Category Archives: pregnancy

Mother’s Day gift guide for the new mom

Posted on by under baby, back pain, diy, exercise, Inspiration, Kentucky, Motherhood, Mothers Day, nursery, pregnancy, Uncategorized

Happy May! Nothing feels better than hanging outside with short sleeves and taking the kids out without lugging coats and blankets. May is also the month of mom! Cheers to all the moms! In case you haven’t heard lately, you are doing an amazing job! I’ve put together some of my picks for Mother’s Day gifts. These are specific to the new mom, because let’s face it, she’s a category all her own! God Bless her, she is sleep deprived, figuring out new family rhythms, and if I can guess, she probably needs some alone time (or self care as I like to call it). So I’ve paired each gift with a moment to herself. (See below!)

Savannah & Co. garland

Savannah & Co. tassel garland + cleaning

This soft bamboo yarn tassel garland is custom made and a portion of sales go towards buying massages for moms so you can feel good about your purchase! Pair this with a clean home (hire that cleaning person) and mom can relax and take in the beauty of her home. This shop is local to Lexington, Kentucky.

Girl Stop Apologizing

Girl Stop Apologizing + pedicure

After reading, Girl Wash Your Face, by Rachel Hollis, her next book is on my wishlist. This book is motivational, and self care all in one. Pair this with a pedicure, and mom can get out of the house, put her feet up and read ALONE. She will come back feeling invigorated and relaxed.

Raising Y'all Mimi blanket

Raising Y’all Mimi blanket + wine

What a mom really wants? To cuddle with her kids but WITH HELP! So bring her a glass of wine so she can snuggle up with her kids in these adorable handmade blankets. Then, when she gets hungry, bring her food. And then tuck the kids in bed so she can enjoy her feet up. This shop is local to Lexington, Kentucky.

The Fire Within Her bracelet

The Fire Within Her oil diffuser bracelet + massage

“The Fire Within Her (TFWH) exists to come alongside women to help them overcome the adversity that life throws their way.” These beautiful bracelets are a true labor of love. They are a reminder to each woman that she has the strength to overcome any hardship. For a new mom that looks like a number of things; healing her body, postpartum depression, no sleep and the list goes on. She can look down at her wrist and be reminded of her worth and her fire! This shop is local to Louisville, Kentucky. Throw in a massage for mom and it’s the perfect combo. I’m loving my monthly massage at Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa.

Trader Joes MoonX wine

Trader Joe’s Moon X wine + pedicure

This is my go to wine!!! I’ve only tried the red wine, but it came highly recommended at Trader Joe’s. As far as I know, it’s only sold there. Send your husbands!! Bonus, it’s around $7.00! Send mom to get a pedicure while she is sipping on this wine.

Q & A for moms 5 year journal

Q & A a day for moms 5 year journal + wine

This came recommended from the Today Show, but is something I wish I spent more time doing. Journaling all the funny sayings from the kids or sweet things they do. All I hear is, this time goes by so fast. And yes it does. This journal can be a keepsake for all those sweet memories. Amazon baby! And throw that bottle of wine I just recommended in with it!

Anthropologie Garden Greeting Pot + her favorite flowers

In case my husband is reading this, this pot would pair well with some beautiful pink flowers or some tulips. 🙂 We are also using it for part of Savannah’s birthday party table decor! This pot is the cutest and can be used year round.

Lovepop greeting card

Lovepop Greeting card + her favorite smoothie

I received my first Lovepop card this year and it is so beautifully displayed on my shelf. Honestly it’s a keepsake that is more than a card. It tells a story and makes me smile every time I see it. Go check out all the designs they have. From weeping trees to flowerpots to birds. Think about that moment or memory you have with your mom and pick a card accordingly. Add a cute little note and pair it with her favorite smoothie.

Savannah & Co. family
photo credit: Meghan Beth Photography, Lexington KY
photo credit: Meghan Beth Photography, Lexington KY

I hope you share this list with your friends and family. Mothering has been the hardest job thus far in my life. And here’s a postpartum news flash; it is not just a six week timeframe after giving birth. I am over a year out and still in what I call, postpartum. So this list of gifts is meant for the new mom, however you define that. Let’s celebrate mom all month. Let’s celebrate the moms who haven’t met their babies yet. And celebrate moms who want to be a mom so bad, but are waiting. Celebrate the seasoned moms. Celebrate the moms who have it together one day and not the next. Just to hear that you’re appreciated is often the best gift.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Mother’s Month! #monthofmama

Kim

 

My postpartum back pain journey

Posted on by under baby, back pain, exercise, Kentucky, Motherhood, pregnancy, Uncategorized

Hey guys, I know it’s been awhile and I’ve missed writing so much. The last six months I have been focusing on healing during my postpartum journey. It has come at a price. Lots of time researching, going to physical therapy, stretching, and strengthening. I have been trying to stay emotionally and mentally healthy as well. Chronic pain can really take that away. (See cute baby below to realize this has all been WORTH IT.)DSC00185I wanted to share more of my story and what steps I have taken to get to a much better place. Not healed, but able to deal with it. It is going to be an ongoing process for a while, if not forever. Because, just a reminder, your health is a TOP PRIORITY!

