~18 Weeks~

Hi there!!

So I will be 19 weeks pregnant this Thursday, but figured I would do an update at 18 weeks. Just because I haven't done any kind of update in a while. My belly has finally popped and I am having a much harder time sleeping at night. I'm a tummy sleeper and I cannot lay on my tummy any longer. Boo!! Anyway, we've been so busy over the last few weeks since my last post. I was a bridesmaid in my sister-in-law's wedding on March 20th. It was a very nice wedding! And along with doing some remodeling in our house and decorating, it's been quite the schedule for me to try to keep up with myself. I still don't have my cute framed chalkboard that I made fixed yet. I'm telling you...I've been so busy...AND exhausted! I have a bump pic to share.

I'm definitely starting to fill out more! I can't wait to actually be comfortable in a pair of jeans...even if they are maternity jeans! Hahaha!!


How far along? 18 weeks, 19 on Thursday!
Total weight gain: 5lbs! Not bad, I guess!
Maternity clothes? Still no maternity clothes. Been wearing mostly dresses, stretchy skirts and stretch pants/jeans (unbuttoned, of course).
Stretch marks? Still none, crossing fingers!
Sleep? Having a more difficult time sleeping! Tossing a turning trying to find a comfortable position.
Best moment this week: I actually started to feel the baby moving! It's the flutter/tickle feeling. It's awesome! I put my phone up to my belly and played some music. The baby moved to where I was holding the phone at. It was so awesome!
Miss anything? Same as before...miss my favorite jeans! Don't remember having to give them up so soon with my other 2 pregnancies! Boo!!
Movement? YES!!! The flutter/tickles...not the real movement or kicking yet.
Food cravings: Let's see...avocados, tomatoes, grilled cheeses, bacon...anything salty, really! 
Symptoms: I still have the random headaches! So annoying! And of course the constant back pain.
Labor signs? Nope
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time? I would say happy? I'm kinda neutral on this one!
Looking forward to? Thursday...we have our 19 week ultrasound appointment...yup, the gender reveal!
Boy or Girl? Will find out Thursday!! We are so ready to find out for sure what it is!

Well that's about as much as an update I have right now! Nothing too crazy or exciting. 

I'll be back with some beauty posts! I'm so ready to get back into the stuff I love! Hair, nails and makeup!! :)

Happy Tuesday, cupcakes!

XOXO,
Jen 

~15 Weeks...and a DATE!!~

Hey there, Hi there, Ho there!!

 

I hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far! Another week is coming and going so quickly!

 

Tomorrow I will hit my 15 week mark in this pregnancy. I'm getting more and more excited to finally feel some movement. No true movements yet...it must be all gas right now. Hahaha! ;) When people say "things don't change/happen overnight" they were definitely NOT talking about pregnancy! I literally POPPED overnight! Before going to bed the other night I stood there in front of my full length mirror and examined my body. I tried to see anything that resembled a growing pregnant tummy. I didn't see anything other than a belly that looked like I just ate an entire 5-course meal. I went to bed a little bummed that I'm not looking pregnant yet, at almost 15 weeks. With my other 2 pregnancies, I didn't show until 17-19 weeks! So I'm really not sure why I'm rushing it this time around? Anyway...I woke up the next morning and started getting ready for the day. As I put my outfit on for work, is when I noticed my tiny little bump. I had actually POPPED!!! I tried to suck in my belly (as most of us ladies do...to try to make our tummies a little more flat) and couldn't. I smiled and was excited to finally show it off! Although, in some outfits, I still just look "swollen". But here it is...here is my slowly growing tummy:

 

 



 

A few months ago, the husband and I decided that in order for us to keep our marriage fresh and new we need to make time for just the 2 of us. After going through a very rough patch in our marriage it's very important to me that we take the time to focus on us and what we need from each other. With so many distractions such as work and kids, it's hard to make that alone time. But it has to be done. We have to find that happy medium. So on Saturday night, we had reservations at a restaurant called Arrowhead Grill. If any of you live in Arizona and near the Glendale/Peoria area, this restaurant is a must try! Amazing steak and food! I should've taken some pictures of the food we got so you can have an idea of how great this place really is! After we spent some time there, we met up with friends from our old neighborhood for their birthday. We went to Lakeside Bar and Grill. We've been there so many times. It's nothing special and it's your typical bar and grill. Since I wasn't able to drink, I treated myself to their Monster Cookie. It's a heated up cookie with ice cream and whipped cream on top...it's DELISH! Again, I should've taken pictures (and I'll make sure I make it a point to be better at that). I did get a picture of me and my hubby, though.

