Always Be My (fur)Babies

As my due date continues to creep up on us (only 13 weeks to go, holy guacamole!) I am growing more and more concerned about how my first two babies will react to the arrival of their new brother. 

I have been starting to tell Leo and Lola about their new brother and how they're going to be a big brother & sister very soon! They usually just stare at me and cock their head slightly with wide eyes. I'm still waiting for some sort of response. So rude, right? But I'd like to think they know something is about to happen. 

We bought the car seat and stroller this week and they both seemed very interested in it. I think they must have thought it was for them or something. I assured them that their new brother would be very nice and would probably share the new toys with them but I made no promises! 

I'm mostly worried about my little Lola. She's the youngest of the two and definitely the Queen B (you can decide what the B stands for). She never leaves my side and is such a lover but this also means that any time her brother Leo comes close she likes to let out a little growl. I tell her that's not very nice but she doesn't always listen. Poor Leo! I give him lots of love just so he knows her bratty-ness doesn't phase me. 

Overall I think they will be great siblings. I only hope I will be able to give them loads of love and snuggles once little T is here and that they don't feel left out. 

26 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 26 weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain: I forgot to weigh myself this morning but I'm going to guess about 21-22lbs total. I will make sure to get an accurate number for next week though!
Maternity clothes? It varies, not everyday. This isn't a maternity shirt or tank top but the pants are maternity. Jeans from Motherhood Maternity and top is Target. 
Stretch marks?  Oh my lanta, I found my first stretch mark this week! Surprisingly, I wasn't as freaked out by it as I thought I would be. I totally expected a full on panic attack but it never came. I was actually kind of proud of my little stretch mark. It's like a battle wound I can proudly wear in remembrance of carrying my baby boy. Anywhoo, it's a small one on my hip. I know it's still early and I will likely get more, but I'm glad I'm over the vanity of it and simply just proud of my growing belly & baby boy!
Best moment this week: I posted on this earlier in the week, but we fired our OB and will now be seeing a midwife, which I'm very excited about. We got to tour the birthing center this week and get an idea of how everything would go. It is such a huge relief! 
Miss anything? Not really. To be totally honest I'm really enjoying being pregnant! I have felt great so far and really don't have any complaints. I feel so fortunate!
Movement: Lots! He is one active little boy. I had a massage on Thursday and he kicked almost the entire time! It was so hard not to laugh. He's a goofy one! 
Food cravings: None this week. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Gender: Boy!
Labor signs: No
Symptoms: My heartburn is actually getting better. Our birthing coach gave me some very helpful tips on what to do when I get heartburn... like eating almonds! Who knew!? And it worked!  
Belly button in or out? Out! 
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: I've been in much better spirits this week after all the stress of the hernia and OB situation is over with. I'm feeling great!
Looking forward to: The Super Bowl is next Sunday - Go Hawks! Also, very excited to get back into my acupuncture sessions this week. I was going weekly in the beginning of my pregnancy and then it started happening less and less due to holidays and schedule conflicts. So I'm really excited to get back, I feel like I'm having withdrawals! 

Live & Learn: Why I Fired My OB

As some of you may already know, I have really been struggling lately with my OB and trying to figure out a middle ground with her. When we first found out I was pregnant back in August I knew right away that I wanted to go the natural route. So in January we signed up for the Bradley Method classes in hopes that it would help prepare us for an all natural childbirth. At the time, I didn't realize the impact this would have and all the criticism that would follow.

In the last few weeks I have seen my (ex) OB twice, once for a regular check up and again for a hernia exam. The check up went as usual - weight check, blood pressure check, baby heartbeat reading, and a quick chat. I've never felt a real connection with my OB and, after finding out that come baby's birth day I won't even know which doctor I will get (there are 6 in the practice), I was beginning to get a little put off. I had expressed my decision to have an all natural birth and the OB was less than interested. She really just seemed to brush me off. This should have been my first red flag. 

The second time I saw her this month was due to an umbilical hernia that I have. I wasn't aware of it prior but after an ultrasound and exam the OB walked into our room and bluntly stated "Yep, you have a hernia and you need surgery." I was so caught off guard and shocked that I could barely ask any questions. Thinking to myself, there's no way I'm having surgery at six months pregnant!

