Our Birth Story

Our family photos - courtesy of http://creamncocoaphotography.com/

Ready to go!

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Three months ago my life was forever changed. After being induced on a Wednesday night, and laboring through 26 long hours, it was time for the final push. Travis and I had been up since 4 a.m., and our sweet boy was about to enter the world.

They say there are some moments when everything stops, the world is still and things seem to move in slow motion. The first time I experienced this for myself was when I saw our sweet boy lifted up in the air and his eyes met mine. Granted, this was no TV movie so the nurses had to wipe him off… but he was still one of the most beautiful things I had ever seen. Instantly, happy tears steamed down my face. I looked at Travis, and for the second time in our life together, I saw a few little tears clinging to the corner of his eyes.

Moments after we met Lincoln.

Sweet 7 pounds and 7.4 ounces.

My best friend Helene, who had been my second delivery coach, was also there to witness this moment. The room was still as we all looked at this crying little miracle, our 7 pound, 7.4 ounce bundle of joy: Lincoln James Kight.

We had time to snuggle and begin the bonding process before the nurses took to be weighed and measured. Daddy hovered over the proceedings as they checked Lincoln’s vitals. Since I had been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, they had to check his blood sugar. It can back at 54, which is right in line with what they want. 

Look at those little eyes!

Kisses for our new baby!

Our family and close friends came to visit that day and the next. Luckily the doctors and nurses didn’t send us home on Saturday, because when little Lincoln broke free of his swaddle, we noticed his hands were a little blue and his arms were shaky. Travis suggested then that we have his blood sugar re-tested. Thank the Lord we did, because on that Saturday afternoon little Lincoln had a scary blood sugar level of 21. When a baby’s blood sugar drops below 20, they run the risk of seizers. So immediately we started supplementing formula using and S&S system to add additional calories to my breast-feeding. Unfortunately, this did not bring his levels up fast enough, so he was admitted into the NICU. This was the scariest moment of my life. To have such an amazing baby be born, then watch him be taken to an intensive care nursery, where he is hooked up to monitors and poked and prodded. In that moment Travis and I clung to each other and did the only thing we knew to do: pray. Hoping that God would help our little boy get healthy quickly. The nurses, our own angels on Earth, did an amazing job. By supplementing sugar water, my breast milk and formula, we were able to get his blood sugar to healthy levels in two days. This told us that his pancreas has adjusted to life outside the womb, and after two nights, it was time to take our healthy boy home.

The amazing NICU at Saint Elizabeth Edgewood

Our warm welcome home, thanks to our family!

Looking back, while this experience was terrifying, it made us the parents we are today. Those extra few days in the hospital gave us time to ask the doctors and nurses extra questions and allowed me extra time with the lactation consultants. Most importantly, it made bringing our baby home seem easy. Making his first night under our roof, his first time in his comfy crib, like heaven! (Especially compared to the uncomfortable “crate” in the NICU.)

I still checked the monitor multiple times through out the night. Even though Travis had offered to stay up and feed him, so I could get long awaited rest.

Now, three months later, our little boy is strong and developing quiet the personality. I feel so blessed to have him in our lives, and like all parents had told me time and time again, I don’t know how Travis and I lived all this time without him. 

A huge thank you to our friends and family who have been there for us over the past three months. We are very thankful to have amazing examples of parents all around us. We love you all!

Our alert little man.

Lincoln's first wave, Hello world!

Our angel, Lincoln James Kight.

My Top 10 Pregnancy Must Haves!

Counting down the days until our little man arrives, I can’t help to reflect on the past 9 months. It’s hard to believe that very soon I will be a new mommy, and our lives will be forever changed. With that being said, there are a few things that I could not have lived without over the past few months. Please know there are many emotional things I could have listed, like a loving spouse… great friends… moms who will answer questions without that judgmental response: “How do you not know this!”. But for those you who just found out you have a bun in the oven, grab a pen and paper cause this list of things, may come in handy…

 

My Top 10 Pregnancy Must Haves!

