Alexx's Rainbow Baby Story

Alexx is a precious young woman that I have watched grow up into a beautiful mother and wife!  She has experienced the heartache of a miscarriage.  October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness and I have asked several friends that were comfortable to share their stories to encourage other women!
Here is Alexx's story.

It has been a little over a year since I found out I was going to lose my baby. I had a six month old little boy at the time and was not trying to get pregnant again, but God had other plans for us. I found out I was pregnant at work and was instantly filled with excitement, fear, anxiety, and love for this little blessing. I wrote my husband a poem that read "roses are red, violets are blue, you're such a great dad of one, imagine how great you'll be with two!". I gave it to him that morning (I was working nights as a nurse at the time). He was equally thrilled and nervous! We waited until my first doctors visit to tell family, and everyone was excited!! After reality set in that I was going to have two children 15 months apart I was thrilled.

It was one week later that I discovered a little bleeding when I went to take a shower. Being an Ob/Gyn emergency department nurse I instantly feared the worst was happening. I went to the department where I work and was taken to ultrasound. I saw the beautiful tiny heartbeat of my precious baby at 7 weeks 1 day. However, I knew something was wrong. The heart rate was so slow the machine couldn't even calculate it. The ultrasound tech printed me a picture and sent me back for the rest of my exam. I was sent home with the information of a "threatened miscarriage" and expected management of the situation. That night I began to have cramping and increased bleeding. In the morning my husband went to work, only to be called home as I knew what was going on. We went to my doctor for an ultrasound to confirm my fears. As I was walking in I felt something big pass. I went to the restroom and saw I had in fact passed the amniotic sac that housed my little love. The ultrasound simply confirmed what I already knew. I was crushed and cried for what seemed like an eternity. Why did God take my baby from me? I wondered. It was a month of bleeding and medications to help me complete my miscarriage that ultimately ended up in surgery to remove it all due to my body retaining it for so long.

It was only a few days later that postpartum depression set in. I was still nursing and had gone from being pregnant to not pregnant so quickly my body was going through a hormonal roller-coaster ride. After about 3 months I felt much better after having talked with others who had experienced what I had as well as a temporary antidepressant to get me over the hump.

Three months after that in November to be exact, I found out I was pregnant with our rainbow baby. I was so excited, but also hesitant to let myself fully enjoy this experience because I feared it would end the same way as my second angel. But it didn't. August 18th we welcomed our little girl into the world, healthy and beautiful. I remember questioning God when I was in such a dark place after my loss. However, I know it was in his plan for my life and my little ones life as well. I have been able to comfort and educate and witness to those going through what I went through with so much more empathy and love than I ever had been able to before. It has allowed me to appreciate life and my children so much more than I could ever imagine. I rest easy knowing one day we will all be together again.

The pain is devastating, and I still have days where I feel sad, and commercials that make me cry. Especially during October which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. But after all of the hurt, after the storm, there was a rainbow...and her name is Olivia Grace.

Thank you so much Alex for sharing! Olivia Grace is absolutely beautiful, just like her Mom!!!!!

Coach Pam

BLOG CHANGES!

I am super exited!
I am getting a BLOG OVER-HAUL!!!!
I have an awesome friend that is going to be doing some work here.  There will be a whole new look and focus!
New Colors
New Tabs
New Signatures
It's going to be awesome!!!!!!!
Just Hang On!!!!!!

5 Day Challenge!!!!!!!

So this week I am starting a 5 Day Challenge!!!!
Super Excited!
Pyramid Workouts followed by Water Drinking Challenge.

The first key is the water.  Figuring out how much water you should drink is so important on so many levels.  Best rule of thumb that I found is to use your weight divided in half.
For Example
150 pounds- 75 ounces of water
200 pounds- 100 ounces of water
You get the picture.
So you may say, I can't drink that much water!!!!
Well, let's be realistic.
Use those popular 20 ounce bottles of water that you buy in a flat at the store.  One with breakfast, One with lunch and one with dinner.  One after you workout and one to sip on during the day and BOOM!!!!!!  You just drank 100 ounces.  See, wasn't that easy??????

Second part of this 5 day challenge is the Pyramid workouts.  It's an incredible way to workout and such an awesome way to challenge yourself.  You will not be board!  You will SWEAT! You will be sore! You will be glad you did!
It's so much fun!!!!!

Keep an eye out on my page and you won't miss the next Challenge!!!!!  I would love to have you!!!!!
Leave a comment if you want to jump in on the next Challenge!!!!!

Happy Challenge
Coach Pam
Phil 4:13

Those Little Bites of PROTEIN!!!!

