Pregnancy Update: 33 weeks

We are nearing the home stretch of this 

pregnancy! I am 33 weeks along and feeling good. Baby girl was estimated to weight 4.2 pounds at my 32 week ultrasound last week. It was fun to see her sweet face and moving all around. 

Total weight gain: 24lbs

Fitness: I am still able to run (with the help of my Fit belly band). I use the word "run" loosly though. It's more like a slow jog. But I'm not trying to win any races or break personal records at this point in my pregnancy. I am just happy it still feels good to get out there and hit the pavement a few days a week. Some days are harder then others. Some times my legs feel heavy, I have Braxton hicks contractions frequently throughout my runs, and somedays it is harder get motivated to get out the door, but I always feel better after I am done with my run! I definity sleep more soundly on the days that I active. 

I was also fitted for new running shoes. These were much needed, I ran my old ones to the ground! My new running shoes have more support, which is very important since I am putting more pressure and weight on my feet and joints as I get bigger. It's always fun and motivating when I get new gear. I will continue to jog a few days a week as long as it still feels good. But, I am fully expecting to have to cut back on miles and start walking at some point.

Cravings: fresh friut, smoothies, pop corn, and homemade almond butter on toast. I am continuing to try as eat as healthy as I can and  packing in the most beneficial nutrients in each meal! I want our baby to be getting all that she needs and not fill up on empty calories and junk. 

Big Brother...

Drake is going to be such an awesome big brother to his little sister! He loves to kiss my belly very sweetly and tenderly and lay his head on my bump and snuggle! I am not sure he is fully aware of what is going on but, he is very curious, yet very gentle!! 

I realize that my time of having an only child is numbered, so spending quality mommy time with my son before baby comes has been a priority. I am trying to enjoy each day with him and appreciate this special time together before the new baby arrives! I love him so much and cherish our special mother-son relationship!! 

We love to go for evening walks now that the weather is warmer and its light out longer! Drake loves to explore everything and wants to be outside all day long. As soon as he wakes up, he reaches for his shoes and heads for the door, reaching for the handle and saying "sunshine". He is such a big boy!! Our little mountain man...ready for his next adventure :)

Dating my Husabnd:

Putting my marriage first, above all else has been something I am constantly working on and striving to do better at! We are better parents for our son if we are making our marriage relationship a priority. Drake needs to see us loving each other well!

 This can be challenging though, with busy schedules, having a toddler, and being very pregnant. But, taking the time and effort to connect often and having alone time needs to happen frequently. For us that is after our son goes to bed, or the occasional date time we get a few times a month. A time when we are not talking about our son or work, or the new baby, but just catching up with each other and asking "how am I doing as a wife/husband lately?" This is so crucial to the health of our marriage! 

Our relationship is a work in progress, but we are definitely making it a priority to put each other's needs first. Also, just having fun and enjoying each other in the midst of this busy (about to become busier) season we are in!

I am a truly blessed woman, with such a loving husband, a healthy, growing son and another one on the way. Thank you Lord for these amazing gifts you have given to me!!

Blessings,

Sarah 

Homemade Almond Butter

We love peanut butter in our house! It's a daily essential protein in each of our diets, including my 17 month old son. But, it's important to me that we eat the most natural kind of nut butters, with minimal ingredients and processing! My sister recently introduced me to the idea of making my own butter. So, she suggested making almond butter. Almonds are also an excellent form of protein, and are a tree nut, so good alternative for people and kids with peanut allergies. 

Here are the very simple steps to making your own almond butter!

-I bought a pound of almonds (they were on sale at Sprouts that week)

-place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees.

-let them cool (the smell of roasted almonds is heavenly)

-using a food processor or vitamix, ( we have a vitamix) add 1 cup of baked almonds at a time and mix until you get a smooth, creamy texture. It takes about a minute or so on high to get that consistency. 

-add a pinch of salt to the your mixture for taste. If you like your butter sweeter you can also add a little Stevia to your mixture. I just use salt (I like the  taste of plain, natural almonds)

-And Voila, homemade almond butter! How easy is is that?! Amazingly, the oils from the almonds are released when they are baked, so that is how you get the smooth creamy texture. I was facinated by that!! 

Instead of buying expensive, organic, raw, almond butter at Whole a Foods or Sprouts, you can make it yourself for a fraction of the price! Plus, you know exactly what's in your butter and it is not processed. So, give it a try!! 

Blessings,

Sarah

White maternity jeans and stripes

Outfit details:

White jeans: Gap maternity 

Grey tank: Gap maternity

Stripe top: Target

Sneakers: New Balance

Diaper Bag: Timi and Leslie

Spring is here and I am so happy about that fact! It's a great time of year becuase I can wear light layers and not be too hot or cold. I love these distressed, white maternity jeans I bought from Gap last fall. They were super cheap ($5) becuase it was the end of the season and they just happened to be my size! Don't you love it when that happens?!

 This is an easy outfit to throw on and still feel put together. You could also wear white jeans with a military jacket, moto-jacket or trench coat. Just have fun playing with different looks! But, if all else fails, wear a denim jacket. It's classic and goes with everything. 

