Celebrating 14 Years Of Marriage

Look at how YOUNG WE WERE! I was 20 and Matt was 24. Today we are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary, and man have these 14 years gone by quickly. They really have. Just thinking back it doesn't seem that long, but 14 years is a long time! Now with 2.5 kids, 5 moves, 2 owned homes. We have traveled around the country enjoying each other's company along the way. We have had quite the adventures and now we are about to traverse the adventure of adding a little girl to our family! (which I think scares us equally!) Happy 14th to the love of my life and here's to all eternity!

MY #1 TIP TO MAKE MARRIAGE LAST: 
1: Date often and laugh everyday! 
You have to rekindle your spark sometimes, especially if you have kids. Make sure you take time for each other. Go out (read more here on the importance of dating your spouse!). Get some ice cream. Take an hour of just the 2 of you. Swap with other parents to get out of the house and keep it just the two of you. IT REALLY IS THAT IMPORTANT. And don't forget to laugh every day. When you laugh together you touch more. You remember how much you had fun when you were younger and dating. Just make sure you have a good time and laugh often!

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5 Tips To Eating Out For Special Occasions

It's a HOLIDAY WEEKEND! YAY! For us it is our Anniversary weekend. So Labor Day is pretty special for us. (hoping it doesn't turn into actual LABOR day though...3 more weeks baby girl, 3 more weeks! 14 years on Monday and we are celebrating tonight with an amazing dinner and of course we are going to indulge in a melted pot of chocolate! So let's talk about those fancy date night meals or indulgent meals. Hey, this is real life. No more restricting things. This is why we eat clean 80% of the time! So that we can enjoy the other 20%. I won't eat like this every single day (I used to want to!) Not anymore. Just occasionally am I ok with eating over indulgent food.

HERE ARE MY 5 TIPS TO HELP YOU WHEN EATING OUT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS!

1. DECIDE BEFORE WHERE AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO EAT: We have already looked at the menu and the restaurant we are going to is African inspired but looks VERY healthy and has lots of healthy options. The only thing with eating out is you don't know for sure how they prepare your food. How much salt or oil. So try to pick something that is the healthiest option. Avoid cream sauces or deep fried foods. Your tummy will thank you the next day.

2. DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO EAT ALL OF THE FOOD. There is nothing better than enjoying leftovers guys. If it is a good meal, the leftovers can be pretty yummy too! Most restaurants give you too big of portions anyways. It is best to eat 1/2 or 1/4 of what is on your plate depending on how BIG the portion is. Think of your containers. Because as we learned from Autumn, it is still not good to over eat even the good foods!

3. START WITH YOUR VEGGIES AND LEAVE THE CARBS FOR LAST. I know I am no fun! But make sure you get some veggies on your plate, just like your momma taught ya! And start with them first. Hey, I think of it that if you don't like veggies, eat them first so that the rest of your food takes away the taste of them! ;) But get those veggies in because they are the most important, then go to your protein, and leave any carb for last. You don't want to fill up on quick burning foods and have no room for the stuff that your body really wants and needs!

4. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ORDER DESSERT. Share your dessert with your date. That way you aren't eating the whole thing by yourself. I struggle with this because we are often split on what we want for dessert and have in the past ordered one for me and one for Matt and then tried both. Occasionally this would be ok. But every time you eat out or go on a date. Probably not. I will be sharing my pot of melted chocolate tonight but only because it is so much I don't want to waste any!

5. DON'T ORDER TOO MANY "FUN" DRINKS! Make sure you don't enjoy too much alcohol or Mocktails. (that is what I get since I don't drink any alcohol. Try to limit yourself, because they are more empty calories and if you are doing an appetizer, dinner, dessert, that is already a lot of calories! Before you go decide how much you are going to drink, 1 or 2 glasses and stick to it! Your bill at the end will thank you too!

Remember, it is ok to eat out and enjoy what you are eating. Tomorrow you will be back on your regular eating of clean eating. You just need to think about it, plan ahead (just like you do at home!) And you will have an amazing time. Remember you are there with your partner and as long as you are together, that is all that matters!

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Fit And Healthy Pregnancy Is Possible

Today I reminded all my ladies in my exclusive group that since it is the first of the month to take their monthly "before" picture, measurements and weigh themselves to see the progress they have made. Whether it is positive or negative. Because either way you are going to learn what is working and what isn't. Well, I posted my monthly changes too. Even though I am pregnant I was curious how much my body has changed in just one month and I was actually pleasantly surprised to see that I look SMALLER now than at 33 weeks pregnant. I have gained 3.8 pounds this month but my belly looks more compact and smaller! BLEW MY MIND! So I wanted to see what happened with Collin's and Mason's pregnancy too.

