The skinny on Pregnancy Weight....

Well friends, this ain't my first rodeo at the wonderful world of pregnancy and since all my weight gains have been drastically different I would call myself somewhat of an expert on it.....

Let's look back at my weight journey....

Vincent's Pregnancy

 I took the whole eating for two game SERIOUSLY. I think I may have actually ate for 3 or 4. I packed that weight on like it was going out of style. I look back at how freaking swollen I was those last few weeks and it pains me. I just ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. Back then we weren't eating near as healthy so I ate a lot of carbs and grains and pretty much anything I craved that was unhealthy. Looking back I was a complete idiot. Not just for my own health but for the health of Vincent, he is totally fine, but still, a mother's eating habits trickle down to the baby and I was filling him with junk! Sorry bud! I gained a whopping 60-70 lbs with Vincent. I no joke weighed the same as my husband. I look back and cringe. (I literally die at this pic)

I mean come on that is not the same person as me now at 8 weeks with babe #4

Luke's Pregnancy

I thought I had learned a thing or two from Vincent's but I still ate more than I should have. I was chasing Vincent around so I think I was a lot more active for Luke's pregnancy but I still ate a lot of carbs back then. When it was all said and done I think I gained about 50 with him.

Jude's Pregnancy

 We had already made the switch to Paleo before I got pregnant with sweet Jude. Lucky him getting the best nourishment of them all (sorry Vincent and Luke, mommy and daddy were not as wise in the eating department back then!) I still didn't have a strict workout routine or anything crazy but I watched what I ate and I felt amazing the entire pregnancy. I gained 30-35 with him. It was so much easier to handle and not as horrific to stare at the aftermath of my body post delivery.

I was very comfortable in my skin with Jude's pregnancy. I felt wonderful 

So ladies, I have played every game of pregnancy weight gain there is. This time around I am going to try again to stay near 30 lbs with healthy eating and all that jazz. The only problem is this baby is due after Thanksgiving and right before Christmas aka the best time for YUMMY food and desserts so I will have to watch myself extra close near the end. 

The good news is that no matter what I gained it all came off my friends, I think that is mostly thanks to the wonderful world of breastfeeding. But seriously, it comes off. I am shocked that it came off after Vincent because like I said we ate horribly. (slams head into desk)

I read some great advice about the weight gain last night and a great rule to follow....

You are eating for 1.1, which means you only need 10% more of what you usually intake for your sweet like baby. When it's put like that it makes much more sense. So throw out the eating for two garbage of the past. You and your baby will be much happier if you do! Have an extra serving of fruit or veggies, or a handful of chips if you need to fulfill your salty craving. Crap have a cup of ice cream if you fancy. Because let's face it, you all know I have a tub of Half Baked Ben & Jerry's in the freezer for those ice cream craving moments!:)

Here are some great snack options:

(I need to eat every few hours or else I hit a wall)

Baby Carrots with yogurt or dip

Breakfast on the Go nut packs are my fave

Cup of your favorite fruit

String Cheese or cheese cubes

Smoothies- You can make a large on in the morning and split it up for the day.

Apple Sauce (so easy to make homemade too)

Your favorite chips/crackers (split into small serving bags so you don't over eat)

In the grand scheme of things the numbers did not matter because I ended up back where I started each time but for me I am a huge number person so I like to know what I need to lose at the end of the road. It helps me stay focused but at the same time I do not obsess if I accidentally go over by a few or 5 or 10! haha! Just stay healthy and happy, that is fully what matters. 

But looking back the happiest I was, was when I gained the most healthy about with Jude. So here's to hoping I stick to the same route with baby #4!

What tips or tricks do you have???
PS any tips on arm toning while pregnant, I could use some toning badly :)

xoxo

Check In!

I have been MIA like crazy around this blog but I swear once I get an ounce of energy back I will be doing house and baby #4 updates!! Things have been slightly nutzo with us lately clearly but we are managing.

Pregnancy- I literally feel like death. No puking (never have, thank God) but my body feels like sheer death. I feel like all my limbs are limp and my energy level is squat. I sleep 8-10 hours and feel like I did not even sleep. I am not sure if it's this pregnancy being different or just the sheer fact I am pregnant with 3 crazy hyper boys running around. Probably the later of the two! Next week we have our first appt and ultrasound so I am excited to finally FEEL more pregnant. Plus after miscarrying before Jude I am always a tad weary until I hear a heartbeat and see a wiggly gummy bear inside me. So prayers on Tuesday that all is well!:)

House Stuff- Our first bath remodel is complete and I am in love. I told you guys that our house only had 3 bedrooms when we moved in, well it originally HAD 4 but the previous owner made a giant master bath out of the 4th bedroom, making 3 FULL baths upstairs. TOTALLY not necessary. So we are taking out the giant master and moving to the boys old room which has a tiny bath but we gutted it and made it as masterly as we could with the space. We start of the main bath, which will be amazing and huge next week! Here are pics of the new small master bath. We will move our bedroom to the room hopefully this weekend. It's funny because one of the walls is RED per Vincent's request so now we will have to repaint at some point! Oh the joys! ;)

Our contractor made a cute cubby to give us a little more storage space...

