I pray for you

My sister has officially gotten divorced! Let me tell you guys - it's been a long drawn out process, and it's offically over. So, I can't think of a better song than this to send her off into singleness

good evening

Boy am I tired! I came back from the gym this morning, made dinner (turkey sloppy joes) and am now on the couch ready to crash and crash hard. I have had a few stressful days at work so it's been causing my posts to slow down a bit.

Yesterday was our heart beat appointment!! It was amazing. It was one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. Please enjoy:

The heart beat was 154, and if the myths are true, it's a boy. People have said that if the heart beat is slower, its a boy, and if it's higher, it's a girl. Although one of my girlfriends is having a girl and her heart beat was 152. So we shall see in January. As for my weight, I was way off! I have only gained 1.6 lbs since my last appointment a month ago, which my doctor was pretty happy with. I've heard it's from weeks 16 and on you start rapidly growing thanks to the little bean. I'm trying my hardest to get a glass of milk in everyday for some more calcium (and protein). I have never been one who could drink milk without something sweet. So I will be munching on some pb&j toast with a nice cold glass of milk for dessert.

Totally off topic, but is anyone else asking Double U Tee Eff with Spencer Pratt?!

I STILL think him and Heidi 'Give me H size boobies cause my name is Hedi' Montag, are doing this split for publicity. Get rid of the flesh colored beard you crazy mo fo

Stay tuned

A post is coming later tonight, I promise! I just got home from work and I'm heading to the gym for a quick run and then I'll be back and post updates and the heart beat video. Hang on lovelies!

Woosh woosh woosh

Today is my 2nd OB appointment and today is the heart beat appointment! I get to hear the woosh woosh woosh! Nick is going to record the appointment, so I'll figure out a way to upload the video on here so all of you can hear what I get to hear. It's going to be so real HEARING the heart beat. Seeing the baby made it really hit home, but hearing the heart beat, why that's magic my friends. Something that's not magic? Looking at how much weight I've gained. I know, I'm SUPPOSED to gain weight and this is the time where I should feel totally at ease to gain weight. However, I'm not wanting to look like the Stay Puff Marshmallow man

I feel like weight wise I'm doing good, but I get weighed today so the doctor will let me know. My guess is I've gained 5 lbs. Let's talk workouts -- what my blog was started for -- to motivate myself to keep working out, stay healthy and just have a healthy life overall. Workouts have been going great - especially these past 2 weeks. Here is what my schedule is looking like at the moment:

Monday: walk on my lunch break (roughly 2.5 miles)
Tuesday: 30 minute jog on tread + upper body strength
Wednesday: 30 minute jog on tread + back workouts
Thursday: Off
Friday: 20 minute jog or elliptical on lunch break
Saturday: 1 hour swim aerobics, 30 minute jog or elliptical, 1 hour yoga

I feel really good. I'm listening to my body and staying hydrated and making sure I'm eating all the right foods. So far so good! Off to my appointment - I'll blog more tonight about the appointment

Well hello uterus

When I woke up this morning I could feel exactly where my uterus is which in turn means, I knew where my baby bean was :) !! A really great way to wake up. I had Nick feel it and he couldn't really feel 'it', but to me, I could feel he was feeling it, does that make sense? haha.
So what you've all been waiting for -- the CSN giveaway winner!!!! I am using my iphone to help me select who the winner for my 1st ever (and won't be the last) giveaway. Drum roll please....................................................
Entry # 8

Carolsue is the winner! Carolsue, please send me your email address to get your $40 gift card!

Thank you all who entered and I'm hoping to have another giveaway for you lovely ladies soon!!


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Lazy Sundays

Well folks, the title explains it all. I've had a very lazy Sunday, but yesterday I was busier than Mel Gibsons lawyer. I made it to the gym by 9 as my swim aerobics (aka dancing with the oldies in water) was from 9 to 10. This class is a lot of fun actually. It's a great way to wake up and to preggo's like me, it's a great low impact workout. It's more challenging that you'd think to. You work with water weights as well as your own body weight. There is generally always some body part that is sore the next day. After that I towled off, jumped into my 'no messing around' gear (yoga pants, tanks and my Nike Shox, of course) and knocked out a 2.5 miler on the tread. Let me just throw this little tid bit in there - it is so much harder to workout while trying to grow another life. I run out of breath quicker and need more H2o. Thank God the benefits are uh-mazing. I walked away looking like my face was melting off and headed for some yoga. They have a yoga class from 11-12 and it is with my favorite instructor, Jeanette. Girlfriend knows what she's doing. Not only does she relax you, but she also tones your gams without you realizing it. Another class I walk away with a body part being sore from.

