8 months post baby journey

I am now at the 8 month post partum journey! After I had Cullen I started doing Zumba at 6 weeks post partum and loved it. During Leona's pregnancy I used kettlebells almost the whole time, I did listen to my body and take time off when needed. Sickness the first 12 weeks kept me down, and some pain in the end. But I did workout regularly when I was able.

41 weeks pregnant baby #5

This time after delivery I waited 4 weeks to begin using kettlebells again. Our good friends the Williams from WY. They came up on the 4th of July and we had a great workout!

 

I am going to Show progress pictures my hope is for it to be a inspiration to those who are post partum or even just work towards some goals.

I gained 45#s this pregnancy and currently at 6 months I have lost all pregnancy weight and back in pre-pregnancy jeans. Out of my 5 pregnancies this is the fastest I have lost all the weight and been able to fit my non-pregnancy clothes. Typically it takes me 9 to 12 months to get there. I credit it this time to my strength training with kettlebells.

 

I usually work out about 2x a week and I keep it simple swings, squats, presses and planks. I do have abdominal separation See here ---->http://www.befitmom.com/abdominal_separation.html. So that has been challenging. But I have a pretty knowledgeable trainer, who happens to be pretty handsome.

I am going to post some pictures of my post partum journey....this first picture is hard for me to post, I don't look very good at all (not that looks matter....but ...!) Keep in mind I just had a rough for me labor and delievery

2 days post partum:

 

 

 

 

A few weeks post partum (cant remember exactly)

2 months PP

 

 

 

3 months PP

 

 

 

 

5 months PP

 

 

6 months PP 

 

7 months PP

 

And this is today at 8 months Post Partum! We are in the middle of a swing challenge, it has helped a lot w/ definition in my upper body...I am also working on chin ups! I love the feeling of getting stronger.

 

 

 

Let me lastly add I am only able to work out about 3 x a week, if I work out more than that I tend to feel like I am not producing enough milk, so I try to pay attention to that before anything else...because I do plan on nursing Leona for awhile longer :)

I would like to say that it is NOT about numbers on a scale, I could care less about those, but I do weigh myself every few days...just to see where its at. I am actually looking forward to when the numbers go up because I know I will be putting muscle and that weighs more than fat. I weight train so that I can be stronger, I can move things, lift my children and I think I like weight training  most because it is something my husband and I do together. It brings us closer when we can be at such a level where we are honest with our goals, limitations and each other!!!

 

I hope this has helped inspire some, I know for me looking back at pictures helps tremendously, so my advice...take pictures!!! Keep track of your progress...I do keep a workout log so that I can see how I am doing and when I hit new PR's.

Do you do Charcoal???

Chloie and I decided to do a safe teeth whitening experiment!

We used Charcoal ( NO not from the bbq or fire pit!) We got it at our local health food store. What it does is the bad things hanging out on our teeth cling to the charcoal then you spit/brush your teeth afterwards. We both think the FEEL so much cleaner and I think they both were whitened, chloie doesn't think hers did...

Onto the results!!

Mama:

Before:

















During:
















After:

 

Chloie's Results!!:



Before:

During:

After:

 

 

 

Interested in learning more? This is where I learned about this craziness!:
http://www.crunchybetty.com/dazzle-whiten-your-teeth-with-activated-charcoal

 

Ten pound Tyler, the birthstory

I never wrote a birth story for my 1st and 2nd children. I will in honor of Tyler's birthday, write his story first!!!

Very quickly after Zac and I got married we became pregnant! We both were very excited for Chloie to have a new sibling on the way. Pregnancy with him was good, i got HUGE tho, gained 60 pounds...yup 60! We seeked Midwife care and planned on a hospital birth.

So at 40 weeks 5 days i woke up in labor (1 day before my scheduled induction). 8am we headed to the hospital...Zac had such a sparkle in his eyes, such excitement (this happens w/ every baby). My midwife got there shortly after we did, she said that i better have the baby before noon so she could make her 1pm tee time for a golf outing she had planned, who knew she would actually make it!!!