After speaking with surgeons and other doctors, we discovered that surgery is not medically urgent at this point in time. I have chosen to wait until after T's birth to have any type of surgery & would never want to put my son at risk. The fact that my OB was so extreme about this really upset me. 

So, this past week Vince and I met with some midwives and after speaking with several, as well as some doulas, we have chosen to go to a Birthing Center with a midwife and say adios to my OB. 

When we sat down with the midwife on Wednesday I literally could feel a weight lifting off my shoulders. Talking with her about my birth plan and desire for an unmedicated birth really made me feel so much more comfortable and at ease. We were exactly on the same page and she was so understanding! Something that I had never felt from my OB. I finally feel like I have someone who is supportive and really cares about my wants and needs, as well as those of baby T. 

All in all, I would say this was a learning experience. I should have known from the beginning that an OB probably wouldn't be the best fit for me, but I guess sometimes you just have to do things by trial and error. 

I am excited about my midwife and as the big day is getting closer, I am even more excited for the birth of baby T!

Sometimes you just gotta Live & Learn!

25 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 25 weeks 1 day
Total weight gain: about 20lbs.. These numbers freak me out but doc says all looks good so I'm going with it! 
Maternity clothes?  Yes often! However this outfit isn't maternity at all. The top is from Forever 21 and leggings from Target. Love the tie on this shirt to accentuate the bump but I probably won't be able to wear this much longer because the front will start to show off my belly. Very comfy though! And the leggings I just wear below my belly, pretty comfortable as well.
Stretch marks?  none yet! Been super itchy though so making sure to lather up with lotion
Best moment this week: This week was pretty chill. My favorite moments are always when I'm home with my little family & baby T kicks up a storm. I love it when Vince talks to him, such a sweet feeling. 
Miss anything? Normal sleep... I guess I kissed that goodbye months ago though
Movement: TONS! Sometimes it's alarming how much! And it's crazy to see from the outside, he's definitely a strong boy!
Food cravings: Cadbury cream eggs were my "craving" this week... I put those in quotes because I wouldn't say I've had any true cravings. When I think of cravings I think of the 'omg I need this now and can't live without it'. I've never had any of those, just a few moments of 'ooh that sounds GOOD!'
Anything making you queasy or sick: Certain smells bother me. Namely, the smell of dying flowers (seriously..). I bought flowers a few days  ago and no joke, the second day they started to smell gross. Anyway, made me a little queasy but I lived.
Gender: Boy!
Labor signs: Nope
Symptoms: Heartburn and hip pain. The hip pain is usually only when I'm sleeping. Since I have to sleep on my back it just kills my hips. But I'm surviving! I also found out this week that I have an umbilical hernia :( we meet with a hernia surgeon on Monday to get more information and I will update then.
Belly button in or out? Outie!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: Honestly I've been a little moody this week with all the stress of this hernia situation. Vince hs been so sweet and trying to be helpful but unfortunately my hormones haven't been so kind. I'm working on it though. He does a great job at cheering me up which I really appreciate (even though I may not always show it),
Looking forward to: I have finally talked Vince in to the possibility of birthing at a Birthing Center with a midwife opposed to at the hospital with an OB. I have many reasons for wanting this and may even dedicate a whole post to it eventually. So I am excited to meet with some midwives this week and see where that leads us. Fingers crossed!

Wanted: Dog Whisperer

For those of you that don't already know, this is my sweet Lola. She is a 3 year old long haired Chihuahua who I've had since she was 8 weeks old. She has an older brother, Leo, who you will also see from time to time. These two are my babies! My fur babies as I like to call them and they'll always be my first kiddos (baby T will really be the first but shhhh... don't let them know that!)

The last few days my loving Lola, who is always a mama's girl, has been even more attached to me than usual. Lee & Lo sleep downstairs at night and are blocked from going upstairs by a baby gate. The last few days I have woken to the most somber cries from this little one. She wakes at 3am and cries by the stairs for me. She doesn't need a potty break.. just wants some TLC. 

Now for the last two nights she has not been interested in her dinner. Her chunky brother is of course loving this & scavenging on her meal. But I'm starting to get worried!

Any dog whisperers out there have any insight? Or could it be she knows I'm prego and is fighting for some extra attention before he arrives?  I'll gladly take the extra cuddles, just hoping my baby is ok!

