The Biggest Pregnancy Probs (And Their Solutions!)

Pregnancy is no walk in the park (unless that walk is exhausting and man it's hot out here and my leg is doing a weird crampy thing and oops I coughed and leaked some pee).

Luckily, there are some awesome easy solutions out there to many of the problems that afflict pregnant women!

So listen up, because I'm about to make your life easier.

Problem: Miserable Morning Sickness

Solution: Change Your Eating Habits, Medication

Morning sickness is different for everyone, but I'm sharing what worked for me! Eating constantly throughout the day is MUCH easier on your pregnant body than eating 3 big meals. Keeping a steady supply of non-acidy, non-spicy food in your stomach will help settle it. I had a bunch of hard candies (I usually used Jolly Ranchers, but these Preggo Pop Drops were good for me too!) that I kept on me at all times and was usually sucking on one at any given moment. For some people, eating crackers or bread when they first wake up helps a lot. For me, I just threw up first thing (which was less unpleasant if I didn't eat first) and then got on with my breakfast. Eating cold things (popsicles, ICEEs) helped me too!

The biggest help to me BY FAR though was getting on nausea medication EARLY with my second pregnancy. With my first, I was in the hospital getting 2 big ole IV bags of fluids by 8 weeks because I wasn't keeping anything down. This time around, I was MUCH better, due to changing my eating habits and getting on nausea meds as soon as I knew I was pregnant.

Problem: Intense Fatigue

Solution: Sleep

This might seem obvious, but you will be shocked at how tiring it is being pregnant (it's almost like your body is hard at work literally growing a person - OH WAIT). So, let yourself sleep!! Already took a nap today but can barely muster the energy to tie your hair in a bun? Take another nap! Slept for 10 hours the night before but you're head-bobbing by 2pm? Sleep! Don't be hard on yourself for not being able to do as many things as you used to, or feel like you are being lazy - you're pregnant, and therefore have EVERY RIGHT to be tired. So show your hard-working body some appreciation and give it the snoozing it deserves.

Problem: Itchy Skin

Solution: Soothing Lotion

Hormones are responsible for basically making everything in your body go wacky during pregnancy. That, combined with the fact that the skin on your belly, breasts, and other places is being stretched out at a crazy pace, means that your skin will likely be itchy and uncomfortable often. Lotion to the rescue!! There are lots out there, but these are a couple that I use the most:
Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Sleep Lotion, Equate Daily Moisturizing Lotion

Problem: Pinching Pants

Solution: "Just Don't Wear Any"

This woman is my spirit animal. But for real. Maternity pants are AMAZING, but even they can get a bit pinchy. Dresses and skirts have become my new best friends. Breezy to keep you cool, loose to keep you comfortable, and bonus points! You look like you put in effort to be cute when really you just don't want to wear pants.

Here are the dresses/skirts I've been wearing nonstop:

This dress (yes, this is from my engagements, but I can still wear it now!) from My Sister's Closet

ALL the maxi skirts (Old Navy and Target have good ones)

This dress from Motherhood Maternity (the pic doesn't do it justice - I feel like a floating fairy queen in it)

**Note: most of these are not maternity dresses/skirts, and even those that are can be worn after baby is born! Saving money, feeling comfortable, AND looking cute?? Heck yeah.

Problem: Aching Feet

Solution: Supportive Shoes and Foot Massages

 

I know I have not shut up about these shoes (see my mention of them in this post, this post, AND this post), but that's because I genuinely love them that much. They are SO comfy and they will support your feet for those long days (which, when you're pregnant, is every day) AND will help your back not hurt too!
And there is almost nothing better at the end of a long day carrying around a 30-pound basketball than a foot rub. My hubby has been wonderful about giving me them when I need them, but using one of these massage balls is also great if your SO/roommate/sibling has a thing about touching other people's feet or if you just want to make sure you hit all the sore parts.

