Bump Update: 35 Weeks

 I feel like this week is a "dud" week. 34 weeks is huge for me because you have to be at least 34 weeks to deliver at my hospital. Then 36 weeks is like the FINAL PUSH, and in a lot of mom's mind once you hit 36 weeks baby can come any time. (Not my thinking though, I want baby to cook for at least 40 weeks, then I start getting impatient!) Not much really happened. Today I got to spend quite a bit of time in the pool and that was amazing, but the feeling of getting out of the pool, I literally felt weighed down by my belly. Like someone just handed me a 20 pound bag of potatoes and that feeling of being weighed down just happened. It was so weird. But made me realize how heavy that belly really is.

 I'm kind of enjoying looking at these straight on pictures. I don't really feel like I look pregnant. Until I turn sideways then it is BAM, pregnant belly! I am having fun with the new Country Heat workout out. I missed yesterdays workout due to a massive headache but it has been a great workout so far. Even modified and not pushing as much as I would if I wasn't pregnant I am still getting a good sweat by the end and out of breath too!

Total Weight Gain: Gained 21.4 pounds total. Weight as of this morning 259.1 pounds. 

Symptoms: Smaller appetite, eating smaller meals throughout the day. Having to go a lot since she is head down. Hard time sleeping, and today, wracked with a horrible headache.

Baby’s Size: Canary MElon (~19-22 inches, 5.5 pounds)

Maternity Clothes: Yes, bottoms need to wear maternity or stretchy pants. Tops I wear maternity now and my bigger t-shirts but those are starting to get tight now. Wearing my new Fabletics sports bra in these pictures and LOVE THEM and the fun colors! A ton more coverage and super comfy!

Stretch Marks: I already have a ton that I got when I gained weight years ago. So nothing new. I am using Honest Company belly balm right now though to help my belly stretch so I do not get any new ones. I apply it at night and right after I get out of the shower. After the shower I actually don't have to apply as much! 

Belly Button: Innie! I never had my belly button flatten out or pop out during my other 2 pregnancies, but this might be the one that I do! Every week it is getting closer!

Braxton Hicks Contractions: I am getting them throughout the day now. Including some strong ones that kind of make me stop and take a breath. I get two different kinds. Upper belly and lower belly, but never at the same time. (that would be labor!) Upper BH are generally caused by exercise and getting up and down too much and just a reminder to slow down and drink water. The other kind I am getting are lower belly ones that really take my breath away. I only get a couple of them a day, not as frequent as the others but these, yeah, remind me more of actual labor pains. They just happen when they want to happen!

Gender: GIRL!!! So excited about all the cute stuff we got for her! We have her coming home outfit and her picture props! So girly, and way too cute!

Sleep: I HAVE to take a nap every day. And I am waking up many times a night to go to the bathroom or trying to get comfy. (If you see me make a comment on FB or IG at 2am this is why!) I am still getting up at night at 11:30pm, 1:30am, and 3:30am, 5:30 without fail. Always around 9pm for about an hour she likes to put on a show and be super active! 

Miss Anything: Sleeping comfortably flat on my belly or back! Sleeping through the night. 

Cravings: Veggies. Are really the only thing I really have to have with my meals. I really don't have any cravings of things that "I have to have". Peanut M&M's are my go to treat. but I can only eat a little at a time. 

Aversions: Sweets taste too sweet for me, so I can only handle a little at a time. I guess that is my only aversion and kind of good!

Excited About: BABY SHOWER THIS WEEKEND! I have some amazing friends throwing me a shower to celebrate Elyse's arrival. I am so excited to see all my friends coming out to celebrate.

Workouts: Pretty well for this week! I got in 5 days of regular workouts this past week. I started a new workout this week, COUNTRY HEAT! I am trying to dance this baby out! If you are interested in joining BUSY MOM'S DANCE PARTY just click on the link to request to join and I will get in touch with you with all the details! My regular Workouts include: 21 Day Fix yoga & pilates.  Beachbody On Demand Active Maternity and Diary Of A Fit Mommy's Fit For Two 2nd Trimester workouts in daily. 

