Saturday, November 30, 2013
31 Weeks Pregnancy Chalkboard Update
How far along? 31 Weeks.
Gender: ITS A BOY!
Total Weight Gain: 12lbs
Stretch Marks: No new ones. No linea negra or stretch marks on my belly
Belly Button: In.
Wedding Rings On/Off: On.
Movement: All the time! I feel constant rolls and hiccups :)
Feeling: Feeling great!
Cravings: None at all.
Symptoms: Lower back pain
Missing: Sleeping comfortably haha!
Looking Forward to: Our childbirth classes
Sleep: HELLLLLOOOO INSOMNIA :(
Exercise: Cardio + Weights, an hour daily. I am now down to 3-4 days a week with my workouts due to being sooo busy getting things ready!
Eating: Still healthy, no cheat meals. Around 2,300 calories a day still.
Eating: Still healthy, no cheat meals. Around 2,300 calories a day still.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
DaddyScrubs Review + GIVEAWAY!
Hey guys, hope you had an AWESOME Thanksgiving! Happy Black Friday to you all.
I have a special review and giveaway on the blog today to share with all of you ladies (and your men, too!).
I am reviewing DaddyScrubs, a line of expectant father gifts, that was created with the idea in mind for daddies to wear comfortable clothes in the hospital (or anywhere else!) to comfort their laboring wives. Daddies play a big part in this, too!
The brand features actual scrubs! But no confusion between who's daddy and who's doctor, as the daddy scrubs will say "Im the Daddy" or "Daddy" on them, making them the perfect gift for your husband or partner. The brand also features t-shirts, loungewear, daddy & toddler sets, hats, ties, and even a daddy diaper pack! Not bad for new dad gifts!
I chose to review the long sleeved "Im the Daddy" T-shirt on my husband-he was so excited to receive this and absolutely cannot wait to wear it for our big day! Its the little things, people! Upon trying the shirt on, my husband stated he felt the shirt was made of good quality and it was true to size (something very important for a dude!).
The shirt really put a huge smile on his face-and mine too. I am so happy that a company like DaddyScrubs exists because it seems like maternity tees are in abundance, but these specialty tees for the men are usually hard to find.
I have teamed up with DaddyScrubs to offer you a super sweet giveaway for that special man in your life! Just simply follow all of the steps, each step will count as an extra entry for you!!
I also wanted to share with you a special coupon code that you may use to take 10% off of your total when you order some daddy to be gifts!
Promo Code: BLOG13
Also, be sure to check out their holiday deals going on!
For more information about DaddyScrubs or to start shopping, visit:
How to Lose Those Last Few Pounds!
If you're one of the many people who have lost a lot of weight already or just want to lose a few pounds, you'll know how very difficult that is. However, if you've nearly attained your goal weight and just want to know how to lose the last 5 pounds or only have about 5 pounds to lose anyway, you will at least be more active and able to do exercise or sport than those with a lot of weight still to lose.
Unfortunately, that last bit of weight can be hard to shift but there are products and methods that can help.
Here are some tips for how to lose the last 5 pounds.
Tip #1
Don't give up and go on a binge. That will undo all your hard work thus far.
Don't give up and go on a binge. That will undo all your hard work thus far.
Tip #2
Don't stress about just 5 pounds. You may find that doing some high intensity exercise or just increasing your exercise regime will not only shift the weight while you stick to your existing diet, but will tighten and tone your muscles too. Exercise increases your metabolic rate and transforms fat into muscle as well as giving you that feel good factor because of the endorphins released in your brain by the additional activity.
Don't stress about just 5 pounds. You may find that doing some high intensity exercise or just increasing your exercise regime will not only shift the weight while you stick to your existing diet, but will tighten and tone your muscles too. Exercise increases your metabolic rate and transforms fat into muscle as well as giving you that feel good factor because of the endorphins released in your brain by the additional activity.
Tip #3
When choosing your exercise routine, go for something that you really enjoy. After all, if you aren't a good swimmer then trying to swim fifty lengths four times a week is going to be a real trial. There are plenty of activities to choose from as well as the standard running, cycling, rowing and aerobics classes. Why not give a marshal art a try; something like Taekwondo or kick boxing or if that's a bit too exotic, Yoga and Pilates are great for toning. Dancing is another great form of exercise so give ceroc a try or rock n' roll or even belly dancing, which is becoming increasingly popular.
When choosing your exercise routine, go for something that you really enjoy. After all, if you aren't a good swimmer then trying to swim fifty lengths four times a week is going to be a real trial. There are plenty of activities to choose from as well as the standard running, cycling, rowing and aerobics classes. Why not give a marshal art a try; something like Taekwondo or kick boxing or if that's a bit too exotic, Yoga and Pilates are great for toning. Dancing is another great form of exercise so give ceroc a try or rock n' roll or even belly dancing, which is becoming increasingly popular.