Having a few pairs of comfy, cute, maternity jeans that you feel good in are important wardrobe staples to invest in. If you find a fit you like, buy them in another color. You will definity get your money's worth from each pair throughout your pregnancy. The better I feel in my maternity jeans the more

I will wear them! Plus, I will wear them in future pregnancies. But, you can always consign your maternity jeans if your done using them!

So, my beautiful, fellow pregnant mama's out there; you can still feel chic and put together in your clothes at 32 weeks! Cause let's face it when your bump is that big, you can't touch or see your toes anymore, and getting up from a seated position is no longer a simple task, you don't always feel super attractive in what little wardrobe you have at that point. But, investing in a few interchangeable maternity pieces that you love, will help make you feel more confidant with your ever-changing body! Just remember that God has created you as a prefect, amazing, unique, woman :) What a beautiful, freeing truth!!

Blessings,

Sarah

Our family vacation highlights

We had an awesome opportunity to go down to Florida to visit family for our spring break this year! It's was much needed time away for us as a family to relax, soak up the sun, and enjoy each other! It was so fun for us to watch our son explore the beach, play in the pool and just run around outside in the warm temperatures. He LOVED it down there! 

Here are a few of the highlights of our trip:

Drake enjoyed digging in the sand (took him a bit to get use to the sand, but then loved it, especially throwing it in his own hair)

Father and Son having fun in the sand

Drake loved exploring everything!! This boy has no fear!!

30 weeks pregnant!! Baring my bump on the beach. Baby girl liked the warm sun :)

He was fascinated by the water

Sunset family walks. We did a lot of walking which felt great to me getting lots of exercise! 

Mommy and Daddy had some alone time  at the pool! Brian and I had a few opportunity's for "just us" time during naps and a date night, when Papa watched our little man. It was so nice!!

Celebrated my 32nd birthday with a beautiful view and yummy, fresh, seafood! It was a wonderful way to spend my birthday. 

Reflecting back in our vacation week I am so thankful for the opportunity to travel, especially for our son! It is good for him to see new places (although he has been there before, but can't remember since he was only  3 months old at the time). It is so important to my husband and I that we expose our kids to new experiences, even when it takes little more effort getting there. Traveing with a toddler is no easy task, but the reward far out weights the challenge! Drake loves to fly and it's because we have traveled  several times since he has been born. 

The time away for us as a family is so crucial. It's important for us to relax, away from the streasors of work, and just have some fun together. Life is to short not to!! It is a time to really enjoy each other and make memories! We make it a priority to have family vacation time at least once or twice a year.

God has blessed our family immensely this year and we are so thankful for all that has been given to us!! Thanks for following along on this journey with us :)

Blessings,

Sarah

Leather and Lace maternity look

Outfit details:

Leather (faux) leggings: Anthroplogie

Lace top: Clothed in Grace 

Jacket: Banana Republic 

Leopard flats: Norstrom Rack

I love pairing unexpected things together in an outfit. Leather and lace are a nice contrast and can go well with each other! A lace top off-sets the edgy, tough, vibe of leather leggings. Don't be afraid to mix textures and patterns!  It helps bring interest and fun to an ensemble. 

Leather (or faux leather) is a trend I have loved the past several years! They are fun and unexpected. They certainly are not your typical "mom jeans"! I found these leggings recently at Anthroplogie and LOVE them!! They fit great and were a surprising find for maternity pants. Yes, you can still rock cute, edgy pants even when your almost 8 months pregnant...all you mama's out there!! If I have to wear leggings in pregnancy, I figured they should be fun and still feel stylish :)

Blessings,

Sarah

Ikat print and lace

How cute is this Ikat print top? It's from my friend Stephanie's online boutique,  The Goldfish Boutique. I love the lace detail on the sleeves and how perfectly it fits over the baby bump at 29 weeks! It's a fun pop of color and print for spring. 

 Here is a little blurb from Stephanie about The Goldfish Boutique:

"Welcome to The Goldfish Clothing Boutique. We are working diligently to be your personal stylists and to provide you with fun, trendy, fashionable clothing at affordable prices!

The Goldfish differs from other online boutiques in our commitment to expanding the fishbowls of others – your purchases help to give back to the wider community! Every month 10% of our total proceeds will go to one of four charities on an alternating basis."

Checkout: http://www.goldfishboutique.com/

 for the cute clothing Stephanie has sold, and be sure to "Like" the Facebook page to get notifications of her weekly postings of items for sale!

Also follow her boutique on Instagram:
http://instagram.com/thegoldfishboutique

I love to support small businesses of women and mom's! 

Blessings,

Sarah

All black maternity style

You can't go wrong with wearing all

black! It's elegant, slimming, and goes with everything. 

Leggings are also a girls best friend, especially when your 7 months pregnant! I got these leggings at Costco, of all places. They have a faux leather finish on the front side and are super comfy. Did I mention they were only $14?! I love a good deal, and always keep an open mind when shopping anywhere! If it's cute and fits me well I ignore the brand name! 

Adding a fur vest will dress up any outfit, add texture, and make a statement. Even to a simple, all black ensomble. Give this look a try!! 

Outfit details:

Tunic: Clothed in Grace

Faux Fur Vest: Thrifted

Leggings: Matty M

Boots: Michael Kors

Necklace: Stitch Fix

Blessings,

Sarah