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Closet Organization Storage Tips For Kids

Do you have a small nursery space, but a decent sized closet? Or just don't want to use a dresser for your older kids because of the tipping dangers (IKEA!) We choose NOT to go with a dresser option for our family before Mason was born. We actually have an open book shelf instead and I use that to store diapers, wipes, some books, and blankets for the baby.

As far as storage areas for clothing I opted to get this Closet Organization system through ONE STEP AHEAD which you can customize for your needs. It is nice to be able to just close the closet doors and everything is put away in its place! We ordered a full set for Mason when he was born, 2- 6 shelfs, 2- 4 shelf, we got an extra 4 shelf for free with our purchase at the time, and 2 bins, the hanging rod and 2 big bins which we use for toys and shoes for the boys and we have been using them ever since. When Collin was born, I just halved what Mason had so both boys have a 6 shelf and a 4 shelf and a bin each. Now with Elyse I ordered her a 6 shelf and a few more bins since she has more small stuff.

How do I use these? 

For the Boys, they have 6 shelves and a 4 shelf organizer each. I organize it with a shelf or two for short sleeved shirts, a shelf for, a shelf for long pants, shorts and miscellaneous stuff. Plus I have a 2 bins for Mason, one for undies, one for socks and a bin of socks for Collin. They are siting on shelf in the closet easy to reach by Mason so he can pick his own clothing.

For Elyse I am hanging all dresses, and folding shirts. Onesies will be in a bin, jammies will be in a bin probably, Socks and bloomers are in a bin, and Headbands/bows are in a bin. Pants and shorts/skirts will be folded too. I have learned through the last 2 boys that the most commonly used items that get washed the most and go through the most, it is easier to just throw the clean stuff in a bin instead of folding it and all. Plus whenever my boys see a nice and folded pile of clothing, they think it is a tower and just barrel right into it then I have to fold it again. It just isn't worth it. Think smarter not harder! (I will update this with a picture of her closet after the baby shower on Saturday!)

Review: 
We really do like these. We haven't had any problems with these falling or break, the shelves do sag, but clothing can be pretty heavy, and I really did squeeze a lot of clothing in those shelves. For us they have been great and it is a great way to use the un-useable space in the closet and adds more useful shelving without it being permeant. Have you thought about these as an option for your storage needs in your kid's closet?

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Kindergarten Lunch Ideas

I am really trying to give Mason healthy foods when he goes to school. Last year in preschool, he ate the same exact thing every single day. PB & J, chips, grapes. I was actually told by his teacher to stop packing carrots because he would have such a breakdown about having to eat his veggies and he hated them. Yes I was TOLD to stop packing any veggies. They just didn't want to deal with the drama any more.

This morning I sat down with Mason and asked him what foods he would enjoy with his lunch. He helped me pick out every item on this list and he seems really excited about most of it. Not the pinwheels, but trying to make them fun for him so that he will want to eat them. You guys this is a constant battle with us trying to get Mason to try new foods. But I will let his teachers deal with it and try my best here at home to have him eat more things. One thing, I have failed in, is that I became a short order cook for him. Making him his own meals because I knew he wouldn't even try. But after talking with his doc last month, she said, NO MORE! That he needs to learn to eat what everyone else eats. And it is just setting a not good example for his siblings. Collin will eat anything at this point and I am thankful for that!

Anyhew, I am going to stick with the pinwheels and try different flavors to see if Mason will ever like them. I found these cute ideas on BuzzFeed for 23 Pinwheel Snacks! What do you do for your picky eaters to get them to eat more variety?

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Mid Month Goals

So I know it is the 15th of the month but...I only have 5 weeks left until this baby is due to arrive. 5 weeks! Being a plus size pregnant momma to be I have set a goals to make sure I am staying on track and to keep me motivated to be as healthy and fit as possible. I WANT TO END THIS PREGNANCY HEALTHIER THAN WHEN I FOUND OUT I WAS PREGNANT. And with just over a month to go until my due date there is nothing wrong with setting new goals mid month!

