November Is Here!

WoW! I've been waiting for this month for a while now!!!
Lets just quickly go over those Top 5 Reasons...

1. Heading back East for a couple of weeks for Fall!

Picture found here.

2. Breaking Dawn! November 18th

2. Our Anatomy Scan and finding out our Little Darlings Gender!

3. Gender Reveal PARTY!!

Picture: Simply Baby Stuff

4. RED cups from Starbucks (Starting today!)

5. Thanksgiving! (Umm good food & Charlie Brown!)

Then its ready for Christmas!! I have a feeling its going to be mid January before you know it! I'm trying my hardest to make the most out of every day! I have so much to be thankful for!

What are you looking forward too this month?!

Darling's 17th Week Update

Bump Pic!

 Oh, I need to stop taking these pics right before bed! We had such a looong day!

Little Darling's Size: An onion, approx 5.1  inches long!! Putting some meat on his/her bones!

Countdown: 161 Days to go!  Due Easter :)

Clothing: I broke down and purchased some maternity jeans! Its crazy!!! Living in LA...they have all the top brand jeans in "maternity." Yes, I tried on $200 maternity jeans yesterday..but walked out with $64.95 (Sale!!) But the more expensive ones did fit me amazing..just couldn't justify.. 

What I Miss: We went out this past weekend to a Halloween Party on Friday..and I actually met two other Ladies who were preggo! It was great!! Today, they had Pumpkin Races!! Soo much fun!!! Click here to see what I mean!  Still, I missed going to San Diego with my friends and getting all dolled up!!!! :(

Cravings: So, I totally did not eat healthy this weekend..pizza..PF Changs..ugh!

Exercising: But I did hit the gym a lot this week..and we did a good hike in the sand along the coast today.. Its tough to walk in sand! My muscles are super sore today!

Symptoms: Starting to get leg cramps in the middle of the night... to be expected!

Total Weight Gain: I will learn this Nov 22nd..our next OB appoint! Till then, keep exercising!

Gender: Who knows at this point... !! I've given up! 3 weeks!!

Sleep: Better this week.. but then again...I've been going non-stop!

Movement: HOLY FLUTTERS!! wow, Im feeling it this past week!

On a Positive Note: Since I'm an Occupational Therapist, we have to obtain CEUs during the year...well I found one!!  "Designing an Exercise Program for the Pregnant Woman." Umm kinda perfect timing right?! I learned A LOT! Tons of studies show that exercise at least 3x/week thru the entire third trimester, Major positive outcomes for Mom and Baby!  I could go on and on....

A Message To Our Darling: Oh, I hope you are doing good in there.. I'm tired of calling you "it" or him/her...I can't wait to give you a proper name! We are getting excited for our Nov 22nd appointment!!! When we get to see you again ! 

***I posted a poll! Located TOP left!!  What will the gender be? 
Please vote!!!! ***

Darling's 16th Week Update

Bump Pic!
(Yep, I'm ready for bed)

My BUMP stickers!!!

Little Darling's Size: An avocado, approx 4.6 inches long!!  Little Darling is now able to hear me :)  Probably my heartbeat to start!

Countdown: 168 Days to go!  Due Easter :)

Clothing: ugh, I'm having a hard time spending money on maternity clothing..or just buying clothing period! I saw some nice things over at Gap Maternity...have yet to order anything...

What I Miss: Going out on the weekends to Hollywood, Clubs..etc!  :) That was such an outlet for my stress! Dancing with friends...getting all dolled up! We don't go out often but I suppose with Halloween coming up, I'm getting bummed! Every year we head down to San Diego for a night of fun! This year we will be at home! I need to come up with a fun evening..so we are not sitting on the couch :)

Cravings: Nothing specific... just trying super hard to eat healthy..I need to eat a bit more veggies and less carbs! Been doing great with protein...

Exercising: Last week my goal was 3x's at the gym..made it 2 and today we did a 10 mile bike ride up the coast! The fresh air did me good! I had a lot going on last week and was exhausted by the time I was home...

Symptoms: Emotional/Irritated! I feel bad for Mr. Southbay!  Had a little break out on my tummy...My OB said it happens but typically later in the third trimester.. but it appears to be clearing up. So glad! My face is going through another "Break Out" moment..ugh!

Total Weight Gain: I gained 4lbs in 4 weeks! This has been tough to swallow..but I know its for the best!! I really don't have any control in the matter now do I ...   :)

Gender: The gender poll is pretty neck and neck ..I had a dream the other night that I had a girl! crazy right?!! Considering the whole time I felt I was having a boy! Now, I'm super curious! We find out in 4 weeks and 2 days!!!!

