Ouch.

No Chinese translation today.  Unfortunately, my beautiful mother who is my fabulous translator has a swollen hand and can't type.  I don't know how bad it is, but the the way she described it to me, I imagine it looks something like this....

Feel better, mom!  We love you!


Look for a new post next Tuesday!

Raising Boys教養兒子

Lately I've been finding lots of pictures that Malakai takes with the camera when I'm not around.  Like this.... 

最近，我發現我的相機裡有許多趁我不注意時凱凱拍的相片…..

My first reaction is always to get mad.  He hasn't broken this camera yet, but since he's been born we've gone through 3 cameras because he would find them and then drop them while playing with them.  But yesterday as I was uploading pictures, I found these ones that he took of himself, and couldn't help but smile.  What a funny kid!  My favorite thing about these pictures is that he made a different face in each picture.

我的第一個反應通常是生氣。雖然這個相機還沒被他弄壞，但是從他出生到現在已經有三個相機，因為他拿出來玩掉在地上報銷了。

但是昨天，我拿出相機準備上載相片時，我發現了這些他自拍的相片，

實在是忍不住的笑翻了。真是一個搞笑的孩子!

我最愛的就是他在照每張時都做了不同的怪臉…

Then I remembered a quote I came across a long time ago:

 

這讓我我記起以前看到的一段話:

“My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass"; "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys";”- Harmon Killebrew

 

「小時候，我爸爸跟我及哥哥常在院子裡玩。

我媽媽會出來說”你們在摧毀我的草地”，

我爸爸則會回答說”我們不是在養育草地””我們是在養育兒子” 」

                                      - Harmon Killebrew

I always loved this quote because it reminds that even though sometimes we can't help but be mad, we need to take a step back and put things into perspective.  Our relationship with our children and our desire for them to be happy and healthy should be our utmost priority.  I know that doesn't mean we should just let them run around and break cameras, but I often have to remind myself that things are just things.  Also, kids are just kids. And sometimes, accidents happen.  

 

我真的很喜歡這句話，雖然我們常常不可控制的生氣，但是這句話會提醒我，我們要退一步，更全面的來看事情。對我們來說最重要的是我們跟孩子的關係和希望他們能快樂健康。

當然這不表示我們可以讓他們隨便跑來跑去，順便弄壞相機…

但是很多時候，我需要提醒自己:

”東西只是東西…”

“孩子只是孩子…”

有時候，意外難免發生。

Romantic Comedy 愛情喜劇片

 Last night my friend and I went to have dinner and watch a movie.  I really needed some time to relax from the everyday craziness of being mom!  She also has two young kids so we usually call each other when we need a break.

昨天晚上和朋友去吃晚餐，看了一場電影。我真的需要從每天當媽媽的瘋狂生活中找時間"休息"一下。我的朋友也有兩個小小孩，所以當我們需要”休息”時，我們會打電話給對方。

After our yummy dinner we went to watch a romantic comedy.  I love watching romantic comedies!  After the movie was done I was thinking about how many people don't like romantic comedies because of how unrealistic they are.  I know parents disprove their daughters watching movies like that, because then they have a false idea of what "love" is supposed to be, and expect their lives to be like fairy tales.

 

吃完了一頓美味的晚餐後，我們去看了一場愛情喜劇片。我喜歡愛情喜劇片!

看完電影後我在想，很多人都不喜歡愛情喜劇片，因為它太不實際。我知道很多父母不喜歡他們的女兒看這類的電影，因為怕他們對愛情有錯誤的認知而去期待自己也有一個童話般的愛情故事。

Of course, romance and love in real life isn't perfectly planned out like in movies, and I would never want my daughter to think that romance is just a few bumps in the road, and then a magical fairy tale ending, but what is wrong with wanting the ideal person to marry?

我當然知道現實生活中浪漫和愛情不可能像電影裡演的那樣完美，而我也絕對不希望自己的女兒相信浪漫的愛情會神奇的出現一個"公主王子永遠幸福的生活在一起”的大結局。不過，有一個想找一個理想的人結婚的願望有甚麼錯呢?

Okay, don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying we should all be waiting around for the perfect Prince Charming to come along before we actually decide to date, or get married.  I'll tell you what I AM saying though..

