almostbrewed, Author at Almost Brewed

almostbrewed January 14, 2021 Pregnancy

I Didn’t Know I Was Pregnant! Early Pregnancy Symptoms To Look For.

We have all seen or at least heard about that TLC Show “I didn’t know I was pregnant” right? If you’re like me, you thought to yourself, okay but how did you not know you were pregnant? Well, with my first pregnancy (eleven years ago) I can say, I have been there – I didn’t know I was pregnant!

I am sharing my experience of not knowing I was pregnant for my first ever pregnancy. Find below early signs and symptoms I looked for in my second & (now) third pregnancy.

Story Time: I didn’t know I was pregnant.

Let’s start out and say no, I did not go to the washroom and bam – baby! I found out I was pregnant at the 26 and a half weeks mark – just over 6 months pregnant! Turning just nineteen years old at the time of finding out. I was working until I went back to school in the Fall (fresh out of highschool and planned to go to University), and I was dancing competitively. I recently left the (extremely toxic) relationship (yes the one that I technically got pregnant with) and into a newer one.

So let’s break this down. The number one question I get when I say that is:

“How did you not know you were pregnant?”

My period did not stop when I became pregnant – which is typically sign number one. It continued till about my seventh month of pregnancy. Yes, that is not fairly common, but can happen!
I had no unusual vomiting, nausea or morning sickness.
I gained a few pounds here and there – nothing alarming or concerning. As a dancer, I spent 25 hours a week that year dancing competitively. I watched my weight and was not being the healthiest at that time to maintain a certain weight.

How would I have known? That leads me to my next question I would get:

“If you didn’t know you were pregnant, how did you find out?”

Around the time I was 25 weeks (unknowingly) I started having a really sharp, shooting pain on the left side of my hip that went all the way up to my shoulder. I did not know what it was, but it was happening almost every couple hours – it was concerning. I went to my doctor and mentioned this pain. She booked me in for an ultrasound to see what may be the issue. I received a call the next afternoon from my doctor to come in right away. That’s when my doctor told me I was pregnant – and not only that – but I was in my 26 week of pregnancy.

It is an understatement to say I was shocked. A nineteen year old female that just came out of highschool, working and dancing, starting a new relationship – imagine how shocked I was. To skip over the hysterical crying – I was presented with my options (which being that far along, there were only two). After taking the time I needed to process everything in the short amount of time I had, I chose to raise this baby. Even if that meant being a single mom, with less than three months to prepare – I knew I was making the best decision for me and him. You know the saying “You never know how strong you are until you have to be” that is how I feel every day while raising that sweet (and yes – absolutely healthy – which I am incredibly thankful for) boy of mine.

Fast forward ten years later.

My (wonderful and amazing) fiance and I decided to start expanding our family. These are just a few things that ran through my head.

“How will I know I am pregnant if ten years ago I had no idea?”
What if I have no symptoms – do I just test and test?

Well let’s say – I became pretty in-tune with my body. Over the past ten years, I transitioned to a healthier lifestyle, and took better care of myself. I stopped waiting out concerns and trusted my family doctor. I felt the second we started trying to conceive, I was focused on my body’s reaction and kept an eye out for signs and symptoms of pregnancy before taking a test.

With my second (born in 2019) and now my third pregnancy (I am currently expecting – due February 23rd, 2021) I had early symptoms of pregnancy that lead me to take a pregnancy test.