Labor was intense and going much quicker than Chloies. She offered to break my water i agreed...boy was that a mistake ..it made things so much more painful (always let your water break on its own!!!!!!!!) I was not mentally prepared on the process of labor (looking back i understand this) and so was in pain and panicky really. I did not want and epidural but agreed to an interthecal which provides some pain relief i was able to relax and chat w/ my midwife and zac thru labor. She stayed with me the entire time, i loved that!

Soon it was time to push, she told me to get a practice push out of the way...yeah that worked to clear my system....2x {so embarrassing!!}I think i ended up pushing for 20 minutes which was SO much quicker than my 1st delievery, so i was amazed at how well/fast that part went. I was so relieved once he was out! I heard the MW and Z say that he sure looks like a big boy! I looked and said NO, he isnt, he is perfect. So they tossed him on the scale....10lbs and 1oz!!! The placenta was huge as was the cord, like a thick rope! He nursed well right away. We called Chloie who was in MI for her summer visit.

After baby was born grandpa/grandma/aunt ali and uncle nate all came and met our boy tyler!! Annette helped me shower and get dressed while Z followed baby to nursery to make sure we didnt get any routine vaccinations and such.

Thats the story of our tyler boy! His labor was about 5-6 hours total and we left the hospital exactly 24 hours after he was born. When we all got home we all slept for a few hours!!!!

The birth story of Miss Leona Marie

Baby #5...this birth story has been hard for me to start...I am not sure why. Maybe because this was a harder pregnancy, harder labor and long pregnancy than any before. It was not bad, I am very thankful that I was able to carry a healthy baby to term (and beyond!). But we delt w/ a vanishing twin, severe nausea, migraines and various infections! Goodness!

With Myra I had delt w/ prodromal labor for weeks and again w/ this pregnancy I was dealing w/ the same thing. It can be frustrating to think that your body is going into labor, yet nothing. I was hopeful for a before 40 week baby, but in my heart I knew it was going to go over 40 weeks like the rest of the zech babies. My latest date was 40wks and 5 days....so when that came and went...I got sad...and anxious. No matter how many times you tell yourself that God has his plan and baby will come when it is ready....you still can get down w/ yourself...sad and frustrated at times. So everyday from 38wks until Leona was born I super cleaned my home ready for her arrival.

I think w/ all that preparing for her mentally and physically was draining on me so when labor day came I was so anxious and ready that I was impatient  when I knew I was in labor...I wanted to be done....I was ready to meet the newest Zech.

Now when you have a homebirth legally you cannot birth at home after 42 weeks. So when 41 weeks came and went I decided to be monitored at the hospital every 3 days until baby was born. They monitored fluid levels, placenta, and baby's heartbeat and movements. I went for 2 of these and both times things looked great. So at 41 weeks and 4 days I had been having contractions for about 24hours, very early labor I assume. They came about 1 or 2 an hour and were stronger but hardly noticeable. I asked my friend who is an OB nurse and midwife in training to come and check my dilation and sweep my membranes. I was at a 4 1/2 and in early labor by the time she left 5pm. I started having contractions about every 7-10 minutes from 8 until 10pm

I say labor started officially at 10pm on Sat June1st, that is when our friend Melissa showed up, we popped in a movie and relaxed thru contractions until the midwife showed up around 11pm. During this time I would just quietly breathe thru contractions...and eventually started to sway my hips thru some. So around 11:30 I had my MW check me, I was at a 6 1/2...PROGRESS!!! Around now is when I got into my birth tub my sweet hubby had filled for me...he was so excited that we were finally in labor, melted my heart how attentive and ready to serve he was! The photographer showed up as I was getting into the birth pool which was set up in our boys' room. This room has a dimmer and I feel comfy and safe in this room.