With Elyse, I am exercising 4-5 days a week. I'm not perfect but hey I am doing pretty well. I am working really hard to eat as clean as possible (cutting out fast foods, processed foods and just crap!) and I think this is making all the difference in the world!

With Collin's pregnancy, I had stopped running now since 30 weeks. The half marathon training was done and I was done exercising. I did yoga once a week and walked on the treadmill before class and that was it. My belly is obviously bigger from 33 weeks to 37 weeks. But that is understandable. I gained about 15 pounds in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy!!!

With Mason, I had already gained a ton and was freaking out about gaining too much and I had really worked hard on cutting the sweets, but about this time, I was eating a super thick chocolate shake about 3-4 times a week. The only thing to keep me cool in the middle of a hot summer. I wasn't really exercising at all. I stopped once I found out I was pregnant and was too scared to exercise, I think I might have been walking at the gym on the treadmill but nothing like what I am doing now. But in his, my belly looks a little smaller in the 37 week picture. Interesting!

GOALS FOR A HEALTHY AND FIT PLUS SIZE PREGNANCY: 

EXERCISE- 5 days a week! As often as you can!

EAT WHOLE FOODS- ditch the boxed foods and make homemade meals. Prep your foods 1 day a week to make it easier!

LOVE YOUR BODY AND THE CHANGES IT IS GOING THROUGH- don't be down because you are getting bigger. Thank your body for making such a healthy baby and that your body is able to make a baby!

Overall, if you wanting to have a healthy and fit pregnancy and are eating right, exercising as much as you can, that is the main goal. Every pregnancy is different. A lot of women don't want to track their weight gain because they are pregnant. AND THAT IS OK! But for someone like me, who starts out at a heavier weight and is more prone to being high risk pregnancy and have complications because of my weight, I have HAD to work for it so hard. Be proud of what you are accomplishing no matter what. And never give up on you. Do what feels right for you and for your body and in the end, we all get to enjoy a beautiful little bundle of joy!

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Bump Update: 37 Weeks

Here we go! I am getting so big that I am having a REALLY hard time finding tanks that fit! Seriously, a hard time! But hey, when your shirts don't fit that means that the baby is almost done cooking huh??? Down to 3 weeks at this point. Tomorrow begins her birth month which is fun. I still feel like I have so much to do, but I really don't. Right now my goal is to soak up as much time with my two cute boys as much as I can because their lives a going to be changing a ton when she arrives and I don't know how they are going to handle the changes. And the fact that we will be outnumbered by children...see these are the things that are going through my mind.

Elyse's closet is all ready to go. The bag is packed. We have our final date all planned out (well Matt has it planned out as it is our 14th wedding anniversary date.) Now it is just a waiting game until D day.

Total Weight Gain: Gained 23.8 pounds total. Weight as of this morning 261.5pounds. Lost .8 pounds from last week!

Symptoms: Smaller appetite, eating smaller meals throughout the day. Having to "go" a lot since she is head down. Hard time sleeping. Waddling and lower back soreness like nothing else! Man at the end of the day my back is just killing me! Oh and by the end of the day my feet and ankles are starting to swell a little. I blame having to walk and wait in the heat for the bus to arrive! ;) 

Baby’s Size: Winter Melon (~19-22 inches, 6.5 pounds- WOW! BABY IS GETTING UP THERE!)

Labor Progress: As of my weekly check up appointment last Thursday I was 1cm dilated. Baby was at a -3 station. She is totally locked into position (head down) but not  engaged in my pelvis. Next appointment is TOMORROW! (She is locked but not loaded) 

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. I think I am getting some new ones or my old was are just being stretched up higher on my belly. No bright purple ones just the faded white ones. 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. 

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! But you can see how much of an innie I have! Don't think it is going to pop at this point...

Braxton Hicks Contractions: I am getting them throughout the day now, many times a day. 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 need to take a nap every day but I haven't been this week. 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, 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 back! Sleeping through the night. 

Cravings: Been craving sweets more...I think I need to get more healthy carbs in to help staunch those!

Aversions: Sweets taste too sweet for me, so I can only handle a little at a time, I just want them throughout the day.