但是，請不要曲解我的意思。我的意思不是我們都不要約會，不要結婚，除非等到白馬王子出現…讓我來分享我的想法。

 

I find that too many girls settle for men that have less-than-good qualities and use the excuse that "nobody is perfect".  These less-than-good qualities range from somebody who is not completely trust-worthy, to somebody who doesn't look you in the eyes when he talks to you.  What about somebody who tells you he loves you but you are not a priority in his life?  What about somebody who tells you he will be there for you, but only when it's convenient for him?  What about somebody who only seems to pay attention to you when you're alone, but ignores you when there are other people around?  

 

我發現很多女孩子用”世界上沒有完美的男人”來當藉口，將就於”品質不是那麼好”的男生。

舉幾個這所謂的”品質不是那麼好”的例子…

比如說這個男生不是完全的忠實可靠，跟你講話時眼神閃爍，不看著妳的眼睛。

又比如說這個男生跟你說好愛妳，但是他考慮事情或安排事情時卻常常把別的放在妳前面。

再比如說這個人跟妳說，不管甚麼情況只要妳需要，他一定會在妳身邊。

但是….都只有在他方便的時候

有些人跟妳當獨相處時會重視妳，但是當有其他人在場時就忽視妳…

There is no "perfect man" out there, but I feel there are certain things that we can't just "look past" because we are settling, or because we are afraid there is going to be nobody else.  Every girl and every woman deserves at least a man they can trust, a man that is reliable, a man that will make us a priority, and a selfless man who is willing to put our needs before his own.

這個世界上沒有"完美的男人"，但我覺得有幾個觀察指標我們不能忽視。不能為了想抓住一個人或怕自己會碰不到其他的人而將就。每個女生都應當找到一個具有某些重要基本特質的男生，一個可靠，我們能信任，不自私，能永遠把我們的需要放在前面考量的男生。

Jordan and I have known each other since 2005, and of those six years, we have been married for five.  It's not a perfect marriage without disagreements, but one thing I knew for sure when I said "yes" when he proposed, is that he is somebody I can trust, and he loves me, and is willing to put me first in his life.  There were many unknowns when we got married (will we have enough money?  what will we do for school and our jobs?) because we were young, but he had the qualities that I knew that he would always stand by my side as we faced any trial or challenge that life would bring.  Sure enough, he was also my best friend and to this day still makes me laugh and makes me happy.  

 

喬登和我在2005年認識，在這六年裡，有五年我們是結婚的狀態。不用說也知道我們的婚姻也不是完美的。但是有一件事我非常確定，那就是當我說"我願意"時，我知道他是值得我信賴的，我知道他愛我，也知道他願意把我放在他生命中最重要的位子上。

我們很年輕就結了婚，當時我們對未來有很多的不確定(我們的錢夠嗎?我們該繼續讀書還是開始工作?)但是，我先生的特質讓我確信他會跟我永遠在一起，一起去面對人生中的挑戰。不用質疑，他也是我最好的朋友，到今天他仍然帶給我許多歡笑和快樂。

So no, I'm not telling you to look for perfection.  Because it doesn't exist.  But just remember there are some things you don't sacrifice.  Especially your own happiness.  Find a good man with a good heart.   

所以。我不是在告訴妳要找一個完美的人。因為這種人根本不存在。但是不要忘記，有些事是不能犧牲的。特別是妳的快樂。

找一個好男人，一個良善的男人，拍一部屬於自己的愛情喜劇片。

What I Don't Eat When I'm Pregnant 我在懷孕中不吃甚麼...

29 weeks this week. 

這個星期懷孕進入29週。

I've had a really long weekend so this entry might be short.   We attended two birthday parties and a wedding in one day!  But it is ME, so it probably won't be as short as I think it will be.

這個周末我們非常忙碌，參加了兩個小朋友的生日party，一個朋友的婚禮…….所以這篇文章應該會很短。但是，因為是我，所以也有可能還是會寫出一大篇。

Someone asked me what I things I do eat, and what things I don't eat during my pregnancies.

有人問我在懷孕中吃哪些東西，不吃哪些東西。

I follow the guidelines that my doctor gives me:

基本上我跟隨我的醫師囑咐；

-Shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and albacore tuna
-Raw or undercooked fish or meats
-Deli meats
-Soft cheeses and unpasteurized milk and juices
-Unwashed fruits and vegetables, salad bars, and raw vegetable sprouts
-Caffeine
-Alcohol

The doctor asks us to stay away from the above items for safety reasons. 

