Memorial Day Weekend

We haven't had a 3 day holiday weekend since the beginning of the year so we took full advantage for Memorial Day. Between regular chores and projects around the house we celebrated baby P, spent time with family, ate good food and relaxed. Saturday was my 2nd baby shower, hosted by my sister-in-law. It was a really nice afternoon and I am so grateful for all the family and friends who came and so generously brought gifts. Baby P feasted on all kinds of goodies including blueberry cheesecake and mama managed to wear a non-maternity dress and heels, okay wedges.

 

Sunday we continued with cleaning/organizing/the Honey-Do list in the morning. Nesting at it's finest. Then we headed to a family picnic where I proceeded to drop my phone in the toilet. It was only icky toilet water, thankfully, but I thought I might have killed my very expensive iPhone. After drying it off, sanitizing the heck out of it, and letting it be for a bit, it worked perfectly the rest of the evening. I was shocked. It was almost drowned again when a pop up shower had us scrambling to get back inside as we were listening to music on the deck. I thought we were home free until yesterday morning when I was working out and heard Siri talking....as my phone was on the other side of the room. So creepy. I tried to shut her down but the buttons wouldn't work and then...blackness. It wouldn't turn back on so I was dreading taking it to Apple and begging for a new one. I was even shamelessly going to go for 8 months pregnant and crying. But on a whim we tried the old bag of rice trick and do you know what? After nearly 24 hours in the bag, it turned on this morning. And it's been working perfectly fine since. Not a single unsolicited peep from Siri. Fingers crossed.

 

Striped cropped leggings - old from Gap / Yellow striped tee / Maternity Jeans - sold out from A Pea in the Pod / Lace up espadrilles / Bag / Monogrammed leather cuff bracelet / Gold bangles

 

Yesterday lots was accomplished and lots was eaten. I was dead on my feet by the time we ate lunch from the grill after being busy all morning and scrambling to chop veggies and make mac n'cheese (from scratch) without much notice. I'm not blaming anyone though, ahem, Christopher. Really it was fine, and delicious. I'm kind of bummed I was phoneless aka cameraless and didn't get pictures of the bump in my patriotic attire or the pups snacking on doggie ice cream. But sometimes just living in the moment is better than capturing it.

 

We celebrate Memorial Day weekend the good ol' American way with beers, hotdogs, pool floats and ice cream but I hope we all remember what the day is actually for. Thank you to all the men and women who have and are serving in our US military. My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones while protecting our freedoms and those who dearly miss moms and dads away for duty.

5 Items For Your Baby Registry

I'm extremely fortunate in that I'll have had 2 baby showers for Baby P. On Sunday my aunts, cousins and sister hosted an afternoon for half of our family and friends and I am so grateful and appreciative. All the heart eyes over the gender neutral décor including the cutest baby sock bouquet.

 

 

My second shower is tomorrow with the rest of our friends and family at my mother-in-law's and I can't wait. I have no doubt everything will be just as beautiful and sweet. Baby P and I are just the luckiest to have such wonderful people who are so exited for us. Yes, I'm totally shouting out to all my lovely hostesses. Thank you so, so much.

 

I talked about creating my registry with BabyList here but today I'm going a bit more in depth on some of the things I put on my wish list. As a first time mom to a human babe my best resources have been other new mamas. Of course all little ones are different, people lead varying lifestyles and have their own tastes and preferences, but it still helps immensely to get advice from those currently living the experience.

 

 

 

The 4moms mamaRoo is the very first item I put on my registry. It was mentioned by nearly all the moms I asked to name their top baby products and even one dad. While certainly it's something we could all live without, I keep hearing it's well worth it's price point for the sanity it can bring. An easily portable seat that has 5 different motion settings + plays music? If they made one for adults I'd want it for mama too.

