Now You See Me, Now You Don't!

How far along: 20 Weeks aka HALF WAY

Gender: SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY! (said in my Monster Truck voice)

Weight gain: 7 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Leggings and sweatshirts. I'm in love with this new sweat shirt from Crystal Faye!!! Monograms=love! 

 PLUS its a great "now you see me, now you don't" shirt.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In.

Sleep: Weird dreams! I'm talking about sex with strangers and stuff like that :/

Best moment this week: Obviously gender reveal.

Worst moment this week: My family needs some prayers today. My mom had a chest Xray a few weeks ago and they have found a radiopacity on her lungs, she is heading in for her CT Scan this morning and we will find out the results on Friday. All prayers accepted. 

Miss anything: Breathing Normally. Apparently there is this condition called pregnancy rhinitis. Because the lining of your schnoz is made up of the same lining that's in your va-jj, this can happen. The hormones make this lining swell. Enough said.

Movement: Flutters

Cravings: Nothing really. Just trying to cram in as much fruit and veggies as possible!

Queasy or sick: Heartburn/acid reflux.

Looking forward to: Finding out what gender this baby is going to be and PINNING a ton of nursery stuff!!!

Happy Wednesday Beauties!

19 Week Bumpdate!

Yesterday marked 19 weeks for our pregnancy! I cannot explain how excited I am for our gender reveal brunch next Sunday. Our appointment is next Friday and we are dropping off the SEALED gender revealed envelop to the baker directly after. I don't even know how I plan on controlling myself to not rip that thing open on the car ride there!!!

Leggings-Target, Top-Maternity Target, Boots-TJ MAxx

This pic reminds me, THANK GOD I have a hair appointment tomorrow to lighten up this gothic 'do!!!!

How far along: 19 Weeks. Baby is the size of a tomato,  however I am trying not to associate anything red with this baby...as we all know I will most likely be having a ginger.

Gender: to be determined

Weight gain: 6 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Still rocking leggings and yoga pants. Because accenting the bump is the new black I'm able to get away with some fitted shirts too. I just have to be careful because the cleave is out of control.

Stretch marks: No and using the Mia oil like it's my job.

Belly button in or out: In.

Sleep: eh off and on. I can't remember the last time that I slept through the night. It's usually frequent bathroom interruptions or the hubs being a night owl.

Best moment this week: FLUTTERS! I swore that this was gas but it has been everyday for a straight week. I feel this gassy kinda flutter in my lower belly AND.ITS.AWESOME.

Worst moment this week: I still don't have a maternal connection yet. From what I've read this is pretty common but  most women won't talk about it. I am far from the picture perfect prego and have no issue discussing this matter. Some days I feel just weird that there is a baby in there. It still doesn't feel real. Often times I forget that I am pregnant. I am  not worried about this only because I've googled a ton of shit and they say that once you see that baby...BOOM goes the dynamite and your maternal.

Miss anything: Not really. Which is kind of nice. I mean yes the occasional drink but ladies, the amount of food that you can eat when you are not drinking is INSANE. I expect everyday to get on the scale and for those numbers to move up by 5 lbs, but nope, nada, same as the day before. I must have been drinking most of my calories prior to this pregnancy. And I'm not ashamed of that either ;)

Movement: Flutters

Cravings: Philadelphia rolls. I mean if Josh wanted to get me a double order tonight, I wouldn't be mad.

Queasy or sick: Heartburn/acid reflux. It's happening mostly at night. Sleeping up right like a geriatric patient seems to be helping.

Looking forward to: Getting my hair did tomorrow and a relaxing weekend! I'm thinking Bass Pro Shop and some good eats!

A Few New Pretty Things.

Our weekend was great!!!

 Friday, I went to get my eyelash extensions put back on. If you've ever had them, you will feel NAKED with out them!!! The part that I hate is how long it takes. 2 1/2 hours of just laying there. The bad news is that later that night as we were watching The Prisoners (which I highly recommend) the extensions started sliding off of my own lashes. This my friends is the down side to pregnancy. Your eyelashes produces some extra protective oil or some shit and rejects the extension. Needless to say, that my eyelashes will be back to nubs for the next 20 weeks.

A cute fancy package came on Friday too. This a sneak peak for our gender reveal decor on Feb 2nd!

 

Saturday I squeezed in a Target and a TJ MAxx run.

I have not had a house phone in YEARS. I recently looked at my cable bill and saw that we were being charged for one on our bundle. Sneaky bastards. So this girl when out and put her big girl pants on and got this casa set up with 2 house phones. They have yet to ring.