 

I really had a good time! I was exhausted and ready for bed by 11:30pm.

 

 

 

 

So, there you have it folks, I made 2 posts this week so far! I'm proud of myself because I'm going to try to have another post by the end of this week/weekend! Woohoo!! High five to myself! If that's even possible?!

 

Until next time,

 

Love and hugs,

jen





First Trimester Life Savers!

Alrighty folks!! I'm still trying to get back into the swing of blogging. It's tough to find the time to sit down and write when I've got 2 little monkeys hanging on my back (and one growing in my tummy) wanting my constant attention and love, our new home that is needing some decorating TLC and the normal everyday work schedule. Somehow, I will figure out the happy balance! I will, darn it! :)

I know in my last post I said I was going to make a chalkboard tracker and write a DIY post on it and add baby bump pics. Well, we had a small malfunction a day or 2 after I made the darn thing, so I have to re-make a small part of it. Once I do, I'll be sure to share my lovely experience making something like this for the first time. It's quite hilarious...to me, anyway! Hahaha! As for the baby bump pics, I still haven't taken any because I truly do not have anything to show off yet. It literally just looks like I haven't gone to the bathroom in a week...or maybe 2. It's just mostly bloat! But, I promise, by this weekend I will have both of them up to share.

Today I wanted to share some of my life savers that got me through my first trimester. I am finally out of that nasty 13 weeks and am happy to say I did it...insert pat on back! ;) For some of you who have been pregnant before and have experienced some pretty bad symptoms know what I'm talking about (i.e. morning sickness, fatigue, swelling, constipation...and the list goes on). I've experienced both sides of pregnancy. With my first, I didn't encounter any symptom other than being really tired and wondered what all the other moms I knew were complaining about? I just didn't understand?! Then came my second pregnancy and I found out what the morning sickness/nausea was all about! Finally with this pregnancy, I pretty much experienced it all!! I fell back on a few things that I was hopeful would take away some of the awful symptoms of growing a human being inside of me!

First things first - SALTINES!!!

These babies were the first thing I had to turn to! From the moment I would wake up to the moment I would lay my head down to my pillow, I had a saltine cracker in my hand! My stomach felt that it needed something in it at all times. Right after I would eat a meal I would need to eat a cracker or two to settle my tummy. No matter what I ate, shortly after I would have to nibble on one of these suckers to make that pain go away. I swear by saltine crackers! If I could hug a saltine, I would!

 

 

Next up - WATER!!!

 

 

I know, it seems so blah and it's something everyone needs on a daily basis. But when you're pregnant and probably with as many SALTine crackers I inhaled everyday, my feet and fingers would swell by the end of the day! The only ever time I had swollen feet was with my first pregnancy and it was because of high blood pressure. So I don't take swelling limbs lightly. Being pregnant, you should increase your water intake anyway, but I have a newfound love for water! Mmmmm!

 

PEPPERMINT CANDY!!!

 

 

 

So many times throughout my life I have been told that peppermint candies soothe an achy tummy. I never believed it, nor did I ever have peppermint candies lying around. Only an occasional candy cane during Christmas. It just so happened, at my work there was a bucket full of these little guys and I figured now was the time to see if it really works. IT DOES, PEOPLE!! I PROMISE!! Suck on one of these little things and your little belly will calm down and you will be back to normal until the next bout of nausea comes along and you need your saltine intake. ;)

 

OATMEAL/FIBER!!!

 

 

I'm sure everyone at some point in their lives have experienced some level of constipation! It's a silly topic to talk about because who really wants to talk about their bowels? But leave it to me...because I have no shame and I'm just brutally honest and open! With that said, being pregnant takes your constipation to an all new level! To make it a little easier on your bum and tummy...any kind of fiber will do the trick. I prefer oatmeal. It's quick and tasty!

 

I'm happy to report that I don't have a stash of saltine crackers or peppermint candies in my drawer at work nor on my dresser at home. I've passed that awful first trimester and looking forward to the wonderful second trimester where you feel a little more like yourself and your belly should pop, if it hasn't already! Hopefully these things that helped me through that difficult time will help some of you!

 

 

I hope you all have a beautiful Monday!!

 

Love and Hugs,

JEN



Love for Polish 7

Happy Saturday everyone!! 