After all my other domestic chores after my 2.5 hour gym sesh, Nick and I had dinner and went bowling with bestie Jenni and her hubbs. 1 word - competition. Nick and I are competitive in no matter what we do and from the looks of last night, Bestie's husband is too. And Nick and I are NOT good losers...don't worry, we won :)

Ahhhh weekends

The weekend is here!!! I encourage you all to check out my 1st ever giveaway with CSN Stores on a previous post. Just click here and read, follow the instructions, and you just might win!! I will announce the winner Monday morning, so be sure to enter and tell your friends -- they just might use the gift card on you!

15 weeks WOOT WOOT!

How far along? 15 Weeks baby

Baby's size? My baby bean is the size of an apple! What the heck?! How did the time go by so fast that I have an apple in my stomach now? He/she is about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces

Weight Gain? Um, I don't feel bigger anywhere else other than my belly now that I'm working out, but I have another appointment on Tuesday morning, so we shall see

Maternity clothes? I think I need more. I only have 1 pair of work pants that I can wear, but I'm still wearing maxi's on the weekends. Thank God for being preggo in Summer

Stretch marks? Nope and I constantly smell of olive oil and cocoa butter

Belly button in or out? still in, but after I eat big meals it does somethin funky and makes my belly button ring stick out hehe

Sleep? Love it and could do it 24/7 *thats what she said*

Foods I am loving? just about everything it seems. I feel like I'm constantly hungry too

Foods I am hating? Umm, red meat and chicken is still a challenge for me

Best moment this week? That I actually feel amazing. I was explaining it to Nick and I feel better than I do when I'm not pregnant....just tired. So happy the nausea is ova!

Movement? Pretty sure I felt some tickling feelings in my lower belly

Symptoms? exhaustion, but I'd take that over nausea any day.

Upcoming CSN Giveaway

So I was recently contacted by CSN to host an amazing giveaway! I have seen a couple of the other blogs I follow are doing the same thing, so I was so excited when the opportunity fell into my lap. I have never been part of a giveaway, but have always wanted to do one. You ladies are the sunshines to my life after all. I'm not sure if any of you have checked out CSN, but you need to go STAT. They have everything from a Dutch Oven

jogging strollers (mama likey)


to pumps (HOT PUMPS!)


Chandeliers


You get the point, this place has EVERYTHING you can think of. Go to their website and check out their site. And just cause it's Thursday and we all need a little happiness on a Thursday, lets get this giveaway moving. I am giving my readers a chance to win a $40 gift card.

If you want a chance to win this gift card
1 entry - Go to CSN's website and leave me a comment telling what product you would buy if you won
2nd separate entry - follow my blog
3rd seperate entry - blog about this on your blog and link it back to my post

Easy enough right? Alright ladies, get browsing and enter this sweet giveaway! I will be picking a winner Monday morning-- Good luck :)

Wordless (sorta) Wednesday

Britney- W.T.F?! Girl, please, PLEASE, get your hair fixed or go natural, it's been 2years since you shaved it, I'm sure it'd look fine and better then this hot mess



Photo courtesy of Us Weekly

Blondes have more fun

I was thrilled to get the okay from my OB to keep getting my hair done, I was SO excited. I think a lot of women can feel frumpy when they get pregnant and not as attractive. I have already experienced these moment of insecurities, but I got over them. So in my opinion, if you can make yourself feel better (I'm sure some of you will think it's vain), then I say do it.

I want to get all the way back to blonde. A really sexy blonde. My hair right now is brown underneath and blonde on top, so Im ready for a change. Here are some of my favorite blondes and shades of blonde I love! Now to pick which one...Im leaning towards Jessica Simpson, what do you all think?