 I'm loving this next TJ Maxx score. I have half a dozen lunch bags and this is my favorite. My excuse for buying this one, is that it will be my snack bag...for the car. 

Oh and of course I snagged a classic baby book for the nursery.

 These "disco Pimp" slippers, as the hubs calls them, were $8.97 at Target. I really want the Ugg slippers but can't see spending $120 on them OR asking for them for Valentines Day, which means I don't spend the money, Josh does. Your welcome. I settled for these fancy ones.

 Yes MORE boots!

 I found these at TJ Maxx too. They were $39.00 a piece, but for me? BOGO. You see the girl that works at my TJ's needs to be fired. She gives away more free stuff than any cashier I've ever seen. I have no idea how she is still employed. At Christmas, she didn't charge us for 1/2 of the ornaments that we purchased (well, planned on purchasing). She always tells me that I look familiar and comments on my bag or hair. She is quite possibly a stage 5 clinger, however if the perks include me getting free shit, cling away.

The big purchase in our house hold this weekend was by Josh. He has a pickup truck and a 1993 subaru that he bums around in. Since we've been pregnant we've talked about getting a more "child" friendly car for him. You see, the subaru aka GREEN HORNET, is a car that you get when your sixteen and a half. But my husband is very cheap frugal and will drive anything into the ground. 

Green Hornet has no AC. It ALWAYS has wet seats from leaving the windows down. Don't believe me? We sit on trash bags when we take it anywhere. I drove it to work once and blew out a tire and the AAA guy made me sign a waiver saying that I wouldn't drive it home even with the "new" spare tire on it. Needless to say this little sucker got traded in for.....

From rags to riches for the hubs! He had been eyeing this style car for months! He finally found one that he likes. It has all of the bells and whistles (that I had to show him how to use, since he hasn't owned a car that was made in the last decade). He even measured our girlfriend's car seat to make sure that there will be ample room in the back. Swoon.

Happy Tuesday Snow Birds as well will be getting hammered with the stuff tonight!!!

Karma Reset Please

I don't know what the hell is going on in my cosmic corner on the world, but shambles I say! 

Shambles.

Tuesday:

I must have dropped at least 4 things at work. And when you work in a sterile environment, you can't just be picking up those metal picks and uses em in someones pie hole, ya know? The whole sterilization  thing starts back over.  It takes a whole 3 minutes but when you run on a 30 minute schedule, ain't noboby got time for that.

Tuesday night:

I came home and was too lazy to cook anything grown up. 

Grilled Cheese sounded gourmet enough. I got them breads buttered up and put one slice in the pan, layered on my umpteen pieces of cheese (hence the reason why I'm probably having bathroom issues, tmi? sorry) and then put on the top piece. Flip time = black, burnt and crispy bread. NOTHING, is more worse than having a burnt grilled cheese. Josh suggested that I peel off the top piece of bread, add more cheese and put on another piece of bread. Flip time = ANOTHER BURNT BREAD.

I trash the burnt cheeses and I settled for toaster waffles.

I quickly decided to get a bath ready to relax my bajiggity self. 

So I'm sitting in the tub, reading. Josh comes in and we talk about our day. He gets up to leave the bathroom and I open my book back up. With in seconds, I drop the book in the bubble bath. 

I drain the bath and get out.

Now, you see at this point, I'm still thinking that my ju-ju is off.  I need the reset button pressed.

Thursday:

Josh goes to the DMV to renew his class A license. Well, apparently he didn't know that every decade they want a new picture. And I secretly think that he wants to keep his 25 year old picture id for-eev-er. Lately he's been rolling around looking like a bumble, needing a haircut like I need my brows waxed. I think it's sexy (not the brows part, I look like Bert and Ernie).

You see a few years ago, I learned that take a new license pic every ten years. 

I went spray tanning before my renewal. HORRIBLE idea. I look like an oompa loompa.

Well, Josh thought that his photo was so bad that I had to fight him to show it to me.
I begged him to let me post his id but he said "NO" and there was no arguing with it.

Honestly, other than the fact that he looks like smoked a jibba, I think it's fine.

Lastly, as he's leaving the DMV the meter maid beats him to his car by about 6 minutes and the hubs gets a parking ticket!

I've decided that his bad cosmic crap is not my cosmic crap. All this shit goes on when my husband is around. So someone please center his shakras, cleanse his palate or whatever it is that your supposed to do when bad luck is hanging around.  

Peace out, It's Thursday!