So I went thru some contractions in the birth tub and would get out to use the bathroom and labor started getting more intense around midnight...up until around here I was able to just breathe/focus thru the contractions...water felt nice...and I didn't need any help. But they got intense and harder and I needed Zac to be in front of me, for me to hold onto, lean into and use for strength. {I think this is a reason God had labor be harder this time, to use Z and create an even better teamwork between us} I continued to labor in the pool and on the toilet when I would go to use the bathroom. My contractions were interesting....they would come a strong hard and long one...then it would slow down but not go away then a smaller shorter one would it...it was exhausting. I was getting impatient and frustrated that my water had not broken yet....I knew once that broke I could push {from past experiences}. Around this time I had a mini freak out and was about in tears, my midwife gave me something under the tongue to help calm me down. Lots of loving words of encouragement were given to me around this time as well. {I believe I was so anxious and ready to be done ...mentally exhausted with the pregnancy that I was trying to rush the labor processes}

Around 1:30 I asked to be checked.....I needed to hear I was almost to a 10...please!!! I was at an 8, ok this explains why I feel I cant do it and I wanted to be done. I truly was wishing to be at a hospital and to have medications...I was loosing focus and control...this was not a good feeling. It was a bit scary. My birth team was great at bringing my focus where it needed to be....back to the pain...to focus and take control before a contraction would hit...to own it and ride thru it. I tried...and with my husbands help I was able to ride thru the rest of the contractions. I went to the bathroom about 1:45 and Z always came with me, sat in front of me and kissed me and gave me strength...its amazing how much I needed him {never in the past have I needed anyone this intensely}. I had a HUGE contraction that made me mad and I stood up half way thru it and yelled so LOUD {I was very loud this labor, very!} and I felt the baby move down, I thought it was going to fall out. I told him we need to get back into the pool now!!!

So we waddled back to the pool and quickly hopped in. I overheard my MW say, "she is getting close!" That was nice to hear and I knew it too, the sounds I was making and feeling baby move down. Once back into the tub these contractions were intense, very intense and I had about 4 in here. These were tough...and I would thank God in between them, gain strength from Zacs eyes and during those contractions I would YELL "down, out, c'mon baby...I want to meet you baby" Tyler came into the room sometime during here and I smiled at his sleepy head and asked him to wait in the hallway baby was almost here. Then the a contraction hit and my water exploded!!! I felt it in my hand (I was squatting in the pool hanging on to Z w /one hand when this happened. I exclaimed "Yes! my water broke, THANK YOU GOD!!!" I was SOOO thankful and grateful, I knew I could push now.

I asked for the kids to be woken up and to come in so they could be in the room when baby came out. Only ty guy came. Turns out Cullen was not to happy w/ Melissa waking him up and so Chloie was amazing and stayed w/ baby brother. Myra didn't move. So just ty came in and he was excited I told him where to sit {amazing during a natural birth how aware you are of everything around you} So with the next contraction I pushed as hard as I could, I moved baby down...and kept pushing I could feel the head and it was so close to being out I dug as deep as I could and yelled as loud as I could and pop! Out came the head, WOW! Amazing to feel this head....I did not want to wait another couple minutes for another contraction to push the body out, I needed baby out now, I was so close to meeting baby I needed to just push so I scooted back into a seated position on the other side of the pool all while holding baby's head....I could feel her ears, was so crazy!! And I pushed hard and she came out. My birth team was urging for me to pull baby up out of the water....I took my time and slowly lifted the body up and out!!!! {this was 2:19am on June 2nd, about a 4 hour labor}

Baby was here, I was done, YAHOO!!! Relief swept over me, pain was gone. Tyler was right by me. Zac was across from me. I looked up and our photographer was crying tears of joy, this was her 1st homebirth. I hope I didn't scare her with my ferocious labor and delivery. So after a moment I asked Tyler to please tell me if we had a baby brother or baby sister... he announced he thought it had girl parts, I confirmed and started crying, I knew she was a girl, I just knew it!!! We had our 3rd girl, she was here safe and sound...Thank you Lord! I asked for Melissa to go get the other kids and I didn't care if they were mad or not, wake em up!!! They came in and myra stripped to her unders and hopped into the birth pool {it was not icky or bloody} and Cullen wanted to be naked and hopped in too, they both gave me and baby kisses. We got them out quickly to deliver the placenta and move me into my bed.