鯊魚，箭魚，大鲭鱼，方頭魚，長鳍金槍鱼

生的或沒煮熟的魚和肉

像火腿那樣的熟食肉

軟乾酪及未經高溫消毒的牛奶及果汁

未經洗淨的蔬菜及水果，沙拉吧，生的芽菜

咖啡因

酒精

為了安全的理由，醫師要我不要碰上面的東西。

I also try to keep the following items to a minimum:

以下的東西我只用最小量

-Dairy products

乳製品
-Sugar

精製糖
 

I also try to stay away from dairy products because:

我之所以會避免用乳製品是因為
 

1) I'm a little bit lactose intolerant anyway, and I don't want to be eating things I'm allergic to when I'm pregnant.  I want to try to keep my body as healthy as possible.  (Of course, sometimes I can't help but have a little bit of ice cream...)

我有一點乳糖不耐症，我不想在我懷孕時吃會造成我身體過敏的食物。我要盡我所能的保持自己在最佳的健康狀態(當然我也有忍不住跑去吃一口冰淇淋的時候)。
 

2) When we become pregnant, our bodies begin to produce higher levels of progesterone.  The increase of progesterone causes digestion to slow down so we can better absorb nutrients in our intestines.  As a result, it becomes harder to pass stools and our feces may harden.  Usually cutting out dairy (this is what naturopathic doctors recommend) will help lessen the symptoms of constipation.  I keep it to a minimum so I don't contribute to the stomach problems the increasing hormones in my body is already causing!

當我們懷孕時，我們的身體會產生出比較多的黃體素。產生出比較多的黃體素會讓我們的消化緩慢，好讓我們的腸子有機會好好的吸收營養素。但是它也會有造成排便困難，排泄物變硬的可能。通常不吃乳製品(這是自然醫學醫師建議的)可以減少便秘的機會。我盡量少吃乳製品是因為我不想讓已經被荷爾蒙影響的排便問題惡化。

I have been craving a lot of sugary things this pregnancy.  It's true what they say about having a girl!  I try to only keep my sugar allowances for when I have a craving.  I eat healthy 95% of the time, and allow myself 5% to give into my cravings.  Too much sugar takes a toll on our bodies and weakens our immune system.  Again, I like to try to keep my body as healthy as possible during pregnancy.  I already have so many symptoms to deal with during pregnancy, I don't want to make it more difficult for myself!

這次懷孕我非常想吃甜食。沒錯，人家說懷女孩會這樣。我盡量保持吃糖的配額，只在非常想吃時使用。我讓自己95%都吃得很健康，留5%給嘴饞的時候。

吃太多糖會造成身體的傷害，讓我們的免疫系統變弱。

就像我剛剛說的，我要努力保持自己在最佳的健康狀態。懷孕中要應付的狀況已經夠多了，我不想把事情弄得更困難。

Well, I'm exhausted!  I'm going to go get some much needed rest, and maybe a foot rub from the husband.

太累了!我要去好好的大睡一場，或許可以讓我先生先給我一個好好的腳部按摩….

See you in a few days!

過幾天見囉!

Spanking? 打小孩這件事...

So, I know the last few entries have all been kind of serious, but I really wanted to write about something that my friend and I were talking about the other day.   I promise I'll try not to write too much. 

我知道前幾篇文章都有點嚴肅，看來今天還是要繼續嚴肅一下，因為我真的很想分享幾天前我跟我朋友討論到的話題。

我承諾，絕對不會囉囉嗦嗦寫一堆….

My friend asked me my opinion on spanking children.  Now remember, this is just my opinion.  It is not advice and it isn't even a suggestion.  I don't know if there is a "right" way when it comes to discipline.  This is only what I think.

我朋友問我對打小孩這件事的看法。請記住，我在這裡分享的只是我的看法，它不是甚麼忠告，甚至連建議都談不上。

我不知道在管教小孩這件事上有沒有標準答案，這些只是我的想法。

I had to think for a minute, but I told her that in my opinion, spanking is okay.  I kind of surprised myself because I never thought I would be okay with spanking.

當我朋友問我這個問題時，我停下來想了一下…

我告訴她，打孩子是ok的。

其實當我給出這個答案時，我自己也嚇了一跳，因為我從來都不認為打小孩是一件對的事。

But before we start assuming that I am okay with abuse, let me explain myself.

不過現在，在你以為我贊成”凌虐”小孩之前，請讓我先解釋一下。

I feel there is a very important need to classify discipline.  What I mean by 'classify' is I think a child needs to be able to differentiate the severity of the mistake they just made that deserved discipline. Of course we are the ones who control that.  This sounds a little confusing, I know.  I'll give you an example by illustrating two situation, so you will understand what I mean.

