Baby GIRL!!!

That is what we had!!!!

I haven't posted in a while but I am DEFINITELY still here!!! :)

I went almost two weeks past my due date before Gracie Lynne was born but she is *finally* here!(And I am SO in love but I won't get into all that right now!)

I managed to do pretty well right up to the end of my pregnancy. Not 100% on plan but very close. I stopped exercising at almost 39 weeks.

My FINAL weight was 219. That was on the very day she was born. Immediately after her birth I was 208. I lost a couple more pounds over the next couple of days and gained them back when my milk came in. Right now I am still at 208. Gracie will be a week old tomorrow!

The birth was AMAZING. My best birth EVER. I have no idea if eating THM style and working out had anything to do with it or not but it was wonderful. I thank the Lord first and foremost  because I prayed to have no fear and just relax and I DID. But I am sure that my working out and eating right helped!

My labor was 2 hours and 30 minutes. I was walking,talking and everything was pretty much painless until the contraction RIGHT before I decided to get into the birth pool. I had Gracie 2 contractions and 8 minutes later. I pushed twice. Once for her head and once for the rest of her body. Recovery has been amazing. I have felt better than ever. I am getting lots of rest and enjoying my baby SO much! She is nursing like a champ and breastfeeding is going great.

I wanted to officially write down the differences that I noticed in this pregnancy.

1. I never got achy inner thighs until the VERY end and then it was just now and then.

2. I never threw up once during morning sickness. I *did* have morning sickness but I never threw up. I think the higher protein diet really helped me.

3. I gained WAY less than I normally do in pregnancy. Usually I gain 50-60 Lbs. I ended my very first pregnancy (15 years ago) at 198 and I ended the pregnancy BEFORE this one (my 7th live birth) at 245. I ended each pregnancy at a higher weight. Until this one! I ended this one 25 Lbs lighter than the last. Even though I did gain more than I wanted to gain, I AM very happy with where I am at and how I did. I am NOT starting from scratch this time! (Or WORSE than scratch!) After my last baby (you can see by looking at my weight chart on my side bar), it took me 8 months to get to the weight  I am RIGHT now. So I am REALLY happy about that! I hope that it won't take me a super long time to get to my pre- pregnancy weight and after that, melting right on down to my goal weight!!!

4. Swelling was SOOOOO little compared to what I normally have. I did have SOME on the really hot days or when I sat for long periods of time............OR when I ate lots of junk food. BUT.........It was still *nothing* compared to what I normally have! My ankles were perfect on delivery day :).

5. After birth, I didn't have NEARLY the "falling out" feeling that I have had with my last couple babies. At my last birth (well, AFTER), my midwife wrapped my belly with some stretchy fabric to hold everything in better. I just felt  so breathless and like everything was hanging out..... A yucky feeling.

I didn't have it this time though! That was REALLY great, and I am really convinced that all of the working out is what did that! My belly also seemed to be smaller immediately after baby was born AND appears to be continuing to shrink at a faster speed.

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Those are the biggest differences that I noticed. I felt absolutely great but I have felt that way in ALL of my pregnancies. I DO think I felt EXTRA great this time though!! :)

I am going to stop for today. I will post tomorrow with my weight loss goals!!!! :)