We climbed into my bed, the MW and Melissa monitored my bleeding {I have hemorrhage in the past}. I ended up needing 2 shots of Pitocin ( to help shrink the uterus). Those shots hurt! Then Tyler got to cut the cord, he knew all along this was his job and he was very excited to do this. That cord was tough to cut! We waited until all the blood had transferred back to baby (40% of the blood is in the cord/placenta when born...so its best to let it circulate back to baby before cutting it). Chloie got to weigh baby and help w/ baby stats. Miss Leona weighed in at 8lbs 9oz and 20"long.

We called grandma and nana and announced that we had our newest member. Grandma and Grandpa came down to visit and my parents were super excited!!! Once the MW monitored us and such everyone left. Leona and I slept and nursed upstairs and Z and all 4 big sibs went down stairs to nap until 10am!!

It was a long night, long labor and rewarding birth. The Lord I feel had Z and I work so hard thru this labor to build a stronger bond between us and to bring our focus on him, our God is amazing and Glorious. Pregnancy/labor and delivery truly shows how amazing he is.  We have 5 sweet blessings and they each teach us so much. I am thankful and excited for what's in store for this Zech family of 7, yes 7!!!

How to: Goblet Squat

Z and I made our 1st "how to" video! I hope we can record a better quality video next time and possibly outdoors. I am a bit unhappy that you cant see my feet, but thats ok. It still is a great video to learn from!

I am 26 weeks pregnant in the video and squatting w/ an 18lb KB you can use whatever weight you are comfortable with. This is a great exercise or stretch while pregnant, its my favorite and helps me waddle go away!!!

On with the video!

Hope you enjoy, PM us with any questions!

Being a mommy and Kettlebells!

This blog is all about being a mommy and kettlebells!!! 2 things that are very much important in my life :)

Now i am not the best at sticking w/ a routine and i am what i call a "lazy" workout lady :) LOL i sit and take my breaks often...and it often takes me longer to complete a workout than most people!! But i do love working out and feel that even tho i am doing it slower than others i am doing SOMETHING! I am moving and i am building muscle and changing shape (in a few different ways! LOL)

I am journaling my pregnancy kb journey and will have a blog hopefully 3 months postpartum w/ pregnancy workouts i did, pictures and postpartum workouts and pics too!!! ( Sept time!!!)

Anyways i wanted to link some awesome places that i pull from for ideas, encouragement and goals to work toward!

We will start w/ Lauren Brooks...she has books and dvd's out and has Free Workouts on her blog and also pregnancy and postpartum workouts/info!
http://kbellqueen.blogspot.com/search/label/kettlebell%20workouts

And Strong KB Moms on FB
http://www.facebook.com/StrongKettlebellMoms?ref=ts&fref=ts

This book i own and have read 2x now...i will keep referring to it during my trimester changes and for postpartum workout ideas!
http://www.facebook.com/StrongKettlebellMoms?ref=ts&fref=ts

You cant talk about Kb's and awesome women w/o this lady right here! She is so STRONG!!!
http://www.facebook.com/MaelstromSL?ref=ts&fref=ts

Now this is a group of ladies i always refer my friends and familiy to when they first start out w/ kbs!!!
http://www.facebook.com/GirlsGoneStrong?ref=ts&fref=ts

And last but not least, my personal trainer w/o him i wouldnt have the motivation and know how to even have gotten started w/ Kettlebells....i hope we can one day open our own KB business...the 2 of us and our children!!!
http://www.facebook.com/zac.zechhkc?ref=ts&fref=ts

So thats it, my fav KB sites...quick and to the point. have fun looking around and i hope you get inspired to go workout today!!! Grab a KB and get swinging!!!

Our Christmas Letter 2012

So i was only able to make up 30 cards this year which was clearly not enough for everyone!!! So i decided i would do a blog post of our Christmas letter and a couple Fav Photo's of the year~ Enjoy!!!! And um Merry Christmas LOL :)

Hello family and friends!!!

