Preparing for a Little One- Bringing Home Baby

My friend Kaitlyn and I came up with a great idea that I absolutely love.

As you know, Kaitlyn is expecting her first child. This can be so overwhelming and I know that other first time moms probably feel the same. She has so many questions and would love to hear the opinions of moms who have already been through this a time or two before.

Because of this, we are hosting a weekly series for a few weeks to try and get some answers to some of the most common questions.

We have finished the second series, but if you have missed them here are the topics below that you can go back and check out.

Friday, April 5: Registering (Everything you need to know, Must Haves, Don't Bothers, etc...)

Friday, April 12: Nursery Organization & Ideas

Friday, April 19: Packing For The Hospital: For you & the baby

Friday, April 26: Birth Stories (The good, bad, and ugly) / Birth Plans (yes? no?)

This week starts our second mini-series.

Friday, May 3: Bringing Baby Home / Surviving The First Few Weeks

Friday, May 10: Breast Feeding vs. Formula

Friday, May 17: Calming Your Baby & Sleep Methods

Friday, May 24: Losing The Baby Weight

The second series will focus on bringing the baby home, new mom obstacles and losing the dreaded baby weight.  Even if you are a first time mom, you may have posts or input on this first series especially!! I know some of you are due any day now, so I'd love to get your input as well.

If you decide to participate on any of the weeks, all you have to do is write a post answering and discussing the topic/question that week and link up to the main post on my blog. I think it will be a great resource for tons of moms to be!

Below you can grab a button to use on your posts and it will be helpful if you link back to Wifessionals or Five 27 Jones so that others can get the details to link up as well. I really hope some of you will share your secrets with us!!!

<br><div class="Wifessionals-button" style="width: 300px; margin: 0 auto;"> <br><a href="http://www.wifessionals.com"><br><img src="http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q501/Wifessionals/PFALO_Button_zps5e621c81.png" alt="Preparing For A Little One" height="300" /><br></a><br></div> <!--end button code box--><br>

Now for the good stuff, onto this week's Topic:  Bringing Baby Home

I will never forget the ride home with our firstborn Noah.  It seemed so crazy that we were taking our very own baby home and he would be with us from then on out.  I remember getting home, getting him out of the carseat, looking at him and thinking " Now What??"  I wasn't quite sure what I was supposed to do, but it didn't take long for us to get used to our "new life" with our baby boy and for new to feel as though it was the norm.

I know all you future parents will figure it out just like we did but I did want to throw  some advice out to you.

1)  Make yourself and baby a priority.  Make sure you are able to take care of baby, if not ask for help.  Your baby will have needs and you have just experienced the rollercoaster of childbirth, if you don't feel like you are fully able to take care of your baby remember it's okay to ask for help.  No shame in that, this is not the time to play superwoman!

2) Be ready to let go and lower your expectations.   If you are a neat freak like me, be ready to lower your typical home standards, you won't feel like yourself and you will want to cuddle with that sweet new baby of yours.  Those first few weeks productivity will not be in it's prime!

3)  It's okay to tell people no!  If your family is at all like mine you will have lots of people wanting to come visit, which I did love.  However, there will be times when you are not up to it and you need to let them know!  Suggest a better time or if you just don't want visitors for a  few days that's okay too.

4)  Accept meals!  You will most likely have people volunteer to bring you food or meals, go ahead and let them.  It's one less thing to worry about and they wouldn't offer if they didn't want to bless you in that way.  Again, not time for superwoman!

5)  Make sure to eat and drink when needed (especially if you are nursing, you will need extra food and fluids).  I know it's hard after baby feeling the way you do and ready for the weight to come off and it will in time but make sure to get what you need.

6)  Make notes and take lots of pictures. When babies are first born so much can change from week to week.  We took soooooo many pictures with Noah and I love having all those daily photos to see his changes.   I wish I had more of Carson but it was harder the second time around to  think about taking them all the time.

7)  Nap and don't feel guilty.  I had a hard  time napping with both of mine because I had so many other things I " needed " to do but trust me, you will need sleep.  Enough rest helps us eat better, think more clearly, have more energy and just be more like ourselves which is just what new moms need.

8)  Enjoy it and take each day one at a time!

Attention Runners

I used to want to be a runner so bad.