Bacon and Jalapeno Deviled Eggs

1 dozen eggs-hard boiled

1 jalapeno-diced fine

1/2 pound of bacon fried and diced

1/2-3/4 cup of Mayonnaise

1 tsp Mustard

Salt and Pepper to taste

1/4 cup Finely Shredded Cheese

1/2 tsp of sugar

(Double Recipe Pictured)

 Hard boil eggs and fry the bacon

 Separate the eggs.  Place the whites in a container or on a plate.  Place the yolks and add salt, pepper, mustard, cheese, sugar and mayonnaise in the bowl.  Mix well until it's as smooth as possible.  You may need to add more mayonnaise. 

 Finely dice jalapeno and bacon

 Grate the cheese with a microplane 

Once you have mixed the ingredients together, place the mixture in a zip-lock bag and pipe into a egg whites.  Top with extra bacon and jalapeno.  

I hope you enjoy this as much as we do!!!!

Coach Pam

Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness

This is always a difficult time.  Your mind may go back and wonder "What If?".  I can honestly say that mine does.  I can remember the day that we found out. I remember going to the doctor. I remember the ultrasound. I remember the 2nd and 3rd ultrasound. I remember being put to sleep. I remember going home and feeling totally numb and hurting so bad. I remember it like it was yesterday.  I am 1 in 4.  I experienced the Pregnancy Loss with a Miscarriage.  It is something that you can't describe at times.  If you have been there, you know exactly what I am talking about. 
Maybe yours was born sleeping. My heart hurts for you.  I can't say that I understand.  All I can say is I am so very sorry and cry along with you.  I have been with Mom's that found out that their babies were gone before they breathed their first. My heart hurts for you. That is pain that is unimaginable. I pray that those precious times of holding them will forever be in your heart. 
Maybe your baby arrived to early.  Maybe they arrived with medical issues mounted against them. Maybe they arrived and only were here for a few days or weeks or maybe even a few months. My prayer is that you as well as the rest of us, treasure those moments and times.  That sweet face that is forever etched in your memory and the treasures that you have.  
Maybe you have experienced any of the above and have never told anyone or shared your story.  I would encourage to share.  You can always to share with friends or family or those that will support you.  
I could go through and list friends that have all experienced the loss and for fear that I would leave one out,,,,,,,You know who you are and I love you so very much!!!!


So much Love and Prayers for 
All the Mom's, 
Coach Pam

MONDAY MOTIVATION!!!!!!

I start a new CHALLENGE GROUP today!!!  I am always so excited when a new Challenge Group starts up.  I have women in the group that I have never had and I have some that have jumped in and are continuing to jump in on another group.
We are pumped and ready to go!  It's going to be AWESOME!!!!

So of course because it's MONDAY, there MUST be MOTIVATION!!!  So, here we go........

2 of my FAVORITES!!!!!!!!

Some like Jillian and some don't.  Some love to hate her.  She pushes hard but she gets it done!!!  My nickname used to "Jillian".........I'll just leave that there!   

I've never understood someone's sweaty-selfie looking "pretty".  I'm about making a lot of SWEAT and looking......INCREDIBLE!!!!!!

Sweat On, 

Coach Pam

Phil. 4:13

So, What's For Dinner????

So, what have I prepared for the week????

1- Roasted Veggies- Carrots, Red Onion, Yellow Onion, Portabella  Mushrooms- Salt and Pepper and a touch of olive oil- Diced and roasted at 425 for approx 30-40 minutes!
2- Roasted Spaghetti Squash- Cut squash in half.  Brush with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste.  Turn cut side down and cook at 400 for 1 hour.  Rest for about 10 minutes and scrape with a fork!  OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!
3- Mexican Chicken- One red pepper sliced- One yellow onion sliced.  2 large chicken breast. Cover with taco seasonings and a dash of chili powder, salt and pepper.  Cover and bake at 400 for 1 hour.
Slice for burrito or taco and place in the sauce in the bottom of the pan with the pepper and onions.
4- Boiled eggs.  Some left whole and some will be deviled with a tiny bit of crisp bacon, jalapeno and small amount of shredded cheese!!!!!
5 Whole chicken thawing for homemade chicken and rice in the crock pot!!!!!  Can't wait for that.  Cook entire chicken in the crock-pot with enough water to almost cover.  Salt and pepper and cook for 8 hours on low.  Remove chicken and de-bone as well as removing skin.  Place broth and chicken in the fridge over night and skim off the fat in the morning.  When you get home, bring to a boil on the stove and add 1 1/2 cups of rice and 1 can of cream of chicken soup and 1/2 cup of milk.  Cook according to your rice directions.  Serve with crackers and ENJOY!

There is my week!!!!!!
We also have plenty of banana's, yogurt, cottage cheese, cauliflower, refried beans, lettuce , black beans and other yummy for the week.

I'm ready!!
Are you??

Have an incredible week!!!!!!

Blessings to you!
Coach Pam
Phil 4:13