我覺得將處罰”分類”是一件非常重要的事。

這裡所謂”分類”意思是我覺得孩子必須學習了解如何由他們所犯錯誤之嚴重性，來區分他們需要得到何種處罰。

當然決定給出何種程度的處罰權利還是操在我們這些大人手中。

聽起來有點兒一頭霧水吧!

讓我舉個例子，描述兩種情況，大家就能知道我在說甚麼了。

1.   When Malakai was about one and a half years old, he tried to throw his cup onto the floor while we were eating.  When he threw his cup down, I took his cup away and said sternly, "No, keep the cup on your table.  This cup is used for drinking, not playing.  I will not give you another one if you throw the cup." I always gave him a chance to obey, and gave it back.  When he did it again because he thought it was funny, I left it on the floor.  If he whined or cried, I ignored it.  I talked to him after he finished "fussing" and told him that we need to keep cups on the table. 

在凱凱一歲半的時候，他嘗試在吃飯時把杯子丟到地上。

當他丟的時候，我很嚴肅的把他的杯子拿開並告訴他”不可以，杯子要放在桌上。這個杯子是給你喝東西用，不是拿來玩的。如果你丟在地上，我不會拿另一個杯子給你”。

我試著先給他機會去服從，然後把杯子還給他。

但是當他覺得有趣又把杯子往地上丟的時候，我就會讓杯子留在地上。

如果他哭或吵著要杯子，我則一概相應不理。

等他鬧過之後，我再次告訴他”我們需要把杯子放在桌子上”。

(不過這個狀況發生在公共場所的話，我會有不一樣的處理方式。)

2. At that same age, one time when we were getting into the car after eating in a restaurant, Malakai ran out onto the street.  I yelled and ran after him, and luckily there were no cars.  I immediately grabbed him, flicked his ear, and yelled "No!  Do NOT run out on the street!  You need to stay by mom and dad.  Cars may not see you and you could have gotten hurt!"  After that I held him (because he usually cried when he flicked his ear) and told him I loved him, and I didn't mean to hurt him, but told him we need to be extra careful when we are around cars.

同樣的在他一歲半左右，有一次我們從餐廳出來正要上車的時候，凱凱忽然往馬路上跑。我邊大叫邊在後面追他，還好當時馬路上沒有車子經過。

我立刻把他抓起來，用手指彈他的耳朵並大聲斥責他"絕對不可以跑到馬路上!你必須跟在爸爸媽媽身邊，開車的人可能看不到你，你可能會被車子撞到”

說完之後，我抱起他(因為每次我們彈他的耳朵他都會哭)，告訴他我愛他，我不想弄傷他，但是再次告訴他”有車的地方我們要特別特別小心”。

(NOTE: When he was younger we flicked his ear instead of spank him, because he couldn't imitate the action)
(註:凱凱小的時候我們用彈他的耳朵代替打屁股，因為他無法模仿這個動作)

 Now those are two very different situations.  One was just a a cup falling down, and a potential mess, but the second situation could have been a life-or-death situation.  I wanted Malakai to understand that there are different levels of severity when it comes to his actions.

 

這兩個是非常不同的情況。一個只是丟杯子，可能會造成一些髒亂的問題。但是第二個情況就可能是生，死的問題了。

我希望凱凱了解他的行為是有不同嚴重性的。

I feel that if we yell or spank at EVERYTHING that they do wrong, then they will stop listening and stop caring.  In fact, I think that it almost damages a relationship because I feel the child will start to feel like their parent is always angry, or doesn't love them.  They might even develop a fear that can inhibit a really healthy relationship.  I don't know for sure but I can see a child feeling like they can do nothing right, which not only builds a wall between parent and child, but also may start to create self-esteem issues in the future.

