How Wonderful Life Is-vol. 3

Wednesday wonderful life day again! So here it is!

This pregnancy. I am so delightfully happy that we are pregnant and were able to stay pregnant. After 8 years trying for our first, and that was with the help of fertility we thought that we would always have to go through fertility to get pregnant. We had heard the stories of people getting pregnant, who had my condition of PCOS, on their own after a first successful pregnancy. "It jump started their system" is what were were told. And we were told that it could happen to us but we never thought that it would. Well, it did. It is kind of a weird feeling knowing that I am "fixed." 3 pregnancies in 1 year is pretty good. I am just glad that the third time was the charm because honestly, I didn't know if I could go through what I went through last May. I mean if I had to I could, because what was I really going to do to save a pregnancy, but I certainly didn't want to.

It took me a while to accept the fact that I was pregnant and to celebrate it, just in case. But today I am 15 weeks and things seem to be going well. I am not sick. I have my appetite back (not such a good thing because I feel more hungry now, ALL THE TIME!) And I am still able to run pain free. (I pray that I didn't just jinx it!) I am so thankful for this pregnancy. And for the blessing of adding another little one to our family in oh about 6 months now!

My parents. My parents are awesome. I know I just said they are awesome. I am not a teen anymore so I can say that and mean it! I call them everyday or almost everyday just to talk to them. Or if I haven't called, they call me. We check up on each other. I have a relationship with them that I love. We are friends. I love having them visit and visiting them. It is really hard because they are so very far away from us, that we only get to see them a couple of times a year, but I am thankful that we DO get the couple of times a year! 

~Mason (5 months) and GMA~

~Mason (2 years) and GMA~ 

Mom is coming out next May before the baby arrives to spend some time here with Mason and will help out with him while I am in the hospital. That means so much to me. When I had Mason she stayed an extra 2 weeks to help me out because I didn't have anyone else. And that was seriously the best thing I have ever experienced. She helped me with her experience with a crying baby (since I did that a ton when I was a newborn) but she also let me figure out a lot of things on my own too. I was so sad when she left because we bonded in a different way than we had before.  It was quite amazing and I am so thankful for that.

~This is how Mason would look as a newborn screaming his head off. Pretty scary for a FTM who didn't know what the heck to do!~

~Mason (3 days) and GPA~

My daddy. Yes I am such a daddy's girl. He is awesome! He is a big bear. That's how I described him to all my boyfriends who were going to come calling at my home. He might be a tall guy but he is cuddly and nice! I call him and tell him about all my rehearsals and performances. He is so glad that I am keeping up my horn playing! I wish they were here to do their silly wave at me from the audience. It is really hard not having anyone for me in the audience but I know that if they could be here they would. I love the way Mason laughs at my dad over Facetime because my dad does a silly face or something and Mace gets this little grin of, yeah I think I like you. I love how involved they are in my life and I wouldn't change a thing. 

~Mason (2 years) showing off his jammies that GMA and GPA got him in Alaska~

There you have it. My 2 things this week! More to come for the last and final installment next week!

QOTD: How wonderful has your life been this past week?

Girly Girl!

I am, like totally, becoming a GIRLY GIRL! I am so excited and thrilled for my new find that I found the other night. I have known for awhile now what I and my teammate were going to wear for costumes for the Disney Princess Half Marathon. We are named team Brave Belles. Me as Merida (from Brave) and her as Belle. I also knew that I wanted to venture out wearing a tutu. I read that it can give you an extra little berth when running Disney races as the tutu's are so puffy and the races are so packed. I talked K into wearing a tutu, and actually just ordered hers the other day. Well, due to my pregnancy I have to wait to get mine until my belly is bigger and such.

But to top it off, it looks like I am starting the tutu thing a little early. When finding my friend's K tutu and my future tutu I found this amazing beauty!

I will be sporting it at my upcoming turkey trot on Thanksgiving morning!

 ~LOVE THE BACK PLUMAGE!~

 ~Side view~

It is the TURKEY TUTU! I love the back of it. SO CUTE! And for a top my shirt will say, "huffing for some stuffin'" I am really excited. I am so excited for my race and to run in my TUTU! Seriously, though, these are the things that get me excited now, running a race and what am I going to wear in it! So many tutu's to choose from now! 

Check out Angelina's website at Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RaceJunkie. She is super nice and so fun to talk to. (I sent her a couple of messages asking how do I measure my pregnant belly, do I have to pin the tutu to me to stay up, and such.) She had prompt response and was so nice and is very willing to work with you for you!

QOTD: Have you or would you ever run a race in a TUTU? And what was the theme if you did?

Good Eats- Vegan Baked Ziti

First off, we are not vegans, or vegetarians. We are carnivores. We like our meat in this house, but every now and then I will throw in a meatless meal. Not always a hit but this one was not a miss.

Don't let the name fool you. Vegan. Yes, Vegan. Vegan does not mean that there is no flavor and that you won't like it. Trust me! YOU WILL LIKE THIS! Because of this recipe I have found a new herb that I like to throw in various dishes now because of the black licorice taste and deep flavor it gives. Who knows what herb I am talking about???