My low back pain started about 6 weeks postpartum. It took me a few months after that to see a physical therapist. She treated me for Sacroilliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction (pain). The joint that stabilizes between the sacrum and iliac is too loose, creating too much movement and makes it hard to stabilize. The hormone, relaxin, from birth and breastfeeding loosen the joints. All the muscles surrounding the area are sore from having to overcompensate. Also, my core strength has weakened since having two kids so close together.

I have felt defeated many times but I haven’t given up. The pain has been so unbearable at times making it hard to do the simplest things such as sit, stand and hold my babies.

Here are the symptoms that I have:
Pain transitioning from sitting to standing
Pain when rolling over in bed
Pain when sitting too long and long car rides
Pain in hips, buttocks, groin, full back and upper legs
Tightness in groin
Pain around SI joint
Pain going down stairs
Pain worse on one side

I am here to tell you there is hope. After reading so many negative things about chronic pain about this issue, it has been tough to stay positive. But then I think, when have I ever given up? And the one thing that has been the game changer for me? Well two things really. YOGA and self adjustments. Not just any yoga. I found a pain relief series by Lindey Samper on Amazon Prime. I am doing stretches and strengthening that I couldn’t do last week because of it. I believe the healing so far wouldn’t have been possible without physical therapy and of course my support village. Big shout out to my husband! I think he really understands that this postpartum healing journey is long and he has been my rock.

It took some time to figure out what is working for me specifically. Here are some of the steps that I have taken to find relief in addition to the aforementioned items:

>>Going to physical therapy for 4+ months
>>Saw an orthopedic doctor this week (who determined it was all childbirth related and the SI joint tests were negative)
>>Bought another Ikea Poang chair (full back support, amazing!!)

 

ikea chair
>>Hot epsom salt baths
>>Bought The Back Pain Secret book on Amazon (This has some great exercises and advice)

book
>>SI belt
>>Ice packs
>>TENS unit
>>Yoga
>>Baby wearing with the Lillebaby carrier with back support
>>Anti-inflammatory diet (no refined sugar, limiting gluten, adding superfoods)
>>Turmeric supplements (to be fair, I haven’t dosed enough to give much feedback)
>>Being intentional with every movement, posture, carrying and lifting (If I see you slouching I might say something)
>>monthly massages (This also is amazing and I highly recommend buying a massage chair)
>>Joined Facebook support group
>>Following blogs about SI joint pain
>>Spending more time home to focus on time for yoga and less carrying (carseats and toddlers)
>>Bought supportive bras for my measured size G breasts
>>Self adjustments to SI joint and pelvis (pelvis reset exercises)
>>Dry needling (starting this week, woohoo!)

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding (like me), I understand you are limited in terms of medicine. But it has honestly been for the better so I can focus on the problem vs the symptoms. That is also why you do not see chiropractor mentioned 🙂 And this is in no way to bash that alternative method. Just my personal opinion.

I would love to chat with you more if you are experiencing this too. The pain is SO REAL. Every day you have to fight. I think going through labor again would be easier, put it that way! I hope this blog post reaches one person who will have an aha moment. I pray it helps you 🙂

My journey continues from here and I will be focusing on this yoga series for now. One day at a time. My babies need me to be at my best.

Please comment below if I left anything out or you have words of wisdom. This is an ongoing journey and I can’t do it alone.

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Thanks for reading!
Kim

 

Baby Owen’s birth story

Posted on by under baby, Kentucky, Motherhood, nursery, pregnancy, Uncategorized

DSC00113Every pregnancy is different and leading up to 39 weeks, the anticipation was building. Not knowing how or when I would go into labor left me just waiting for the moment. My entire second pregnancy was different from the first (and not sure if it was because we were having a little boy vs. a little girl). Savannah was born pretty much on her due date and this little guy decided to come early at 39+2 days. So here’s my birth story:

Leading up to the day of labor, things were changing rapidly. I was even cleaning baseboards the day or two before. Full on, sitting on the floor cleaning. Crazy, I know! The evening of Monday, March 12 I began having slight cramping and little bit more intense Braxton Hicks contractions. The morning of Tuesday, March 13 I had a friend over for a play date and I felt a lot of pressure when I would stand up or walk. A noticeable difference from the previous day. As the morning went on, I called my mom and she decided to drive down since she was going to be taking care of Savannah while we went to the hospital. My dad ended up driving me to my last OB appointment since Dan was working. He knew something was happening, but not enough yet to take off work. And with my parents here, I did have help in the meantime.