 

Boppy is a brand I was familiar with long before becoming pregnant because I heard so much about it. Created originally to serve as a nursing support pillow, the Boppy also has many other uses. I was warned by several people that it can a bit difficult to use when feeding a newborn based on the size of the baby, experience of the mother, ect. BUT it's still a definite to add to the registry. Some moms had no trouble with it right away and others loved it a little later postpartum. I know people who use it simply to "hold the baby" while they fold laundry, for tummy time or even for sleepy toddlers to nap on.

 

I registered for this standard video monitor but I also registered for the Owlet baby monitor. It actually didn't come as a recommendation from anyone I know personally but rather from the mama blogging community. After reading post after post after post about how awesome this system is and the peace of mind it brings, I decided it was worth asking for. Not only does it monitor baby's heart rate and oxygen levels, but it also records all of his/her stats to an app on your phone. So if I turn out to be an anxiety ridden, obsessive FTM, I can check whenever I want, even if Baby P is staying with someone else.

 

Aden + Anais muslin swaddles aren't all the rage for nothing. It's been quite a long time since I learned to swaddle, way back when I was baby-sitting. But when I watched a YouTube video to remind myself, it came back to me pretty easily. Teaching Chris will be another story. If there's anything new I've learned though, is that this particular brand of swaddle is just the best of the best. Mamas have told me specifically to register for/purchase this brand, so I listened. It doesn't hurt that they come in tons of cute patterns and colors AND there are many gender neutral options.

 

Many parenting choices are hot button issues, especially about babies. Co-sleeping is one the most hotly debated on the list. I'll just say our current plan is to have Baby P sleep in our room, next to my side of the bed for the first several months. I had been told by enough people to get a Fisher-Price Rock 'n Play Sleeper that I planned to have it on my registry anyway to use as a portable bassinet. But when I heard it could double as a bedside crib for those first few months, I was sure it was something I'd need.

 

I plan to do future posts on our own favorite items once Baby P arrives, but until then we are just guessing about what we will need. I've really enjoyed learning about what other mamas find the most useful and love the best for their babes plus I've received some wonderful advice. If you're a FTM trying to create a registry, hopefully these few items can help to get you started.

 

Happy Friday y'all!

33 Weeks

 

I just ate a cup of soft serve vanilla ice cream with sprinkles and baby P is having a party in there. This kiddo is moving all the time it seems but this is the wildest I think it's ever felt. I guess he/she has mama's sweet tooth already. I try to keep eating mostly food with health benefits but it's just been a week for indulging. Saturday was Kristina's bridal shower and Sunday was my first baby shower followed by our first wedding anniversary on Monday. You're supposed to eat from the top layer of your wedding cake that's been frozen for a year so who am I to buck the tradition? That was going to be it until this holiday weekend.....buuuuttt when work has the ice cream truck hanging out in the front parking lot with free soft serve, things change.

Maxi Dress c/o PinkBlush Maternity
 

I am still sticking with my 5 day a week workouts, although they are noticeably more difficult at this point. I'm going to say I'm 25+ lbs up since my next weigh in is 6/2 and I'll have gained a little more by then. It's definitely feeling like I'm carrying around the extra weight but not to the point that I'm super uncomfortable all the time or anything extreme. I'm still mixing maternity and regular clothes and the warm weather makes it pretty easy to throw on a dress. The long holiday weekend coming up is really making me miss being able to enjoy some adult beverages. I saw a recipe for blueberry pineapple margaritas and had one of those it's so not fair moments. Soon enough.

Maxi Dress
 

Symptoms: I walked around my baby shower in wedge heels for several hours in the heat without so much as a swollen baby toe. But since Monday night I've had a bit of swelling in all the little piggies + my ankles. They aren't cankles and honestly not very noticeable but I can feel it. I'm doing all the things you're supposed to do to prevent it and all the remedies to relieve it but doc says sometimes that fluid is stubborn. As long as it doesn't get worse and stay worse, no worries. No heartburn this week!!! Lower back pain, rib pain and shortness of breath come and go but nothing new or really even worth mentioning there. I'm looking forward to cheesecake at my next baby shower this weekend. I'll give you one guess on the flavor.

