Pregnancy Update: 21 weeks

Baby Kelly has been cooking in the oven for 21 weeks already, we are halfway there!! 

Here is an update of how my pregnancy is going thus far...

21 weeks

Weight gain: 9lbs 

Cravings: Mainly sweet things. Fruit, chocolate, smoothies. Over the holidays all I wanted were cookies, or baked goods, which is so unlike me! I am usually a salty/savory person. But we had so many yummy treats in our house it was hard to resist. I've been trying not to

over indulge on sweets the last few weeks or pick a healthier alternative, like fruit. 

Baby's Gender: It's a Girl!! We found out last week and are thrilled. I must say though, I was convinced for a long time it was another boy since I have been feeling the same and look the same as my last pregnancy.

I can't wait to start shopping for little girl clothes, and add a few girly touches to the nursery. We will see if she will become a fashion lover like her mama some day!

Workouts: I feel great! I have lots of energy and my baby bump still isn't too big to do most exercises I normally do. I am definitely taking full advantage of my high energy levels in the second trimester,  because I know that will change late in my third trimester.

 Right now I am jogging/walking on my treadmill 45 mins, 3 days a week, and lifting weights and doing my Tracy Anderson pregnancy video 3 days a week. Making my workouts a priority each morning in order to maintain some of my fitness will greatly help with labor and delivery. The better shape your in, the easier it is to push baby out! 

Our birth plan: I had a natural birth (no pain medication or intervention) in the hospital with my son.  It went very smoothly, and I am so thankful for that! We are planning on doing the same with our daughter. 

We will have our Doula, Mary, who assisted in our first birth, with us again. She is amazing and helped facilitate a wonderful birth experience for my husband and I. I can't imagine giving birth without her help and guidance!! 

If you are planning a natural birth I highly recommend hiring a doula. Your husband will thank you for it! A doula is there is be your advocate with nurses/doctors, to help you achieve your birth plan, whatever that may be, and to assist your spouse with coaching/supporting you through your labor. My husband and I felt more confidant going into delivery at the hospital, as first time parents, because we had our Doula there with us. Helping us navigate through the whole process of labor and delivery.

My favorite maternity outfit: probably my yoga or workout pants. They are comfy, fit my bump nicely, and I can wear them out of the house while running errands. However, I am making a conscious effort to get dressed most days in something other than workout clothes! It's 

easy to fall into a rut and just throw on sweats each day cause they are comfy, easy, and in the winter time, are warm. But mama don't want to look frumpy! I always feel better when I have something cute on or have made an effort to get dressed for the day. Also, I know my husband appreciates my efforts :) 

An easy go-to maternity outfit: leggings, boots, and a long sweater (for the really cold days). Or distressed, skinny maternity jeans (I DIY'd a pair) a long sleeve top, (I love the Body by Gap tops) a scarf, with booties, or sneakers. 

 This time of year is when you find some great bargains on winter clothing, including maternity. I love the Gap, H&M and Target. 

Thanks for following me on this amazing journey of motherhood and pregnancy!

Blessings,

Sarah

Egg Muffins: A grab and go breakfast!

I am trying to be more organized with my cooking and prepare several meals at once. Breakfast is usually an easy meal to prepare each day for myself and my family but, I thought why not have something already made so we could just grab and go on those busy mornings. 

Eggs make a great, filling, protein rich meal for pregnancy and also for my growing toddler. So, I decided to make a large batch of egg muffins since I had a ton of eggs in my refrigerator. These freeze well and keep for several days. 

Here is my simple recipe for egg muffins:

(Makes 18 large muffins)

16 eggs

2 Tbs milk

green pepper

1lb ground breakfast sausage (chicken or pork)

I cup Cheddar cheese

Dash of salt and pepper for taste 

Spray muffins tins with olive oil,

brown breakfast sausage, whisk eggs, add half a green pepper(chopped), add milk, then salt and pepper. Pour into muffin tray, add a bit cheese on top of each muffin. Bake at 350 for 18-20 mins.

Egg muffins are yummy and very filling. You can also add any other veggies you have or even salsa for a different flavor.

These muffins are a hit in our house and make my busy mornings seem a lot less hectic. Just reheat and enjoy! 

Here is to the New Year and cooking more family friendly, easy, healthy, budget friendly meals! 

Blessings,

Sarah

January Fitness Challenge

A new month means a new fitness challenge! I decided for January I am going to do another squat challenge. It's easy to do in my own home gym, and takes no more than 5 mins each day to complete. So really I have no excuses!

I am just about 20 weeks pregnant and my fitness goals for the second half of my  pregnancy are to maintain my cardio fitness ( at least 45 mins of cardio 5 days a week) as well as focus on my leg, glutes, arm and back strength. By maintaining my fitness it will be much easier to get back to my pre-pregnancy shape, as well as make labor and delivery, and post pardom recovery that much easier! Plus, I just feel better all around when I am active and exercising. 

So I encourage all you mom's out there, pregnant or not to make 2015 the year you get active and make a fitness goal! Whether it's to run a race (5k or 10k) improve your strength, or try a new fitness activity, yoga, spinning, P90X. You and your family will be better for it!! 

So here is the squat challenge I will be completing this month. Feel free to join me and see your results come January 31!

 

Happy January!!

Blessings,

Sarah

Reflecting on 2014

Looking back on this past year I can't help but be thankful for all the things my family and I have been blessed with! A beautiful, healthy son, our home, four wonderful years of marriage, loving family and friends, the list goes on. Yet it's so easy sometimes to take all these things for granted. Wishing we have more or our circumstances were somehow different. I am reminded this holiday season and as another year comes to a close, the importance of thankfulness and contentment. 

