Still have a lot to learn but here's my 10 tips for pregnancy ... SO FAR!

Pregnancy has been such an interesting journey so far.  As most of you know I have continued to work out and eat "somewhat" healthy throughout my pregnancy and I think that has played a big part of how I feel overall, but it doesn't mean that I haven't had my ups and downs with it!  Every week I experience something new...sometimes good....sometimes bad.  Overall I have been blessed with an uncomplicated pregnancy, no puking (thank goodness) and an overall good energy level.

The Progression

I can remember a year or two ago thinking how scared I would be to get pregnant and go through that because I swear, the stories women tell are SUPER scary.  They make pregnancy seem like its this awful thing that you have to go through to have a baby.  But for me it honestly hasn't been that way.  Every strange or painful occurrence is all part of a bigger plan and its all so worth it when I feel my baby girl moving around in there.  It still feels like a little alien or something and it freaks me out, but I love it!

I'm 27 weeks now and this week has been an interesting one so far.  I've begun to feel her kick me in the ribs and I can just tell that she is SO much bigger now.  In just a matter of days it seems like she has grown all the way up into my rib cage.  I can't even believe it!  I have also been experiencing the most painful and somewhat crippling calf cramps! Every day this week I have woken up to the most painful paralyzing cramp that I have ever felt.  I was actually limping for a couple hours after one incident yesterday because it was so painful afterward.  Last week I didn't have leg cramps but my eyes were so dry they were burning...if its not one thing its another.  But they are all small little parts of the whole journey.  I don't know everything but I am learning something new every day so here's my tips for those of you who will have babies in the future....

10 Things I've learned so far about pregnancy SO FAR:

1. Don't expect pregnancy to be perfect.

I went into pregnancy thinking I would be able to do it all, but you just can't!  You have to accept that you body is changing and there are things you can't do. .... But at the same time there's still a lot you CAN do.  I don't like when people make me feel like I'm a crippled person. I hate when people tip toe around me or won't let me carry something just because I'm pregnant.  I'm pregnant...AND healthy....I don't have some sort of heart condition or something haha

2. Weird things are gonna happen.

Seriously you never know what to expect with your hormones or your body.  One minute you could be happy and the next you start crying in the middle of the grocery store.  Or one minute you're eating a nice dinner and the next you get really dizzy and feel like your gonna pass out (that happened)!  But its all just part of the change.  I'm just getting used to weird things happening!


3.  Eat .... A LOT!!!

I don't think I ever go more than one hour with out eating or at least snacking on something!  That's also what has saved me from getting sick! Always keep food in your purse when you leave the house otherwise....BEWARE.  If your belly is empty you will probably not feel great!


4.  Always pee BEFORE you leave the house!

That one is no joke! I'm talking every 20 minutes some days.  Make sure you go before you leave the house...like RIGHT before not 20 minutes before!


5.  Talk to other pregnant women and new moms

I have been thankful to meet and talk to so many incredible women who have shared their birth experiences with me to help me be more prepared.  Everyone is different, but its good to know how many different ways of going about pregnancy and labor there are so that you can be prepared for the best or for the worst.

6. Sleep is your best friend.

I've always enjoyed a good nights rest, but no joke I don't think I've ever slept as hard as I have during pregnancy.  I can just tell that my body needs it!

7.  If you're married, appreciate the little things your spouse does for you (and MILK IT HAHA)

I can't imagine having to do everything without my husband around during this pregnancy.  We didn't see each other at all during my first trimester, which was not fun.  And then he was injured and on crutches for 3 weeks recently and let me tell you it was SO much harder managing little tasks that he normally helps me with since I've been pregnant (carrying groceries, walking the dog 3 times a day, washing the dishes when I'm so exhausted I don't want to stand up, etc.) So I truly truly appreciate the moments when he is around and shows me that support.  It really does make a big difference!!  For all you ladies who don't have a significant other to help you during pregnancy I give you BIG props! Its not easy doing this alone.