*I experienced an early (chemical) pregnancy when trying for our second. I highly stress that you should wait until you have a missed period before considering taking a test. Always consult with your doctor*

Early Signs & Symptoms of Pregnancy

(that I personally had when trying for my second and third baby)

Tender Breasts: Around my time of the month, my breasts do not typically become swollen or tender. This was my early and first sign that made me question if I was pregnant.
Exhaustion: No – not just a typical mom tired or I had a bad sleep tired. This was a form of exhaustion that made you feel like you got hit by a truck. If I blinked a little too hard – I could have fallen asleep.
Headaches: I am one to have frequent headaches but I started having full blown migraines almost every third day. As estrogen levels rise, headaches tend to show up more frequently once you are pregnant.
Mood Changes: You know my moodiness was bad when my fiance told me to take a pregnancy test cause I was more emotional than normal.
Bloating: It happened suddenly. I was in a constant state of being bloated with no reasonable explanation (or so I thought)
Food Sensitivity: You know something is up when I do not reach for my everyday cup of coffee because all of a sudden – I can’t stand the taste of it. This immediate aversion to coffee happened in both pregnancies.
Nausea: I felt a little nauseous here and there for both pregnancies before taking a test but I did not get sick. However, the second the positive lines showed up for me, the next day it hit me like a truck, and morning sickness kicked into full gear.
Missed Period: This is what ultimately led me to take a pregnancy test. I started having the above symptoms. I was taking birth control for 10 years and my periods have always been consistent. Being off for a few days was a big deal for me. Once I was about 5 days past my expected period start date, I took a test & hello to the start of something wonderful.

I will put it as a big disclaimer here: As you can tell from my first child – from not having any signs or symptoms to my second & third where I had all the typical signs and symptoms of pregnancy: ** Not everyone will experience pregnancy the same way. Pregnancy is not a one size fits all experience. ** I am also not a doctor. Please consult with your doctor if you are concerned about any of the signs of early pregnancy. This is my experience with pregnancy and yours may be different.

I hope you enjoyed my story time of how I didn’t know I was pregnant with my first child, and the early signs of my pregnancies helpful. If you have questions about any of the above, I am very open to discuss. Drop a comment below, or you can contact me personally here or DM me on Instagram!

Thank you for reading all about my truly amazing (and incredibly overwhelming) experiences! xo

almostbrewed January 5, 2021 Self Care

Self Care During Pregnancy – 10 Essential Tips!

Pregnancy is an incredible experience! Everything you do for the duration of pregnancy is for two… eating for two, moving for two. It’s not just you anymore! You always have company.

It’s very important to take care of your body and mind all the time, and self care is just as important (if not even more important) than before. Protecting your well-being is crucial to the development of your little human & having a happy and healthy pregnancy (that you can control).

Yes – it’s hard to be selfish and put you above anything or anyone else. I’ve said it before here, you can’t pour from an empty cup. You will feel much better to be putting you and your little growing baby first. Take the necessary steps (and tips I mention below) to have a less stressful, healthy, and enjoyable pregnancy!

Here are my crucial self care essential tips for pregnancy & even new moms! When the baby is here, don’t forget to keep applying self care in your routine – You deserve it!

1. Manage Your Own Expectations

Give credit where credit is due – you are growing a human! This is the best and hardest thing for you – physically and mentally! It is so important to go easy on yourself & give yourself a break! You can’t do it all and you shouldn’t. Can’t make it to work? Call in sick. Too tired to do the dishes? Go take a nap! It is important to set expectations for yourself because others are already expecting you to just take care of YOU. You are taking care of yourself will in return take care of that growing human. You can’t expect how your pregnancy will go week by week. By setting expectations of what you physically and mentally can manage will help relieve a lot of stress. Even when you just can’t do it all (even if us superhero moms want to!

2. Invest in Yourself

As you read these tips below, keep one thing in the back of your mind: invest in you and baby! If it’s something you need to help make your pregnancy go by smoother, less stressful or easier, then buy it! I lost count how many days or weeks I pushed off getting a specific item I knew would help me. When I caved and got whatever it was, I said immediately “I should have done this sooner!” Times have changed. When I had my first son 11 years ago, they did not have some of the amazing items that they have now. That would have made things much easier on me. If you need it or want it – get it!

