Fit To Be Pregnant!

On Tuesday I was honored to be featured on the Fit To Be Pregnant blog which is written by Deanna. Fit To Be Pregnant is a really useful blog for all my pregnant mommas out there. Deanna provides a wealth of valuable resources about nutrition and fitness so you can have a healthy pregnancy!

Please visit my feature post, Fit Pregnancy Profile – Michelyn PR’s Her Back Squat in Her Second Trimester, and follow her blog if you are pregnant or desire to be pregnant!

Michelyn Cynthia

Bump Watch: Week 29

How Far Along:: 29 weeks.
 
Size of Baby:: Little Miss Kemp is the size of an acorn squash.

Gender:: Girl!

Stretch Marks:: I believe we are still in the clear.

Sleep:: Sleeping like a log :)

Exercise:: On a short, modified exercise plan, which entails a little more rest than activity. On Saturday, I over-exerted myself by walking on the treadmill for an extended period of time, and then followed this up with a shopping spree in Columbus with my mother. You know the saying "Shop til you Drop!?1" Well, I may have followed that to the letter. I was admitted in the ER overnight Saturday for monitoring, and have been instructed to rest. Basically, all of the activity agitated my cervix, shortening it, but it seems to be ok now. Most importantly, Little Miss Kemp was fine throughout the duration of the situation. She, of course, put on a little show for the nurses/doctors!

Cravings:: My mother's arrival means some home-baked desserts. She has baked some scrumptious oatmeal raisin bars and fudge! We shared some with the OU Athletic department as well!

Miss Anything:: CrossFit SEO

Symptoms:: Nope, feeling good!

Belly Button In or Out:: Still flat!

Movement:: Yes! The last two nights I have eaten desserts, and she is going to town. It actually is way uncomfortable as it almost feels like she is pushing her back-side outward. My whole stomach is lop-sided when she does this, lol. Hoping we go back to simple kicks here soon!

Best Worst Moment of the Week:: Visit to the ER!

Michelyn Cynthia

Becoming A Calm Mom: Strategy #6

I have said it before, but I will say it again... these tips are not only useful as one becomes a calm mom, but also as simple reminders for a satisfying life. "Becoming A Calm Mom" has not taught me any new lessons or concepts, per se, but it has brought these ideas to the forefront of my mind.

Now, we still have a little over 10 weeks to go, so let's hope I can remember some of the strategies when I am stricken with exhaustion, fatigue and overall feelings of being overwhelmed. I can report more about that in a monthly update! LoL

But, we are not done with the calm mom strategies as Dr. Ledly outlines one last tip, calm companionship.

Unlike the previous tips, calm companionship, involves an attitude toward fostering and maintaining adult relationships for the new mom. 

Tips for Calm Companionship

Make time for relationships. Remind yourself that making time for relationships - and the relationship with your partner, in particular – is not selfish. A strong, loving parental relationship is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your baby. Look out for yourself in relationships.  Tailor your relationships so you get what you need (love, support, fun, etc.), while also feeling good about giving back to others. Don’t neglect others’ thoughts, feelings, and needs. Don’t be baby-centric. Make sure to ask friends and family members what is going on in their lives. Seek out other people in your situation. Meet and connect with other new moms. People in the same boat you are in will likely be a great source of support, advice, and fun.

Ledley, D.R. (2009). Becoming a calm mom: How to manage stress and enjoy the first year of motherhood. Washington, DC. American Psychological Association.

 Did you miss any of the other strategies for your Calm Mom Toolbox? Below, I have listed the 5 other calm mom tips:

Strategy #1: Becoming a Calm Thinker

Strategy #2: Becoming Your Own Behavior Therapist

Strategy #3: Calm Communicator

Strategy #4: Making Decisions

Strategy #5: Calm Body & Soul

Question of the Day: What recommendations, tips, and/or strategies do you have for remaining calm during the first few months of motherhood?

Michelyn Cynthia

Bump Watch: Week 28

How Far Along:: 28 weeks. We are in the 3rd trimester, folks!
 
Size of Baby:: Little Miss Kemp is the size of an eggplant.

Gender:: Girl!

Stretch Marks:: I believe we are still in the clear.

Sleep:: I have been super, duper tired this past week. I believe my body is still "recovering" from all the fun of the Final Four, plus I resumed CrossFit which I did not do for a whole week.

Exercise:: Back into the swing of things at CrossFit. I have been so tired and busy with work, that I have been unable to keep up with my treadmill work-outs but know they will resume here shortly.

Cravings:: I have been yearning for KrispyKreme donuts!

Miss Anything:: KrispyKreme stores, lol.

Symptoms:: Besides exhaustion, feeling really good. I have my next OB and adjustment appointments tomorrow. I need to get a list of questions together.

Belly Button In or Out:: It's flat as a pancake!

Movement:: Last night she was going to town! But, she is pretty active on most days!

Best Worst Moment of the Week:: The Badgers losing in the National Championship Game, boo!

Looking Forward To:: My mother arrives later today (huge smile)!

Michelyn Cynthia

A-Game Attire: Season In Review {A Repost}

Hello followers! Coach and I returned home from the Final Four late yesterday afternoon, and I am still trying to catch my bearings from being away for 1.5 weeks! The laundry machine has yet to stop, the fridge has been re-stocked, and Prince is glad to be home!

