my pregnancy essentials

During the short time of pregnancy and the nursing days I do my best to be the healthiest I can.  At the same time, I try to be most comfortable and relaxed and to feel prepared for the changes and challenges that accompany these days.  Every mom has her own list but these items are some of my favorite pregnancy essentials.

I actually have and use all of these:  
1. sandals - so comfy and even cute however getting harder to buckle,
2. eye makeup remover + Q-tips - since I don't always feel like removing eye makeup at night this is such an easy alternative, usually in the morning
3. gummy bears - the perfect little treat, I eat handfulls of these and it just makes me so happy
4. klean kanteen - I have one for my car and one at my bedside - I seriously love these,
5. kiehl's eye cream, - you gotta dab this stuff on and it does depuffing wonders!  you can even keep it in the fridge for extra impact
6. rosebud salve - I have several of these - in the car, purse, makeup drawer, kitchen drawer etc.  I even use it on my son if he has anything chapped too.
7. concealer stick - I apply this under my eyes and on the lids after the eye cream and it takes away any sign of tiredness.  will totally come in handy once the baby is born too,
8. gum - in my purse and on my bedside for when I get nauseous/hungry or heartburn - it stimulates the digestive juices so the problem is lessened with out having to take pills or get up to eat, 
9. clarisonic plus facial cleansing brush - has kept me with pretty clear skin considering I've had some problems this time around,
10. maxi dresses - so easy, so comfortable, so flattering with a long cardigan,
11. whole milk for late night hunger pains - organic milk only when I'm pregnant and nursing,
12. stretchy sandals  - actually mine are bright yellow - so comfy and easy to put on,
13. kiehl's moisturizer jar - I haven't gotten stretch marks yet and I'd like to think that this stuff has helped.
Not pictured but no less essential: pedicures every once in a while but especially in the last 2 months or so - oh, the massage does my tired feet and poor circulation good.
ALSO, a body pillow and 2 king sized pillows... sounds excessive but it has made sleep manageable this time around.  I'll give Zack his pillow back when the baby is here :-)

What were/are your pregnancy essentials?

huge at 34 weeks

Sometimes I think I haven't gotten that big with this pregnancy and then I see pictures of myself and I know the truth.  I am huge!  We're pretty much on the home stretch with just 6 weeks to due date.  I feel just as antsy as ever though.  I keep psyching myself out with thinking I'm in labor, but usually its just cause I ate too much and feel sick.  haha.  Its all good, though.  Take your time little girl.

more of "the best time of day"

There are more pictures from this lovely morning ritual on the Baby's Blog.

Let me know if you still need an invite.

the best time of day

Monday, when the garbage trucks come by throughout the morning.  His face lights up and he runs to the window.  We've figured out the best ones for viewing.  And sometimes (it all depends on if I am dressed or not) we even go out to the front porch and sit there and watch.  The garbage men wave to Odin and he waves back ferociously with the biggest smile on his face.  When they are gone and he realizes it he yells "bye! bye! bye!"  Its such a simple and fantastic thing, waiting and watching for the garbage trucks.  And once its all over, he just continues to beam for the rest of the morning.

Les Miserables

I love Les Miserables.  

Its my favorite musical, ever.

I love Hugh Jackman who is playing Jean Valjean.  

The actors are actually singing which will be nice compared to the 1998 version.

I'm anxious to see Ann Hathaway in this too.

I can't wait 

to see this movie come Christmas time...  

XAQUE

Happy Birthdate, love!

You are so fun, so whimsical, so talented, so clever, so perfect (for me) and such a good dad.  

How did I ever get so lucky?  

what matters most

"... may we fill our days - as much as we can - 

with those things which matters most."

Thomas S. Monson

In light of my desire to be a better mom and wife and to find a healthy rhythm in my life, this video did my heart good.  After watching this I feel as though I am actually doing the right thing.  My husband and my son are the things that matter most.  All those lunchtimes spent flying kites or meeting for lunch with Zack or those evenings when we meet up with him so we can accompany him on a little errand, or standing in the same spot for 10 minutes just so I can tell Odin that daddy is coming and then Odin can go to the window and see Zack arriving home, or taking Odin to the park or letting him get really wet and dirty in the back yard, etc., these are all bits and pieces that fill my days with them - the "things" which matter most.

What would our lives be like, how much happier would we be if we really listened to this wise advice - 'fill your days with those things which matter most.'

Here's to living life better and filling our days - as much as we can - with the things that matter most!

camping with my little family : part 3

Here are the last of my favorite memories from our camping in Lopez Island and Ensign Ranch.  We look forward to more camping trips to new places in the near future, maybe even one more before the baby is born.  (Am I crazy for wanting to camp while in the last weeks of pregnancy?!! We'll stay close to home, just in case...)

One of my favorite parts was riding the ferry.  One day we walked on for free and explored Friday Harbor.  It was fun and we had some really good ice cream there.  I can still taste the lemon pie flavor I got... it had graham crackers in it...  So good!

Our final destination was Ensign Ranch where we met up with the cousins.  We loved having friends to hang out with this time.  However, it was infested with mosquitoes so I didn't even think of bringing out my camera... too busy swatting the air.  We were by a river that was very similar to the one from my childhood camping days - you know, the days I compare all future camping trips to.  It was a great spot but was a lot further from home than we realized.  We look forward to trying out their slip n slide and their horse rides sometime.

I can't wait for our next camping adventures.
We all loved it so I am sure it won't be long before we go again!

camping with my little family : part 2

such a beautiful morning to wake up to, we had pancakes with fresh strawberries, yum

Man, Odlin park did not disappoint!  We loved camping near the water and we had no idea it was going to be so beautiful the next morning.  I could watch these two play for days.  It will be even more fun when I am not so uncomfortable and can get out there with them.  

After this perfect morning I decided we need to have more regular weekend days like this with picnics  at near by beaches.  I'm currently searching for some good beaches in the Seattle area.  Any suggestions?

happy birthdate

Oh, my darling boy.  

I am trying to stop calling you my baby.  You will always by my baby but you deserve to live up to bigger and better titles.  You are such a good and sweet soul.  And, that smile... it gets me every time!  

I love you my big toddler boy!