Our 1 Year Anniversary

 

 

If you don’t know me personally, are new around here or maybe just forgot, you might not know the story of how Chris and I met. It’s not exactly unique or all that exciting but I will remember that moment like it’s frozen in time forever. As we sat on the couch one recent night arguing over whether the little lump beneath my belly button was baby P’s hand or foot I asked him if he ever saw this day coming. He reminded me that none of this was part of the master plan from his early 20s and I just had to come along and ruin everything. My husband is very sarcastic but if you know him, you know this is actually him being very sweet.

 

5 years ago we were both single 20 somethings enjoying a night out with friends with zero plans to meet anyone new and certainly not the person we’d end up with forever. As Frankie Ballard croons, “Ain’t it crazy baby, how we got here, oh it all started with a beer”. Yup, that’s how it happened. You really just never know when the love of your life is going to come crashing in, as ridiculous as that may sound.

 

I always wanted to get married and have a family of both furbabies and human kids. But if you had asked me to give specifics on my life 5 years down the road in 2011, I guarantee you I would not have described the reality of it today. It’s a thousand times better. Chris is certainly not the price charming my younger self had in mind but he is everything a good husband is supposed to be and just the right guy for me. My opinion of fairytales has dramatically changed and I just can’t even picture my life being any other way. So yea, Chris came along and ruined my silly dreams too.  As we celebrate our very first year of marriage, I am flooded with happiness that this is how it’s all turned out. Sometimes having someone come along and ruin all your plans is the best thing that could ever happen. Sometimes you end up somewhere far better than you ever imagined. Sometimes it all starts with a beer. An ice cold beer.

 

Cheers to my husband and many more years ahead together!

 

 

Now if only I could have a beer. An ice cold beer. Damn it.

Friday I'm in Love

Memorial Day weekend is always sort of the unofficial start of summer and it's coming up in just a week. Pool parties, grill outs, boating and in my case, a baby shower are on the calendar in NKY. You know I love to be festive so I couldn't resist a little roundup for a Friday post of some cute red, white and blue gear. And the best part is 4th of July is right around the corner so you use it all again!

Oh how I love stripes! This adorable tote also comes in gray + it's on sale! I might have to snag one.

 

If I had a pool I would absolutely have this to float my big ol' belly around on. Nothing says summer like a giant bomb pop.

 

I found these last week and couldn't pass them up. They are so cute and comfy and perfect for just about any occasion.

 

Another pattern I always gravitate to is gingham. How adorable is this retro tankini?!

 

I'm also totally loving all things tie-dye, especially in indigo, but this little red number is super fun.

 

I can't exactly pull off rompers right now, but as soon as I can I'll be picking up some new ones like this sweet eyelet style.

 

And really you just need a pair of aviators to complete the look. These are only $12 but don't look cheap so if you're like me and tend to lose them, no big deal.

 Happy Weekend!

The Great Coffee Debate

 

There are so many controversies surrounding the dos & don't during pregnancy that it makes my head spin. People can get really twitchy about these hot topics and it's very easy to find yourself in an awkward situation. The only one I'm going to get into today is caffeine, coffee in particular.

 

A few weeks into my pregnancy I developed a major coffee aversion. I could barely even stand to see commercials for it without feeling sick. It was disappointing because I so looked forward to my Starbucks run on Friday afternoons pre-pregnancy. But I know aversions often come with growing a baby and that's just that. I'm mostly a water drinker, really, aside from the occasional tea or very occasional pop. So really I didn't even think about the whole caffeine thing during pregnancy until coffee finally sounded good again early in my second trimester.

