Natural Pregnancy: Feeling good and some preggo pictures

Hellooo!

How are you?  Hope you are enjoying this new season.
Fall is officially here and I couldn't be happier. I love FALL!  It's like the best season to be pregnant! Don't you think? Well, I think so.

I must say that the previous months I was not convinced that a preggo woman get her energy back during the second trimester. I was just not as energetic as I feel right now. Maybe I am finally having a boost of energy now that I am entering the third trimester, maybe it's mental and it's the fact that I love the Fall season so much that it makes me feel that energetic. Either way, I am feeling verrrryyyy good.

The change in weather is benefiting me in many ways.
I am no longer complaining of the hot summer days.
The landscape is becoming such a treat to admire. Watching the changes in the trees during my walks or even from my chair as I type bring me many smiles which of course would play a great role in one feeling so good!
The breeze is a gift from heaven as I now enjoy more frequent walks.

During the previous months getting myself to go on a walk was a chore. I had to mentally prep myself. Now, I just can't wait to be up in the morning and walk alone or enjoy an afternoon stroll in the company of a sweet friend and neighbor. I even walk my dog very late at night sometimes because I just can't seem to have enough of the beautiful weather that makes it harder for me to stay still!

I was actually walking with my afternoon companion earlier when we ran into other neighbors and one asked how I am doing. My answer of course was
" Good, I'm doing good"
It felt good to say " Gooood" I am doing good" well I am doing good most days says it but today I feeeelt good from the inside out!

There's something good in the air. Maybe it's just mental but honestly the Fall air seems to bring me something good!
So what about you? How are you enjoying this new season?

Another thing a neighbor asked me earlier is " How many weeks are you ?" and I answered that I don't even know!
Can you believe that? I am asked all the time how many weeks I am and I keep saying that I don't know. Truth be told I stopped counting since week 12.  No particular reasons, I just did. My very good friend and neighbor Ashley M-C
 that was there replied for me " she's just enjoying" or something like that. And it's true! I am not counting and I am just going with the flow enjoying the process.

But some of you want to see some preggo pictures so I decided to count how many weeks I am today as I share some preggo pictures!

So here I am at 24 weeks:

Pregnancy week 24 picture.

A picture taken last night after I returned from an afternoon walk with my neighbor Miriam.

A picture taken over an hour ago after I returned from another walk with Miriam.

Pregnancy week 24 picture.

So... voila for some recent preggo pictures! A friend who has not seen me in months told me on Monday that I got darker! Thanks the Sunshine State for my recent natural tan! The heat in Orlando got me a nice tan from each time I would go on a walk or take the kids to the pool.

A month ago...

Sometimes last month, returning from time at the mall with my neighbors Miriam and Ashley M-C...

Alright I am out of here for tonight! Love you all and thanks for stopping by!

Be blessed!

N'na

The benefits of vacations: Fun in Orlando Florida

Hello friends and readers old and new. Thanks for stopping by!
It's been a couple of weeks since my last posting.
I was simply busy with a few things and enjoying some time in the "Sunshine State".

I can't believe that the last time I went to Florida was when I was a college student. It felt so good to return to the "Sunshine State" especially at this time of the year. My children got the pleasure of visiting Florida for the very first time and it felt good to acquaint them right here on the continental USA with small pleasurable details of my upbringing.

I was so delighted to see once again natural elements that surrounded me during my own childhood. Things such as...
Palm trees,

Hibiscus flowers

Birds of Paradise

 and other tropical flowers like the one below that grew in my backyward and that reminded me of my tropical homeland

I must say the weather and the environment made me pretty nostalgic! What added to the pleasure of being down South is the warmth and hospitality I felt where I stayed and the candor of the many people I met not just as locals but from other parts of the world. ( Canada, Brazil, Australia, just to name a few)

Above is one of my chilling spot for the past evenings...

Well, it's getting late I just wanted to catch up and say a brief hello.

I will share more pictures later so better stay tuned. For now check the link below for more pictures of the spot where I have been "chillaxing" in Orlando. Right across from :

as a matter of fact here's the real view from across the hotel

Oh, I am doing well, pregnancy is going quite well Praise God! I am feeling blessed and hope you are as well.

I am leaving you with this video that I am working on, it's a work in progress but it gives you an idea of what's up with me (smiles) 
http://www.youtube.com/user/goodhealthdiva#p/a/u/0/j1Rsmf9kbH8
 That's all for tonight! Have a great week !

Are you a Florida resident or fan? What's do you like most about Florida? What do you like most about Orlando?



