How To Exercise Safely During Pregnancy

AWC > Fitness & Weightloss > How To Exercise Safely During Pregnancy

I'm so excited to be pregnant with our third baby.  I'm currently in the beginning of the second trimester and feeling a lot more like myself compared to the first trimester.  Keeping fit and strong during pregnancy is so important.  There are numerous benefits of exercising during pregnancy, among them are:

• less discomfort 
• better sleep
• being better prepared for labor 
• bouncing back quicker after delivery

And a new study shows that women who are physically active during pregnancy may give birth to babies with more advanced brains.  That's pretty awesome, right?

Keep Your Promise: Senators, Do Not Cut My Military Spouses Retirement Benefits

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AWC > Military Life > Keep Your Promise:  Senators, Do Not Cut My Military Spouses Retirement Benefits

It's like it was yesterday when I became an engaged to a Soldier.  We had the discussion almost immediately.  Does he reenlist or does he get out?  He had been in 8 years at that time.  I said, "I could stay in Illinois, you'll deploy in a year and when you get back you can get out.  I'll keep my 70K a year job and you can get out and go to school on your GI Bill."  He reminded me of the other option.  I give up my career, he stays in and get his 20 year retirement.   I said, "If I give up my high paying job, you better be in for 20 because I make more than you in pay and can make more than your retirement if I stay where I am."  He loved his country and his job.  We decided to live the military life.

Why am I am talking about all this?  Although what I share with you is our personal finances, it is crucial to understand that the recent retirement budget cuts suggested and promoted by Paul Ryan are interfering with my families financial future.  One ,that for the past 6 years, we have been planning for.  We aren't looking for a handout as Paul Ryan has implied.

Army Life: Reenlisting Indef

AWC > Military Life > Army Life:  Reenlisting Indef

Wow.  It's that time.  The time my husband says I will stay with you for 20 or more to the U.S. Army.  He's already been in over 14 years. To think he's been with the Army longer than me, his wife.

It feels like he has climbed the slide, and he's almost to the top.  This is a slide you can only do once.  So it's exciting and sad all at one time.  I'm so proud of the dedication my husband has shown to his children, family, fellow Soldiers, and country.

I wanted to share his last reenlistment with all of you.

If it doesn't appear below, click this link to watch --> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201394004506724&l=7383437416449943206

Post by Jennifer Ray Stewart.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLES BY JENNIFER STEWART

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Pregnancy Vlog: Week 20

AWC > Pregnancy > Pregnancy Vlog: Week 20

I am officially past the half way point in this pregnancy!!!  WOW, I just totally can't believe that I have made it this far and that this is really happening!  Thinking back to the 28 months before this cycle just makes me even more grateful and emotional.

The Lt. Dan Band comes to Fayetteville, NC!

AWC > Fort Bragg > The Lt. Dan Band come to Fayetteville, NC

Gary Sinise(pictured right)

On Friday, September, 13, my husband and I had the opportunity to see the AMAZING Lt. Dan Band.  We bought VIP tickets to the concert because this concert was special.  It was a benefit concert for 2 American Heroes, MSG John Masson (Army) and SSGT Thomas McRea (Marines).  It was also a wonderful opportunity for my husband and me to have a date night.

Get Specific & Get What You Want

AWC > Fitness & Weightloss > Get Specific & Get What You Want


Last week we went over the Overload Principle and how important it is to improving fitness and maximizing your workouts.  I hope you are applying the overload principle into each of your workouts wether it's going a little longer or fighting for one more rep or trying something new.

My Favorite Beauty Products!

AWC > Make-up, Hair, & Fashion > My Favorite Beauty Products

Hey ladies! This is a list of my favorite beauty products! It took me forever to write this post because my list is so short and I felt like I needed to make it longer. Then one day it hit me: I don't have to have a million and one favorite products! If I only have a few then I only have a few and those are the ones I'll share with you! So here are my favorites!

Genetic Counselor/ Anatomy Scan

AWC > Pregnancy > Genetic Counselor / Anatomy Scan

Since our AFP Tetra Screening came back abnormal, Our appointment for the anatomy scan and genetic counselor was bumped up a week.

Needless to say, we were both really nervous with what they would see or what they would suggest.  We had already excluded amniocentesis as an option.  Like I stated in the last post, as a personal decision based on our past, we didn't want to do anything that could risk a miscarriage no matter how low risk the procedure was.

First Duty Station: Deployment & Photoshop

AWC > Military Life > First Duty Station:  Deployment & Photoshop


Courtney V discusses deployments and photo shoots and photoshop & gets scared by a spider.

The Secret to Improved Fitness & Weight Loss

AWC > Fitness & Weightloss > The Secret to Improved Fitness & Weight Loss

I promise that this is not some crazy gimmick.  The secret to improved fitness and weight loss that I'm about to share with you is founded in exercise science and a fundamental principle of fitness.  If you want to be stronger, have more endurance or overcome that weight loss plateau then lean in a little closer and pay attention.