Fennel seed! It is actually a really cool herb to use. So this recipe I found almost 2 years ago. (Still trying to find the website where I originally found it. When I find it, it will go here. Sorry!) Try this recipe out. Super healthy and super filling!

Vegan Baked Ziti w/Roasted Vegetables

• 1 lb. eggplant, peeled or not, cut into 1" cubes
• 1 large red onion, cut into 1" cubes
• 2 yellow peppers, large pieces
• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 16 oz. ziti pasta, cooked
• 1 bunch fresh spinach, chopped ~( I used a small spinach container)~
• 1 cup non-dairy cheese, Mozzarella, grated (I like Follow Your Heart) (parm cheese works too)

FOR THE SAUCE:

• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onions, fine chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 pounds tomatoes, crushed
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon organic sugar
• 1 pinch thyme
• 2 Tablespoon fresh parsley

1. Heat oven to 450F. Toss eggplant, red onion, peppers, oil and salt in small baking dish. Roast 30 minutes, stirring once or twice until vegetables begin to brown.

2. TO MAKE SAUCE: Heat oil in saucepan. Add onions and cook covered over med-low heat 10 minutes. Stir in garlic, red pepper and fennel seed; cook 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, salt, pepper, sugar and thyme. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in parsley. (Makes 3 cups.)

3. Reduce oven heat to 400F. Toss ziti pasta with vegetables, sauce, spinach and cheese in bowl. Spread in shallow 3-quartbaking dish. Bake 20 minutes or until bubbly.

Serves 6. (we actually got closer to 9 servings because it was so filling)

Per Serving: 427 Calories; 2g Fat (5.1% calories from fat); 23g Protein; 79g Carbohydrate; 7g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 429mg Sodium.

SAHM Weekly Exercise Tips- Cleaning

(source)

Alrighty moms! How many of us clean our house? (you don't have to raise your hand if you don't want to.) Do you know how many calories you are burning while cleaning your house? It is quite amazing actually to see that yes cleaning does burn calories. I hate cleaning. I hate having a dirty house even more so my dislike for cleaning is overruled.

So I teach piano lessons out of my house 2 days a week which means that for those 2 days a week that 3/4 of my house actually have to be clean. The main living floor: foyer, 1/2 bath, kitchen and living room where I teach and the basement need to be cleaned (that is where all the family members hang out while I teach since there are lots of toys for siblings to play with down there). I don't do a deep clean every week but I vacuum every week sometimes more than just 1 time depending on how messy Mason has been that day.

I just looked it up here a that if you weigh 165 lbs and vacuum for 60 min you have burned just shy of 200 calories. I know that doesn't seem like a lot compared to the gym and all but that is just vacuuming. Combine that with doing an in home walking DVD for 3+ miles and you are doing 500 cals a day alone in just a short amount of time. Need a little extra boost in cal burn. Run your stairs a few times too, try carrying your kid up the stairs a few times, or race them up it (as long as it is safe for you child). That will get you burning. These are all things we can do at home. Involve the kids. Make it fun. But don't stop moving!

QOTD: What other activities can you do with your kids to exercise?

Breaking The Stereotype

(source: Active.com)

One thing I have noticed over the last few weeks and this week in particular, now that I am showing, is everyone is SHOCKED that I am still running while pregnant. At the training program last Saturday people were so amazed that I could still run while pregnant. People at the gym are the same way. They all ask, "Is your doctor ok with this?" "How are you feeling?" "How long have you been running for?" And such. For so many years it was so taboo to do exercise without just sitting in a chair but to get out and actually run was FORBIDDEN!

Even recently doctors have changed their tune with what to watch for while pregnant and exercising. It used to be don't let your heart rate get above 140 bpm. But that is all done with now. Doctors say that if you have previously been running/exercising you may continue to do so. Their main concern now is with overheating and dehydration. Especially while running. And the other day I read this article here about the benefits of exercising while pregnant. And here is another great article about running while pregnant.

I think it is just so funny when I am running or exercising now to just get these looks of shock. Just you wait peeps until I am HUGE and still running. The 1/2 marathon will be an interesting sight to behold because I will have a very "out there" belly!

Rule of thumb about exercising while pregnant. TALK TO YOUR OB/GYN! Seriously. Ask them what they think. And listen to your body. You will know if something doesn't feel right. If it doesn't stop, slow down and/or try again later. 1st trimester is hard to exercise in because you are sick, sick, sick. 3rd trimester is hard to exercise in because you are huge, and getting huge-r (still walk or run though it is great for you)! So use the 2nd trimester to get back into it and just walk if you have to. But LISTEN to you body!

QOTD: What is your favorite exercise to do while pregnant?

Disclaimer: I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL! I have talked with my own doctor about what he wants me to do and continue with. These opinions are purely mine and the sites that I listed. Talk with your doctor or medical professional for help and advice on medical questions.