3. Rest Up!

We all know that when the baby is here, your sleep is gone. True. The postpartum sleep is practically non-existent. But what about pregnancy sleep? You’re so exhausted throughout the day (typically very high in the first trimester). Then when you actually get to bed, you can’t sleep because of your growing belly and moving baby. Take those extra naps throughout the day when you can’t keep your eyes open. Put your feet up and just relax! Invest in yourself (ahem, told you – tip number two!) – get that pregnancy pillow. I swear by it and most moms do it! Don’t struggle with the little sleep you do get. Make it as comfortable for you as you need it to be.

4. Stay Hydrated

I personally had low blood pressure during pregnancy, and was informed immediately to hydrate more and I did. I invested in a smart water bottle to keep track and remind me when I was low on water. The best thing about it? After a couple days of increasing my water intake, I could feel how much more energy I had! I didn’t feel as sluggish, and my skin was glowing even more. I felt like I was really providing my little growing human with a hydrated home. Being hydrated is very important (whether you are pregnant or not!). This is a must have self care tip for everyone!

5. Nourish Yourself

Have a healthy relationship with food. You’re pregnant. It’s okay to indulge. As you allow your body to have those treats, you build that relationship with your body and it will thank you in the long run. There are many resources to know what foods are best and which ones to avoid with pregnancy. Talk to your doctor and ensure you’re getting the right food daily and nourish that growing human! Remember, you are eating for two – your baby is getting their nutrients directly from you!

6. Keep Moving

As pregnancy is not a one size fits all experience, your ability to keep moving will depend on you and your doctors recommendations. There are a few ways to keep your body moving and stay active during your pregnancy (this will help not only your energy and body development during pregnancy, but will also help when you are ready to deliver that baby!):

Go for a small walk around the block, put on music and dance, kegel exercises, go for a swim (This is magical! Imagine all that weight of the baby being lifted!), light stretching and prenatal yoga!

7. Take Your Prenatals

If you haven’t started taking prenatal vitamins prior to becoming pregnant, start now. Your body needs additional nutrients that may be lacking in your diet that is essential for baby’s growth and development. Talk to your doctor about what you might need to look for specifically in a prenatal vitamin. I have been using these prenatal vitamins for all three pregnancies. They have worked well for me and is was easy to swallow and keep down during the pregnancy nausea.

8. Pamper Yourself

You can’t say “self care” without the idea of pampering yourself behind it. Your body is changing and growing. There are many days where you may feel defeated or not yourself. Let’s be real here. There are ugly sides to pregnancy and I have definitely not felt at my best at times. Enjoy a warm bath with salts like this to help soothe your sore body and relax your mind. Put on some nail polish or get your hair styled differently if you can. Anything that makes you feel like the queen you are – do it! Have an at home spa day and refresh your mind and body.

9. Go Offline

How many times have you had a headache and searched Google and came out scared of the results? Same thing goes especially with pregnancy! I can’t count how many times the doctor has told one one small thing but then what do I do? I Google it. Big mistake. Not everyone will have the same experience as you will. So put down google and if you have concerns – talk to your doctor. As a mom, the comparison game is absolutely brutal and draining. during pregnancy and after. Taking a break from searching and social media will be tremendously helpful to your mental health.

10. Communicate

When in doubt, talk it out, whether that is to your doctor, to a trusted family member or friend. It is important to express how you’re feeling during pregnancy. It’s a tough game physically and mentally to grow a beautiful baby, and sometimes, you can feel alone. Communication is key and we have all heard that. Not feeling well? Tell your partner and they can help you around the house. Feeling lonely, FaceTime a family member. You’re valid in your emotional responses to everything going on with you during pregnancy – first time or fifth. A happy mind is a healthy one. Once you express how you are feeling, it will lift a lot of weight off yourself shoulders. Let’s face it – we are carrying around a lot of extra weight (both physically and mentally)

I hope you take these essential tips to self care during pregnancy and adapt them to your everyday life! When you are a new mom, you automatically put others before you. It is important to your health (especially when growing a baby too) to take care of yourself. Best of luck to my 2021 pregnant mommas!