Bloggers help wanted....

Alright ladies, I need some suggestions. I want to get my sponsor page some play, however as many of you know that in the blogging world, the only thing that I know how to do is  

1) write a post

2) upload a picture

3) comment on your post

I  know, this is pathetic. I have no idea where all of you girls got your blogging tools from. I know some of you are in web design but seriously if you make cakes all day, how in the hell do you know how to do this crap?!

I recently bought an ad on a blog and when it came time to pay, it checked me out via amazon. This is the first time that I've seen this. It was super easy! It's not as pretty as passion fruit but much easier.

So my question is......In your opinion, what is the best way to sponsor?

 Oh and PS, once I decide to do this, I will have no idea how to get  the "sponsor" post on the sponsor page. Don't judge me.

PPS. I just realized I don't have a sponsor page. 

Tuesday.....meh. 

My Blog is All Grown UP

See anything new??? That's right, my blog design by The Great and Powerful, Aubrey Kinch is complete! If you need a new and refreshed look, I highly recommend her. She nailed my pottery barn inspired style on the head! I still have some work on my end but for right now its fully functional.

My weekend consisted of cleaning, organizing and more de-cluttering. If you follow me on twitter, you already know that one of my biggest pet peeves is that while I'm trying to minimize my life, my husband goes through my trash pile and keeps crap. Drives me bonkers. Many of you other twits had great ideas of doing "secret trash" trips. You are geniuses and I'm happy to see that I'm not alone. 

I've been on a new cooking kick. This has been one of my 2014 goals, so I am mighty proud of myself. Normally we eat out at least 3-5 times a week, but because of the food prepping and planning we are down to about 2! I've been cooking 4 meals for dinner during the week (one of those is soup) and we always have some left overs for the next day. Friday has become pizza night and we like it better than any take out! 

 I'm loving it.

A friend of mine had this genius idea to pre-make frozen smoothie packages. We actually met her and her husband on our "operation baby maker" vacation in Punta Cana in May and have kept in touch via email. Oddly enough, she is due only 5 days before us!

There were a few questions on my Instagram about these so I'm going to break it down for you, as she did for me! 

You can use whatever fruits that you would like. Frozen or fresh. I also used spinach and avocado. However, the suggestion is to only use a 1/4 of the avo in each pack as the flavor can take over! 

Normally, I add chobani or fage and some water. My girlfriend uses almond milk, greek yogurt and sometimes OJ. Measurements below.

Just greek yogurt: Two large spoonfuls

Almond milk and greek yogurt: One large spoonful of yogurt, 1/2-3/4 cup of almond milk

Almond milk and OJ: 3/4 -1 cup of almond milk, 1/4-1/2 cup OJ

Store all of the fruits and veggies in quart freezer bags and then grab a bag, throw it in your blender, add your dairy or juice and blend.

I like this whole idea because it's a guaranteed way to get all of your healthy foods in.

Oh and on a side note...I'm loving these new pregnancy boobs.

Bitch Fest

It's Wednesday and I'm blogging. Who the eff am I?

Some vent-age in this post. So if you don't want to read what I'm bitching about, I suggest you keep moving on...

 

So what..If I purged my office on Sunday and haven't touched it since. I don't have a filing cabinet yet, so this is looking pretty ok to me. Needless to say in this pile of crap, I found my contract from my braces from 1990. I kept it.

 

So what..... if my sweet dog can only get some sleep on xanax and the pill only lasts about 5 hours and I am up from 2 am til..... well now.

So what if I just went darker with my hair and hate it, then peeled off my eyelash extensions and feel ugly. 

So what if I have all boys names picked out and they end in "ER".

Meaning, by living in New England, this poor kid will never be "Carter"....he will be "Cart-ah". Bleh.

So what if one of my only two girls names was Kennedy...and I have removed it from my list because of the association with this MTV VJ.....

So what if my kid is going to be a  ginger. There is about a 100% chance that it's going to happen.

 Just kidding, but funny.

Happy Hump Day!

Snow and Snacks

If you live in NE you know we got about 12 inches of snow on Thursday night. Which is awesome when you don't have to go to work the next day and your brother in law owns a plow.

And what else is there to do besides eat and be lazy during a blizzard...

 I have been on a blt kick lately. Add some avocado and cheese and I'm sold.  I wouldn't say its a "craving", I blame it on only eating  mac n cheese for 5 weeks and forgetting how good produce tastes!