Sleep: Still having crazy dreams...I won't even begin to explain the one I had last night!

Movement: Again-occasional flutters..not consistent.

On a Positive Note: Still feeling good besides my emotional roller coaster! It has been a bit stressful trying to figure out what our future holds! Mr. Southbay is working hard to find a job back east near family..or at least down in the Southbay of Los Angeles so we are living together 24/7. He is currently working on a project that is 2hrs north of where we reside...he is gone Monday-Thursday.  So, I know that has been really bothering me..and I'm trying super hard to keep faith that everything will work out.

A Message To Our Darling: I heard your heartbeat on Friday! The Doctor said..approx 150-160 bpm.  Anywho, had tons of tests done, praying you are a healthy little baby! Since, you are starting to hear me...I promise to play less rap and more relaxing tunes! :) That was a strict order from you Gigi!  (My mom)

***I posted a poll! Located TOP left!!  What will the gender be? 
Please vote!!!! ***

Mr. Southbay whipped out the other camera...and got a little fancy..
I LOVE this shot!

Pumpkin Carving Party !

We threw a little party tonight with friends and neighbors! It was seriously a ton of fun! I didn't realize how creative my friends are till I saw their pumpkins!

Elmo :)

umm..WoW!  free hand too! 

I was so amazed! It was so nice to get everyone together and just relax...and carve! 

Here are my busy workers!

I had mini quiche, crab cakes, hummus, cupcakes and brownies...ohh it was all yummy!! My friend made this type of apple cider, mixed with orange juice, brown sugar, cloves and orange slices.. I'm probably forgetting other ingredients! Then, for the non-preggo Ladies we added a little rum! It was delicious and it made our house smell amazing!

I even made some ghosts..it was seriously relaxing!

Now, I'm exhausted! :)

Darling's 15 Week Update

BUMP PIC!

Little Darling's Size: A Navel Orange, approx 4 inches long!!  Little Darling may be experiencing hiccups! how cute!

Countdown: 175 Days to go!  Due Easter :)

Clothing: Still making things work...did purchase some new underwear! :)

What I Miss: I miss a good glass of wine in the evenings!

Cravings: Nothing specific...had a couple of slips of eating non-healthy food..

Exercising: I was able to hit the gym 2x's this past week!! wow, its a bit harder than I thought it would be...I'm ready to be done after 30mins! I will aim at 3x's this week..

Symptoms: Headaches & Nosebleeds...  I could definitely go for a massage!

Total Weight Gain: I will know on Friday! Yikes!

Gender: I've had a tons of people say BOY!! or GIRL!!... we find out in 5 weeks & 2 days! 

Sleep:  Not bad...Not great either...having TONS of crazy dreams..TONS!

Movement:Not sure! I get these "flutter" feelings..

On a Positive Note: Over all I'm doing great! Working a ton...yet feeling good. We are excited to see our OB this Friday! I'm ready to hear our Little Darling's heartbeat!

A Message To Our Darling: I'm ready to hear your heartbeat and know you are doing good! It's hard to wait four weeks...   

***I posted a poll! Located TOP left!!  What will the gender be? 
Please vote!!!! ***

Early Stages of Gender Reveal!

I quickly found inspiration for our Gender Reveal Party! I knew right off the bat I didn't want a pink and blue theme... We would leave those colors for the cupcake filling..  When I came across a reveal party done by Swoon Paper Studio, I knew this was it!  Take a peek at some of the details!

They chose food according to the Mommy to Be's cravings!  What a great idea! 

Click over HERE to see more details from the party!

I was able to get in touch with Randi over at Swoon Paper Studio and she was so kind to give me info on where she found most of her items for the party!

All photographs taken from Swoon Paper Studio.

Okay, so Yellow & Orange are my theme colors! Something different & fresh. LOVE! So, I went over to Etsy and spotted this invite....over at Detailish!  I have a hidden love for damask..

A little later we have this! I am loving it! (click to enlarge)

 

Some info is hidden for privacy :) 

They will be printed off and sent in the mail! I am soo looking forward to our big Reveal!

5 More weeks to go!!

Stretch What?

Lately, my belly has been itching like crazy! It comes and goes! All the nurses at work told me NOT to scratch because it will promote stretch marks.. I had no idea :(   But, I'm glad I got the info early on...

I headed over to Whole Foods and found this...

I put it on two times a day... with fingers crossed!  My Doctor also mentioned to rub sesame seed oil on my belly as well. So, I guess I will be trying it all! I have nothing to lose right?!

Over the weekend I received my milestone belly bump stickers! They are so cute!! Anxious to throw one on and snap away :)  Thank You SnappitySnap!