 

Of course I Googled and came up lots of contradicting studies, information on miscarriage rates and recommended amounts. I treaded lightly with just a grande latte (about 150 mg) here and there until my next pre-natal appointment and talked with my doctor. In those few weeks I was on my own though I discovered that coffee was no longer a huge offender for my bladder condition. The main reason I drank it sparingly was to avoid the pain or possible flare up that too much could bring on. Apparently pregnancy has somehow lessened my body's response because I was happily downing my coffee like my condition didn't exist. So I consulted my doctor, who is a very matter of fact person, and she told me 300mg/day or less is fine. Have a daily overpriced latte if you want.

 

So what's 300mg equal to? Well, that's the real question. I'm strictly talking about coffee here so it depends on the strength of the brew. Instant coffee or coffee you make at home from your coffee maker are going to pack less of a punch than if you're drinking it professionally brewed from Starbucks or the like. Espresso based drinks are typically lower in caffeine because it's concentrated into a smaller amount. And even so, not all drinks are created equal. Your vanilla latte on Monday might have 165mg of caffeine while the same drink ordered from the same store on Wednesday will only have 150mg. So it's really common sense. If you are having coffee out somewhere there should be a menu telling you what the caffeine content is per size. You are probably safe drinking 16-24 oz of instant coffee or 2 k-cups at home. Really want a venti caramel macchiato? Well think about it. Half of those 24 oz are milk and syrup so you're not actually drinking that much caffeine. Frappucino kind of person? Those have even less caffeine, although lots more calories. Pick your poison.

 

Here's the thing: if you're even bothering to ask the caffeine question, you're obviously a concerned mother who cares about the health of her child and herself. So probably you aren't going to be downing 5 cups of coffee a day or adding extra shots of espresso every rough morning while you're pregnant. Ask your doctor and go with that recommendation regardless of what anyone else thinks. Me included.

 

P.S. Baby P wants to let everyone know that the caramel waffle cone frappucino from Starbucks is amazing.

32 Weeks

Chambray shirt / Leggings / Bag

 

When people ask me how I'm feeling, my response is usually "pretty good". And it's true. So far I haven't really felt the third trimester slowdown I keep reading and hearing about. I've pretty much been doing the same things I always do with a few added symptoms thrown in that remind me I'm carrying a baby.

 

This past weekend I hosted a bachelorette party for my BFF, who is also pregnant and due about 3.5 months after me. Yea, it's super fun to be pregnant at the same time as your best friend. She and her fiancé found out the sex of the baby (it's a BOY!) the morning of the party and she told me immediately so I could get together a mini reveal to surprise the girls that night. I had so much fun planning the party the past several weeks, making lists, creating the food menu and décor and then seeing it all come together. But it all finally caught up with me.

 

Friday afternoon we had a repeat ultrasound and got to see our little munchkin. We were there to check on my fibroid as well as the echogenic bowel that had been seen on baby P at the anatomy scan. The fibroid hadn't grown at all and isn't hindering the baby in any way. Brain, heart and lungs were all perfection and working away. Head and belly were measuring right on schedule. And legs for DAAAYYYYS. I was 32 weeks, 1 day at the appointment and the legs measured 33 weeks, 3 days! Baby P is head down and running out of room so those legs are bent and he/she is pushing those cute little feet right up into my ribs. The echogenic bowel was still present, but less so than at 20 weeks and no one seems very concerned so we aren't either. It was so fun seeing that little face all smushed up against me even though we kept it old school and stuck with 2D.

 

After the ultrasound we went to check out some gliders for the nursery. It was important for me to do a sit test on several different styles because hello, that's the purpose of it and I wanted to make sure it's comfy. I then braved the huge grocery store I typically avoid with my shopping list for the party and managed to get almost everything I needed. It was a nice evening so Chris and I sat outside for a bit and then I did some food prep and called it a night. Saturday was go, go, go from waking up to crashing into bed. My parents were at the house while my dad finished a project upstairs so my mom helped me out with getting the rest of the food ready and arranging things. Thanks mom! My husband is also awesome and did most of the cleaning while I ran out for a few extra things. The party turned out great and we all had so much fun celebrating our bride and her baby boy on the way. But, after some clean up and getting ready for bed, I finally felt very much 8 months pregnant.