We are excited to share our past year w/ you all. It has been a wonderful year ...we are so blessed and thankful! We got to travel lots..went to MI, Bozeman a few times, Utah, WY and even MI again! I love taking our children places. They learn so much being able to work as a family and travel. We also have been involved in sports and weight training! We love spending a lot of time doing things with the church. Ladies Advance, Mens Peaks, Family camp and several other happenings! And yes we are expecting Zech baby #5 in May, we are so excited that we are being blessed w/ another bundle! The kids are very excited and love talking about the new baby and everything that goes along with it. We cannot wait to see, boy or girl....blue eyes or brown!!! I will go thru each child and some accomplishments and memorable moments thru 2012!

Lets start w/ the smallest! Cullen Warren is such a fun boy! He looks a lot like his daddy and is a pesty fella just like Z is! He has slept thru the night in his own crib since 10 months old and goes to bed w/o a peep most nights. He loves food...anyone's food. He is like a puppy, will go around and say “bite, bite” and how can anyone say no to him....you can't! Cullen is very friendly and will have strangers falling in love with him. We are often told, while out and about, how sweet he is, and how they were entertained by him during dinner, bball game ect....haha! He likes to say: applesauce, bebe (belly), moot (smootch), Es Pease (yes please), Hulk mash, and he always responds (almost always) yes mom or yes dad when he is asked too!

Next up is Cullen's Irish Twin....MYRA! This girl is so sassy and smart! She loves superheros just like her brother and cousins. She pretends to be Iron Man or Hulk, and can quote parts of the movie, which is funny to hear a 2yo girl say “Hulk SMASH” or “Ant...Boot!”. Myra does gymnastics 1x a week and has a lot of energy for her class...its a good thing either Z or I do it w/ her...or she would run the show I am certain! Myra potty trained shortly after 2yo and then learned to climb out of the crib! She currently shares a bed (full size) w/ big sissy Chloie....they love to snuggle!

Tyler oh, my sweet blue eyed boy! Tyler is doing home preschool w/ me! We took a long break while I had a rough start to this pregnancy, but we are getting back into the swing of things. He loves to learn and play superheros. His best friend is his cousin Jackson. They miss each other after just 2 days of being separated! Tyler is also in gymnastics and is doing very well! He is athletic and has so much fun doing his class. We are in the process of finding out why he is having asthma problems. We know for sure he is allergic to cats, dogs and mold. We don't use his inhaler much maybe 1 or 2x/month...but he has breathing issues sometimes up to 3x a week. So we are trying to find out whats causing everything and to fix it naturally not mask w/ drugs... I can't believe he will be starting school in Aug 2013!!!

Our Chloie girl is going to be 9 on 12/12/12!!! I cant believe it! This sweet girl is in the 3^rd grade and doing well. She plays softball in the spring, gymnastics in the fall and basketball in the winter! Busy girl and so athletic! She has done very well w/ improvement in all the sports she has learned. She loves to write, draw and play with her siblings, she is such a great big sister. Also she is learning to help me around the home more, she cleans...wants to cook and helps take care of the littles. She is becoming so responsible, growing up in a big family is challenge but so rewarding when you learn to work as a team....I love what the kids are learning!

As for Z and I, Z was a personal trainer most of the year and recently decided to stop training and spend more time w/ the family...when I was sick he ran the ship plus worked his job. He truly is amazing and we are lucky to have him! Training is his passion, so one day he will be training again! We still train at home, Z way more than I. I have had a wonderful year of growing and learning as a Christian and as a mother! I am so thankful for the blessings and the road that we have taken ....I am really trying to educate those around Great Falls on the wonderful benefit of Essential Oils. Also teaching Tyler preschool and maintaining our home. I am so thankful to have such wonderful, loving and Fun kids. I love each day with them. 

Well that is our year in a nutshell on how everyone is doing! We are on Facebook and have a blog that I update occasional. Zech Crew and Oils too! On Blogger is where you can find us! We hope your year has been as blessed as ours! We miss a lot of you who are far away from us and cant wait to visit again!

Love~

Zac, Melissa, Chloie, Tyler, Cullen, Myra and new baby Zech!