Promised pics

Behold my belly at 14 weeks and 3 days and nursery furniture

Weekend recap and name change

So this weekend was filled with awesomeness! Saturday it broke down like this-water aerobics w/Bestie Jenni, lunch, babies r us, home and chillaxing. That swim class was actually a lot harder than I thought it would be, but I loved it! I was active and felt really good afterwards. They say water exercise is really good during pregnancy too.Sunday - BABY FURNITURE!!! It looks amazing and guess what? I took pics! Buuuuuut, while I was running out the door this morning, guess who didn't grab the flash drive for her memory card? ME!! So, you'll have to wait till I get home.

Seeing the baby furniture in the room makes everything that much more real. I drifted in there this morning to make sure it was all still there and this is actually happening. I've heard pregnant women say before that times flies, but is slow at the same time. So true! Time drags cause you want your little one to be here, but it flies cause before you know it, your already in your 2nd trimester and you have literally popped overnight! I took a picture this morning of me at 14 weeks and 3 days, and wow! I can't wait to show you guys the picture. I will warn you that I did just eat before I took the picture, but still -- there is no way my eggs and toast can produce a beast belly.

This weekend Nicky Boy and I were talking about names for our little bean. And yes, Olivia Karen is still the girl name, but for the boy name, things have changed a bit. Nick was telling me not too long ago he was a bit iffy on Liam. We both love the name and we might use it for our next one if it's a boy, buuuuut we're calling on another runner up we've liked for a long time: Troy. So ladies and gent's after much discussion, our son (if it's a boy) will be Troy Maximus. If your like me your 1st reaction is "WOAH! Troy Maximus? What is he a Roman solider or some sort of gladiator?" That was my concern, but you know what? I love it and Nick pointed out to me "You can never have a name that is "too strong"". Sure babe, whatever you say ;)

Let's talk baby nursery decor, shall we? Let me unveil the official baby nursery sets:

For an Olivia:

The pictures don't even do the bedding justice. The quilt is threaded with gold threads and the detail is just beautiful! I love the princess and dream theme with the decor on the walls, and I think I'd stick with that. It makes the 'princess' thing not so cheesy and tones it down a lot. Very elegant

For a Troy:

I've been set on a jungle type theme for a boy, and I think this would be the perfect set. Again, it's much cuter in person.

Hope everyone Monday's go by quick :)

14 weeks & pregnancy dreams

I am officially into my 2nd trimester!!! Today marks day 2 of the 3, and all I can say is thank GOD I made it! 2nd Trimester starts the weight gaining from what I hear - so bring on the hostess cupcakes and pasta! Kidding of course -- but only kinda kidding.
So pregnancy dreams -- I had the scariest pregnancy dream last night. Last week I had a lot of them where Nick was cheating on me. I'd find a plethora of pictures of girls that were saved onto the desktop of our computer and I confronted him and he'd be like "Yeah, so?" No remorse outta the guy. So those dreams of course sucked. But this dream last night was one like no other. Pretty much long story short: I went in for an ultrasound to find out the sex and there was this serpent like tail coming from between it's legs. In my dream, I for some reason thought this was totally normal and it must be a boy. The doctor thought it was bad, like any normal person would. Later that night, I ended up having cramping, and I gave birth to this huge toddler size baby, but it was too early for it to come out and it wasn't breathing. I was screaming at Nick to give it mouth to mouth, but he couldn't save it. I woke up from this horrible dream, felt my belly, and thanked God it was only a dream (from Hell!!).
So back to happy things, I'm 14 weeks today!! My baby bean -

How your baby's growing:
This week's big developments: Your baby can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his thumb! Thanks to brain impulses, his facial muscles are getting a workout as his tiny features form one expression after another. His kidneys are producing urine, which he releases into the amniotic fluid around him — a process he'll keep up until birth. He can grasp, too, and if you're having an ultrasound now, you may even catch him sucking his thumb.

Check out this 3D ultrasound of a 14 week old baby

They also say my baby bean is now the size of lemon and just to blow your minds, here is a comparison to a quarter


How far along- 14 weeks


How big is the baby- He/she measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and weighs 1 1/2 ounces


Weight gain? Still not much that I can see. The belly size differs day to day

Stretch Marks? Belly is still looking good!