 

Symptoms: The rib pain is kind of terrible but now that I've seen it's those tiny feet pushing up from inside, it makes me smile anyway. They say heartburn means your kid will be born with hair. The latest ultrasound confirmed that baby P indeed already has more hair than either Chris or I were born with so I guess that one might be true. I've definitely noticed my workouts getting harder and make sure I take extra breaks and drink plenty of fluids. And I absolutely stop doing anything that doesn't feel right. Now is not the time to push myself, it's about staying healthy for baby and me. Oh and my belly button....it's still out on top, in on bottom. I'm wondering if it's just going to stay like this or if the whole ting will actually pop.

Skin Deep

I'm much more of a clothes and shoes girl than a product junkie but I always enjoy reading about what other ladies are using in that department in case I decide to give something new a try. Pregnancy has been pretty kind to my skin BUT it has caused me to make some changes to my current skincare routine. Today I thought I'd share what is working for me right now.

 

  

I used Cetaphil for YEARS but when I got pregnant my face all of a sudden starting breaking out like it never had before. I was gifted Philosophy Purity Made Simple face wash for Christmas and my pregnant skin loves it.

 

I have been using the Clarisonic Mia with sensitive skin brush heads for a couple years when I wash my face at night. It leaves my skin feeling fresh and soft but definitely not too harshly exfoliated.

 

I turned 29 this year and it's time to start addressing the fine lines and wrinkles I see forming on my face. Olay is known for many of the brands' anti-aging products and after reading up, I purchased the regenerating serum and eye lifting serum. I've been using both daily as directed and I could be imagining things but I definitely think the 4 lines I counted on my forehead look less visible these days.

 

In college I would fall asleep with a totally made up face all the time. Laziness, exhaustion and vodka were my excuses. Now I can't do it no matter how tired I am. I will take off my makeup and wash my face before going to bed even if I'm half asleep. The quickest and easiest way for me to accomplish this is to use these makeup wipes. I love the new version with micellar water, even though I have no idea what it is. I just feel like they hydrate instead of dry out my skin and remove all my makeup better.

 

I always, always, always put lotion on following a shower. It's the best time to moisturize and I am prone to dry skin. I've tried countless different drug store lotions and luxury creams and then discovered coconut oil. I slather it all over and then try not to let the dogs lick it off my arms and legs!

 

What are your favorite skincare products?

31 Weeks

Sweatshirt

 

We've entered single digits on the weeks left until my due date countdown people. We celebrated Mother's Day over the weekend and while it wasn't my first "official" one yet, it just made me really appreciate this little person I'm carrying inside me that much more. I cannot wait to be his or her mommy.

 

As far as the nursery goes, it's in process and picking up steam. The walls are painted and the furniture we are reusing has a fresh coat of white, courtesy of my mama. The crib is in and all put together and we are deciding on a glider to order. I have most of the extras on my baby registry so stocking everything won't happen until after my showers in the next few weeks. I have some blankets and wall art and tons of ideas but most of the finishing touches and décor won't happen until after baby P is here. Once we get things in place I will be happy to share pictures of the progress.

 

I'm wearing non-maternity dresses and leggings (both maternity and non) with mostly maternity tops but also some of my flowy and/or longer regular tops for the most part. Actually I'm not sure if I can get into any regular pants anymore because it's been a few weeks since I've even tried. I'm up 22+ lbs since my doctor's appointment last week but my weight gain should be slowing down now. It's a little harder to keep up with my regular workouts but not so much that I feel like I'm overdoing it. I feel more tired lately but I credit pushing myself to continue working out with giving me more energy than I'd have otherwise.