 

我覺得如果孩子做的每一件錯事我們都嚴厲的打罵，孩子會漸漸養成不聽與不在乎的習慣。事實上我覺得這是會傷害親子關係的。因為孩子會覺得父母永遠是生氣的，或父母根本不愛他。在他們的心裡甚至會產生出恐懼，壓抑一個健康的親子關係。雖然我不是很確定，但是我可以想像這種狀況不只會讓孩子覺得自己做甚麼都不對，也會在父母與孩子之間築起一座高牆，甚至會影響到孩子將來的自信心。

I don't have any teenagers, and it's been a good 10 years or so since I have been one, but I feel it's the same way with teenagers.  If a teenager gets home 3 minutes late one night, and receives the same reaction from their parents as if they had used illegal drugs with their friends, then they start to tune everything out.   Teenagers have the desire to feel independent and grown up, but they can do that in a healthy way, with you in the picture.  But constantly yelling because of every little thing they do (why are you wasting money? why aren't you studying?  you are going to regret this) only pushes them away from you.  Discipline and setting rules is very important with teenagers, but like I said before about levels, they need to understand that some things are more severe than others but that you are actually paying attention to their lives, and care about them.

我沒有青春期的孩子，也離開青少年期10年以上了。但是我覺得對青少年也是一樣。如果一個青少年的孩子某天晚上比父母規定的時間晚了3分鐘回家，但是接受到的責罵程度跟他吸了毒一樣，他們就會將父母的話當耳邊風。

青少年渴望感受獨立並自認為成熟，這是可以用一個健康的方式達成的。

而且你，當父母的，也有機會參予其中。

但是常常因為小事而斥責孩子的父母(你怎麼這麼浪費…?怎麼還不去讀書….?你以後一定會後悔)，只會把孩子往外推。

對青少年的孩子而言，教導及制定規矩是很重要的。但是就像我剛剛說的，孩子必須了解錯誤是有不同程度的，我們給出的處罰也是不同的。

這樣比較細膩的教導及帶領孩子走人生路，孩子可以感受到父母的關心與愛。

We have a great responsibility on our hands to teach them, but we also have a great responsibility hands to nurture them and love them.  While we want to see them grow and learn and succeed in family and careers, our relationships with them are the keys to their emotional and social success. 

對孩子，我們有艱鉅的責任去教導，但同時我們也有責任去滋養和愛。

如果我們希望看到自己的孩子將來有成功的家庭和事業…

那麼，這個關鍵就在我們與孩子的親子關係是否能幫助他們日後有成熟的心智，情緒和社交能力。

Yup, I wrote too much again.  Sorry.

沒錯，又囉嗦多了。

抱歉啦!

Pregnancy Weight Gain 談談懷孕中的體重增加

A reader asked me why I make a goal to put on weight when I am pregnant, and I realized- she’s right!  Here I am talking about how excited I am that I have put on 22 pounds….but why?? 

有一位讀我部落格的朋友問我，為什麼我會在懷孕中設立一個增重的目標。

我從來也沒想過這事。但是，對啊!我一直在興奮的提我重了22磅的事…為什麼?

According to my height (5’4”) and starting weight (125 pounds) the recommended weight gain for me is 25 to 35 pounds.  Your doctor usually gives you a recommendation on weight gain.  But if you are in the “normal” category, like I am, then that was my recommended weight gain.  If you are underweight, you should be gaining more, and if you are overweight, you should be gaining less. 

根據我的身高五呎四吋(約162公分)及懷孕前的體重125磅(約為56.8公斤)，懷孕期理想的體重增加應該是25到35磅 (11到16公斤左右)。醫師們通常會給一個增加體重數的建議。像我這樣大致上落入"正常體重"範圍的人，11-16公斤就是建議給我們的數字。如果妳比較瘦，妳應該要增加更多，要多於11-16公斤。如果妳原本就比較超重，可能要增加的體重就要少於11-16公斤。

 Me at starting weight
剛懷孕時

Everybody is different though and your weight, height, race, your body build, your nutritional habits, your mother’s nutritional habits when she was pregnant with you all play a role in how much weight you will gain with the children.

話雖如此，但是還是有個人差異。你的身高，體重，種族，體格，飲食習慣，妳母親懷妳時的飲食習慣都跟妳在懷孕中會增加多少重量有關。

Now when I say “weight gain” I am not talking about empty calories.  I am not eating cheeseburgers, fries, and ice cream sundaes every day to get to my goal weight.  I do give into my cravings once in a while, but greasy food and fatty, creamy desserts will only add unnecessary fat to your bodies.  If you eat a well-balanced, nutritious diet, you will accumulate enough good fat for your pregnancy.  This good fat is what protects your baby, and later on supplies your breast milk with enough fat for your newborn, to ensure healthy growth in those first few months of their lives.

