Kennedy's 22 Week Check In

5 months down, first Christmas over, the end of the year baby girl was born is right around the corner.  I just can't believe how fast this year has flown by and how quickly Kennedy is growing and changing.

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is at least 14 pounds now.  She is also growing noticeably longer.  (She can touch the floor from her jumparoo and bounces like a maniac!)
• We did another closet purge this week.  K can still wear 3 month tops and 3 month bottoms... but anything that is one piece (like sleep and plays)... she is in 6 or 9 month.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy can sit perfectly now.  It is so fun to watch her sit like a big girl and play with her toys. 
• She is doing great with her rolling and mini push ups.  When she lays on her belly, she kicks up a storm, but doesn't really get anywhere yet.  It won't be long before she is crawling, but not quite yet.
• Still no teeth... but still teething.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!  This week I am going to practice nursing in my ring sling.  We will be taking our first plane ride in a few weeks and I want to make sure I can nurse discreetly in the sling for take off and landing.  Wish me luck!
• Pumping at work is also going well.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches with an occasional 5 hour stretch, which is glorious!
• Naps have been ok this week.  She has been taking longer to go down for her nap (fussing and fighting to stay awake) and when she finally does fall asleep, it's only been for 20 or 30 minutes at a time.  I'm not sure what that's all about, but I hope this phase passes fast.  Nap time is when mommy cleans and gets things done around the house.

PP Mommy Check In

• Down another pound or two.  Weird.
• Right now I am about 123 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125* 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin has had a wonderful week.  He enjoyed 3 days off for Christmas and wrapped up his last week as a housekeeper.  Next week starts a new job with better hours/days and better pay.  He is very excited to be able to have every night and weekend off with his baby girl.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Christmas was wonderful!!  New Years is coming up.  I can't believe in a few days it will be "My baby was born last year."  I'm not looking forward to leaving her birth year behind, but excited to see what 2013 has in store for us
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Rave: 

• Teething Necklace... baby girl loves to chew on anything she can get her hands on and this has managed to keep her occupied and happy for long stretches.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• The end of Kennedy's birth year is in 2 days.  2012 has been such an amazing year that I am sad to see it end... but I know 2013 will be an amazing year full of many firsts.  Bring it on!!
• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.
• We will be taking our first trip on an airplane in a little more than a week.  We are flying down to Orlando to see my family.  I can't wait to post pictures.  :) 

  Picture Time:

5 Months Old!!

Kennedy's 21 Week Check In

21 weeks and Christmas is just a few days away.  Last Christmas (aside from being super pukey!) I daydreamed about what it would be like to celebrate with my little one... now here she is and celebrate we will!!  So hard to believe my dreams have come true and we will really be spending this Christmas together!!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy has to be about 14 pounds now.  She is such a big girl!!  
• Most of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  I think we will be doing another closet purge/clothing retirement soon.  She is growing like a weed.
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy can sit easily now for up to a minute or so.  Her balance is getting much better.  
• Baby girl has been talking up a storm and cracking herself up.
• She can now reach the floor from her Jumparoo and loves to bounce bounce bounce.
• Still no teeth... but still teething.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work is also going well.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches with an occasional 5 hour stretch, which is glorious!
• Naps have been great!  She is napping in her crib regularly.  We are considering trying to transition her to her crib for night time, but I don't know if I am ready to move her to her room.  Seems so far away!!

PP Mommy Check In

• Holding steady at my normal weight now.
• Right now I 125 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125* 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is just plain wonderful.  He handles bath time, story time, bed time... all by himself 5 nights a week.  I am so lucky to have him!! 

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing new this week really. Christmas is in 2 days and we couldn't be more excited.
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Rave: 

• Teething Necklace... baby girl loves to chew on anything she can get her hands on and this has managed to keep her occupied and happy for long stretches.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.
• We will be taking our first trip on an airplane in a few weeks.  We are flying down to Orlando to see my family.  I can't wait to post pictures.  :)

Kennedy's 20 Week Check In

20 weeks.  Just wow.  20 weeks pregnant is half way, half baked, the turning point.... now Kennedy has been outside the womb for 20 weeks and it's hard for me to even remember what it was like to reach the 20 week mark of having her on the inside.  Time is just flying flying by... I wish there was a way for me to stop it somehow. 