I have teamed up with a few amazing friends that have also shared their Self Care for 2021!

To see what my friends are sharing, head to their accounts and blogs and show some love!

Allison: INSTAGRAM / BLOG

Lynsey: INSTAGRAM / BLOG

Jessica: INSTAGRAM / BLOG

Pamela: INSTAGRAM / BLOG

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almostbrewed December 31, 2020 Lifestyle

Reflecting on 2020 – Lessons to take into the New Year

We did it. We can officially say we have made it through 2020. This year is not what everyone expected it to be and has provided many obstacles for the most part. However. 2020 has provided us the opportunity to grow and learn through these obstacles and challenges.

I am sharing what 2020 has taught me, some things I am grateful for that happened this year, and what I’ll be taking into 2021.

Self Care is absolutely a priority – during all this craziness going on, it is very important to take care of yourself as best as you can. I think it’s safe to say many struggled with their mental health this year, myself included. Whether it was speaking to my doctor, reaching out to my partner, or taking those moments I needed to breathe, it was very important for me to recognize the signs that I needed help or time to myself, which is harder when you are home most of the time, but I took advantage of the resources around me and that is okay to look after yourself first. Remember you can’t pour from an empty cup.
Not everything works out as planned, and that’s okay – yes we may have planned for a family get together at Christmas time, but it didn’t work out. That’s okay. We took the opportunity to spend time together just our household and made it the best we could. You know what, it was a wonderful Christmas.
Keep a positive mindset and have something to look forward to – No this doesn’t mean abandon the present and always look to the future. This means that having a goal or moment in the future you are looking forward to, it’s okay to celebrate that, even if it gets pushed.
Protect your energy, it’s a limited resource – It’s easy to see the things now that you have been forced to let go. Some of those things have taken a weight off my shoulders and it’s made me appreciate the energy I put in other things more.
You don’t have to be productive all the time – Having a toddler and being pregnant in the middle of a pandemic has made me appreciate those moments of downtime. I cannot get everything done and I spent more time soaking in the moments around me with the family than feeling like I have to accomplish every chore or organization in the house (even as trendy as it may have been this year)
You don’t have to go broke showing people around you your love – you’ve probably heard this before but with businesses shutting down, and many people losing their jobs or having huge financial set backs, it’s more true now this year and it made me appreciate just having our health, home over our heads, and the ability to show we love people by staying home, being safe, and lots and lots of FaceTime!
Don’t take what you have for granted – this ties into a lot of the above. I’m so thankful for our health, a roof over our head that we can be safely quarantined in, and a family that keeps the days interesting and exciting. We have been able to enjoy time together that we wouldn’t normally have had.
Make the best of the worst situations – When the schools shutdown back in March, I knew that was incredibly devastating for my (at the time) ten year old son. It was also one of the best things that happened this year for him and us, because we also made it the best of the worst situation. He was able to be home for six months with his baby brother and he was able to experience his milestones and build a very unique and strong bond with him. I wouldn’t have traded that for anything in the world.
What my definition of “busy” truly is – The amount of times that phrase would dribble out of my mouth is insane. Now that the “busy” is taken away (in relation to family gatherings, events, plans, work, and commitments) you truly see how you use your time. Taking a step back from social media and overall phone usage is very important going into the new year. The time spent planning and never doing is something that really hit with me this year. We planned for all these events and they didn’t happen. That okay. But what about all those projects you wanted to tackle that you were too busy for… planned and planned but never completed. I will be reflecting and acting more on how I use my time and how much I invest in planning rather than doing and redistributing that time accordingly.
This may not have been the year we expected, but there is always good within the bad – With all the lessons I learned this year, the biggest one, that ties into all of those above, is how much good there is to see within the bad. Yes the lockdowns happened, we were unable to see family and friends, people sick and dying, I started a business right when the pandemic hit, my youngest wasn’t able to experience the world and family like he should have at one years of age, and pregnancy during a pandemic is terrifying. BUT. With all of that… I was able to conceive and grow our family (due in 2021!), I got to spend every day with my kids, growing, laughing, and enjoying one another. We got to get things changed around the house, and enjoy our space more. We experienced new ways to keep in touch with family and friends. We picked up new hobbies, and rekindled old ones. We didn’t feel pressure to go out, to attend more events than we can manage. It was easier to say no to things because yes there may have been a bigger reason for it (ahem, not legal…), but I was able to start feeling comfortable saying no, which will be huge for me in years to follow.