N'na

Natural skin care: Milk for your face

I made some lavender milk yesterday for my hot chocolate drink and had too much milk leftover so rather than wasting it I saved it for my facial cleanse.







So today I just rinsed my face with some leftover lavender milk and it feels smooth like a baby face!




Milk for your face: 

Simply rinse you face with milk like you would with some water.
Rinse your face thoroughly with water, pad try and if you need a moisturizer apply as needed.


Your skin will be left unbelievably soft!


Did you know you could use milk as a make up remover?
Milk as make up remover:
Use a cotton call, dip it in some milk and use it to remove your make up. Rinse thoroughly with water.


Did you know that the beautiful Cleopatra



believed in the virtue of milk as a beauty product and was reported to bathe



in milk to have a smooth and beautiful skin?






N'na

Natural pregnancy: How to avoid varicose veins and Deep Vein thrombosis

They say each pregnancy is different and this fourth time around I can testify that it's true! At my first pregnancy( 9-10 years ago) I gained more weight than I ever expected to gain in my entire life (thankfully I eventually lost most of the undesirable weight) and the only thing I experienced then as a leg issue was swollen ankles at one point. Once I got informed on the causes and precautions I could take to avoid them I was free from that discomfort.

So I have never had swollen ankles since my first pregnancy but I am now concerned about something else. Varicose veins. I don't recall being concerned with varicose veins during any of my previous pregnancies yet this time around it's on my list of things to control.

Why? Unlike my previous pregnancies I am now concerned with varicose veins because that's my 4th pregnancy and I am older than 5, 7, and 9 years ago.  I have been standing on my feet way too much lately, I haven't been exercising daily or I have been cutting my excercises time short, I am planning a trip soon so I need to take certain measures to stay mobile and I sleep too much on my right side.  If you wonder what all this have to do with it please read below you will understand!

How and why to avoid varicose veins during pregnancy!
What are varicose veins?
Varicose veins are  veins that are enlarged or tortuous.  They are the unattractive blue or purple veins due to blood clotting that we might see most often on some inactive or overweight people.  But you know what? Even healthy people, especially pregnant women can still be susceptible to varicose veins!
They are mainly located in the leg, calves muscles but can they can occur elsewhere.

Deep veins thrombosis is more serious than varicose veins  and can be fatal so it's vital to take precaution by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consult a physician if you have it.  Some tests need to be done to confirm that one has it but people with DVT generally complain of pains on the led when the stand on it or touch the affected area.

During pregnancy.
Why can women get varicose veins during pregnancy?
For many women, pregnancy can be the first time that they develop varicose veins. If a woman already had it it can get worst during pregnancy. Why? As the uterus grows, it puts pressure on the large vein on the right side of the body (the inferior vena cava), which in turn increases pressure in the leg veins.  What are veins? Veins are the blood vessels that return blood from our extremities to our heart, so the blood in the leg veins is already working against gravity. When we are pregnant, the amount of blood in our body increases, adding to the burden on our veins. It addition to that our progesterone levels rise, causing the walls of our blood vessels to relax.

Varicose veins tend to worsen with each successive pregnancy and as a woman get older. (Hormonal changes due to pregnancy, and menopause). Other conditions that make a woman more susceptible:

• being overweight
• carrying twins or higher multiples
• standing for long periods ( I have been guilty of that one lately) 
• sitting for long periods of time.
• chronic constipation
• genetic
• aging

So obviously, the extra weight on the body makes us, pregnant women, susceptible to get Varicose veins or deep veins thrombosis.  Thankfully there are ways to prevent or reduce them.

How to prevent or reduce varicose veins or Deep Vein Thrombosis?

• Maintain an active lifestyle.
• Manage your weight. During pregnancy it's easy to give ourselves a license to eat anything we wish. It's possible to gain inappropriate weight during the pregnancy so please be mindful of your weight gain.
• Exercise daily Walking, stretching, swimming.
• Avoid standing or sitting for prolonged period of time as it restrict blood circulation and add pressure to the veins. Standing causes high pressure to the veins of the legs hence the reason why varicose veins are so common in the legs.
• Get plenty of fluids, especially water and avoid being dehydrated. Avoid dehydrating drinks like caffeinated drinks. Dehydration causes blood to thicken and vessels to narrow.
• Avoid crossing your legs or ankles when sitting.
• Elevate your legs when you are sitting or lying down. Prop your legs with a small stool or pillow.
• Sleep on your left side (I need to practice that one more seriously it's not that easy I love sleeping on my right side)

When traveling:
When traveling, do your best to get up every hour and move around.  If you can't leave your seat curl or press your toes as often as possible. (I will actually need to diligently practise that on my trip to Orlando next week!)