 

Symptoms: I've reached the point where I'm pretty dang uncomfortable at times. My belly isn't a watermelon yet, no swollen ankles or trouble putting my shoes on. But I feel breathless a lot, just sitting here, and searing, wake me and keep me up for long stretches in the middle of the night rib pain is awful. It's excruciating and I think I'd cry if I had the energy. I was a regular left side sleeper pre-pregnancy but hip and lower back pain are an unwelcome intrusion and staying comfortable is becoming a challenge. Now that I can't, I JUST WANT TO SLEEP ON MY BACK. Oh and the first person to sneak me an ice cold beer in a bottle into the hospital after I pop this baby out will be my new best friend.

Boy or Girl?: Leaving it a Secret

Other than when I'm due, the most popular question I am asked about my pregnancy is if I'm having a boy or a girl. People are usually shocked when I say I don't know. Technology is so amazingly advanced that an ultrasound can reveal the sex of a baby in utero just a few months into the pregnancy. Blood tests can give expecting parents an answer even sooner. While I totally understand why many moms and dads want to find out if their baby is a boy or a girl, I'm firmly in the opposing camp regarding my own child.

 

As long as I can remember back, I said I would decline to know the sex of my baby when the day came that I was pregnant. Most people said I'd change my mind. Most people were wrong. The moment I saw those 2 pink lines I knew my opinion was still strong. Lucky for me, Chris was in total agreement. I realize it's a surprise whether you find out as soon as possible or wait until the baby is born, but I'm a total sucker for a big build up to a happy surprise and waiting until he or she arrives just amps up the excitement level.

 

Honestly, I have no idea if baby P is a boy or a girl. I have friends who swore they knew before they found out but that has not been the case for me. It's not that I don't feel connected to my baby, I just don't have strong feelings either way about the sex. I go back and forth about it and for me, that's half the fun! I will say that I've had overwhelmingly more dreams about having a boy and most of my friends and family are guessing boy, but I'm certainly not convinced. The moment he or she is born and my doctor says, "It's a ________!" will be the best surprise and I am giddy with anticipation.

 

So, are you team blue or team pink?

Spring Style

Even though I'm pregnant this year I've still been trying to keep up in the style department and follow some of the trends this belly will allow. In NKY you just never know what kind of Spring whether is in store but this year has been on the warmer side so far and we've even had a few hot days already. I've always been a shorts wearing kind of girl and will probably forever love destroyed denim, which is EVERYWHERE. I hadn't planned on buying anything in this department until after this kid is born but when I saw these I had to give them a shot. I sized up and they actually fit underneath my belly, for now. I figure I'll still need some extra room this summer post-baby and if I'm magically back to my regular size before the end of summer they should still fit boyfriend style.

 

Button up shirts may not button anymore but luckily wearing them open over a tank or tee is stylish and bump-friendly. It's an easy look to throw together and the lightweight material of this, this (on sale!) or this (have it) make it warm weather appropriate. An added benefit is that they transition to fall as a layering piece.

One thing that definitely hasn't changed is my shoe size. This makes me very happy because shoes are my favorite accessory. You can probably tell I am all over the lace-up trend since I've already posted about these, these and these, but there are so many cute options! I'm especially drawn to them because they make a statement for an otherwise basic outfit and that's perfect for my current style. I've got these, these and these on my wish list. A girl can never have too many shoes.

I love that dresses of the swing, shift, t-shirt and baby doll variety are super stylish right now because they are perfect for a baby bump! I have this one, just bought this one and have my eye on this one. No waistline means you can go for the double scoop of ice cream!

 

Last year my mom bought me a pair of white skinny Joe's Jeans and I've worn them countless times since. I think the rule about wearing white pants strictly between Memorial Day and Labor Day has long been out the window in the fashion world and white jeans are great for all of Spring and Summer. I might not be able to button mine anymore but I'll belly band them until I can't get them on! Once I lose this belly I'd like a destroyed pair as well (surprise!) and love these, these and these.

 

Somebody have a cold one and cheers to the weekend for me please!