I feel like I have more lessons I learned this year and everything tends to tie together but these are big takeaways for me this year. I love to hear about all the positive things that have happened to people this year. And guess what, if all you “accomplished” this year was getting up ... that deserves a HUGE high five too! It is not easy to want to get up and get going when everything around you seems like it is falling apart. What is something you learned this year that you are taking into 2021?

Happy New Year! Cheers to 2021 (even if it is just ginger ale in your cup like me because well, pregnancy!) I hope 2021 is an amazing year for you and remember, it is what you make it to be, so let’s (despite everything going on) make is as best of a year as YOU can.

almostbrewed December 19, 2020 Blogmas

DIY Salt Dough Ornaments, Garland, and Gift Tags!

Welcome to Blogmas!

You can read all about my take on Blogmas this year here & read all the posts to date here

There is nothing more fun when it comes to Christmas decorations than making your own. I love to try to be an avid do-it-yourself-er with items or ingredients I have around the house, especially around the holidays.

Salt dough is very easy to make, and you can use it to make a wide variety of items. These are great for the kids to use cookie cutters with, make their own ornaments, and even paint them too! Use the salt dough to make ornaments for your tree or to gift to others, garland for your mantle or tree, or even for gift tags.

See below how to make salt dough & what to do with them!

Ingredients & Instructions:

Preheat oven to 175 F
Mix 1 cup of water & 1/2 cup of salt
Add in water (I used around 1 cup of water) * If the dough is too wet, add more flour, if the dough is too dry, add more water *
Roll out (ensure it is even)
Use cookie cutters to cut out desired shapes
Use a straw to make a hole (to tie your string/ ribbon etc.)
Get creative – You can write or stamp names, press your kids hand or dogs paw print, or use items around the house to stamp shapes (tree branches etc)
Bake at 175 F until dry (approx. 1.5 – 2 hours) * Flip every half hour
Let cool
You can paint or draw on them afterwards as well
Attach ribbon, string, or twine

That’s it! It is super simple and makes for a very fun and easy DIY for Christmas and with the family. I typically start with that amount and make more dough as needed, depending if I am making tags, garland, or ornaments. We got the one puppy print, littlest mans hand print, and my eldest used his thumb print to make lightbulbs on a tree. I used the rest of the small shapes to make garland for the tree and mantle.

I hope you enjoyed this easy Salt Dough Christmas Decor DIY!

almostbrewed December 17, 2020 Blogmas

Habits for a Good Winter Morning Routine

Yes – we have all been there. Pressing the snooze button more than once, grabbing our phones to check in on emails or social media before even leaving the bed, and going the whole morning without putting something in your stomach. Guilty! Having a good morning routine can set your mood for your entire day!

With the Winter season, we deal with colder, snowy weather, the sun setting earlier and rising much later, throw the holidays in there as well and it is easy to fall out of good morning routines and habits.

My typical morning routine looks like the following:

6:30 – wake up before the rest of the family

6:30 – 7:00 – make coffee or pour a cup, pack lunches

7:00 – wake up the kiddos

7:00 – 8:00 – breakfast, send eldest off to school

8:00 – 11:00 – play with the youngest till nap time

My mornings are busy with getting the eldest out the door for school and with a toddler running around. It is important that throughout the morning, I remember to incorporate more of a mindful routine to keep up to my busy day ahead.