首先我要澄清一下”增加體重”這件事。

我談的不只是增加卡路里帶來的體重增加。我不是每天靠著吃起司漢堡，薯條和冰淇淋聖代來增加我的體重。雖然我有時也會嘴饞。

但是油份和脂肪過高的食物及舖滿奶油的甜點只會給我們的身體不好的脂肪。如果我們吃有營養及營養均衡的食物，在懷孕的過程中就會在母親身體裡累積出足夠的好脂肪。這些對我們有益的脂肪不但可以保護我們的身體，更可以在孩子出生後供給給新生兒好品質的母乳，並確定孩子在出生的前幾個月中都能攝取到足夠的必要養份，健康的成長。

 40 weeks pregnant with Malakai
凱凱40週時的我

 40 weeks pregnant with Eli
凱弟40週時的我

Nutrition is very important during pregnancy, not only for the baby, but also for you.  It is important to have great nutrition since all your energy and all your resources are given to grow your baby.  Not only that, but after the baby is born, a healthy mother recovers faster, and is also able to produce better quality breast milk.  During my first trimester, it was very hard for me to eat anything.  I threw up everything I ate and I was only able to keep food down sometimes. This is very common among women.  I tried my best to eat what I could, but my nausea made it very difficult.  I kept taking my vitamins every single day, though, and also drank “green smoothies” in small sips whenever I could.  

足夠的營養對懷孕的婦女是非常重要的。為了孩子也是為了母親。它的重要性不只在於懷孕時母親們可以用最完全的營養及資源來滋養胎兒。同時一個健康的母親在生產後恢復的較快，也會分泌出養份高的母乳。在我懷孕第一個階段時因為害喜的厲害，所以很難去吃任何東西。我通常會吐出所有吃進肚子裡的東西，這種情況在孕婦身上非常普遍。我盡最大的力去吃，但是孕吐讓吃東西這件事變成很辛苦的差事。我只有每天吞維他命，並且喝幾口自己打的精力湯。

 A green smoothie is a smoothie made up of fruits and vegetables.  Here are a couple of my favorite combinations:

我的精力湯是用蔬菜和水果打的。以下是兩個我最喜歡的組合。

1)       

 One apple, one orange, and two handfuls of spinach

一個蘋果，一個橘子加上兩把菠菜。

2)         

One banana, one orange, half a pineapple, and two handfuls of kale

一根香蕉，一個橘子，半顆鳳梨及兩把甘藍。

I just put all of those ingredients in a blender with some ice and water.  I had to drink it very slowly, but at least I knew with one large glass of juice, I was getting the nutrients and fiber  from those fruits and vegetables.

我把這些材料都放在我的調理機裡，加上冰塊及水。我只能喝的非常慢，但是至少我知道我可以從這杯精力湯裡拿到一些從蔬果來的纖維和營養素。

 Malakai making the smoothie with me
凱凱跟我一起做精力湯

 Eli eating my smoothie!!
凱弟吃我做的精力湯

Dieting and not eating a well-balanced diet during pregnancy can potentially be harmful to your baby.  Being too skinny and being deficient of important things such as fats and carbohydrates causes the protein in the mother’s body to  all be used to feed the mother, and not the baby, which can cause problems in the developments of the baby.

如果在懷孕中節食或不吃均衡營養的飲食有可能會傷到孩子。太瘦或缺乏必要的營養，例如脂肪和碳水化合物就會造成母親身體裡的蛋白質全部用來維持媽媽的身體而胎兒就會得不到足夠的養份的情形。這樣會影響胎兒的正常發育。

For me, it is very important to put on the right amount of weight.  Eating nutritiously and exercising (if capable) will result in babies with healthy birth weights.  Babies that are at a healthy birth weight are able to handle stress during labor and delivery better, and they also have fewer complications in their newborn months.   Malakai was 8 lbs. 8oz, and Eli was 8lbs.

我認為增加適當的重量對我來說是非常重要的。吃營養的食物和適當的運動可以讓孩子在出生時有一個理想的重量。有理想重量的孩子在出生時比較能應付生產過程中的壓力，生產過程中也較少發生問題。同時孩子在剛出生的幾個月也比較不會出現健康上的狀況。

凱凱出生時是8磅8盎司(約4000克)，凱弟是8磅(約3600克)。

 Malakai at 3 months
凱凱滿三個月時

 Eli at 3 months
凱弟滿三個月時

I want to have babies that are at a healthy birth weight, but aren’t just fat.  I want muscular and lean babies, which means they are heavier, but their body composition is not just fat.  Research has shown that babies who are muscular and lean are more active and healthy the rest of their lives, and also have greater mental capacity to learn, and are less prone to diseases.  In order to have muscular and lean babies, the mother needs to put on the right amount of weight correctly, by eating well, and exercising if she is capable.