Tried it.  Hated it.

Couldn't breathe.

Calves killed.

Would quit working out, walk or try something else.

Then for some reason this time around everything is different.

(Side note:  In case you are new around here, I'm running a half marathon in June in sunny San Diego.  It will be my first one and I'm running with my two sisters and my mom is running the full 26 mile marathon.    I just started running/ training for it in January.  Before that I hadn't ran since maybe late last Spring. )

I am loving running.   I can breathe.  My calves aren't generally a problem.

Hitting the pavement is therapeutic.  It relieves stress and I always feel much better after a run is finished.

I have already ran farther than I ever thought I could.

When I haven't got to run in a few days I crave it.  I completely understand the runner's high.

This week I ran this....

I ran with my sister for a little bit and ran the whole thing with my mom.  Running with people makes it so much  better, but for short runs my music is great too!

Did you see that run total?  I can't believe I'm up to 9 miles and I didn't feel like dying, I felt like I could handle a little more.   I love ending like that, it gives me encouragement to keep going.    Race day is exactly one month from today and I'm getting pumped.  I will get a few more longer runs in but won't be going past 11 or 12 miles until the race.

I couldn't do these runs alone.  Before my runs I take my Genesis Pure GPS E 2 which is the sports energy in the Genesis Pure sports line which is amazing.  I also take the Moomiyo Edge supplement  which is explained here.  When I was having knee problems I also started taking Mangosteen to help with pain and inflammation and this last week have been running knee brace free!  I know these products have helped changed the game for me and truly helped me become a runner and find a new healthy hobby to enjoy and I am so thankful for that!

Now I have mostly good runs, but I have also had bad runs.  Runs where I felt like I was hardly moving, runs in the freezing cold, wind, rain, runs where my my knees and hips killed, days where 3 miles seemed really hard even though I had already ran much farther and ones where I was just not in the mood.  Through it all I have kept training and am proud that  I have already made it this far.  I didn't have a goal when I started training I just wanted to finish but now that I'm this far into it, I would love to finish in under 2 hours but am being more realistic with a solid goal of 2 hours 15 minutes!

I have been talking to my mom lately about race details and thought I would see if any other runners had any good tips/advice.

I'm thinking of running with a pace group to help keep me on target to finish.  If you have ran with a pace group, would you suggest it?

Also what's your favorite race item to help keep you going?  Energy beans?  Gu?  Shock Blocks?  Glucose Tablets?

I know I'm only doing the half but I do plan to take my Genesis Pure products before but will probably also bring a little something to take during the race and need your help in decided what to take!  120 minutes of straight running is a long time!

Why Work can Sometimes Be Great!

Last week the hubby and I headed to Las Vegas for a work conference.  Every year this conference is in April, when the weather is great, in a great location, amazing hotels, and never fails to disappoint in how we are taken care of.    I actually really look forward to going to these because it is work but yet fun and entertaining at the same time.  Matthew and I went to Las Vegas the first year we were married and while we aren't gamblers or drinkers we still enjoyed walking around and seeing the sites. 

This year was just as great as others.  I spent time in meetings but got to do some shopping, sightseeing, had a chance to run each morning, laid out, tried some new foods, and had some time for relaxation too so it all equaled out.  

Now I said before that I wasn't a gambler but I did put in $2 and got it up to $6.20.  Matthew said to keep playing until I won more and or until it went back down to $2 and since I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to gambling I placed a $4 bid on accident and lost it quickly. We did see some other lucky big winners though as we walked through casinos.    

We had to check out the Bellagio water show again.   I remembered loving it the last time we were there.  Pictures just can't show how awesome it is and how cool it is that they can make the water seem like it's dancing to the music and the height it goes is incredible.  

We also got to watch the show from our floor in the hotel. 

Sightseeing at the Wynn.  We went there to watch their night show over their water, it wasn't anything too exciting

This was a neat lit up tree/ flower tunnel at the Wynn.  The things these hotels do are just so over the top!

Every year for the conference on Saturday night  there is a huge event.  Last year they rented out Sea World and it was just us there.  This year they rented out Pure Night Club.  Night clubs aren't really our thing but it was fun to get dressed up, see what the big deal about the place is ( it was a really neat set up and decorated place), and get to have some delicious free food!  