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is likely 14 pounds now.  She is growing very tall also.  I have noticed that some of her pants are now becoming high waters, lol.
• Most of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy can sit unsupported fairly well.  She does tend to topple over when she tries to look around, or usually when she tries to watch wherever Lucy goes.  But... we are so proud of how well she can sit.
• Kennedy has been very vocal.  She likes to babble and coo when she first wakes up, which is just the sweetest thing.  She laughs and shrieks when she plays in her bouncer also.  Cracks me up!
• Still no teeth... but still teething with a vengence.  I know they will make their appearance sooner or later.  Later is fine with me... but I don't like seeing her so uncomfortable.  It seems to be worst at night.  Poor girl.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work is also going well.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches... every once in a blue moon I will get a 5 hour stretch.  Not often... but when I do it's amazing!
• Naps have been pretty good.  Kennedy naps in her crib like a big girl for mommy now.  Daddy is having a tough time getting her to sleep in the crib, but she normally does pretty good for me.

PP Mommy Check In

• Back up a pound or two.  I blame my bake sale and 2 cookie exchanges.  :P
• Right now I 125 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125* 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing great!!  We are so excited for Christmas!!   

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing new this week really. 
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Love/Hate: 

• Love: Love You Zoo Jumparoo.  This is, by far, Kennedy's favorite toy!
• Hate:  

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.

Kennedy's 19 Week Check In

19 weeks and growing so big!  Baby girl had another great week of growing, playing, learning and loving.  :)

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is somewhere between 13 1/2 and 14 pounds.
• Most of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy can roll from back to tummy with ease now... although she still doesn't quite know what to do with herself once she gets onto her tummy. 
• Kennedy has graduated from zombie to zombie-dactyl.  She still does her zombie talking and adds in a high pitched pteradactyl-like screech every so often.
• Still no teeth, but I think we are getting pretty close.  She is slobbering like it's her job and chewing on everything she can get into her mouth.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work is also going well.
• I have such an overload of milk (completely full freezer and 1/4 full deep freezer) that I finally decided to contact the National Milk Bank to discuss donation.  I found out that by taking Colace, I have made my milk ineligible for donation.  However, 24 hours after I stop taking it, my milk can be collected for donation.  So... the loads and loads of milk I have saved already is ours to keep... but I will start storing for donation soon.  I'm kind of excited about this.  :)

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches... Still.
• Naps have been pretty good this week.  Fingers crossed this trend continues.  :)

PP Mommy Check In

• Back down to 123-124 this week.  Bye Bye Thanksgiving poundage!
• Right now I 124 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125* 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing really great!  We are both so very excited for our little girl's first Christmas. 

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing new this week really. 
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Love: 

• Love: Amber teething necklace.  We weren't completely sure how well it was working... then we spent one night without it.  Yep.  It works.  

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.

Picture Time!!

Bonus Family Pictures!!  :)

 

Recipe: BEST.meatballs.EVER (according to my husband)

*I cannot vouch for the accuracy of his claim because he gobbled them all up before I had a chance to try one...

A little back story... My husband works first shift and I work second.  We "baby swap" in the parking garage most days when he is leaving and I am arriving.  Fun stuff.  I like to *try* (key word TRY) to get something in the crock pot for him for dinner before I leave for work.  More often than not, the last hour or so before I leave for work is complete and utter chaos.  Kennedy is waking up from her nap, I'm trying to get all the pieces of my breast pump sterilized and packed (doing this the night before would make a lot more sense... but that just never happens), Kennedy blows out a diaper then wants to nurse, Lucy destroys a fluffy dog toy all over the living room, etc etc etc.  And in the midst of all of this, I am scrambling to throw a bunch of stuff in my crock pot that may or may not be edible.  :) 
This is why I went nutso with the crock pot meals (link here) before Kennedy arrived.  When things get really crazy, I just grab a bag from my freezer, toss it in the crock pot and run out the door.