Problem: Horrible Heartburn

Solution: Make a Fortress and Pop TUMS

I sleep with approximately eleventy-hundred pillows now, and my go-to snoozing position is straight up sitting upright. There is no heartburn in the world like pregnancy heartburn, and it always seems to strike right as you're trying to get some shut-eye. I create a little fortress of pillows to support my back, to put between my knees, to have beside my belly, etc. and TUMS is a constant nightstand staple now - just make sure to read labels so you're being safe about what kind of medications/supplements etc. you're taking while pregnant. (Tip: get the knock-off stuff. It's half the price and works just as well)

Problem: You're a Walking Roller Coaster

Solution: Be Patient With Yourself

I have decided that the only thing more changeable than Texas weather is a pregnant woman's mood. I will plummet from "Life is SO great and I am SO motivated - let's get stuff done!" to "Literally everyone is the worst and my body hates me and the feeling is kind of reciprocal and is that a video of a baby? Great, now I'm crying." in 5 seconds flat.
Trying to manage the stresses in your life (my new planner with all my stuff meticulously written in is my new best friend) and getting enough sleep can definitely help, but when it comes to these crazy moods, you just need to be patient with yourself (and ask others to be patient with you!). If you do snap at someone, apologize once you've cooled off and reassure them that it's (mainly) the pregnancy talking. The good news? Most people are really understanding of what it's like to be pregnant, and they'll give you a free pass for occasional outbursts.

I hope this has been helpful!
Just remember mama: you're doing better than you think you are.

Stay Beautiful,

xoxo Madi

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Tiny Ways To Go Green

I love our planet, and I'm all for saving it and showing it some love.

BUT, I'm definitely not an all-green zero-waste tree-planter myself.

So...I'm reaching out to all those who, like me, want to do a bit more to save the earth, but feel like composting everything and making your own makeup is a bit too much work.

If you want to do bare minimum effort to feel better about your carbon footprint, I got you.

Here are some tiny ways to go green!

1) Reuse plastic grocery bags

If you're like me and can never remember to bring reusable bags, you can still do a little something to cut back on your grocery waste! Don't throw away all those plastic bags as soon as you unload the car! Use them for liners for your little bathroom or bedroom trash can, bring one with you to a sleepover pool party so you have somewhere for your wet suit, put your shoes in one before you put them in your suitcase so your clothes don't get dirty - get creative!

2) Pack it up

I can't say I never use plastic water bottles, but in a typical day of school or work, if I am drinking water, it's out of this bad boy. And I recently got this super cute Wonder Woman lunch box from my mom because, come on, why not?? I bring my lunch to campus every day (I'm going to do a blog post soon about non-boring things to pack!) and this little lunchbox helps me not throw away paper bags or something else I'd bring my lunch in. Bonus tip: pack one tupperware with fruits and veggies and crackers etc. together instead of using up multiple one-use ziploc bags!

3) You don't need that many paper towels

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This one kind of came to be by accident. I had just washed my hands and waved my hand in front of the automatic paper towel dispenser, and I ripped one off. Instead of automatically reaching my hand up to swipe again, I paused and tried to see how dry I could get my hands with just one paper towel. Guess what? That's all you need!! I've always gotten two or three, and yeah, maybe it's not going to have a huge impact if I use one paper towel instead of two from here on out, but what if 100 people did that? That's 100-200 paper towels saved every time, which adds up!!

4) Buy used

There are all kinds of treasures waiting at DI, Goodwill, Plato's Closet, or any of those other secondhand stores. Next time you're looking for something fresh for your wardrobe, scope out these places before you head to the mall. You might find something that becomes your new favorite AND you'll save money too! ALSO reach out to friends!! If you're looking for some holiday decor, ask around, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who have boxes full that they are happy to see it get put to good use.

5) Recycle

If you do use disposable plastic water bottles sometimes, congrats, you're human - but put them in recycling! If you don't have a recycling program where you live, bring stuff to school to recycle! I've done this when I clear out my folders etc. from a previous semester - I end up with a huge pile of paper and I just dump it in a recycling bin at school.

6) Take shorter showers

Yes, that water can feel good and relaxing, and winter especially makes it hard to get out into the chilly air. But even just cutting a couple minutes down on your shower time can add up! Another thing you could try is turning off the water while you shave your legs, instead of letting it run off to the side or behind you.

7) Walk it out

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You don't need your car to go everywhere. This is especially true if you live close to your college campus! Wake up a bit earlier, and you can skip the struggle of finding parking and walk to class OR catch a bus or shuttle to get there along with lots of other people who aren't using their own cars. Need to run something to a neighbor a few blocks down? As long as that something isn't an anvil, you can probably walk it there.

8) Let it shine

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You don't have to go buy new light bulbs for every room in your house right now, but next time one burns out, get an energy-efficient model to replace it (like an LED or CFL). Bonus! This will save you money too!