Being thankful for all my circumstances, and all that I have can really have an affect on my my heart and my daily attitude. I want to wake up each day with a sense of graditude for all that God has given to me. Being grateful for the little blessings each day, like being able to stay at home and care for my son. For all the friends that have been brought into my life. For a loving, supportive husband. For the sun shining, and waking up to another day. 

I hope to live out 2015 with a sense of purpose each day, to be thankful for ALL the things going on in my life, and to love others as Jesus has loved me, unconditionally! 

Here are a few of our 2014 highlights:

Drake's first time at the beach in Florida at 3 months.

Running my half marathon in Estes Park 8 months after giving birth.

Drake's baby dedication to the Lord at our church in July.

Our family mountain getaway to Beaver Creek

Lots of visits to the zoo, Drakee loves the animals!

Our first trip to San Francisco to visit with family!

Surprise!! We're pregnant!! 

Drake turns 1!!

First visit with Santa

2014 was quite a year! We are very hopeful and expectant for what 2015 will bring!! Wishing you all a very blessed and Happy New Year :)

Blessings,

Sarah 

Homemade: Peppermint body scrub

Now that it is winter time and very dry, I am definitely needing to exfoliant my skin more often! I have tried several different natural body scrubs in the past. They work just fine, but can be a bit pricy. So I thought why not try making my own?! I found a super easy and inexpensive DIY exfoliant in Pinterest. 

Here is the simple recipe:

Makes a little more than 1 quart of body scrub

-2 cups sugar

- 1/4 cup coconut oil

- 10 drops peppermint essential oil

Melt the coconut oil, then add to sugar. Stir mixture. Add peppermint essential oil, (I use DoTerra oils). You can add more coconut oil if preferred, to get desired consistency. Put your scrub in a sealed container, I like to use the 1/2 quart, short mason jars. 

How simple is this? It smells yummy, is great for your skin, and cheap to make! Also makes a great gift :) 

Happy Holidays!!

Blessings, 

Sarah

Pregnancy Update: 17 weeks

I can't believe I am almost halfway through my pregnancy! Time has flown by these past few months. I must say having a toddler and it being the holidays has certainly kept me busy. At times I forget I am even pregnant! But then I look down and see my little bump and remember, oh yeah, there is a little person growing in there. 

Here are some updates about how the pregnancy has gone so far....

17 weeks (2nd pregnancy vs. my 1st)

Pretty darn close from the first pregnancy to the second. I have felt pretty much the same this time as I did last pregnancy. 

My Due date: May 24th

Weight gain so far: 4lbs ( I was super nauseous and lost weight the first trimester) I am trying to be mindful of what I am eating, maxinimizing calories I need to feed myself and baby in the healthiest way possible. If I want a cookie I eat one! Everything in moderation! 

Cravings: lots of carbs, (bread, cereal) protein (turkey, beef, peanut butter). Citrus fruit, (oranges and grapefruit.) I think my strangest craving has been a meatball sub from Subway! I never have eaten a meatball sub before but, a few weeks ago I wanted one everyday! 

Baby's Gender: We will find out the sex of the baby in January! We are excited to know if it's going to be another boy or a girl. I am a planner and would love to know what to buy and how to decorate.

Maternity Fashion: what I am wearing most these days...

-when I am at home, yoga pants, or my running capris, they are comfy and stretchy!

-leggings (faux leather or printed) & skinny jeans

-loose tunics and sweaters

-wearing what I can while I still can! I am not quite ready for all my maternity jeans and tops. I have plenty of time to wear those when my bump gets bigger :)

Workouts: now that my energy has returned, I am enjoying working out again! I love staying active and knowing that my baby will also benefit from exercise.

My daily workouts consist of one of the following: 

-walking/jogging on treadmill for at least 30 mins

- Tracy Anderson pregnancy project DVD (holy butt workout!!) 

-lifting weights focusing on my arms, shoulders, back, glutes, and legs

-And of course, lifting, carrying, chasing and playing with my 24lb, 13 month old son all day! It's a great arm toning workout :)

I feel truly blessed by the fact that I get to help nurture and grow this chid in my body! I want to do the best that I can with this. But, most of all I want to cherish this special time, with my husband, with my son,,and every moment God has blessed me with this gift of motherhood! 

What I Wore: Boyfriend jeans as maternity wear

We're having some unseasonably warm weather this week, so I decided to break out a fun, fall-like outfit and enjoy not bundling up for a change! 

I am still loving my boyfriend denim these days. Especially since I am pregnant! They are loose, comfortable, chic and stylish, when paired with the right top and accessories. When I wear this style denim I like to pair them with a dressier top, or jacket, shoes or scarf to dress them up. By simply putting on a pair of heels, or boots you and elevate your look, from super casual, to date night ready. It's that easy!

As my baby bump is now making an appearance these days, I totally appreciate the relaxed fit of boyfriend jeans. I can continue to wear them as I grow and still feel stylish. All you pregnant Momma's out there hear me loud and clear...maternity clothes do not need to make you feel frumpy! They can be cute and still on trend. It's my mission this pregnancy to show you just that! You also don't need to got out and buy a whole new maternity wardrobe. Use what you already have. Just learn to buy a size or two larger. 

Boyfriend jeans: Gap

Tweed Moto-Jacket: Gap

White tee: Target

Boots: DSW

Scarf: Target

Blessings,

Sarah