Even though Valentines day is over with I wanted to share my nails that I did the other day! Since we have been living in limbo for the last month and now in the process of unpacking, my nails and toenails have been neglected! It hurts my HEART to not have polish on my hands and feet! BUT...I snuck in a quick manicure the other night!!! Of course, it's Pinterest inspired (what isn't nowadays?! Haha!). 

There they are!! They turned out better than I expected. For this look, I used OPI-Miami Beet and the white I used China Glaze-White on White.

How do you think it turned out?? And what's your favorite style/look for nails??

Love and Hugs,

Jen

12 weeks!!!

Hello all!

Today I reached 12 weeks! I'm super excited to have reached this point because most of my nausea is almost gone! Yay for me!! *THUMBS UP!! :)

I don't have a pregnancy picture for today because this weekend I plan on buying a picture frame and turning it into a chalkboard pregnancy tracker!! I have got to find my craftiness side in me because I certainly haven't found a crafty bone in my body yet! ;) Once I get that all done, I will put up a picture. There isn't much there to see yet, but I want to look back on this pregnancy and be happy with how I documented this journey! Because let's face it...ever since Pinterest came around...I've been wanting another baby just so I could use all those wonderful ideas that are on there!! Hahaha! And now I get to! Yeah buddy! :)

Here is a questionnaire that I've found that I can answer each week and see how this pregnancy changes by week! Thought that would be fun to look back on! Enjoy!

How far along? 12 weeks today!
Total weight gain: 3lbs! Yikes! Might all be in my jugs! LOL!
Maternity clothes? Not yet! But am slowly growing out of my skinny jeans and my favorite Big Star jeans! Boo! I swear the day I found out I was pregnant, my hips stretched immediately! Haha!
Stretch marks? No! Thank goodness! I need that Palmer's Cocoa Butter! Used that with my other 2 pregnancies and haven't received any yet.
Sleep? Not as much as I'd like! I wake up to pee a couple times a night!
Best moment this week: Feeling where the baby is growing right above my pubic bone! I never noticed it before. Having experienced pregnancy twice before I believe I know more about my body changes than I ever have before!
Miss anything? Yes...my favorite jeans! ;)
Movement? Not yet! Can't wait! My favorite part of being pregnant!
Food cravings: Nothing in particular. I craved PB&J sandwiches with my first and any kind of candy or sweets with my 2nd. I'm not having any real cravings.
Symptoms: Nothing out of the ordinary. I started out with a lot of headaches, nausea, and fatigue. I still am super sleepy, but the headaches and nausea have subsided.
Labor signs? Nope
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or moody most of the time? Moody!! Feel bad for the husband!
Looking forward to? I can't wait to make my Chalkboard Preg Tracker! :)
Boy or Girl? Don't know yet! Can't wait for that either!

Welp, that about wraps up my little questionnaire! I hope you enjoy reading and keeping up with my pregnancy journey! And thanks again for those of you who have stuck around during my absence!

Love and Hugs!
Jen

I'm Baaaack...and with a SURPRISE!!

Hellooo? Hellooo?? Is anyone around anymore? LOL!

Well, I didn't mean to get away from blogging for as long as I did! Since September 2013, it's been a roller coaster of events for me and my family. Having to deal with a family death, going through a very hard time in my marriage and just being so busy with my 2 kids, I felt the right for me to do was to take a short hiatus from blogging. I was thinking maybe a month or 2...but then the holidays came and went, finding out some truly exciting news!!! All the while we were selling our home and buying a new house, which means moving out of the old one and into a friend's house (temporarily) until our new one closes...which we will be moving in to this next weekend! Like I said...it's been a CRAZY 5 months! Soooo...would you all like to know what my SURPRISE is??

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A little more...

 

 

WE ARE EXPECTING OUR 3RD BABY!!! We are so excited! The baby is due: September 4, 2014!! We are extremely blessed and can't wait to find out if it's a Boy or Girl! Since we've had such a huge change in our life and it's taking us on a different path...I decided to adjust my blog as well. I figure I can still do posts on my love for hair, makeup and nails, but I want to blog my journey during this pregnancy (since this is my last one). I love being pregnant and thought that I could share any experiences and advice that I may have to anyone who needs it or wants it!

 

I hope that you all stick around through this wonderful and exciting time! And share my blog to any of your expecting mommy friends!

 

Thanks again, to all you beautiful people, for hanging around!!

 

Lots of love,

JEN