Thankfully if varicose veins occur during our pregnancies the good news is that they will go away weeks-months after delivery. As for DVT please consult your physician and carefully follow their recommendations because DVT is more serious than having varicose veins. In the case of DVT the clot can be fatal if it moves to the lung or heart.

Well, hope you learned something that would benefit you!
If you are pregnant or planning on being pregnant Happy pregnancy to you!
If you are not pregnant please be aware that varicose veins and DVT can and do happen to anyone men included and that you can prevent or reduce them. For treatments consult your physician!

Thanks for stopping by and Following! Have a blessed week!


N'na

Baby Talk: Planning baby's room with pictures~ Shopping for inspiration at Hobby Lobby

Planning a baby's room is exciting and fun! Yes it can be stressfull when we want to stay in a budget, decide on a theme or decor and meet a certain deadline. Other than that it's a fun project to undertake. While you are here, what about looking around for cute items?

Looking around for decor ideas is certainly the fun part about planning any new room and planning a nursery is probably one of the most exciting design project a parent can undertake.

Anyway, well before even doing my ultrasound to know the gender of the baby I was clearly drawn to girly items. So I looked around at different stores, and took tons of pictures to help me remember some of the pieces that could make the final cut in decorating the nursery.

Since I am currently preparing the baby's room I figure it would be fun to share with you some pictures, that could serve you as inspiration as well!

I like this room from http://www.picturesofbaby.net/


~I will share in the courses of the weeks and few months to follow, pictures of items in specific stores where I love to shop, some before & after pictures and such things!
Hope you Follow along and enjoy yourself! If you have any cute things/rooms you would like to share with me and others please email me @ goodhealthdiva@gmail.com with your pictures. Hope to hear from you!~

Shopping at Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is my favorite destination for craft supplies and home decor. I just love to be in that store and if I am not there to make a purchase I am there getting inspiration from the colors, displays and new items while planning future purchases with my camera!

On a budget?
For people on a budget you should know that there's a good way to shop smart at Hobby Lobby!
The best thing about Hobby Lobby is that they have some great sales all the time. They have sort of a rotation system for items on sale. One given week they might have all their baskets or small pictures frames on Sale for 1/2 Price. While another week they might have 1/2 price sales on their posters, or Floral. They have nice things on clearance, 33% sales etc. In other words there's always something on sale!

 I took the pictures below at my last visit there, it was a week or two before knowing the gender of the baby so I did not buy anything for the nursery on that day. I plan on selecting a few of those pieces for the baby's nursery now that I know the gender! Yay...

~~Some ideas for the nursery~~

~Wall Art~

~ Little touches~

At Hobby Lobby.

This is so cute!
~Frames~

I love this frame! What a great way to remember the cute little faces on their First Year! This the one frame I will certainly get from there!

Image of picture frame at Hobby Lobby.

Image of picture frames at Hobby Lobby.

Image of picture frames at Hobby Lobby.

Image of picture frames at Hobby Lobby

~Fabrics~
I love to look at fabrics that could make cute accessories, such as pillows, quilts, curtains...

At Hobby Lobby.

Image of fabrics for little girls

Image of fabric at Hobby Lobby

Image of fabrics at Hobby Lobby

Image of fabrics at Hobby Lobby

Fleeces

Fleeces are soft and make comfy blankets for little ones! Back in May I bought the following fleece fabric from Hobby Lobby and made this blanket for a friend's baby shower!

At the time my friend had her baby shower I was already pregnant and did not even know it! It's cool that I can now make myself one! Yay...

Oops short on time will add more fleeces from Hobby Lobby later on!

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you enjoy this little album! The next one will show with HomeGoods store goodies! Please return for more pictures and inspiration from other stores!

What is your favorite store when shopping for baby/children decor?