8.  Don't let little things overwhelm you or let people's opinions stress you out

Every woman will have a different experience during pregnancy.  Take others advice, but always do what's in your heart.  You know what's best for you and your baby!

9. Exercise

Not every day is going to be a good day, but when you feel up to it take advantage of it and get a workout in or get your body moving in some way.  You will feel so much better!  When you exercise normally you have more energy...its the same for pregnancy as well!

10.  Smile and laugh a lot

I truly believe that your baby can feel your emotions, so remember when you're upset your baby might be too.  I've noticed that when I'm relaxed and happy, so is she! Give him/her something to smile about and be happy :)


Those are my tips so far.  I'm sure I'm going to learn a whole lot more along the way...so I'll keep you posted :)

Ukraine and Babies...update on the Petersons!

So I finally decided it was time to start updating my blog again.  I've been on a long hiatus, but since things are getting interesting again and I have more time now I figured I might as well update everyone on our life!

So if you didn't know, Travis and I are currently in Ukraine.  He is playing for BC Goverla in Ivano-Frankisk, Ukraine.  This is his second season with this team.  I moved out here in October and have just been thankful to be with my hubby again full time.  Last year, I mostly stayed at our home  in Phoenix because I was honestly burnt out of traveling so much and not having a normal life.  I needed a break and to be able to work for myself for awhile, which I really haven't had the opportunity to do since he's been playing.  It was a good break for me and it made me realize what is really most important to me.  Over our time apart I came to the realization that the grass is always greener and that I need to enjoy the little things in life a bit more than I had been.  After a season being apart, I came to the conclusion that it really doesn't matter where we go, home is where my husband is.  Thats really what is most important.  So needless to say, I don't think we will be separated much at all in the future, which we are both happy about!

Niko likes Ukraine too!

Travis' season was going very well until he recently fractured his ankle in a game.  He was on crutches for 3 weeks, but is now back in the gym a little bit trying to strengthen.  He will hopefully get back on the court next week and he is ready!

Travis on the game program.  As the team's captain this photo is on posters all over the city here.

2013 was a good year for us and I think we both learned a lot.  Lots of exciting things happened in our family.  My sister got engaged, my brother got married.  Travis' grandparents moved closer to us in Phoenix.  We bought our first car together and made a lot of improvements to our house.  And what tops the list is that we found out that we are having a baby girl!!  Nothing can really compare to finding out the news that we were having our first child and are going be parents! I mean how crazy is that?  We are going to be responsible for another human life pretty soon...but we are so ready! We waited a long while to tell people after we found out in August because of a previous loss.  After that devastating experience we had last Spring, I was very skeptical and scared about how this one would turn out.  But God has truly blessed us, we have a healthy baby girl on the way and we couldn't be more grateful for this gift we have been given.  I am now 23 weeks along and feeling better than ever.

Its crazy to finally be able to feel the baby moving and kicking.  She is very active and I'm loving every second of being able to feel that---its really quite an amazing thing to experience :)  I've been lucky to have a somewhat easy pregnancy from what I hear.  I haven't had any morning sickness, just a little bit of nausea in the first trimester and of course exhaustion, which is normal.  Now that I'm in the second trimester I have been feeling amazing.  I really believe that staying active and trying to eat healthier has helped with my symptoms.  I'm a big believer in feeding your baby good food and that the healthier I am the healthier my baby will be, so I've been trying to stay active (within reason) and been eating clean (90% of the time haha).  I haven't had too many cravings...at one point I was craving mandarins every night, but at least thats healthy.  And just recently I was craving a bagel with cream cheese, which is so strange cause I've never been a bagel person.  Thats the mystery of pregnancy I guess.

The bump at 19 weeks

21 weeks

We are so looking forward of what's to come in 2014, especially for the arrival of our baby girl :)  I can honestly say that I have never been happier in my life.  I am learning to appreciate all the small wonders and joys in life and not take ANY second for granted.

We hope that you will follow our journey as we live overseas and transition into parenthood! One of my resolutions is to update my blog regularly, so I'm gonna make that happen!

Here's to 2014! Cheers from Ukraine
<3 Jackie