Must Have Monday

I am super excited to be linking up with Lindsey at The Crafty Practitioner for Must Have Monday! Each week I will be posting some items that are on my "must have" list. If you're interested in joining, go over to her blog and link up with us!

First item on my list is this Striped & Sequined Weekender bag from Anthropologie. Love the sparkle and of course the stripes. I think it would make a perfect hospital bag for when Baby T decides to come, plus it will come in handy for any trips we take. I usually just stuff all my things into a few big purses so I think this would be a great addition to my handbag collection!

I love these bamboo swaddlers by Aden & Anais. Obviously the elephants were calling my name (I *might* just be a little obsessed with elephants). Swaddlers are supposed to be great for keeping babies calm and cozy, so I've heard. These will definitely be added to the registry!

Last thing on my Must Have list is this yummy smelling candle by Voluspa from Nordstrom. I absolutely love this brand and their candles just smell so darn good! I've been enjoying some nice baths lately to help me relax and go to sleep and lighting some of these bad boys does the trick!

New Year, New You!

As some of you may already know, I am an independent distributor for AdvoCare. You may or may not have heard of them but it is an elite nutrition and wellness company that supplies products for overall health, weight management, and sports performance. I have been using AdvoCare since June 2013 and prior to getting pregnant I completed my first 24 day challenge! It was amazing. I lost 5 lbs & 10 inches and gained tons of energy. 

Part of many New Years Resolutions is to get healthy and get fit! Since I'm pregnant I am unable to diet but I can certainly work toward eating healthier and having a healthier lifestyle. 

So today I am sharing with you the AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge which is currently on sale for $175! It has two phases, the cleanse phase and the max phase. During the cleanse phase you go through a mild cleanse to help rid your body of toxin and waste. Then the max phase pumps you up with vitamins and minerals to help your body to properly absorb nutrients. 

If you are at all interested in the challenge or the products, please contact me! I am happy to coach you through it and work toward your goals of a New You!

 This is AdvoCare's CU24 Level 2 Bundle which is also on sale for $99! It's pretty similar to insanity and p90x. I have yet to try this but a good friend of mine has been using it and loves it!

Again, don't hesitate to contact me for more information! 

23 Weeks Pregnant

How far along? 23 weeks
Total weight gain: about 14-15 pounds.. I was sick thus past week so it seemed to fluctuate a little bit throughout the week
Maternity clothes?  This photo is from last week, Christmas morning! and I am wearing an Old navy maternity top and maternity jeans from Motherhood maternity. The necklace is from Forever 21. 

Stretch marks?  none
Best moment this week: Baby T has been super active! Vince has been able to feel him a lot on the outside which is really cool.
Miss anything? Normal sleep... What is that!
Movement: Lots! He is one active little dude!
Food cravings: Banana popsicles... Yum.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really... But the heartburn sure throws me for a loop
Gender: boy!
Labor signs: Nope
Symptoms: heartburn and hip pain... I've also had some round ligament pain but it's not too terrible.. Plus it just means I'm growing! My belly has also been super itchy lately, I think from all this cold weather, so I've been applying lotion like crazy.
Belly button in or out? Outie!
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time: I was a little irritable this past week with being sick and all but I'm in much better spirits now!
Looking forward to: Our first Bradley Method class on Saturday! It's a 12 week course that teaches relaxation methods and other techniques in order to have a safe and unmedicated natural child birth. We are pretty excited about it and I can't wait to share with all of you! 

Honey, What's for Dinner?: Crockpot Honey BBQ Chicken

Crockpot Honey BBQ Chicken

This was such an easy & delicious dinner. I have been sick all week and finally started to feel a little better today. I hadn't gone to the grocery store in a little while though so I had to work with what I had at home. I just love using the crock pot, especially this time of year!

Ingredients:

2 frozen boneless skinless chicken breast

1 can pineapple chunks

1 bottle of BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Rays)

What's that you say? Only 3 ingredients?! Yep! And it's so tasty. I just combined these in the crock pot and put on high for 4 hours and voila! Right before serving I shredded the breasts with two forks and mixed altogether. 

Set atop a mound of rice and servewith some grilled asparagus and you've got yourself a tasty and super easy dinner. 

Enjoy!