 

我希望我的孩子能夠有理想的體重，但不是胖。我希望能給他們有肌肉的良好體格。這表示他們夠重但不是來自肥肉。研究調查顯示有良好體格的孩子比較活躍，而且在未來會是比較健康的大人，學習能力較高，少生病。

為了要給baby一個好的體格，母親需要好好的攝取營養，可能的話做些運動，正確的去增加體重。

Well, this was very long.  I’m sorry!  But this entry is really what I’m talking about when I named this blog “I Am Your Mommy.”  I strongly feel that when we choose to have a child, we need to do what we can to give them the best- including during the pregnancy and during breastfeeding, to give them the best head start they can possibly have.

一個不小心寫太長了。抱歉!但是這篇文章是我在取這個部落格的名字”我是你媽媽”時真正的想法。

我非常強烈的覺得當我們決定要有孩子時，就應該決定好盡能力給孩子最好的。包括最好的懷孕過程及最好的哺乳期。讓他們開始在一個好的起跑點上。

If for whatever reason you were not able to get adequate nutrition during your pregnancy (perhaps you were too sick to eat, had other complications, or maybe you didn't know you were pregnant for the first few months) it is still okay.  Giving your children the best nutrition at any stage in their life is incredibly beneficial for their growth.  There are also lots of preventative medicine, and countless solutions to worries you may have about your children.  There really isn't a need to be worried.  As long as we are trying our best, they will grow up to be healthy, beautiful children!

如果因為任何原因無法在懷孕中吸收適當的營養(也許是太不舒服吃不下，有其他健康上的狀況或在懷孕的前幾個月不知道自己已經懷孕了)沒有關係。在孩子的任何年齡都可以開始給他們營養健康的好食物幫助他們健康成長。

同時現在有許多先進的預防醫學措施和數不盡的解決方法可以幫助我們。所以不需要擔心。

只要盡力而為，孩子自然會被我們養的健康，快樂。

Lower Back Pain 腰背疼痛

I make 28 weeks this week.  Here we go, the beginning of the last trimester! 

這個星期我進入懷孕第28週。終於到了懷孕最後的一個階段了!

How do I feel?  To be honest, I feel like how I felt when I was 40 weeks with Eli.  I feel big, I feel hot, and my body is so tired.

你問我感覺如何?老實說，我現在的感覺很像我懷老二凱弟40週的時候。覺得自己很龐大，覺得好熱，覺得身體非常疲累。

The gauge on my stomach is also broken.  You know the gauge that tells you when you are full?  Mine is broken, and I can't fix it!  When I eat when I'm hungry I try to eat a reasonable amount of food, but I can never tell when I am full.  I go from "feeling satisfied" to "I'm so full someone has to roll me out of here" so quickly, and without me knowing until all the food on the table is gone.

 

我肚子裡用來決定飽和餓的標準好像也壞了。你知道這種機制會告訴你甚麼時候是吃飽了。我的呢?失控了。完全無力將它修復!

當我肚子餓去吃東西時，我會試著去吃一個適當的量，但是由於我沒有辦法判斷自己是否已經吃飽，所以我從”吃的很滿足”到”飽到想吐”中間所需的時間非常短。最可怕的是我會在不知不覺中吃下整桌的食物。

I have gained 22 pounds!  Hurray!  That means I will have the next 12 weeks to put on the last 12-13 pounds, which is about what I did with the other two pregnancies.  

 

我胖了22磅(10公斤)!好極了!這表示我還有12 週去增加12-13磅(大約6公斤)，這跟我前兩次懷孕差不多。

I forget after each pregnancy how difficult it is to have the extra weight on my body.  I don't move very well.  Even if it's just adjusting from sleeping on my left side to my right, it takes me a while, and I always laugh at myself because I bet I look like a huge panda bear trying to roll over.  Well, at least panda bears are cute, right?

 

每次生完小孩，我就很快會把身上多這些重量帶來的不便忘記。

事實上，多這些重量讓我無法行動自如。就連睡覺時從左側睡翻到右側睡都要搞半天。我常常調侃自己，因為自己真的很像一隻大貓熊在翻身。

哈哈!不過至少大貓熊還蠻可愛的。

A few weeks ago I  bought a back support because I've had hip pain and lower back pain.  This is what it looks like:

 

由於我的臀部和背常常會痛，幾個星期前，我去買了一個"護腰”，

長這個樣子….