5 Essentials for a Home with Dogs

Ares will be 4 this summer and it may be one of the most overused sayings ever but really and truly they grow up so fast. But in these past 4 years it's not just my once 1 pound puppy that has grown. We've expanded our furry family by 3 dogs and 1 cat since I first brought him home that summer and some much has changed. I was new to being a dog mom then but consider myself pretty seasoned at this point. As always, every family has things that work and things that don't, but I love reading about what works for others to see if it might work for us too. So today I'm sharing a few of the doggie essentials we've learned through trial and error that not only work for us, but make life as a family with multiple dogs a whole lot easier.

 

 

Coconut oil is pretty amazing stuff. There are a zillion uses for it but we always keep a big tub on hand specifically for the dogs. Each of our 4 canine furbabies gets a big spoonful mixed into their food bowls every day. Since it comes in solid form, we just plop it on top and then microwave the whole bowl until it melts. So far I haven't met a dog that wouldn't eat coconut oil and not only that, they seem to LOVE it. It has tons of health benefits from keeping the skin and coat hydrated, lessening the immune response to allergens and aiding in digestion just to name a few.

 

I was introduced to Vetericyn a couple years ago by a co-worker. She trains horses and told me she always keeps it stocked in her barn to spray on minor injuries her various animals including horses, dogs and barn cats sometimes acquire. We picked up a bottle to use on Chaos, since at the time we were struggling to get his allergies under control and his poor body had cuts from scratching. Guys, this stuff is awesome. It's an antiseptic that doesn't burn or sting when applied to a wound or rash and helps to speed up the healing time. Winning all around.

 

Since we are only human, sometimes we don't notice a tiny insect bite or wound on our pups until it's already infected. Chaos was our guinea pig using saline solution, yet again, when I noticed one day his paw was red and swollen. The vet said it could have been caused by a number of things but the easiest way to help it heal was to soak it in saline solution. Essentially like a mini salt bath, the solution helps to draw out the infection and promote healing if the infection is minor. The vet sent us home with a bottle of concentrated solution that we were to mix with warm water but you can buy a spray form from any drugstore. Not all dogs are going to submit to a soaking easily or maybe even at all. But lucky for us Chaos had no problem with us shoving his paw into the solution (which does not hurt), especially since he was being fed treats and petted the entire time. The instructions were to soak it as long as he would let us but I think he would have let us forever so we stopped at around the 3 minute mark. The swelling was significantly down by the next morning and looked completely normal just 24 hours later after 2 additional soaks.

 

 

Did you know dogs can take Benadryl? Along with several other "human" medications, this one is safe for pups when given the correct dosage. Check with your own vet first but we've always gone by the 1mg/every 10lbs of dog rule. If you haven't guessed already, we also learned this one with Chaos since he's allergic to life. Let me tell you how beyond glad I was to have a bottle of pills at home when he had a pretty severe allergic reaction a few weeks ago. He's allergic to bees and I'm fairly certain he was stung while out in the yard. The tell tale hives developed and spread quickly over his body so I shoved the pills into a big scoop of peanut butter and let him go to town. Benadryl works fast and about 15 minutes later the hives were disappearing before my eyes. We have given it to our other dogs if they seem a bit itchy or pink around the eyes after romping in fresh cut grass, a known allergen for many dogs, so it's definitely a staple around our house.

 

When Chaos was a little pup I was clipping his nails when Chris walked in the door and startled us both. The result was blood pouring out of my poor furbaby's nail when I cut too far down and me freaking out because he was certainly GOING TO DIE. I felt ridiculous when Chris pulled out the bag of baking flour, poured some out on the floor and stuck the bleeding nail into it and just like magic, it stopped. Styptic powder is actually made for this purpose so grab some to keep around but in a pinch regular old flour will do. I sure wish we would have caught Trinity's bleeding tail in time to use one of these methods before she wagged it all over the house leaving what looked like a crime scene in her wake over the weekend.