1. Snoggle pillow – This bad boy is essential! I cannot stress how much easier sleep will be if you have one; it supports you in all the right places and prevents parts of you body from going numb in the middle of the night and gives you comfort as you get back to sleep… after your third trip to the bathroom.
2. Planner or Organization System – It seems like moments after people say congratulations, your calendar becomes flooded with appointments, baby showers, classes… My baby brain can’t think of the rest. Plus you need a place to centralize your baby-related lists… ahhh lists. Who to invite, what to register for, who to send thank you cards to, what you need to do at work and finally… what to pack in the hospital bag. I was blessed to have teacher friends who introduced me to the amazing ErinCondren Planner last year. I honestly don’t think I would be ready for this child without it. However, as long as you have a system you can stick to, you should be good to go.
3. Largest Water Bottle With a Straw You Can Find – I am not kidding. H2O is your new best friend, and having a straw makes it easier to suck down the ounces you need to keep from feeling nauseas, breaking out, getting Braxton hicks contractions and just feeling blah. Plus the straw will come in handy once baby is here, since you will have your hands full… literally!
4. The Belly Band – This accessory is great. It can help cover the rubber-banded pants early in your pregnancy and hold them up towards the end. I got two of them, because I liked having color options. I will say the cheaper ones work, but having that little silicone strip from the Ingrid and Isabel does wonders.
5. Belli Oil – Now at 37 weeks, I have tried it all… cocoa butter, organic creams, you name it! But this stuff has a scent and consistency that are both calming and soothing. It honestly feels like a mini massage when you apply it. Hard to describe, but worth every penny. I found some on Amazon that was a good savings from what Ulta was charging.
6. Tennis Ball – The further along you get, the more aches and pains you will feel, particularly when sitting for a long period of time or driving. Now its not uncommon for me to take my yellow tennis ball and place it behind my middle back while driving, to make my back stop hurting. This can be done against a wall, down your leg… really wherever it hurts. Because unfortunately your husband will not always be there to rub your back.
7. Baby Center App – Use the “What to Expect When you are Expecting” book as door stop. Watch the movie instead. In this Prego’s opinion, this book is full of way to much information and it’s, well… scary! The Baby center app gives you little nuggets of information in an easy to digestible form, like “eat a pregnancy super food” or “get your car seat installed.” Complete with happy little boxes you can check off, as the day gets closer. Plus on the days of the weeks you progress, it will prompt you with a little “Your Baby” recap, complete with what size they are and what’s developing.
8. Pregnancy Spanx – You will want to wear dresses. They are flattering, you can stretch out non-maternity ones and they are comfortable. But everyone needs a little smoothing out and support sometimes.
9. Supportive Bras – In between my first and second trimester, I experienced a lot of upper back pain. Funny thing was, my bras were now two sizes too small! When I learned this, I was in such shock, I left my beautiful red leather jacket Travis got me a few years ago in the Victoria Secret dressing room. After upgrading my over-the-shoulder bolder holders, the back pain magically disappeared.
10. Chiropractor – While I know I said I would leave “people” off this list, you really need a chiropractor during pregnancy. Your body is about to go through major changes. Your back, hips, chest…pretty much everything will need to be adjusted from time to time. Plus, some chiro’s even have massage therapist on staff… can you say bonus! The amazing staff at All Star Chiropractic have saved me countless times, and I don’t know what I would do without them. 

Like I said, there are many emotional things I could list here. I have been extremely lucky to have a sweet, supportive and loving husband who has been by my side for nine months. I have amazing friends, about of dozen of who are on the same journey. Not to mention my faith, which has kept everything in perspective. While I am still eating spicy food, hoping that will lessen the time between today and the moment I get to meet our little man… I know God has a plan for his due date.

Wishing you all a beautiful 9 month journey!

Gestational Diabetes

First, I apologize for my digital silence. A few weeks ago I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. Given how carefree of a pregnancy I have experienced....most of you were probably waiting for at least one shoe to drop. 

Needless to say I was surprised, annoyed and of course worried for our little one. While it can be manage with diet, the side of effects for baby and mama are not to be taken lightly. The good news is, with a little disciple and changing up my diet I can absolutely manage my blood sugar and make sure both of us are getting the nutrition we need.  

So I hope you all enjoyed the pasta recipe I just posted...because from here on out it's healthy food all the way. Given that its swimsuit season, most of you will probably love these recipes. I have already discovered amazing snacks and things you can make ahead of time in bulk....like roasted vegetable breakfast burritos. YUM! Come back soon to see what I am cooking up in the kitchen, and other fun things as I prepare for our little arrival. 

Heart Mini

The goal in running the Turkey Trot was to being training for the Flying Pig marathon. However, given our amazing news weeks later, I knew jumping from 6.3 miles to 13.1 would be a bit ambitious at six months pregnant. Instead, I asked my doctor if a 15k would be within my reach (average distance 9.3 miles). They assured me that I could do it if I listened to my body/heart rate and did everything to prepare the extra few miles. I joined my company’s team Proof Positive and set my sites on the Heart Mini 15k, the Mercy Health race benefiting the American Heart Association.

Knowing this would be a small feat from my normal six-mile weekend runs, I made a ramp-up schedule with my running buddy Brea. Two days of running a week, cross training and leaving our long run for Saturdays.  Our longest ramp up was 9 miles, then we decreased down the week prior to the race. My biggest challenge was my IT bands training for this race. Both of them decided to be difficult in the final two weeks before the race. However, mind over matter proved to be useful and we finished the race, all 9.73 miles of it with two smiles on our faces. 

Below is my list of running day essentials, since this was my longest race to day:

• Gu Energy Gel
• Tylenol – taken 30 minutes before the race
• Tissues
• Knee brace
• Heart rate monitor
• Sweaty Band
• Killer playlist (below)
• Mama-to-be race shirt

Overall this was one of the happiest moments as a runner, even though the race was hard I didn’t give up. I only hope my body let will let me run for a little bit longer before our baby boy comes this summer.