N'na

Good things to know: What do to in case of an earthquake? A small earthquake safety guide!

~~~First a personal message:
Hi there.
Welcome if you are new to this site and hope you take a moment to become a member(Follower) and leave some feedbacks to the articles you like!
It's been quite a week, around the world from the events in Libya, to the earthquake in Washington DC and some surrounding areas/states and now with hurricane Irene threathening the East Coast. I wish the best to anyone in the Bahamas and on the East Coast where Irene is threatening to leave some unpleasant marks and pray for the safety of those of you and all your loved ones in those areas.
The unexpected earthquake in DC has surprised a few of my friends who have never experienced one nor even expected to ever have that experience. It made me realize that not expecting something doesn't mean that we should not be informed about safety procedures. God knows we do not expect to be in a fire but we all (should) practice fire drills. ..just in case...So below is a small guideline to your benefits!
N'na~~~~




Many of us do not live in areas prone to earthquakes or might  have never experienced one....(yet!)  However, as we saw earlier this week on East Coast and in our nation capital, not being used to an earthquake doesn't mean that we are immune to unpleasant surprises.
Most Americans who have lived in California are certainly much more aware of earthquakes safety than those on the opposite side of the country. I think that no matter where we live, it's just good to know what to do in case of an earthquake. I pray never to experience one but a little knowledge can go a long way!


To keep it simple:    If you don't remember anything remenber this:                  

  DROP ~COVER~ HOLD ON

DROP down onto your hands and your knees. The position don't just keep you from falling it also allows you to move safely if necessary.
COVER Your head and neck and you whole body if possible. Find shelter under a desk or a table. In absence of either one, find shelter near an interior wall or near a low furniture that won't fall on you. And keep you head and neck covered with your arms and hands.
HOLD on to you shelter or safe position ( hands and arms over your head and neck) until the shakings stop.  Be prepare to move with you shelter (desk) or safe position if the shaking shifts your shelter around

Please do avoid the following situations:

• Do not stand in a doorway
• Do not run outside or to another room. Remember that dropping to your knees and hands will keep you safe from falling injuries and provide more safety from flying objects.

 Simple ways to prepare your home for earthquakes

• Install latches on your cabinets.
• Secure top heavy furnitures and appliances to walls!

Did you know? 

•  Did you know that contrary to common thinking, buildings do not always collapse in earthquakes and that the greatest injuries are caused my falling and flying objects and debris?
• Did you know that finding shelter under a desk or table is reported by earthquakes rescuers around the world to be the safest place? It has been observed that even when a building collapse, many times the space where the desk is located does stay intact!

Have you been involved in a eathquake before? Where and how was it? What safety advice would you offer? Is there something you wished you knew before your first earthquake experience? Can you testify of the benefits of the COVER DROP and Hold guidelines?


To your health and safety! Wishing you all the best and a great week-end!
 N'na

Words of inspiration : Is it a boy or a girl? Baby's gender and a little girl's wish!

                                                    ~The story of a little girl's wish for a little sister~


Back in December 2010 we were having dinner at some friends who just had their second daughter! The baby was just 1-2weeks old, and their older girl, less than 2 years old had just returned from a trip from overseas! It was our first time to meet their toddler and newborn girls!

My daughter was fascinated by the baby and enjoying the company of the little girl who have just arrived from a different continent!
While we (the adults) were at the table eating she walked to the table, tapped me on my left arm and told me in tears that she wanted a little sister.
I told her that I would babysit the toddler she just met and she would be her little sister.
When we got home, the children called my mother-in -law and as they were talking my daughter told her grandmother that she now have a little sister.
My mother-in -law asked to talked to me for some explanations! I teased her that I was not hiding any grandchild from her and went on explaining what it was all about!

I started keeping my friend's toddler " Ama" a few times a week and my children were all great big brothers and big sister! Imani my daughter loved her so much; of course children are very smart and we owe them some credits.
 She started complaining that she wanted her own sister and one that would not go back and forth between homes.

I HAD NO INTENTION ON GETTING PREGNANT! ( NOW I AM SO GRATEFUL THAT I AM)

So life went on for me as I watched my children and watched other people having babies around me.
In may of 2011, I attended the baby shower of an high school friend living in Atlanta GA who was expecting a little girl!

I had no idea then that I was pregnant  already and that weeks down the road I would announce to others that I am pregnant.

Funny enough, my sisterfriend in NJ to whom I sent on that day a picture of me at the baby shower told me that " I had a glow"! I had no clue what she was talking about! For the many weeks that followed that same friend would keep questioning some of my behavior and suspect a pregnancy that I was totally denying,  I was so oblivious...

My daughter kept talking about her little sister, then I found out that I was pregnant and my daughter was still talking about her baby sister.

When I mentioned her behavior to my twin sister she said : "Like mother like daughter! You acted the same when you believe God to bless you with a daughter. Now she acts like you as she believes God for a sister!"