 

 

It's always the best idea to schedule regular check-ups for your dogs and head to the vet if something seems wrong. But if you can remedy the situation yourself at home it saves time and money and gives some precious peace of mind.

 

P.S. Trinity is fine but I spent Sunday afternoon scrubbing the blood splatter off walls and doors all around my house. #momlife

30 Weeks

Tank

 

Well I've started to feel pretty darn pregnant now that we've reached 30 weeks. My belly is getting in the way, my kid is crowding my lungs and I'm forgetting things like I never have before. I called Chris yesterday and while it was ringing I forgot why I called. Finally I remembered about 8 hours later while I was folding laundry. Pregnancy Brain is totally real. But, because I personally know women who waited and waited and waited or are still waiting to feel like this, I want to say that I 100% appreciate my body and my baby, even when I'm complaining. Sometimes the kicks hurt, sometimes I feel breathless sitting down and sometimes I want to actually tear my ribcage right out of my body to stop the pain as it presses into my ever expanding uterus. But I am certain that none of this will matter in less than 10 weeks. I am so, so excited thinking about holding this baby in my arms and getting to know him or her on the outside. Pregnancy can be awesome or awful or both at the same time but there isn't a moment that I take it for granted.

 

Symptoms: Heartburn isn't constant but when it comes, it comes full force. I still haven't tried the baking soda in water remedy because it keeps happening when I'm not at home! My belly button is still pokey at the top and in but looking flatter at the bottom. Cute, I know. Rib pain has been pretty bad and I've found myself doing a lot of fidgeting and squirming around trying to alleviate it when I'm sitting down. I've been given some recommendations so I'll be including what works in an upcoming post. I had double blueberry pancakes at IHOP on Saturday. What does that tell you? Really I could eat fruit in general all day long. It pretty much all sounds good all the time. And peanut butter. PB and I go way back but recently I find myself with spoon in jar a lot more often. Hey, at least it's not ice cream.

Friday Favorites on Sunday

It rained all day yesterday but the sun finally greeted us this morning. I'm sitting on my desk with iced coffee and donuts and doggies in the yard, the prefect start to a Sunday. I was going to just wait until Friday for this post but I've come across so many great finds lately that I just couldn't wait to share them with y'all!

I usually like to add some fun new pieces as well as a few great basics to my wardrobe each season. But since I've got this belly to contend with now I'm sticking with things I already have that still work mixed with maternity and a few other basics a size or 2 up from what I normally wear. I'll have to wait to jump back into many of the of the moment fashion trends until after this kiddo is born, but I can still keep up in the shoe department! I am loving the lace up style and had to order these pink ones to spice up the mostly neutral palette I'll probably be working with for the next couple months.

Capri leggings are an absolute staple in my closet year round and I like to have options to mix it up. Hands down GapFit gFast performance capris are my favorite. They are beyond comfortable for daily wear or to sleep in and perfect for working out since they are breathable but you definitely cannot see through them. I'm really loving the heathered look right now and the versatile color options.

I've been using my favorite bronzer for years and years and really never considered switching to a new one. That is until I read about how amazing this one is and dared to give it a try. Sometimes change is a good thing. Trust me.  

Several weeks ago I posted an army green utility vest I was eyeing but sadly it sold out before I could order it. Luckily I found another very similar one here. It goes with everything, is soft and quality made and even the preggos can rock it. You're welcome.

I keep seeing different recipes for chia seed pudding and pinned one recently but have yet to try it. The past few days it is just sounding amazing so I'm going to have to whip some up this weekend. I'll probably swap the mangos out for blueberries. Shocking, right?!

Does anyone else suddenly feel like you don't have enough cake stands in your life? My IG and Pinterest feeds are covered with them not only holding cakes of course but showing off all kinds of other glorious desserts and party food, decorating open shelves and displaying candles on sofa tables. This one is currently on sale and so pretty I can't even decide how I want to use it yet.

Happy Sunday Friends!