I wanted to re-post my last A-Game attire post since returning from the Final Four. While there, I had the opportunity to attend many wives events, befriend new wives, and meet two (in-person) that are featured below! In all, I would claim this year's Final Four as a major success!

Without further ado, let me re-introduce you to my starting 5 for the 2014-15 season:

Point Guard - Danyelle Musselman

Shooting Guard - Andrea Hansen

Small Forward - Lisa Compton

Power Forward - Ashley Pittman

Center - Amber Tysl

If you have not done so already, please head on over to each of these ladies' feature posts! Danyelle, Lisa, and Amber have blogs of their own which I do hope you follow! Andrea and Ashley have personal businesses/professions that they discussed on their features, and they be be able to help you in that regard.

Michelyn Cynthia

Question of the Day: Are you a college and/or high school coach's wife or significant other? Interested in sharing your game-day attire and style? If yes, contact me, for more information for the 2015-16 season!

Bump Watch: Week 27

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I know this is not the traditional format for my weekly photos but Coach doesn't have his computer to add the border, and the picture from the hotel room is well below average. So, you get a photo of the bump while in the hotel gym! We will return to normal bump pictures next week. 

H ow Far Along:: 27 weeks; the final week in my 2nd trimester.
 
Size of Baby:: Little Miss Kemp is the size of a large rutabaga.

Gender:: Girl!

Stretch Marks:: Think I'm in the clear.

Sleep:: I have some insomnia, and Coach's snoring makes it challenging to return to slumber but I get some good slumber in the early evening.

Exercise:: I've been frequenting The Princeton Club while we've been in Madison. I took so many various classes and loved them all. If you visit the Madison area, I highly recommend you try out The Princeton a Club or one of their Xpress locations!

Cravings:: We dined at Ian's Pizza, and I was in heaven. The mach & cheese pizza was as delicious as I remember it from back in the day.

Miss Anything:: Not being so tired!!

Symptoms:: doing good!

Belly Button In or Out:: Can flat be an option!?! My belly button is not out but not in either, instead it's just kind of flat.

Movement:: Lots of movement, Braxton Hicks and I'm on the fence on whether I've felt baby hiccups!

Best Moment of the Week:: Seeing our niece for the first time. Got some baby-caring practice in while in Madison. 

Looking Forward To:: Final Four baby!

Michelyn Cynthia

BBBC: One Moment, One Morning

It is April 1st! Later this afternoon, Coach and I head off to Indianapolis for the Final Four festivities! I truly can not contain my excitement to see some of my beloved coach's wives and to make new friends while there!

This year's show will not be going down like last year (Wednesday; Thursday/Friday) but we still have some fun days and nights planned. I guess I can ensure that I am the first one in the hotel gym, since I have no excuses, lol!

For the month of March the Beauty Blogger Book Club read One Moment, One Morning by Sarah Rayner. This book was chosen by Rachel who blogs over at Love To Be Busy. Here is the synopsis of the book:

The Brighton to London line. The 07:44 train. Carriages packed with commuters. A woman applies her make-up. Another occupies her time observing the people around her. A husband and wife share an affectionate gesture. Further along, a woman flicks through a glossy magazine. Then, abruptly, everything changes: a man has a heart attack, and can't be resuscitated; the train is stopped, an ambulance called. For at least three passengers on the 07:44 on that particular morning, life will never be the same again. Lou witnesses the man's final moments. Anna and Lou share a cab when they realise the train is going nowhere fast. Anna is Karen's best friend. And Karen? Karen's husband is the man who dies. Telling the story of the week following that fateful train journey, One Moment, One Morning is a stunning novel about love and loss, about family and - above all - friendship. A stark reminder that, sometimes, one moment is all it takes, it also reminds us that somehow, and despite everything, life can and does go on.

 One Moment, One Morning is an emotional tale of love, friendship and loss as well as strength.Strength found within and between women, at that! The three women are involved in different emotional levels to the death, but in being brought together the incident allows them to examine their own lives in a different light and discover what is important and how they can make changes for the better.

Poignantly, this book had me mulling over so many things. First, it made me realize that I need to cherish those that I love on a more regular basis. Second, I questioned my calling in life, and my overall happiness in all the roles that I play. We only get one chance at this game called life, and I wonder(ed) how I may make my being more meaningful and support my family unit. Lastly, it made me think about becoming a mother and the struggles that will invariably ensue.  

This is no easy read, but it is one that I highly suggest. It will make you cry, laugh and rejoice. You will sympathize and pain for the three women, and then rejoice at the freedom that comes at the end!

Now, head on over the the other Members' blogs to see what they thought about the book!

Ashley - If You Give A Girl A Ring

Heather - Love To Be Busy

For the month of April we are reading "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. I chose this book after stumbling across Business Insider's "100 Books Everyone Should Read" list! This book is ranked #16 out of 100. I do see that it is a little long - sorry ladies - but it has received great reviews for many, many years! 

If you are a blogger, and are interested in joining our book club, please Contact Me to learn more. If you do not write a blog that is ok, because you can still join in on the fun!

Each month, one of the Beauty Blogger Book Club (BBBC) members will choose a book for the Club to read. At the beginning of the following month, we each write a book report/summary for our readers to enjoy and share the book for the following month!

Question of the Day: What did you think of "One Moment, One Morning?"

Michelyn Cynthia