This earth is the only one we've got, so let's show it a little love!

Stay Beautiful,
xoxo Madi

Perks of Being Pregnant

If you look up "___ weeks pregnant," you'll most likely get a list of exciting milestones for baby and not-so-exciting milestones for mom (heartburn, swelling feet, stretch marks, etc.). Honestly, it's hard to find somewhere that actually lists positive aspects of being pregnant (besides obviously the beautiful wonderful incredible end result).

So I'm here to give you some peace of mind and let you know that there are some perks to look forward to!!

1) Hair and Nail Growth

My hair has never grown super fast or long, no matter how much I plead with it or how much I want mermaid elbow-length hair. It just has never happened. So finally, about a year and a half ago, I chopped it, deciding to go the opposite direction.

And I loved it!
For about a year....
Then I really wanted my longer hair back.

Poof! Wish granted!

This picture is from July of this year. Compare that to July of last year:

What a difference!! Especially for someone like me whose hair has never grown very quickly.

Nails too! My nails always used to break before they were very long, but now I swear I'm always having to cut them.

Yay pregnancy perk!

2) You Don't Have to be Sorry for Anything


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Being the only one whose opinion counts when deciding on a restaurant? - no need to feel guilty - you're pregnant!

Letting loose enough farts in public to embarrass a 6th grader? - you get a free pass - you're pregnant.

Claiming the only seat in a crowded area? - move aside, everyone else - you're pregnant!

Spending a bit more money each week on late night food runs to satisfy those cravings? - don't be apologetic - you're pregnant!

Leaving a family gathering or party early because you've maxed out your energy for today? - smile and wave as you leave - you're pregnant!

Basically, don't be sorry for anything - you have a perfectly valid excuse.

3) You Automatically Win

You flash that bump, and all kinds of things start falling into your lap. People hold doors open for you, offer to carry stuff to your car, give up their seat on the bus, let your opinion stand, and tell you you're beautiful (even when you feel like a beached whale). You get the last chicken nugget, possession of the remote control, the one padded chair among hundreds of metal ones. You get it all.

So basically...

Stay Beautiful,

xoxo Madi

Why I'm Not Taking Time Off School For My Newborn

As you probably already know, I will be having my sweet baby girl in November.

What you might not know is that, during that time, I will be enrolled in 7 classes (16 credit hours) at BYU, including a practicum done in local middle/high schools.

The semester ends December 20th, almost a full month after my baby girl's due date.

Why would I do this?

Why not take the semester off?

Everyone has their own opinions and I'm not saying my choice to do this (and full time student teaching the semester immediately after my baby is born) is the only right one, but I believe it is the right one for me and for our family and here's why.

1) I'm Getting a Degree

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This has never been a question for me. There is simply too much value in having a degree and too many avenues that are closed to you if you do not have one. In the future, yes, I'd love to be a stay-at-home mom. But for me, that always was going to have to come after I earned my Bachelor's. Kyle and I have always both been very much in agreement about this, and he's even basically putting his own education and career on hold so that I can finish school. So no budging on this one: I'm getting a degree.

2) It's Not Going to Get Any Easier

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No, it isn't going to be easy to wonder during a midterm if I'm going to go into labor, or to try and stay ahead on my schoolwork so I don't fall hopelessly behind when I inevitably do miss class for baby's birth, or to walk across campus and sit through classes just days after she is born & while I'm still recovering. But it wouldn't be easy to go to school with an older baby either. It's not going to get any easier to get my degree finished, and since I am adamant that I will get a degree, I'm not pausing for a moment in that pursuit. And with Kyle already waiting on me to continue his own education in grad school, I don't feel that it's fair to make him wait any longer just because it will be hard for my last couple of semesters.

3) I Want Her To Know How Important This Is

Someday, when I'm telling my daughter the story of her birth and how I was working on a paper during labor or waddling into class with her strapped to my chest, I hope she'll hear the real message I'm trying to tell her: education is important and worth some sacrifice. Even more important than that, I want her to understand how amazing it is to learn and to seek knowledge, of any kind. I want to be an example to her of a life-long learner.

So am I crazy for going to school full time while having a baby?
Maybe.
But I'll just keep being crazy for now, because I think I am doing what's best for me and my little growing family.

Stay Beautiful
xoxo, Madi