Maternity Clothes? Not really. Still wearing my maxi dresses! I did however buy my 1st pair of maternity pants for work and 1 pregnancy t shirt

Sleep? still like a baby. Although I have been waking up around 3:30AM, so that puts a damper on things


Best Moment of the Week? Getting in my scheduled workouts - WOO HOO! Gotta keep active


Food Cravings? Sweet tarts and any sort of sour candy is the choice this week. Also coldstone was the victim of choice :)


Name? well we aren't sure on the sex yet, but if it's a girl it will be Olivia Karen (middle name for my mom) and if it's a boy Liam Maximus


Movement? Not that I can feel yet :( but I tickle my belly and push on it constantly in hope I'll get a flutter or 2. I've heard this is the week I can start feeling tiny butterflies


What I Miss? SUSHI!!! Someone brought some for lunch at work, and I want some dang it!

Fun Fact? That nasty nausea phase is ova' & I get the baby furniture on Sunday!!!

Sweet Tarts and Paula Dean

So today at work MAYJA' "Karli has hormonal blow out". So I have had a box of MOVIE THEATER SIZE sweet tarts on my desk for about 3 days. Whenever I get light headed or just want something tart (my FAVORITE flavor), I grab a handful. So today was a somewhat stressful day, so I reach for my box on my desk next to where I keep my picture of Nick and I and what do I feel? AIR!! The box is completely empty - some a hole cleaned me out! I was robbed! I had at least a quarter of a box left when I left yesterday afternoon. Someone had the balls (I knew it was a guy), to clean me out and then to leave the empty box on my desk-- and not mention a thing about it?!?! I was PISSED. Like where I wanted to cry, pissed. So I ask a guy I work with if he knows who took them and to my luck, he DID! Long story short, I marched straight to the guy and let him have it. It was a pretty quiet day at the office with the boss being gone, so the whole office tuned into my 3pm rant to the Sweet Tart thief. I threw every question at him: Who does he think he is going on MY desk and helping himself to MY sweet tarts?! How would he like it if I took shit off HIS desk and didn't tell him?! He played it off like it was a joke, but this raging hormonal sweet tart craving girl was NOT letting up. When I get really mad and into confrontation, I can feel myself getting red for steam. I also tend to wanna cry (when I'm REALLY mad). So after telling him how I felt, I took a walk outside and IM'd Nick about it. I had to practice those Lamaze breathing techniques to clear that friggin lump in my throat. No one wants Kermit the Frog answering their phones. I went to the gym, let out some steam and relived it to Nick, and now it is done - off my chest - tomorrow is another day - but men be warned - do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT touch anything especially food on a (pregnant) woman's desk.

Now, dinner, aka my happy place. I have dinner in the oven, but I have taken a little preview bite of what is to come and I can already recommend this recipe 110%. Enter Paula Dean. This little southern gem was calling my name, telling me to just cook one of her cheesy hot meals and fuh-get about the sweet tart thief.

Here is a recipe I'm sharing with ya'll (just cause it's a Paula Dean night, you get a 'ya'll'). Just FYI - on the sour cream and cream cheese, I used Fat Free :)


Mashed Baked

Ingredients
4 cups frozen hash browns
1 (7.6-ounce) package butter and herb mashed potato mix
1 stick butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups boiling water
2 cups prepared French-fried onion rings
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring a pot of water to the boil and add the hash browns. Cook for 5 minutes and drain. In a large bowl, mix together the cooked hash browns, mashed potato mix, butter, cream cheese, jack cheese, sour cream, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Stir in the boiling water. Place in a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Bake for 35 to 45 minutes. Sprinkle the onion rings over the casserole and bake for about 5 to 8 minutes longer until onions are golden brown.

I have seen what Heaven looks like

Oh.my.GOOOOOOSH- I have died and gone to Heaven! Over my years of browsing on Forever 21, I had NEVER seen they have a Maternity line!!! You have no idea how exciting this is to me. I love F21 and to know they have a Maternity line? Fu-get-about it! I'm lost in love. My dad once offered to buy me maternity clothes (he likes to spoil hehe), I wonder if the offer is still open?

Cardigan $19.80

Shirt $10.80

Chiffon cardigan $27.80

Essential preggo tank (great for layering) $4.80

Jeans $13.80

I can't get over those amazing prices!! I likey, I likey!!