Excited About: Our 14th wedding anniversary is next MONAY! And we are celebrating this Friday (only day we can get a babysitter!). Matt has something special planned for us, and I don't know any of the plans. All I know is that it involves him getting off work early on Friday! Tomorrow I have my weekly doctor checkup and will be able to hear her heartbeat and find out more about my progress. I don't think anything has changed since she isn't engaged in my pelvis but you never know. I told the doc last week that she won't come out until at least September, because she wants to be a sapphire birthstone baby! ;) 

Workouts: Pretty well for this week! I got in 5 days of regular workouts this past week. I'm really enjoying, 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! I did a combo of Country Heat and yoga. 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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Mom & Baby Hospital Bag Packing List- Third Time Around

I am so behind in writing this post! EEK! I am 37 weeks pregnant tomorrow and just getting everything together. I blame the hubs. He has been making me wait and wait and wait until I was in my final month, meant to do it last week but it just didn't happen! But here it is! If you are not sure what to pack for the hospital, well here you are, and with an easy way to pack too! 

I like to get super organized and make it easy. I will group thing together in Ziploc bags for easy to find, store and pack! When I was in labor with Collin (#2) I had my hospital bag in our room and we had to move fast. I had my laboring sports bra/nursing bra and my labor gown right on top. I just pulled them out without thinking about it and threw them on. Grabbed my chargers and put them in the ziploc bag we already had near them and it was so easy and fast. Everything else was already packed and I didn't have to think about it. Being organized and ready makes a huge difference. Just a little advice on making it easier to pack.

WHAT TO PACK: Mommy & Baby: Starting from bottom of bag up.

-Going home outfit for you and for new baby and socks and mittens for baby. Bring your comfy sweat pants. No jeans here cause you won't want to pull them on. And bring a pregnancy top too as you will have a bump still. (see Kate Middleton pix of Prince George meeting the world)

-Washed blanket from home for baby to get used to smell of home while in the hospital. I love using the Aden & Anais Swaddle blankets in the hospital instead of the blankets they provide. 

-Clothing to wear for your hospital stay. 2 tops and 2 bottoms (sweat pants again or capris or loose fitting non tight stuff). I'm wearing a black nursing dress (similar to this) because it is just so comfy! PJ's would be great. If you are going to wear bottoms I would do dark bottoms because of the after birth bleeding that happens, and you have a leak in the lovely hospital undies. I love these rolled gauchos pants from Old Navy! I have 2 pairs! You always have the option to wear the hospital gown too.

~Nursing bras (2, just in case). I love these from Motherhood Maternity for sleeping and pads, along with nipple cream or coconut oil in a small container

~Cheap flip flops for the showers, plus you have the flip flops or shoes you wore in. Also you can pack slippers if you want. I don't they take up too much room but here is where you would put them in your bag.

~Toiletries- toothbrush, hair brush, hair tie, face wash, shampoo and conditioner, glasses case, contacts and solution and makeup.

~Chapstick and hair tie easily accessible for use while laboring. You will need it. Put it in a Ziploc baggie to keep together and easy for the hubs to find.

~Charger for phone, tablet and all electric things you are bringing. (make sure your camera if bringing one that is not your phone, has a fully charged battery prior to being packed.)

~Insurance card, birth plan, pre-registered hospital card, picture ID and list of what you packed to make sure you bring it all home in a pocket folder so that you can check into the hospital and also add the hospital paperwork to before you leave the hospital too.

-Don't forget to bring a robe with you so you can walk around the hospital if you have to during labor.

THESE GO ON THE VERY TOP! 

~Birthing sports bra or nursing bra- I have a black one from Motherhood Maternity that I love that I will use again to give birth in. It is easy to throw on in a hurry and isn't too tight, and it can be pulled to the side easily to nurse right away. Keep in mind this one will get messy from when you meet your baby as they will place the baby on your chest or belly when they are born. That is why black. My cousin did hot pink though.

~Birthing gown (I choose not to use the open butt gowns the hospital has and I bring a night dress that goes down to my knees and has thin straps. More comfy. Check with doc and hospital to see if allowed.)

I am hoping to do most of my laboring at home prior to the hospital again. And when I get to the hospital I want to be all work no play basically. But if getting induced, bring a good book or crossword puzzle or a game with you and make sure you rest because inductions can take some time and it can get boring just sitting there watching the clock, which you will do even if you bring a book, game or rest.

Other women bring their Boppy pillow with them or a pillow from home. I don't, because that is just more stuff to take home when your hands are going to be full of stuff, including your new baby!

These are my essentials. If I think of anything else to add between now and DD I will update this post!

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