FIRST GOAL: Workout at least 5 days a week! 

I am starting a new workout program to DANCE THE BABY OUT! Yep! I am doing some good old Country Heat! I am not a country music fan, but the workout is low impact, and easy to follow and EVEN SIDED (meaning each move is done on both legs, not just one leg so you don't burn one leg out...did that make sense? It works both sides of the body) No wonder the results are so amazing with it! And after todays workout (during really) I was so pumped with endorphins it was amazing! And it was silly. I am not a dancer by any stretch of the imagination. But I still like to have fun and I DID! So win right there!
Busy moms, next month is for you because we are doing a DANCE PARTY to a) celebrate the kiddos going back to school, and b) getting your schedule of taking care of you, back on track! So...want to join? Send me an EMAIL, FILL OUT THIS FORM, or REQUEST TO JOIN HERE! (and because you are my blog you get early access to request to join, plus a free clean eating guide from me but you have to contact me for the details to get hooked up!)

SECOND GOAL: Drink More Water! 

I need to be drinking more water. EVERYONE needs to be drinking more water. But I have noticed that the days that I don't drink enough water...I have more Braxton Hicks contractions. I also get super moody too, and when I am in a crummy mood, and getting "practice" contractions, it makes for one mean mommy! So...Drink more water. I am aiming for at least half my body weight in ounces of water. And since my weight has gone up 21 pounds that means I have to drink even more. That is where I am falling short. I need to drink at least 130 ounces of water a day (rounding up). How am I going to do that, there's an app for that! My favorite app is Waterlogged. Easy to use and easy to stay on track!

THIRD GOAL: Have fun and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy! 

This could very well be my last pregnancy. We don't know if we are going to have any more kids, or if we will be blessed with any more children. Just never know. We are talking about it but nothing has been decided. Gotta get this one out first, ya know! So...time to just enjoy this pregnancy. Even though I have been categorized as high risk for most of the pregnancy, I no longer am. So now I can finally relax and have fun and I have faith in my body and in Elyse that she is doing great. Time to have fun and just enjoy being pregnant. Yes I have many times a day where I am uncomfortable. Where going up the stairs makes me breath like I just ran a mile, where I just can't stop feeling like I am breathing fire. But I still enjoy being pregnant and the feeling of her moving around. I don't want to forget that. So time to enjoy!

I encourage you to sit down today, and think about the monthly goals you set this month. Are you working at achieving them every day? Have you forgotten about them? Are you on track to meeting them? If not, what can you do now, to help you stay on track? WRITE THEM DOWN! POST IT SOMEWHERE! IT IS WORTH IT and YOU ARE WORHT IT TO TAKE CARE OF YOU! Don't ever forget that.

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Make Yourself A Priority

How many of you take 30 minutes to yourself each day? How many of you make yourself a priority before your husbands, partners, or your kids? If you aren't you need to find time in your day where you can just take care of you! WE ALL NEED TO TAKE SOME TIME. I hear it so much, I don't have time, there is no where in my day for just 30 minutes. And it isn't just about getting a workout in, I mean, just alone time to decompress from the day and things going on around you.

The reason why I dedicate 30 minutes of my day to exercise is because it has become my therapy. It not only helps me feel energized and ready to tackle the day, but it allows me to be able to cope with the daily stress of life. When I don't exercise I feel like I am going to crack under the constant pressure of my kids yelling at me, or having to play referee plus trying to keep my house cleaned and up to snuff.

If you find that you are easily overwhelmed, or feel like the day is just closing in on you. Or you just need an extra boost, MAKE TIME EACH DAY! We all have it. Somewhere. You just have to make you a priority.

What are you going to do today to make yourself a priority?

Want more daily motivation and inspiration? Click here get free advice, support and encouragement + a free copy of my Clean Eating guide to help you get started on your health and fitness journey!