 Puppa has been feeling a little better. Or, should say "sounding" a little better? His coughing/goose honk is still pretty sporadic but at least all of us are sleeping through the night! 

Saturday my sis came over and helped me clean the house. Honestly, I don't think it has been done since October. It was dusty as hell!!! Next week, we will be attacking the upstairs and I've been on a organizing rant...which is awesome! (Note*I also need to get on the elliptical for at least 30 minutes twice a week from now on. I was so out of breath cleaning, I was looking for the oxygen nostril thingys. The last time that I worked out...well it was the same time that the house was last cleaned.)

I mean even my make up brushes were cleaned.

Glass, 1/4 cup vinegar, water and drop of dish soap. Soak 20 mins and rinse. Flatten to dry.

If you haven't done this in eon's like me, it's disgusting. I had to wash mine twice!!!!

Thursday makes 17 weeks preggers. Here's your bumpdate photo!

Happy Monday to all of you and your 5 day work week!!!!

New Year and Updates!

Happy New Year from our home to yours!

Obviously this is going to be a big year for us!!

I don't necessarily do resolutions for NYE. I pretty much choose times through the year that I would like to change certain things. However, I think because I'm nesting, I have plans for this year.

1. Meal prep more. And better. Because there is only two of us, going out to eat is so easy last minute. But I want to get into more of a "at home" habit.

2. Minimize. From beauty products to tupperware, I need to downscale all of this stuff.

I have too much of it and it needs to go. The amount that falls out of the cabinet is giving me anxiety!

3. Organization. After 2 is completed of course. I am really good at organizing but keeping it organized is my problem.

4. Relax. I grew up as a hypochondriac. Always worrying and thinking the worst. They say 85% of what we worry about will never happen. I think I want to change this the most because of the pregnancy. I have done great so far. I haven't read any of the cliche books or horror stories and I'm just pretty much reading a lot of mindful pregnancy stuff. Because I've suffered from severe anxiety as well, it is something that I DO NOT want our new family member to have to deal with in life. 

5. Positivity. This I implemented a few years ago. It takes a ton of practice and is a skill that will never be fully mastered. It is the instant cure for most dramatic situations and the best tool to have in life!

Rambling over. Ok, I have to sneak in a small BUMPDATE.

I got a ton of compliments and likes on the Instagram pic, so I just have to share it.

You all have made me feel like a hot prego (if that's even possible) 

 

I figured that this may be the last time that I will be able to wear leather pants, so why the hell not!

I honestly don't know how I would feel if my mother showed me a pic of her in this outfit while she was 16 weeks pregnant with me! 

How far along: 16 weeks

Gender:?

Weight gain: 2 lbs.

Maternity clothes: Not yet, just leggings and pikos. Although I'd prefer yoga pants and hoodies, I'm trying to make an effort with better outfit choices.
Last week I actually considered cutting all of my hair off or at least getting bangs.... Thank God I was talked off that ledge.

Stretch marks: Nope

Belly button in or out: In but Josh has assured me that because I'm going to be a mom, my belly button ring has to come out.

Sleep: Sleeping good other than the frequent bathroom trips

Best moment this week: Finally being in the mood to eat meat. Prime rib come to mama.

Worst moment this week:  This was 2 weeks ago but I have to share it.
1) My mother made our bed while we were on vacation and she tucked in the sheets military style. When I got in to bed on Wednesday night I tried to pull the blankets and sheets up to my neck and my hand slipped of the blanket enabling me to punch myself in the face and give myself a fat lip.  I went to the bathroom and cried. Hormones.

Miss anything: Festive cocktails, exercise and uninterrupted sleep.

Movement: nope, gas..

Cravings: Finally off of the mac and cheese kick and loving some fruits and veggies.

Queasy or sick: chicken

Looking forward to: our gender appointment at the end of the month!!!!

Puppa update!

Puppa was diagnosed with a severe collapsed trachea last week. It happens with age. He is 14. There is no treatment recommended other than keeping him calm and sedated.
Currently he's taking 4 mg of xanax, rimadyl and a bronchialdialator 3x a day. It amazes me that a 15 pound dog can take 4 milligrams of xanax. I've taken .5 mgs and been on my ass!
He's definitely out of it, but his coughing has been cut down from 24 hours a day to about 2. This means that he can actually breath normal and rest. We are going to treat him with these medications for as long as they work. The vet said that in all other areas he is the bionic dog :)
As you all know, a sick fur baby is heart breaking, and there has certainly been some down pours of tears in this house. We are just trying to keep him comfy right now! Thank you for all of  your kind words!