So earlier in the week, I had the foresight to thaw out a pound of ground beef.  What for?  I dunno.  Just seemed like a good idea at the time.  Yesterday I knew I needed to use the ground beef, but for the life of me couldn't figure out what to do with it.  We had already made chili over the weekend and I didn't have time to do up a whole spaghetti sauce.  I was stuck.  

Then I thought... meatballs!!  Kevin loves meatballs!  I can whip some together real quick, no problem.  But I wanted to jazz them up somehow... and so...

BBQ Cheddar Meatballs (or the BEST.meatballs.EVER according to Kevin)

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 egg
• generous amount of Famous Dave's Steakburger Seasoning
• 1 jar of your favorite BBQ sauce (I used Dino BBQ Sensuous Slathering Sauce)

Combine everything except the BBQ sauce into a mixing bowl and mix well.  Roll into large meatballs and place in glass baking dish.  Bake at 375 for about 15-20 minutes or until browned.  Place in crock pot on low and cover with BBQ sauce.  

Simple.  Delicious.  :)  Next time I make them I will make sure to hide a few from Kevin so I can actually try them. 

Kennedy's 18 Week Check In

This little peanut is growing so fast!!  This was a great week for us!  I am so lucky to have such a sweet, fun little girl!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is 13 pounds 9 ounces and 26 1/4 inches, according to her appointment on Tuesday.
• Most of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with two medium fleece soakers and 3 more on the way.

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy has been a rolling machine this week.  She almost instantly starts wiggling and rolling when I lay her down on her back.  This is cute to watch, but it makes nap times kind of crazy.  I lay her down, she rolls over and screams.  I flip her on her back, she rolls over and screams.  And repeat and repeat and repeat until she tires out and falls asleep.
• Kennedy has started zombie talking.  It's pretty funny.  She gets this low growling deep voice and babbles non stop for several minutes.  I think she has been watching too much Walking Dead with daddy. 
• No teeth yet, but they are definitely working their way in.  Kennedy has really been chomping down on my knuckles and shoulder every chance she gets.  She has tons of teething toys, but I guess they just don't taste as good as mommy's fingers. 

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work has been a challenge this week.  I don't know if there is something wrong with my pump or if it somehow got turned on in my bag, but twice this week- two nights in a row- the pump died after only a minute and a half.  I was almost in tears!!  Not cool, Medela.  I keep meaning to call them to see if it needs replaced, but I keep getting side tracked.  Oops.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches... I don't think we are ever going to get past 4 hours... but that's ok.
• Naps haven't been so great this week, mostly because she keeps rolling over!  Maybe next week will be better.

PP Mommy Check In

• I snuck on the scale at work and weighed in.  Still at 125, even after Thanksgiving food craziness.  Woot woot!!
• Right now I 125 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125* 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing great as always.  :)  I have the best husband and father to our little girl.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Kennedy had her 4 month check up on Tuesday.  She is growing wonderfully!!  26 1/4 inches (97%) and 13 pounds 9 ounces (50 something %).  The doctor says she is a healthy (and cute!) baby girl!!  She took her shots without much fuss and made it through the post shot night ok.  I'm so proud of my little girl!
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Love: 

• Love:

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is in January for her 6 month check up.

Picture Time!!

 

4 Months Old!!

Visit with Gam Gam, Grandpa and Uncle Mikey... In Pictures

Kennedy's 17 Week Check In

This past week has been absolutely amazing!  My parents and brother drove all the way up from Florida (drove ALL night long!!) to spend Thanksgiving with us.  It was so wonderful to have them here!  They are leaving tomorrow, but this week has just been so wonderful!

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is  probably 13- 13 1/2 pounds.
• Almost all of her 0-3 month clothes and some of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls with one medium fleece soaker and 3 more on the way.