Finally, my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the Boston Marathon bombing. After living just outside of Boston, I can say without of doubt that this is one city that will not go quietly. That will stand together and come back stronger than anyone could anticipate, this is a city built pride and one you don't want to mess with. We are thinking of all of you. Keep Running Your Race!

Heart Mini Playlist:

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – Thrift Shop - feat. Wanz
will.i.am – Scream & Shout
Ice Cube – You Can Do It - Feat. Mack 10 And Ms Toi
David Guetta – I Can Only Imagine - feat. Chris Brown & Lil Wayne
David Guetta – Titanium - feat. Sia
Pitbull – Don't Stop The Party
Pitbull – Last Night
Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
Calvin Harris – Sweet Nothing
Justin Bieber – Beauty And A Beat
Maroon 5 – One More Night
Flo Rida – I Cry
Ellie Goulding – Anything Could Happen
OneRepublic – Feel Again
Flo Rida – Good Feeling
Calvin Harris – I Need Your Love
Adele – Cold Shoulder [Basement Jaxx Classic Remix]
Calvin Harris – Feel So Close - Radio Edit
Florence + The Machine – Shake It Out
Christina Aguilera – Fighter
Ke$ha – We R Who We R
Britney Spears – I Wanna Go
Muse – Supermassive Black Hole
Muse – Madness
Havana Brown – We Run The Night
Darude – Sandstorm - Radio Edit
Ke$ha – Blow - Cirkut Remix
Afrojack – Take Over Control (Extended) [feat. Eva Simons]
Dj Laz – Move, Shake, Drop
Flo Rida – Right Round - US Album Version
Taio Cruz – Break Your Heart
Kid Cudi – Pursuit Of Happiness - Extended Steve Aoki Remix (Explicit)
Pitbull – Pause
David Guetta – Where Them Girls At - feat. Nicki Minaj & Flo Rida
Benny Benassi – Cinema - Skrillex Radio Edit
will.i.am – Check It Out
C2C – Down The Road

Operation Lemonades

The tale of the pregnant cookie monster

Given it is a rainy Monday, the day after day light savings time…I’d say we all need a good laugh.  Honestly, I really wish this story was not about me. This weekend I took pregnancy cravings to a whole new level, ironically after my honey badger group and I ran 6.4 miles. Let’s start at the beginning. Two weeks ago my bestie Helene had her gallbladder removed. Inseparable since we were seven, I was quick to get a copy of her dietary restrictions, so I could bring her meals for her recovery. During my visit she sweetly offered me some of her un-opened Girl Scout cookies.

I have been fortunate to not fall in love with any specific Girl Scout cookies, I see them at the grocery every year in there little green outfits and occasionally I will pick up a box of peanut butter patties for Trav. Well my cookie fortune was about to change, Helene mentioned a very unknown type of cookie called Lemonades, she said “Hardly anyone knows about then, and they aren’t as bad as some of them.” I looked on the box and thought, why not. Little did I know the series of events that would unfold. These cookies where A-MAZ-ING! I had to mentally say “The serving size is two cookies, that’s all you get!” to prevent my self from stealing these adorable little cookies away from my best friend. I made it two days without thinking about the little iced pieces of perfection and then on Tuesday, the madness began. I found myself searching on the Internet for where the Girl Scout troops where selling cookies. After finding none, I began texting friends and neighbors. I learned most of the troops have ceased sales, since the end of the season was near and Mother Nature was not cooperating. My sweet neighbor Karen felt bad and actually brought me over a few that snowy evening, borrowed from her husbands stash. Saturday I felt the cravings come on again during my run. I mentioned to my fellow honey badgers how these cookies where the best thing since, sliced cookies! My sweet friend Brea called me hours later, “I was at the store and saw the Girl Scouts, they said that the northern Kentucky troops still have Lemonades”.

She couldn’t have had better timing, because moments later I was passing the NKY Girl Scout headquarters right off I-75, admittedly who I had tried calling earlier that week. I got off the exit, pulled down the picturesque drive way and walked in. A lonely little old man sat at the table, surrounded by COOKIES. He looked at me rather odd and asked “Can I help you?”, I replied, “Yes, sir I would like to buy some cookies”. I could tell by the look on his face, this was not a common occurrence. 

I explained my new infatuation Lemonades, and how I was 18 weeks pregnant and after a long run today couldn’t think of anything else. I then said “I have cash, check or credit card…can I please buy some cookies.”, he looked at me and smiles and said “Yes, of course”. He then explained how he remembered when his wife was pregnant (all three times) how she would get crazy cravings. It made me feel better. Since he had no machine or way to log a check, he prefered cash. The icing on the cookie, since he had no change....I ended up with $21 of Lemonade cookies (6 little boxes). Of course some of these will be gifts, but for now I think its safe to say the cookie monster is gone.

Ironically, after all that effort I have only had 2 of those little lemon iced beauty’s. To my fellow pregnant friends, if you get a crazy craving, please know you are not alone.

With Love –

PS – This week is full of hard workouts, including training the Heart Mini 15k this Sunday…hopefully this balances out my new obsession.