There are 3 main Fitness Principles:

• Overload
• Specificity
• Progression

AFT Screening Results

AWC > Pregnancy >  AFT Screen Results

At our latest midwife appointment the midwife and I spoke about all my "issues" (PCOS, MTHFR, gestational diabetes, a past pregnancy testing positive for Trisomy 16).  She asked if I would like to have a blood test done called the AFP Tetra Screen.

Reintegration: The Road Back After Korea - Part 1 - The Beginning

AWC > Military Life > Reintegration:  The Road Back After Korea

As most or all of you know, my husband spent the last year at Camp Hovey in South Korea.  As most people would be, I was so excited for my husband's homecoming that I forgot, that one of hardest part was yet to come.

A hardship tour is a lot different from a deployment in a lot of respects because during deployment there are reintegration meetings and FRG's are there to assist you with anything that you might need right before a deployment ends.  However, during a hardship tour you don't have any of that.

Don't Let Unforeseen Circumstances Derail You

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AWC > Fitness & Weightloss > Don't Let Unforeseen Circumstances Derail You

At the end of this workout I was sopping wet...but it's not what you think ;-)  

Don't you hate it when you have every intention to get your workout in and something happens that totally messes up your plans?  Well, don't let that little hinderance totally derail your efforts.
    

Be flexible.  

Pregnancy: The Big Reveal Video

AWC > Pregnancy > The Big Reveal Video

We recently had our anatomy scan where we found out the gender of our little "Frijolito"!  We are very happy with the results and are now in the midst of deciding on a name and buying  gender specific items.

VerticalDrop Photography Giveaway!

AWC > Fort Hood > VerticalDrop Photography Giveaway


VerticalDrop Photography is doing a giveaway.  CourtneyV & her husband are stationed at Fort Hood, TX now.  She needs to find new clients! The giveaway is a free photoshoot to anyone stationed at Fort Hood & a CD with 10-15 images [no logo so you can get prints at Walmart or anywhere that provides prints]

Birchbox July 2013

AWC > Make-up, Hair, & Fashion > Birchbox July 2013

Birchbox is like a roller coaster ride. You go up and and you go down.  My  first box was bad. Down. My second box was good. Up. My third box was bad. Down. Now I'm wondering if I should even take the risk and go up again because coming down is never fun. Birchbox is a lifestyle subscription service where they send you 4-5 products a month for only $10 (including shipping). Using your beauty profile they send you products that they feel best fits your needs. If you are interested in subbing to Birchbox, click here.

Fit Like Your Hero 2 Minutes At A Time

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AWC > Fitness > Fit Like Your Hero 2 Minutes At A Time

Our spouses are Army strong, but are we? 

You all know about the many expectations the Army has, especially those of physical fitness. Each week our spouses dedicate time to exercise so that they can be combat ready, or at least so that they can pass the PT test when it's time. It only makes sense that a soldier be fit no matter what his/her job. And I'd argue that it makes just as much sense that army spouses be fit too. Being a military spouse comes along with additional worries and stresses.

Family Fun & Fitness: Back Yard Summer Fitness Course

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AWC > Fitness & Weightloss >Family Fun & Fitness:   Back Yard Summer Fitness Course 

Back-to-school commercials are airing, class supply lists have been mailed and the count down to the first day of school has begun. But there's still some long, hot days of summer left and we should enjoy them with our loved ones.

Pregnancy Vlog- Home Doppler Fun/Finding Baby's Heartbeat

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AWC > Pregnancy > Home Doppler Fun / Finding Baby's Heartbeat

Like most ladies who have suffered from loss, I have been pretty anxious about what is going on beneath all my "layers". Is baby still growing? Is the heartbeat still beating a way like we saw on the ultrasound?

As much as I am trying to be positive about things, I can't seem to turn off that switch in my mind that makes me question everything I feel.  I have heard/seen other ladies on YouTube buying home dopplers to hear baby's heartbeat between appointments.

Bringing Home Baby - Part 3

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AWC >  Adoption > Bringing Home Baby - Part 3

He’s here! He’s home!

Within days of finishing writing my last entry for AWC, we found out that Little Dude had stopped growing in the womb.  And then the doctors found out that S was actually losing fluid.  Apparently it wasn’t too much of an emergency though and the doctors decided to induce the next morning.

There was a flurry of activity as we prepared that night.  My husband had to call in to work to start his paternity leave. Bags were packed.  I packed, unpacked, and then repacked the diaper bag.  Jon installed the car seat. I wish I could tell you we went to a movie or out to dinner or something, but honestly, I can’t remember.  That night is a fog in my memory.