Development & Milestones

• Kind of a big deal... KENNEDY ROLLED OVER!!  She still has a tough time getting her arm out from underneath her, but she successfully rolled from back to tummy.  What a big girl!!
• Kennedy has been smiling and "talking" up a storm this week.  Her little personality is really starting to develop and it is just the coolest thing.
• Baby girl loves her Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike.  She has really enjoyed all of the hugs, kisses and extra attention she has gotten this week.  Very loved and sorta spoiled little girl.  :)
• Kennedy has also taken a new interest in her BFF Lucy.  I think this is only the very beginning of a super sweet and fun friendship.
• I think she is starting to teethe... fun stuff.  For the most part, she hasn't seemed too terribly uncomfortable... just lots and lots of extra drool.  She has been wearing an amber necklace (usually around her ankle under a sock) for a few weeks now and I am hoping this will help to get her through with little to no medication for it.  We did use Tylenol once or twice over the past few days when she was having a particularly rough time.  Poor baby girl.  I hope these teeth cut soon so she isn't so uncomfortable.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work has been ok.  Once again there were a few nights where I was unable to pump, which sucks (and HURTS!), but that's just the way it goes with floor nursing.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches, consistently now.  I usually get home around 12:30-1am and nurse her, then she sleeps until Kevin gets up for work at 5:30 (sometimes waking up once in between), then it's back to bed until 8:30-9:30am.  Not too bad.
• Naps are going great!  She naps once in the morning and once in the afternoon, usually for about an hour.

PP Mommy Check In

• I have no idea what I weigh this week since Kevin stole the battery for my scale to use for the garage door opener.  I feel pretty good... maybe a little bloated from all of the yummy Thanksgiving leftovers... I will get a new battery so I will be able to keep better track.
• Right now I probably weigh about 125 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125* 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing awesome.  I think he really enjoyed having my brother around this week to commiserate with, lol.  As far as daddy-ing goes, in my eyes (and in Kennedy's eyes)... he's #1.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• 5 whole days with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Mike... how much better could it get?  It's been an awesome week!!
• Oh and Kennedy saw SNOW for the very first time yesterday!  I don't really think she cares much about the white stuff just yet, but Lucy was running around like a crazy puppy enjoying some play time out in the cold.  So cute!
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Love: 

•  

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is Wednesday morning.  Not really looking forward to another round of shots, but I am kind of excited to see how big she has gotten.

 Picture Time!!

 

Kennedy's 16 Week Check In

Every day this little girl amazes me.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe she is already 16 weeks old, it seems like just yesterday I was feeling her kick and roll in my belly.  Other times it's hard to believe she is only 16 weeks old, it's hard to remember what my life was like before I held her in my arms...

How Big Is Baby?

• Kennedy is  probably just over 13 pounds.
• Almost all of her 0-3 month clothes and some of her 3 month clothes are retired.  She is wearing mostly 3-6 and 6 month clothes now.  Big girl!
• Full time cloth diapering. One size and smalls.  Added a fleece soaker- size Medium- to the mix as well.  Medium!!  gulp!!

Development & Milestones

• Kennedy just loves her hands.  She slobbers and drools on them constantly.
• This week she has been really interested in mommy and daddy's faces.  She loves to touch them (and slap them) while we are snuggling.
• We introduced the Bumbo seat this week and she LOVES it!!  I will have to pick up the tray for the seat this week because she drops/throws her rattle or lovie and can't pick it up, but she really loves sitting like a big girl in her new seat.

Diet/Nursing

• Nursing is still going great!
• Pumping at work was much better this week.  My freezer stash is outrageous and I may need to donate some of my stored milk soon because I am almost completely out of room.

Sleep

• Still sleeping in 4 hour stretches, consistently.  I am thinking we are going to stay at this length for a long time and, you know what, that's ok.  I am starting to enjoy my middle of the night nursing sessions with her.  I read her stories or sing to her and she looks at me with the sweetest, sleepiest smiles.  I love it!
• Naps are pretty good.  She has been napping in her crib like a big girl, but only sleeps for maybe an hour stretch.