Keep on reading for my list of good habits to add to your morning routine this winter!

1. Plan and Prep the Night Before

Okay so this does start off with more of an evening habit, but this is to help you in the morning. Little things I do the night before to help my morning routine is setting up and preparing coffee the night before. It is a small thing but having this coffee maker (or this one here) that allows me to set a time in the morning (typically just before I wake up), so I can come downstairs to a pot of coffee made and all ready for me to enjoy! (Especially before the whole house wakes up and I get to enjoy that first sip in silence!). Whether that may be laying out your clothes for the next day, making lunches ahead of time or even having your bag ready to go by the front door, a little evening prep will help your morning routine start off just right!

2. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate!

Gone the entire morning without pressing some sweet H2O against your lips? Been there! Your body needs hydration after a good, long sleep and why not start off the day knowing you’ve tackled some of your intake of water by doing it first thing. Adding a few squeezes of lemon in your water will wake your internal system and get your digestive system rolling. I have been using this Hidrate Smart Water Bottle for four months now to track and remind me to have water. It is such a habit of mine to drink now, especially a large bottle first thing in the morning, I rarely need the reminders anymore!

3. Get Ready for the Day

No, this doesn’t have to be an hour long morning ritual of showering, getting completely ready and dressed. Maybe have a quick wake up shower, or at least splash some clean water on your face, brush your teeth (don’t forget to floss), and brush your hair so you are ready for the day ahead. We all know staying in your PJs all day sounds incredible, but changing out of your loungewear makes me feel less sluggish, and I feel more ready for the day.

4. Eat!

Eating a nourishing, and a balanced meal to give you energy for your day is a must. As someone who absolutely hates eating first thing in the morning, I noticed a huge difference in not only my energy levels but also how much (actually how little) I was snacking later on in the day. Plan your morning routine so that you have enough time to eat without feeling rushed, (prep ahead of time the night before), and you can enjoy your meal without distraction (yes, try to put the phone down!). Try to aim for a little fuller & warmer breakfasts in the winter such as cooked grains, and oatmeal and avoid the sugary baked goods (ahem, I am talking to you my Costco muffins) and cereals.

5. Bring in the light

Yes, I know. Usually in the summer months we open those blinds and curtains and the sun is waiting for us, just beaming through the window. Not so much in winter. It is hard for your mind to get rolling when it thinks it is time to go back to bed. Since we cannot control the sun, let some light in your home via other ways. There are many options out there like this sunlight alarm clock that mimics the sunrise to get you waking up like the good summer days or this natural light here.

6. Adjust your winter skincare routine

I talk more about 5 good winter skincare habits & products to incorporate daily here! Slap on some good, hydrating moisturizer in the morning and start the day feeling refreshed.

7. Shake up your coffee routine

I am not saying to not drink your favourite warm beverage as soon as your eyes open. Enjoy the mornings by upping your coffee game. Opt in for the peppermint syrup or froth your own milk to have that Starbucks feeling right at the comfort of your own home. I add this collagen powder to my coffee in the morning for added health benefits right in the morning (and you can’t even taste it!)

8. Put down the phone & make a to-do list

Put down the phone first thing! Get out some paper or a notepad and get writing. Instead of checking social media first thing, clear your mind of what you want to tackle today. Grab that notebook or paper and write it down. I always try to aim for 5 things I want to accomplish that day, with three of them being top of my priorities. If I can tackle those three things, I am content with my day by the evening. I always aim to complete little tasks like unloading the dishwasher, or running a load of laundry first thing in the morning so your sink & laundry basket are empty for the day and those little tasks help you tackle your bigger ones!

I hope your days start off wonderful by adding one or even a few of these habits to your morning routine. I would love to know how you manage to switch up your morning routine during the winter months!

Stay cozy & Enjoy your day!

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