Count down...

Time has been flying by, increasing in speed each day except for the days full of screaming. Those days drag on and on to remind me to savor the good time. My little baby Darius is now my big boy helper, my Mr.Eli is faster and more furious than a tornado, yet as gentle as a lamb...sometimes...and this baby girl in my belly reminds me daily that she is getting bigger and stronger as well. With just over ten weeks until baby girls arrival I've decided to make a top ten list of items to be completed in then next ten weeks. Here we go!

proof this belly exists

1. Compile and submit Eli's baby book for printing - it's a doozy, but seriously how long can you put off such an important project? Apparently two years.
2. Plan and decorate baby girls nursery.
3. Finish the super hero bedroom for the boys.
4. Choose and finish a quilt design for baby girl.
5. Finish decorating the master bedroom.
6. Walk everyday to build up strength and endurance for the marathon to come - yep, I'm talking to you labor.
7. Enjoy yoga three times a week, also for labor prep.
8. Sort through the boys toys and donate a bunch to charity.
9. Spend time with friends every month [and yes I know its pathetic that 'spending time with friends' made it onto a to do list; but really if I don't plan/prioritize it, it's not going to happen.]
10. Have a family over for dinner every month.

I know the next ten weeks are going to fly by, but at least I know they'll be productive weeks as I tick these big projects off one at a time! So excited for the boys room especially - its already looking so good...except for where Eli helped me paint. That part needs some TLC haha.

working it out in style

Belly approved fitness gear is not always easy to find or attractive, but seeing as I've found the mecca for cute preggo workout clothes I thought I'd share! Here's the run down of what I wear when getting my sweat on:

Swiftly Tech Short Sleeve

This T stretches comfortably over my growing bump, wicks sweat [keeping me cool and happy to keep on working!] and doesn't smell! I bought a few of these after Darius was born[almost five years ago!!!], and just keep on adding to my collection because they're awesome with or without a burgeoning belly :)

Back on Track Tank

I have this tank, and several variations on the this style as well. Why I love it? Because it has a built in bra with great support, the straps don't dig into my shoulders, and the body had ample room to house a bursting midriff, or a toned tummy. The breathabilty of the fabric is exceptional, and the flow of the fabric is comfortable as well as accommodating to a full range of motion.

Wunder Under Crop 

I LIVE in these pants! I simply love how they sit low enough to allow for an expanding belly, are tight enough to not get in the way while moving, yet not so tight as to be uncomfortable. Oh, and did I mention that they make any butt look better? Really. Seeing as we're enjoying a full on winter experience  if I'm heading out doors I pair these with knee high socks and boots, and stay nice and warm! Love these babies!

Women's Ultimate Padded Run Sock

While I may not be running right now, these are comfortable, cushion-y in all the right places, and cut out the post work out shoe stink. They may be pricey compared to other socks,[unless you are a technical sock lover like me, then these are right on par price wise with all the other specially designed socks] investing in good socks will go a really long way towards keeping your feel happy and ready to deliver yet another smashing workout!

Skinny Satin Pirouette Headband

While this is a non-essential item, I find it comes in really handy. Featuring a no slip grip which holds the band in place, and the ability to adjust it to fit your noggin just right, this headband keeps me feeling pretty whether I'm sweating it out, or cleaning the toilet; and feeling pretty is always a good thing :)

So there you have it! All items that can be used before, during and after pregnancy, which maximizes your wardrobe dollars! All of these items featured here are from LULULEMON, and are made from their specially designed fabrics. These fabrics wick moisture, hold their shape, and last what seems like forever! The customer service I have experienced with the company has been phenomenal! Recently I had them replace a bag I had purchased from one of their stores when it ripped A YEAR AFTER PURCHASE! Any store that stands by it's products that strongly gets my support for sure! I currently use a lululemon bag as my diaper bag, and while it is an older product, it is quite similar to this one:

Take me with you Tote

This bag is perfect for the gym...or for toting snacks, diapers and wipes, wallet, water, lip gloss, and cell phone. I love that the lining is waterproof, and that it comes with a little water proof bag for 'sweaty gym clothes' [or poopy baby clothes] which I have utilized several times. Love that feature!

Do you have a favorite piece of pregnancy approved workout gear? 

*this post was in no way sponsored or affiliated with lululemon. These are my own opinions and preferences, and I am not being reimbursed in any way for sharing them - I simply wanted to let you know what works best for me!

Being Bella

source

For the last few months a storm has been brewing, and now I can finally share! I am expecting baby number three right now, and my whole little [and extended] family are thrilled! The past few months have brought on a different side of me though, something unexpected - not bad per se - very unexpected.

I have been enjoying plant based nutrition plan for over a year, feel happy, vibrant, and healthy, and wouldn't dream of eating meat and other animal byproducts again...except this baby has a whole other agenda. You see, eating my normal leafy green diet rich with beans, lentils, and legumes has brought on terrible stomach aches and layed me up in bed recovering from a meal for hours. Then, on my wonderful husband's suggestion, I ate some meat. Oh.My.Word. This baby LOVES meat! Like seriously! I am left feeling bad about my food choices, but moaning over how good it feels going down - and its ability to stay down - and how happy this baby is to boot. Everytime it happens I get a flash of that scene in Twilight Eclipse where Bella drinks blood and both her and the baby have a very [ahem] positive response. And so I sit at the dinner table with my family eating meat, happy as a clam, and the sweet baby doing flips of excitement. Not only is it fun to feel baby's happy dance, but feeling well after a meal is a real treat for this lady!

At my last midwife appointment I asked Savanna [my midwife] about my new cravings and she said it is very common for vegetarians and vegans to eat meat and/or dairy products while pregnant. The need for iron increases, and our body will naturally tell us what is needs. After recieving my blood test results [my blood was drawn before my meat cravings had set in] Savanna agreeed with baby that I need to be incorporating meat into my diet as my hemoglobin counts were low normal [normal range is 120 to 140 and my count was 125] and the fastest way to improve it was to chow down on meat. Having Savanna advise me - being a long time vegetarian herself - to continue on the meaty path made me feel better about these strange cravings. But I realy wanted to see for myself what the stats were on vegans/vegetarians eating meat while pregnant. A quick google search returns several hits of Mamas in a similar situation: pregnant vegans/vegestarians who are eating meat and feeling better for it.

So in the end, while I feel much like Bella looked as blood stained her lips and coated her teeth, eating meat is sitting well with me - right now. I don't do it every meal, or even every day for that matter, but man does it feel good!