now that I am past the morning sickness phase, I am eating better.  I stay mostly organic & healthy, but I also allow splurges (ice cream- YUM!) and I don't feel bad about eating grains.  I stick to whole grains, and don't over-do it, but it's something that I can keep down & feel good about!




This & That:
I think that the thing to keep in mind while being pregnant is that you are growing a human in that body!  Make sure that you're resting when you feel tired, eating when you feel hungry, and do the best that you can!  In the end, you will get a healthy & happy baby :)  You have lots of time afterwards to increase your workout intensity & get strict with your nutrition!


We go to the doctor on Wednesday for our next ultrasound- I'm crossing my fingers that Baby Ostergren is healthy & lets us know if it's a boy or girl :) :) :)

Lazy me! But big announcement :)

So I have totally and completely slacked with my blog...  but I have a great excuse!  

We are expecting :)  

Baby Ostergren will be making his or her arrival in July!!

I wish that I were one of the lucky ones that has a breezy pregnancy and feels amazing...  but I'm not!  I've had morning (which really means all-day!) sickness and I am completely exhausted 24/7!  I'm hoping that this goes away sometime soon and I start to feel like a normal person again!!  But for now, it's lots of sprite & very light meals, and LOTS of sleep :)

We are super excited- and very surprised- and I can't wait to find out if we are being blessed with a boy or a girl!  I have my first ultrasound on the 9th but I'm pretty sure it will be too early to tell the gender!

I'm keeping up with my workouts (although they aren't quite at the intensity that they were a few months ago!) and hoping to get back to a mostly-paleo diet sometime soon!  I'll keep you guys updated :)