PP Mommy Check In

• I actually lost a few pounds this week, so I am now under my goal weight.. but with Thanksgiving around the corner I'm sure I will be back up soon.  :)
• Right now I weigh about 123 lbs.  
• *For reference, my highest pregnancy weight was 162, my pre-pregnancy weight was 130 and my goal weight is 125* 

How Is Daddy?

• Kevin is doing great!!  He has really gotten into his daddy groove.  It is so amazing to see him interact with his baby girl.  She has him wrapped around her teeny little finger already.

Any appointments, visitors or outings?  Anything else new?

• Nothing new this week!
• Cloth diapering is still going great!! 

  Product Love: 

• Bumbo seat.  Baby girl loves hanging out in her big girl seat and I love that I can set her down and clean a room while she plays and talks.

Any upcoming developments, milestones?  What's next?

• Next pediatrician appointment for Kennedy is next week.  More shots.  Boo!!

Picture Time!!

They Call It "Morning Sickness"

***** This is absolutely NOT- in any way shape or form- to be interpreted as medical advice.  These are things I have tried, under the guidance of my own doctor.  Your situation may be different and what was ok for me to do/try may or may not be safe for you or your little one.  Check with your OB before trying ANY remedies for your nausea. *****

Let's get some things straight here... the term "morning sickness" is a cruel and evil joke (likely coined by some dude who never experienced it).  I would have given my left arm to feel like absolute dog crap only in the "morning".  I actually felt my worst in the evenings and awoke many a night from a dead sleep to go have a face to face meeting with the porcelain goddess.  But I digress...

When pregnant, most women experience some degree of nausea... ranging from the occasional wave of "ugh, I can't eat that" to full blown "I want to barf my brains out" 24/7.  An unlucky few have it to such a degree (known as hyperemesis gravidarum) that they require hospitalization, IV nutrients and/or fluids.  For most, the nausea lasts only through the first trimester, until the placenta takes over providing nutrition for your growing little one and your hormones (sort of!! ha!) level off.  For another unlucky few it can last all the way through the entire pregnancy.  Fun stuff.

My level of (un)luck fell somewhere in the middle, toe-ing the line of hyperemesis and lasting into 22-23 weeks.  I did manage to make it through without IV supplementation, but I did succomb to some pretty heavy duty meds in the end.  But I survived, and you will too.  And in the end, you hold your beautiful baby in your arms and get to thank them personally for making you so sick.

Now that I have had the joy of experiencing this wonderful phenomenon known as morning sickness, and since I now have a few friends who are learning the ropes, I thought it would be a good time to write down and pass on my knowledge as far as treatments go.

Before you get all excited... there is no magic cure.  What worked for me may not work for you.  And what works for you today may send you running to the toilet tomorrow... because, you know, Mother Nature likes to keep us on our toes.  There were several things that made me feel slightly better one day then didn't help at all the next.  

Basically...  aside from the "cures" listed below, the key is really to never have a completely full or completely empty stomach.  Easier said than done when you don't really feel like eating at all.  But try to nibble on dry, bland snacks (pretzel sticks, bagels, crackers and toast were my menu for weeks) throughout the day.  Keep a stash of snacks on your nightstand and munch a little when you wake up to pee 16 thousand times in the middle of the night.  SMALL bites and SMALL sips as often as possible.  Full OR empty usually spells trouble.

• Sea Bands-  These can be picked up at Target or Babies R Us.  They are elastic bands with a small plastic doo-hickey that applies pressure, when properly positioned, to a key acupressure point on your wrist.  These didn't work wonders for me, but maybe took the edge off a little.  I wore them at work (only able to hide if you wear long sleeves, otherwise a dead "OMG You're knocked up!" giveaway)... and they helped a little when I couldn't carry around snacks/drinks all the time.   

• Ginger Stuff- Ginger candies, ginger teas, ginger snap cookies, candied ginger- This stuff actually works!!  I wasn't so much a fan of the tea, but the candied ginger, cookies and the candies really helped me out.  I drove all over Syracuse hunting these bad boys down before I realized you can order them online in bulk.  I now have enough stashed away to last through my next pregnancy, lol. 