It has been a major help with carrying some of the weight from my growing belly.  Once I put it on I can feel a difference.  Go get one if you are experiencing the same aches and pains! 

 

它還真幫了不少忙，分擔了我日漸增大的肚皮帶來的重量。穿上它，我立刻感覺不一樣。

如果你跟我一樣會背痛，可以去買一個來試試。

My lower back has been definitely more sore this time around.  I think it's because I carry Eli around a lot. 

 

這一陣子我的腰特別會痛。我想可能是因為我常抱凱弟的關係吧!

If you have some lower back pains too, here are three easy stretches/exercises that I do to help alleviate some of the pain.  Please only do these or any new exercises if your pregnancy is normal.  If you are a high-risk pregnancy, please do not do these without talking to your doctor first.  They are not difficult, but since I don't know what situation you are in, I really don't want you to get hurt! 

如果你也會腰痛，我有幾個常用的伸展動作，可以減輕一些疼痛。這些伸展動作一定要在確認自己的懷孕是正常的狀況之下才可以做。如果你被告知是任何一種懷孕的高危險群，做之前請先與你的醫生商量。這些都是簡單的動作，但是每個人情況不同，我不希望見到有人因此受傷。

減輕腰部疼痛最好的方法就是去伸展腰部。

首先就準備位置，保持你的背是直的，吸氣。向前伸出你的右手，左腿往後抬起，與手平行。手腳伸出去的同時吐氣。請注意背部不要拱起。手腳伸出去的同時，你可以抬頭看你伸出去的手，但如果脖子覺得緊，可以保持頭部垂下。可能的話(量力而為)保持手腳伸出的姿勢五秒鐘。在這個五秒鐘裡還是要深呼吸。在做這些伸展時千萬不可憋住呼吸。收回你的右手和左腿，同樣的動作換成左手和右腿。輪流做10次。(請看以下影片)

Remember, as with all workouts or exercises during pregnancy, if you start to feel dizzy or nauseous, you need to stop.  Also remember to drink lots of water.  If you experience any bleeding or headaches, you need to stop.

 要留意，在懷孕期中做任何的伸展或運動，只要感到頭暈或想吐就請停下來。同時記得要多喝水。若是見到出血或感到頭痛，也請停下來。
接下來的這個動作就真的是一個伸展運動了。首先，我們要擺出一個做瑜珈的姿勢叫做”小孩子的姿勢”。這是一個很棒的伸展活動可以鬆開我們的背。確定你兩腿打開的程度能夠放下你的頭。從準備好的”小孩子的姿勢”你將蜷縮起你的脊椎。當你蜷縮時，你會感到你的腰部會有伸展的感覺。做這個動作可以不計次數，應該說，只要你的感覺是最舒服的。(請看以下的影片)

 

下面的動作也是一個很好的伸展動作。懷孕第二及第三期的人不要平躺太久。(因為這個姿勢可能阻斷供氧給孩子)如果要做，請只做幾秒鐘。

平躺在地，伸手出去抓自己的腳(好像小baby抓自己腳那樣)。只要這樣，你立刻就會感到背有伸展的感覺。然後像小baby那樣前後搖擺。要是你無法抓到自己的腳(很多人都不行，因為肚子太大)可以用一條毛巾或一條繩子來幫忙，用他們包住你的腳。拉到你有伸展的感覺。

(請看以下的影片)

These are very basic and easy moves.  Again, please only do these if you are not suffering from any complications.  I am not a doctor and the advice given here is not meant to heal.  They are only a few suggestions from some stretches that you can do if you are in good health. 

這些都是簡易的動作。再一次提醒，如果你有任何懷孕中的不適請不要做。我不是醫生，我在這裡給的建議都不是要做任何的治療。這些只是幾個給健康孕婦伸展身體的小建議。

One thing I always ask Jordan to do for me when I have back pain is to use a tennis ball and roll it around on my back.  It really helps take away some of the tension!

 

另外，當我有背痛時，我常要我先生喬登用網球在我背上滾來滾去。這也能幫助我的背變得輕鬆。

Back pain is very common during pregnancy because your body needs to carry all the weight that is growing heavier each day in your belly.  Doing these little stretches will hopefully help with the pain.

懷孕中可能會有許多不適，腰背痛是其中之一。希望這些小小的動作能讓大家減少些背痛。