The weeks that followed, my daughter would cry if we would try to prepare her for the eventuality of a little brother! She loves all babies. But this girl knows what she wants and when she wants something...(smiles)...some of you parents must know what I am talking about...some kids have a special gift of perseverance!

At times I would have that strong feeling about the baby's gender. I would have some quiet time and right after I would have this strong conviction. I felt that strong conviction the night before my ultrasound!

Each time I would tell my hubby what the baby's gender is he would ask me " how can you be so confident?" and I would tell him: " I just know!" Just like I knew 5 years ago that I would have a daughter way before doing the ultrasound!

So today I got my ultrasound done. The children and I headed back to the hospital and hubby met us there.

 My middle child felt that the morning visit was a waste of his time because we could not do an ultrasound so he 'warned me' that 'this time it better be fun'!  We all stepped into the room and before taking her seat my daughter told the technician " I am having a little sister"!
The lady was amused! We got started with the ultrasound and many goofy comments from the kids and them the techinician said "the baby have girl parts" and she went on to show and explain about the three lines....
Yes girl parts, it's a girl!!!!
Our dear technician was very professional and obviously very patient as she took time to explain things and answer the children's question. She was also pretty entertained by them. At one time she had to pause and laugh silently at something that my middleson had told his dad! (Nothing rude or crazy just funny and unexpected. He is the kind of kids that say things that just make you shake your head! The kind that acts goofy and say some of the most clever things!)

When my hubby realized that the woman was taking a moment to control her discreet laugh he asked me what he had missed! Having kids in an ultrasound is not something you should do all the time! But mine are homeschooled and I felt that it's a great learning experience as well as a great bonding experience!

So...my daughter had her wish! I shared the news right after leaving the doctor's office with a friend in Atl who was extactic and started screaming with excitement and speaking blessings over the baby and I! She had called me in the morning while I was heading to the hospital and we actually talked for a while as I was waiting for my midwife. I told her I would try to get an ultrasound done and she had me promised to give her a call after I found out! Could not do the ultrasound in the morning so my hubby worked it out for an afternoon visit!He knew I was disappointed and did not want to wait another day! (God bless caring men)!


 Upon returning home I also shared it with one of my neighbor who has been my greatest cheerleader! She was anxiously waiting (lol)! I called her on my way home and told her that I would tell her when I see her instead of telling her on the phone! On my way to my afternoon's visit my kids took her and another neighbor some cupcakes they had made. The kids and I promised to get back with them right after the ultrasoundt! I kept my word and visited one right after and she later called the other  friend/neighbor to share the good news!

The other friend/neighbor came by my house hours after with this cute gift below! The baby's first booties! My daughter showed them off to her dad when he came home and said " Look dad that's for my little sister"!

Picture of pink baby girl booties!

each time we would go shopping my daughter would show me cute outfits and say 'Buy this for my little sister" so she was very excited that someone did offer something today to her little sister!
It's a beautiful thing to have loving people around and have a wish ( my daughter's wish) come true! I am so grateful that my daughter was granted the privilege to experience that! She was so convinced that she was having a sister that the ultrasound made no difference for her, but it did for us.

After all the excitement of sharing it with just 6 people I went on with my afternoon...
decorating the cake my oldest son made,

fixing tonight's entree and

feeding baby and I some simple and quick tuna sandwiches ( could not wait till dinner time)!

So all of you who guessed that it would be a girl, great guess! It was actually what I believed too and kept telling my hubby! So that's the second time in a row that  my 'instinct' have proven me right as it relates to pregnancy!

My twin sister was right, my daughter's conviction was no different from mine 5 years ago when I prayed God to bless me with a daughter. Now she's the one whose wish came true fora little sister of her own!

I am grateful! For the experience and for all the angels God is bringing in my life through this journey. The journey continues and I realize that there are more lessons to learn in all that than the outcome of an ultrasound!
What do you think?

Hope this simple story and the illustration of my daughter's confidence would inspire any one of you who dare praying and wishing for something!

For those who believe in God she illustrated so many lessons about the power of words, the power of thinking, the power of intense desire and just not letting go of what she wanted and believed inspite of the odds! I teach my children to pray and tell them to trust God but at the end children seem to be the one showing us HOW to actually trust! Didn't the wise Jesus said that we should have faith like them?

Homeschooling my children and observing them so closely have showed me that though we are responsible for teaching and guiding them, they are themselves amazing and profound teachers! My daughter did not need an ultrasound technician to tell me what she knew! The name Imani means "believe God/faith". She believed God for her own sister and now...little sister is on the way. May God continues to bless my pregnancy and all of you reading those words!


Thanks!


N'na