New Mom Report Card

Happy 2012, my oh my how my year has changed.
My sweet girl is now 5 weeks old, so I thought I would give myself a little report card on my performance.  As a new mom alot of what I do is trial and error so I wanted to share with you what has worked, what has FAILED and what got me an A for effort.

Our first Cold: Nora got a pesky cold right before the holidays, as a neurotic new mom I immediately called the Pediatrician. After checking her out they suggested a few non medical treatments, I also did some research on a more natural way to help get her through this cold.  What has worked for us:
1. Sleeping with a cool-mist humidifier (night time sleep as well as napping)
2. While my husband or I are in the shower we close the vents and steam up the room, we bring Nora into the steaming room and hang out for a few min.  We immediately noticed a difference in her congestion after her steam room experience.
3. The Bulb Syringe is our Friend, sucking goop from her nose on the hour every hour. 
4. Sleeping on an incline, we propped up her mattress with a blanket to create an incline to increase nasal drainage.
With these techniques her cold is on its way out.  I give myself an A for this one!!!

Night time Sleep: To help Nora establish a "better" sleep schedule we created a routine.  After a short feeding around 8:30 pm we start our night time routine.  Starting out; warm shower with mom, we did not have good luck with the sink bath tub (F for fail) so one night I put her in the shower with me, she literally fell asleep in my arms from relaxation. (A+ !!!!) We now shower for a short time every night; this also helps with her congestion (extra credit!).  After the shower we lotion with aveeno Lavender scent, put on warm P.J, and then feeding to top off her appetite.  To end the routine Daddy and Nora rock or dance to a few soft tunes on the Ipod. (A++for cuteness).  Knock on wood; we have got 5-6 hours of sleep every night this week!!!

Giving up Caffeine: Over the holiday I over did it on the caffeine intake (C- oops), by the end of the holiday weekend, Nora had a diaper rash and was going much more often the usual.  I eliminated caffeine from my diet and wa laaa problem solved.  If your little on is having this issue take a look at your diet (if breast feeding) try eliminating items to see if the problem clears up on its own.  Non Medical Cure, always and A+.

Overall I have to give myself an A+ for effort and Love

First Sun Salutation since baby

I just wanted to drop a quick note and share with you that today I did my first Sun Salutation since the birth of Baby Nora
Although its rainy out side, I woke with more energy then usual, so I decided to practice some yoga while Nora sat in her swing. I started with a modified Sun Salutation then ventured into a few side stretches.  Body felt great and my mind needed something new to focus on even if it was only 5 min. Gotta start somewhere

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Hello World

Drum Roll..... We would like to announce the arrival of our sweet girl ,
Eleanor Paige Dial , Nora was born November 25th 2011
8:01pm 6.10oz  19" long.

One of the main reason I began this blog was not only to document my pregnancy and to help fellow mama's, but I wanted to test Yoga.  Could continuing my yoga practice during my entire pregnancy make for a more "enjoyable" "tolerable" "not as painful" labor?
My experience would beYES!!!!!
My yoga breath and relaxation techniques helped me glide through contraction after contraction.  Don't get me wrong there was pain but it never got to my head, I stayed focused and knew that my body was strong and able. Thanks to my wonderful husband coaching me I maintained my deep inhalations/exhalation and succeed.  Once my active labor began and pushing was near I was calm and confident I could do this, "not that I had much choice".  After a few cycles of breath, I had a wonderful gift resting on my chest, Nora and I locked eyes and my heart grew to a size I never knew was possible.

My final thoughts on Yoga and Pregnancy.  Yoga helped me both mentally and physically ENJOY my entire pregnancy, sure there were some uncomfortable times but my body went with the flow and I truly believe my yoga practice kept me in shape and allowed this experience to be unlike anything I have experienced. I would encourage expectant mama's to find an activity they enjoy and continue it through their entire pregnancy, modifying as needed.  It doesnt have to be yoga, but for me Yoga gave me the experience I wanted.

Please continue to follow my blog sans the Buddah Belly as I journey back to my yoga practice with a new appreciate and gratitude for life and my new respect for women's bodies.

namaste, Ali and Nora

Week 37

We are now at week 37 and my Yoga Practice has actually been re energized!  Now that I am at the point where the end is in sight and she is "cooked" my yoga practice has been given a new energy.  Although I am not teaching nearly as much I still attend classes at least twice a week.  I practice safely and focus on postures that help open my hips, calm my breath and maintain my upper body strength.  Here is one of my favorite sequence's
1. Cat Pose
2. Low Lunge
3 Pyramid Pose
4 Extended Triangle
5. Dolphin Pose
Take a look Here! or Build your own sequence that feels good to you

Week 30

Hello, I know I have been absent for a few weeks and I apologize. I hope to be better at my weekly/bi weekly post's.
The past few weeks I keep hearing complaints about "Swollen Ankles" even from my Non. Pregnant Students.  I always go back to an oldie but a goodie for relief.... Legs up the Wall
Type of Pose: Restorative, mild inversion

Benefits: Achieves many of the benefits of inversions in a supported, gentle pose.

A passive inversion - great for swollen ankles and varicose veins (bonus!)

 
Instructions:
1. Sit next to a wall with the side of your body on the wall and your knees bent into the chest.
2. Bring the lower back onto the floor while bringing the legs up the wall. Keep the upper body supported with the elbows on the floor.
3. Slowly release the elbows and lower the whole back down to the floor.
4. If you are comfortable, stay here several minutes.
5. To come out, bring the knees into your chest and roll to your side.

As far as my progress, everything is right on track.  We just had a 29 week ultra sound and she looked healthy and happy. The pic's were not a cute, she's quickly running out of room so her cheeks and face look squished. (only a mother could love these pic's)  She is starting to move into position and I'm feeling GREAT. 

Week 25

Baby Yoga
I know it's a little early to start thinking about the toddler years but I figure it cant hurt to arm myself with a few tools to cope with bed time......Zzz

During my recent BabyMoon to Naples, FL I visited one of my favorite local yoga studio's Bala Vinyasa.  While on vacation I signed up for a 1 day prenatal yoga workshop.  During the workshop we talked alot about breath and ways to relieve hip and lower back pain. What stuck with me most was a book the instructor passes around before class,  called "Itsy Bitsy Yoga" by Helen Garabedian.  What could be more fun then seeing your little one in "happy baby" or giggling in "cat & cow"?

"Yoga before bedtime for your toddler gives them a tool to self-soothe. It's a way of letting their bodies slow down at a natural Pace" Laurie Jordan, "The ABC of zzz" Yoga Journal September 2011

Check out this fun and educational book for your little one.

http://www.itsybitsyyoga.com/