Tip #4
Whatever form of exercise you decide to do, do stick to it by setting yourself a schedule of a number of times a week and the length of time. If you do high intensity workouts then two or three times a week for twenty minutes or so will be enough but if you go the aerobic route, three or four times weekly for forty to sixty minutes will be needed.
Whatever form of exercise you decide to do, do stick to it by setting yourself a schedule of a number of times a week and the length of time. If you do high intensity workouts then two or three times a week for twenty minutes or so will be enough but if you go the aerobic route, three or four times weekly for forty to sixty minutes will be needed.
Tip #5
For those that only need to lose a few pounds, it's an unfortunate fact that some treats which form part of your normal diet will have to go. Carbohydrates, sugars, fats and alcohol, even if normally taken in moderation will need to be cut back to a bare minimum.
For those that only need to lose a few pounds, it's an unfortunate fact that some treats which form part of your normal diet will have to go. Carbohydrates, sugars, fats and alcohol, even if normally taken in moderation will need to be cut back to a bare minimum.
Hopefully these tips on how to lose the last 5 pounds will be helpful but above all, don't give up, you can do it
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
30 Week Pregnancy Chalkboard Update
How far along? 30 Weeks.
Gender: ITS A BOY!
Total Weight Gain: 11lbs
Stretch Marks: No new ones.
No linea negra or stretch marks on my belly
Belly Button: In.
Wedding Rings On/Off:
On.
Movement: All the time! I feel constant rolls and hiccups :)
Feeling: Feeling great!
Cravings: None at all.
Symptoms: Lower back pain
Missing: Sleeping comfortably haha!
Looking Forward to: Our childbirth classes
Sleep: HELLLLLOOOO INSOMNIA :(
Exercise: Cardio +
Weights, an hour daily. I am now down to 3-4 days a week with my workouts due to being sooo busy getting things ready!
Eating: Still healthy, no cheat meals. Around 2,300 calories
a day still.
Guest Post from Caitlin Hudson
Hi all, I'm Caitlin Hudson, a full-time SAHM, nature lover, and health nut! I also have a strong passion for writing, and luckily for me, Sia has been wonderful enough to let me share my writing on her amazing blog. So today, I'd like to share with you some of my favorite healthy ways to help maximize your workouts efficiency! If you have any questions feel free to email me!
Healthy Habits to Make Your Workouts Count
Healthy Habits to Make Your Workouts Count
Planning
If I looked at my exercise intentions that never got off the ground, it almost always came down to a failure to plan. Years ago, when I wanted to take up running as an adult, I thought I’d just go out and run for a while. Big mistake. I ran too far and ended up injuring my knee, which left me unable to workout for some time. When I finally got into gear as far as exercising was concerned, I had workout plans. Each time, I had a plan to do a certain number of minutes of each type of exercise. If I was out somewhere and didn’t have sensible access to an interval timer, I counted my exercises by repetitions. If you are just getting started on a workout plan, thisarticle should help you figure out your starting point. Keep in mind though, everyone’s body reacts differently so you have to do what works best for you.
Goal-Setting
When I exercise, I always have a basic benchmark, as well as a goal I’d like to achieve. The basic benchmark gets me out the door when I’m not feeling 100 percent, or when the weather is bad and I don’t want to be outside for too long. That way, I know I can just do the minimum. I will get a good workout, not lose out on motivation or momentum, and be able to smash it out the next day. This is how I stay realistic. If I always feel like I have a big goal that I may not be able to achieve, I think that some days I might not go out at all, out of fear of failure.
The goal, then, is to get me to challenge myself. Usually, once I get myself out the door with the promise that I can stop at the benchmark, I will continue to the goal. I like to use my straplessheart rate monitor to track my progress. If I find that the goal has become super easy to attain pretty much anytime, the old goal becomes the benchmark. Then, I set a new goal that will keep me sweating and working hard.
Taking Care
It’s not all about workout plans and goals, though. I have to take care of myself holistically. This comes through diet and rest. I try to eat as naturally as I can, with whole foods that are full of nutrients. And I never, ever, skimp on sleep. Adults need eight hours a day. In order for me to stay active as a busy mom who wants to be in shape, I need my rest. Not just for beauty, but for my healthand sanity. The better rested I am, the better I can workout, take care of my family, and enjoy my life in general.