• Coca Cola- Yep, you read that right.  Coke.  (Those who know me well, go ahead and pick yourself up from the floor.  I know I know, I NEVER drink soda... but this was an act of desperation, suggested by my OB, so I went for it!)  The real stuff with the red label, NOT diet, calorie free or any other knock off.  "But I shouldn't drink any caffeine" blah blah blah.  First of all, my OB was a fan of the "everything in moderation" concept.  Second, back in the day (feel free to check with your parents or grandparents) Cola Syrup was the magic cure-all for all sorts of tummy ailments.  Cola Syrup = the base for Coke.  Ta-daa!!!  So yes, this was actually probably one of the best suggestions my OB gave.  She said to drink a SMALL sip every few minutes when I felt crappiest.  A bottle should last several hours at this rate, which is well under the recommended/allowable "moderate" amount of caffeine intake allowed.

• Don't Drink Plain Water- I'm just getting crazier and crazier, aren't I?  First drink soda, now don't drink water... but hear me out.  When you put plain water in your stomach, especially an empty or almost empty stomach, your belly thinks "Oh yay!!  Something to digest" and the stomach starts a-churning and the stomach acid starts a-bubbling.  Next thing you know, you feel gross again.  Now, I am not saying don't drink water... because it is very very important to stay hydrated- especially during pregnancy... but put some sort of flavoring in it... Crystal Light packets, lemon slices, peppermint, Mio... anything.  Next.

• Change Up Your Prenatal- Unfortunately, one of the things that we need to provide nutritional support often makes us so sick that we get even less nutrition.  If your PNV makes you gag, try changing brands, switching to gummies or taking it at a different time of day (at night, right before bed worked best for me for a little while).  If all else fails, try switching to a children's vitamin (without Iron, since Iron is usually the culprit behind vitamin related nausea) until your stomach can handle the prenatals again.  As good as they may be for you and baby, if they are making you throw up what little food you can eat, they may be doing more harm than good.  As soon as you feel the slightest bit better, make sure you switch back to the prenatals again!!  

• Doxylamine (Unisom) + B6-  In Canada they actually sell a medication (Diclectin) that is basically this exact combination and it is very effective for morning sickness.  It was pulled from the US market years ago, but the research was questionable.  I think it was more a "better safe than sorry" situation.  In any case, there are many studies proving the safety and efficacy of this combination.  Under my OB's guidance, I gave this a shot when the ginger and Coke was no longer doing the trick and it really worked well for me for several weeks.  I took 1/2 B6 in the morning (bonus, B6 is also good to help with energy level) and 1/2 Unisom (the tablet, NOT the gel cap... check the ingredients to make sure it is Doxylamine) at night.  Not only did I sleep better and feel a little more energetic (probably because I could actually eat!) but I was able to hold down some of my food.  Woot woot!!

• Prescription Medicine-  I have never ever been a fan of medication (strange for a nurse, huh)... and I definitely did not want to take any unnecessary meds while pregnant.  Well... about 6 weeks into around the clock puking with no end in sight and having tried every single old wives tale and non-pharmacological anti-nausea trick in the book, I found myself begging my OB to give me the good stuff.  Zofran.  I researched until I was satisfied and had a good heart to heart with my OB and was assured that this was safe for me and baby.  I started on a small dose and eventually ended up taking them every 4 hours to get me through the worst of the nausea.  It did help and I was glad I finally agreed to give modern medicine a chance.

So that's it, in a nut shell.  I hope that this information can be helpful, as always, check with your OB first before trying anything.  

Remember... this, too, shall pass.  And in the end, that sweet little baby is worth everything blood vessel popping, puke out of your nose, everything I smell makes me want to toss my cookies, miserable moment.  And believe it or not... when it's over... you will be more than happy to do it all over again. 

***** This is absolutely NOT- in any way shape or form- to be interpreted as medical advice.  These are things I have tried, under the guidance of my own doctor.  Your situation may be different and what was ok for me to do/try may or may not be safe for you or your little one.  Check with your OB before trying ANY remedies for your nausea. *****