We really didn't get any good pictures because this girl forgot her camera so this is it, the hotel selfie ( fancy I know)

Sunday was a completely free day, we slept in until the late hour of 7.   I got a run in and then we headed down to the pool and stayed there most of the day!  It was awesome having nothing to do and just to lay there and be lazy.  We then cleaned up and joined the tourists checking out the sites and tried to hit some of the free hotel shows like the Wynn and Treasure Island.  

We enjoyed dinner together at an  Italian restaurant in the middle of the indoor Forum Shops.  The ceiling in the shops in the background was made to look like a sunset because it mimics the outdoors.    It's sunny during the day, and stars come out at night!  

We had a great trip, but it was also great to get home to our kiddos.  Their faces when we pulled into the driveway was priceless!  Carson just stared at us like he couldn't believe we were home.  I wish I could have  heard what was going on in that brain of his.  Then Noah just kept saying things all night and the next morning like "  I missed you sooo much mommy", "mommy you're my best friend", mommy your are my sweet little girl", and  " I love you so much".  

There isn't anything like home!  

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?  What was your favorite hotel?  

Nature Box Review

I wish I would have been one of the lucky people to think of Birchbox, Barkbox,
Stitchfix, Ipsy, KiwiCrate,  Bluum box (one I would really like to try) and the list goes on.  What a genius idea!  People love surprises and getting mail besides bills.  

I finally joined the bandwagon this last month and decided to give Nature Box a chance.  I thought this one would be great because it totally goes along with my desire to eat healthier and find more "healthy snacks".

If you haven't heard of Nature Box yet, here is a little info from their website explaining part of their mission.

NatureBox Discovery Snack Boxes

Each month, your box will include 15 to 20 servings across 5 different NatureBox snacks. We take pride in picking the healthiest and most delicious snacks for you to enjoy. You can trust that our products will be made from the most wholesome ingredients and will be minimally processed, if at all. Everything you eat from us will abide by our strict quality standards.

The items I got in this month's box were:
1) Lemon meringue Waffles
2) Banana Bread Granola
3) Taj Mahal Snack Mix
4) Italian Bistro Pretzels
5) Whole Wheat Raspberry Figgy Bars

I was impressed with the quality and the variety of the items I received.  I was thinking the items would just be healthier versions of snacks I already knew but was surprised that the items weren't traditional snacks.  

My favorites from this box were the Italian Bistro Pretzels which are delicious, the Lemon Waffles ( they are mini waffles kind of like pieces of waffle cone), and the Granola  because well I just have a small obsession with it.  

If you are interested in learning more or signing up with Nature Box you can use this link to get a discount on your first box!  

Happy Snacking!

Strawberry Pie

I love me some Strawberry Pie and when Spring/ summer arrives it's always a dessert I'm ready to make.
This morning I made my first one of the season and I thought I would share the recipe I love that I have been using for years.  The first time I made it was over 7 years ago before Matthew and I were married and I was still trying to win him with my good cooking!

Here is the recipe

1  cup water
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
2 Tbsp cornstarch
Red food coloring
1 cup flour
1/2 cup margarine
3 Tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1 quart strawberries

For the pie filling gel:

Combine water, sugar, salt, cornstarch, and food coloring.  Bring to boil and cook for 5 minutes.  Set aside to cool.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

For the crust:

In bowl, combine flour, margarine, powdered sugar and vanilla.
Mix well and press in pie pan.  Prick and bake for 8-10 minutes.
When crust is cool place berries in pie pan and pour the mixture over it.

Chill, then enjoy!

We always eat with Cool-Whip.  Not the healthiest way to eat strawberries, but so good!

Tuesday Topics

This week we are on 3 pieces of jewelry.

Here are my loves right now

The bubble necklace, absolutely love them with so many different outfits.  

I love all the cute arm candy all over the place and arm stacks.  I couldn't just show one bracelet or one set so here are some of my current favorite bracelets and sets.  ( my husband thought I was losing it when I asked him to take this picture for me, the things we do for our blog)

And the one piece of jewelry I wear every day and that has true meaning behind it, my wedding and engagement ring!  

I have been wearing this ring for almost 8 years,  can't believe it's been that long!  

Happy Monday