I love a good workout. It is organized and thorough. When I’m done, I feel as accomplished as I would be if I had cleaned the whole kitchen, or just made a fantastic meal. If I take the time to plan my workouts to reasonably challenge me, and take care of myself otherwise, I get a lot more out of all of my time.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Why Birthing & Lamaze Classes Are a Must for First Time Parents!
It was empowering. It was intimate. It calmed my fears regarding labor!
Last night's class was primarily introducing labor and its effects on the body, some labor and delivery terms, discoverign what pain is, and some ways to deal with pain during labor.
I am choosing to have a natural labor and delivery-no pain meds, no IV, no epidural so learning some of the techniques that the instructor taught us (breathing, meditation, massage, distraction) really came in handy. Having my husband, Grady, there with me to help me relax and learn these techniques was the most sweetest feeling I have ever felt. It was truly a bonding experience between us!
Tonight will be our second class out of the 4 sessions and I cant wait to share!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Top 10 Reasons to Exercise During Pregnancy
Top 10 Reasons to Stay Active During Pregnancy!
Pregnancy is the most exciting time in a woman’s life,
but can also be the most exhausting time as well. There are so many changes
that happen within those little 9 months and the last thing that you may want
to think about is exercise!
However, exercise during pregnancy has many benefits
that most mothers-to-be are not aware of. Here are my top 10 reasons to get
moving!
1.
Increased energy:
You may believe that going to the gym would leave you just the opposite;
however, that cardio session may just give you the boost that you need to do
your daily errands and make it through the day.
2.
Improves Mood:
Exercising has been shown to increase your endorphins level to boost your mood!
During pregnancy, we can feel a bit down or crabby thanks to hormones an
fatigue, and this is the way to combat those feelings!
3.
Bounce Back
Faster: Staying regularly active during your entire pregnancy will not only
leave you with a positive self-image, but it will aid in your returning to your
pre-baby body. You will actually bounce back faster and have an easier time
working out postpartum.
4.
Sleep Soundly:
Most women have problems falling asleep or sleeping through the night during pregnancy
due to the large amounts of Progesterone and general pregnancy discomforts.
Exercise reduces stress and tension within the body, allowing you to feel
calmer.
5.
Reduces
Discomforts: Pregnancy is a time where body parts will hurt that may have never
hurt before; particularly back, hips, and lower abdomen! Stretching and regular
exercise will help to loosen those tense or tight muscles and break up any
lactic acid build-ups. Yoga is the best exercise for this!
6.
Speeds up labor: Yes!
Exercise even helps with the biggest moment of your pregnancy. Certain
exercises such as squats and Kegels can help stretch and strengthen the pelvic
floor, allowing you to build a firmer push for your big day.
7.
Reduced Risk for
a C-Section: Regular exercise has shown to decrease the need for medical
interventions such as a C-Section by decreasing the chance of delivering a baby
with a high birth weight. It also reduces the risk by strengthening the body to
do what it was made to do-give birth successfully!
8.
Speedier Postpartum
Recovery: When you keep your muscles moving, they are less likely to lose their
memory. The better shape your body is in prior to delivery, the faster it will
work to recover itself. It will also help you get back to the gym and your
workouts faster during your postpartum phase.
9.
Prevents Excess
Weight Gain During Pregnancy: It is no secret that keeping fit during pregnancy
will keep those excess pounds off! Often, women tend to accidentally consume
more calories than needed to sustain their baby and end up with more than the
25lbs-35lbs that the doctor recommends. By staying active, you can tame those
cravings and torch those extra calories.
10. Lowers risk for Gestational Diabetes: Exercise keeps
your glucose levels at a steady level by allowing your body to use glucose
without extra insulin, preventing gestational diabetes. It is recommended to
get at least 30 minutes of activity daily; even if it is a brisk walk in the
park!
2 Freezer Meals in 20 Minutes
As many of you know, my plan during this lash trimester is to make and freeze as many meals as possible so that when Grey is born, we won't have to : 1) go to the grocery store for a minute and 2) spend time cooking and planning meals. My goal is to freeze at least 15 meals by my due date.
The previous meal that I shared with you guys was my freezer meatloaf which was the very first meal I made for the postpartum life. Since then, I made my infamous taco soup and froze that as my second meal. Tonight, I decided to turn it up a notch and make not one, but TWO freezer meals-and to make things interesting, I wanted to see how fast I could prepare them.
For both of my meals tonight, I made Pork Roast with carrots, potatoes, & celery (super duper easy!) and Beef Minestrone.
I figured these would be pretty easy to thaw and dump into my crockpot when the time comes. I worked at a fast pace and managed to get both meals prepared and stuffed into the freezer within 20 minutes. Now please take note that I don't cook these before I freeze them. I simply prepare them (cut ingredients, etc) and then freeze them in Ziplock gallon bags.
