2.28.08: Eating for Two

In these days of trial and error to quell Anna's crying I've learned that she's sensitive to the dairy food that I've been eating. So out went all the milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream in my diet.

Being a Vermont girl, much of my diet is made with cow's milk. But it's amazingly easy to change dietary habits when you know they are making your little one miserable... I'd do anything to make her feel better.

2.16.08: Endurance Training

I'm happy to report that I slept eight hours last night -- not in a row -- but I think Anna Sophia may be getting this sleeping in the night thing. Well, she did last night anyway.

During the other five nights of her life, she had been sleeping in shorter stretches, mostly during the day. At night, she has been up every half hour or so as I try to figure out what she needs.

Of course her schedule is a bit upside down, just last week she learned to breathe, to see, to live in a world outside the womb.

Today marks one week since Anna's birthday... it has been a joyful, sleep-deprived journey. I love every minute of it, even the crying parts.

2.09.08 Anna Sophia has arrived!

Here's the note my husband sent out to our friends and family:

Kara & Chris are proud to announce the arrival of our daughter, Anna Sophia (“Merciful Wisdom”) Whitely.

Born at 11:32 PM on Saturday at Overlook Hospital in Summit NJ, she arrived early – just 28 minutes before her official due date of February 10.

She’s already charming everyone around her. The doctor said she’s in “perfect shape” – with an initial weight of 7 pounds and 10 ounces. Relatively tall at 21 inches at birth, she may already be gearing up to be a top-notch basketball player.

Mom is doing great and is recovering quickly. Dad learned how to change a diaper for the first time and suspects that there are many more coming in the future. Mom and Dad both feel very blessed and joyful to welcome a new member of the family.

Much love,

Kara, Chris & Anna Sophia Whitely

2.08.08: Clutter Patrol

I think my baby will arrive shortly as I've been nesting -- the maternal instinct to clean and prepare for baby's arrival.
Yesterday I cleaned the fridge, then moved onto the cabinets, then bleached the dish rack... I had to remember to stop and get some rest!I finished cleaning in time to watch Oprah, which happened to feature her anti-clutter guy, Peter Walsh. He just wrote, "Does this Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?"

During the show, he helped a woman clean our her messy house on the premise that the extra stuff was weighing her down.I've spent the last few months cleaning out clutter to prepare for baby's arrival and it feels wonderful to live in a neat home.

Today, I'll have to organize the rest of the kitchen so that I have a clutter-free home for a healthy life.

2.06.08: Baby's First Weigh In

During the 38 week visit to my doctor's office, my OB was a little concerned that the baby hadn't descended or dropped yet.

My doctor explained that likely meant that the baby has lots or room to float around -- after all, my torso is so large as a 6-foot woman.Or, it could mean I'm carrying a very large baby.

My orders were to make an appointment for an ultrasound to get an estimate of the baby's weight.I spent five days fretting about whether I made by baby too fat even before she stepped on this earth and about whether I passed along my weight issues in the womb.

I'm happy to report, the ultrasound news was good, very good. Her estimated weight is a perfect 7 pounds, 7 ounces!Lots of babies don't drop until labor. She'll decide when she's ready move out of the womb.

2.06.08: Getting ready for new life...

I'm now 39 weeks, two days pregnant. I'm so excited to meet our little girl who has been has only been able to kick to say "Hello."

I know once she arrives, I'll need to kick myself back into shape. In February 2007, I was in the best shape of my life, tough enough to climb Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest peak. I'm due to have a baby exactly one year later and am now challenging myself to lose the baby weight and then some by February 2009.

This is the ongoing story of balancing motherhood and fitness so that I can be in the best health possible for me and my family. Now that I'm days away from giving birth, I'm looking forward for the new life -- of both my baby and myself...

I've got the exercise DVDs ready. The Nordic Trak has been dusted (I guess that was part of nesting). I've even ordered a bathroom scale (for the past nine months, I've only monitored my weight at the doctor's office). Once I get doctor clearance it will be time to get going because there will be much work to do.

2.03.08: Hard Being Home

It's a bit hard being home, waiting for baby. I'm now six days away from my due date and I'm on my fourth week of maternity leave. I am enjoying the rest -- especially because I know that won't last once the little one arrives. However, it's hard not to graze all day -- out of anxiety, boredom, anything!

1.28.08: Walking as a Warm Up

I'll admit it, when the temperature hovers around 32 degrees, I don't feel like going anywhere. One of the things that disappeared from my routine last week was my walk.Now, I'm 9 months pregnant, and walks for me these days aren't up mountains. Most times, they are 30 minutes, tops, but I firmly believe walks are what keep me healthy, strong and with a blood pressure of 120/80.