Around 8pm that evening we decided to finalize everything and make our way to the hospital. With Savannah, we waited too long to get to the hospital so I didn’t want to take that chance this time. I was told by my doctor that with the second, things would progress much quicker. That didn’t really seem to be the case for this little guy.

Upon arrival at the hospital, triage checked me in and hooked me up to the monitors so they could keep an eye on contractions and the baby’s heart rate. Several doctors came in and checked my dilation. I was at 2cm and seemed pretty comfortable according to them so I had several choices. We decided to walk the hospital to move labor along and after an hour returned to triage. I was still at 2cm but I was definitely more uncomfortable and could tell labor was coming VERY SOON. We decided to leave the hospital and return once the contractions were even more intense. This was around 11pm.

I labored at home until around 3:30am, woke Dan and he popped out of bed. He knew it was happening and couldn’t wait to meet his little man. We headed back to the hospital and this time it was clear that I wasn’t going anywhere. I was 4cm and the contractions were getting worse. DSC00065I labored at the hospital until I got my epidural around 7 or 8am. Once the epidural kicked in, I was much more comfortable. The nurses kept coming in and rotating me because Owen’s heart rate kept dipping. And they had me wear oxygen to help regulate his heart rate as well. They came in at some point and broke my water. This would help move labor along.

Around noon I was at 10cm and they made all the preparations for me to start pushing. The doctor was worried about his cord possibly being wrapped so they wanted me to push fast and get him out. I pushed for about 20 minutes and he was here! That part was much quicker than with Savannah’s birth.

And here he is! 8lbs, 4 oz of pure baby bundle! Sweeter than we could have imagined and looking a lot like his sister! We love you so much little man! DSC00135DSC00132DSC00070DSC00145DSC00163DSC00085We say he came early to catch the tournament. GO CATS!!

Thanks for reading!
Kim

It’s a boy! Owen’s sweet nursery

Posted on by under art, baby, diy, Kentucky, Military, Motherhood, nursery, pregnancy, Uncategorized

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With a few weeks to spare, the nursery is complete! For some reason, it was a lot more difficult to design a boy’s nursery than with Savannah’s room. Something about little girls and all the girly stuff is so fun! You can see Savannah’s nursery (once in this room) and her now big girl room! Not to say this wasn’t fun, it was just different. I can’t wait to experience what everyone keeps telling me about little boys. Owen’s nursery took a lot of inspiration from his daddy. It’s filled with UK Blue, Blue and Army stuff! I also threw in a little scripture that has kept me looking forward throughout this journey. And Savannah made sure he had a book wall so he could keep up with her love for reading! And I’m sure they will share a lot of it. It will be fun for her when I am nursing, changing, or playing with him in the nursery.DSC09957DSC09934DSC09931DSC09932DSC09940DSC09935DSC09954
How fun is this wool ball garland? If you know me, I had to throw in some handmade items! And this big print of Blue framed above the crib. Can you believe this print and frame came in under $25 total? A little DIY magic.DSC09948DSC09920DSC09943DSC09952DSC09929
As you can see, we still need to decide on a picture for that frame. The random little girl eating ice cream is cute and all, but maybe a sweet family picture would be better. And I have a thing for using what you already have to decorate, like hanging special clothes on the wall. I did the same with Savannah’s first year dress. DSC09925DSC09939
This little burlap hoop was a gift from a dear friend, made locally by Tina at Go Big or Go Home. It’s hand painted and so much love was put into this. What a sweet welcome to his room.

Now to get my bag packed for the hospital. I’m a little behind, but at least my laundry is done! He could be here tomorrow or in a few weeks! AHH… the anticipation of it all!

And then there is this girl. She is going to be the best big sister. I can’t wait to see their love for each other when Owen gets here. Little Owen is going to be a charmer, brave, and strong just like his daddy. We already know he is pretty wild and he hasn’t even arrived. God really did have a plan for our family and I am witnessing it first hand. It’s not easy, but it is so worth it! DSC00005DSC00041DSC00061DSC00050Thanks for stopping by and peeking into Owen’s room. We will keep you posted once he gets here!

Kim