Here are the recipes for both:
Pork Roast with veggies:
- 1 Pork Roast
- 1 Celery Stalk (sliced)
- 2 cups baby carrots (sliced)
- 1 potato (cubed)
- 1 can chicken broth
Combine alll ingredients into a one gallon ziplock bag and freeze. Upon thawing for use, place ingredients into the crockpot on hi for 5-6 hours. Season as needed.
Beef Minestrone
- 1lb. Ground Beef
- 1 zucchini
- half an onion
- 1 bag frozen green beans
- 1 can pinto beans
- 1 can kidney beans
- 1 container of vegetable stock
- 1 can stewed tomatoes
Throw ingredients into the ziplock bag and store for freezing. Upon thawing, pour into crockpot and cook for 4 hours on highest setting. Season to taste.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Tiffany Rose Maternity Review
Good day, everyone!
Today on the blog, I am reviewing a maternity line straight out of the United Kingdom called Tiffany Rose. Tiffany Rose began their business in 2003 and their designs are inspired by 50's & 60's timeless icons. Everything is 100% manufactured in Britain.
Tiffany Rose has been featured in Hello! Magazine, Pregnancy & Birth Magazine, OK! Magazine, Perfect Wedding magazine, Marie Claire magazine, Glamour magazine, on MSN, and on The Daily Mail.
In April 2013, Tiffany Rose won the Queen's Award, which is the most prestigious fashion award; therefore, I was highly excited to receive this dress!
When the UPS man rang the doorbell, I jumped up off the couch to promptly greet him! The dress came in a GORGEOUS box and was wrapped equally beautifully.
The dress of choice was the Willow Dress in Midnight Blue. This dress is unique because its not only maternity, but its deep V neck allows it to become a nursing dress to wear upon giving birth.
My husband's first words were "WOW!" and "That's SOFT!" after I had put it on. I was amazed at the quality of this dress. It was not something you walk into your local mall or outlet for. This was HIGH QUALITY. After all, Tiffany Rose is known for elegant maternity wear for special occasions!
Upon slipping on the dress, I felt very "Kate Middleton" and very royal! I felt instantly gorgeous in it. The soft fabric clung to all of the right curves and spaces yet was very flattering in hiding my big rear end! Ha ha! It also made my bump look quite adorable with its empire line bust. You can also wear this dress on or off the shoulders!
I can see myself wearing this dress to weddings, my husband's promotion ceremony, and to pretty much anywhere I feel like it! It's that versatile!
Tiffany Rose also offers wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses which I thought was very cool.
All in all, I would rate this dress as top quality for the sophisticated mommy to be! If you want to look stunning and outshine the rest, Tiffany Rose is your best bet.
To learn more about Tiffany Rose and to view their collection, visit:
Disclaimer: I was given a Tiffany Rose dress to test, at no cost. All opinions are my own.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
How to Tell the Fetal Position of Your Baby
It's a great idea to learn your baby's fetal position in order to prepare for birth because if your baby happens to be breech, there are a few options that may help ahead of time. Midwives use certain techniques to distinguish placement of certain body parts.
If you are one of those moms who are great at distinguishing which body part is what, then I envy you because I have no idea! For those of you who are clueless as I am, here are some ways to tell your baby's fetal position inside the womb:
*If you feel kicks directly under your ribs and can feel baby's back on your tummy (should feel round, hard, and smooth), baby is in an anterior position.
*If you feel kicks at the front of your tummy and your belly is more squishy and concave with no hard spots, baby is in a posterior position.
You can also tell position based on the hiccups!
*Hiccups higher in the belly indicate a breech baby.
*Hiccups lower in the belly suggests a head down baby.
Another way you can figure the position of your baby is to feel for a large hard ball or lump at the top of the belly.
*If the lump moves easily out of place, it's the head. The lump should also feel hard and round.
*If the lump moves with the whole body, it's the buttocks and your baby is head down. The lump should feel round but slightly squishier than the head.
Here is an awesome PDF shows step by step on how to determine your baby's position. This is the method that most midwives use!
A little belly mapping humor for you. Belly mapping is a technique that midwives often use to figure out where and how baby is laying in the womb.
A Little Workout Fun!
I am right at 30 weeks pregnant and it feels great to still be in the gym! I did a little cardio today along with some resistance band, medicine ball, and kettlebell workouts.
Pineapple Whip Recipe
This recipe is similar to the pineapple whip from Disney World. Surprisingly, this treat is very healthy and a yummy alternative to ice cream!