 The rain showerhead is the best thing ever. Plus since the shower is small having the water from above give you more space! 

I am obsessed with the tile job. I love subway tile. Clean and classic look.

 You cant see the lighting fixture but it's cute 

 The marble floor is my favorite. I had all intentions of going with just normal ceramic but the marble really gives the bath a cooler more vintage feel. 

 The vanity had gaps on both sides so he built it in a little but to give it a more completed look.

All in all I am VERY happy with the results.

I also planted some flowers to give our house a more welcoming feel.

I can't wait for the ones up above to start cascading down the balcony.

Mother's Day- We celebrated Mother's Day with a Coldstone cake (my favorite) and just hung out. It was perfect! Notice only one kid looking. Pretty classic ;)

Vacation- I will do a full post but Jordan and I got away 2 weeks ago for a quick trip to FL, it was a little reward from his company for him winning HOTTEST Sales Rep of the Year.

First thing we did was get 2 Pina Colada's (virgin for me)

We enjoyed dinner and some shopping alone in silence.

 The resort was pretty fab! 

 Repping #4!;) 

We did not just lounge at the beach because my husband is more adventerous and I got burnt the first day so we CANOED a river with some gators. Yeah, pretty mother freaking horrifying.

They were like 10 feet from us. We saw like 30. I don't like them. EEEEEEK!

I think that is all. 

I have a whole TON of stuff to fill you guys in on in the coming weeks.

One being the hardest decision I have made as a mom thus far in regards to schooling. 

I am still taking it all in on our decision and still uneasy about it but I will fill you all in.

Until next time!

xoxo

Help....Booster Seats?!

As if owning 6 car seats is not enough we now need more! 

(we have a set in each car lol)

We decided that we are just going to move Vincent into the booster seat next since he is 4.

Now, I need your help before we make the purchase. 

FILL ME IN ON THE BEST BOOSTER SEATS!??!

I know everyone raves about Britax and they have an amazingly priced one.

But I kind of like the idea of still having the 5 harness? I just want extra protection!
Frankly thinking of my kids as old enough to just have the normal strap makes me sad.

We have had really great luck with Evenflo products so I kinda like this one!

But obviously I am just starting my search so fill me in! 

I cannot believe we will have 8 car seats now. Holy moses.

This is sheer insanity.

Hopefully we can get some PINK in the mix this time around!!

(fat chance)

xoxo

Beans spilled....

Being a sucky blogger can mean a few things.....

One of which is growing a human being inside your body and chasing 3 boys.

That is the one I am very guilty of.....

The only bikini pic where I will probably not look pregnant this year.

Now that the beans are spilled I can finally update you on all the freaking changes. 

Obviously we were not "trying" but clearly we cannot keep our hands off eachother.

I wanted to wait til after Lasik and we found out 2 days AFTER Lasik.

Hence why I think my eyes are so slow to adjust fully.

There you have it all you who have been asking when baby #4 will come.

December 2013.

Holy Heavens.

(and yes, I am a tad nervous but excited)

This baby is sucking every ounce of energy from me so I will probably be missing from the blog until I regain some sense of strength.

Stuck in a Rut....

I have some what been in a rut, not a bad rut just lots of thoughts going through my mind. 

We have a lot of changes going on here which I will get to in other posts but just lots of thoughts on life and our future and our children's future. 

All good things though, I promise!:)

Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the shuffle of all that is involved with being a wife and mother.

You get lost within your friends and family.

You just shuffled around and emotions get thrown around.

At some points it is just so hard to keep up with everything and everyone.

Being a mother is such a hard job. 

Obviously it is rewarding but man it is rough.

You are molding the future, you have lives in your hands.

It is downright terrifying if you start to get ahead of yourself and think about the future. 

Which is why I most of the times just choose to stay in the moment and not get too far ahead of myself about what is to come when the boys are teens and then God forbid, adults.

You look around at everyone else, other families, other children, other moms. 

I used to have a hard time with comparing myself with others, when I only had Vincent I used to get intimidated by other moms who I thought were super moms. 

With a few years under my belt in being a mom and wife my view has changed significantly.

No one can do it all. 

If someone says they can, I honestly call their bluff.

I can do a decent amount most days but to say I fully have this mom thing under control would be BS.

If I am a rocking mom one day I can tell you that the house is probably a train wreck, 

If my house is clean, I usually go to bed wondering if I spent enough quality time with the boys.

Thank God I have the world's most amazing husband who understands that I can not do it all perfect, all the time, he is just happy I am a trophy wife (with lots of sarcasm)

Each day brings new challenges, new experiences, some exciting, some terrifying.

I thought as the kids got older things would be easier, and yes in some aspects it is easier.

They can go to the bathroom on their own but they are now forming their own being. 

Their attitude towards life and others is now forming.

They have opinions, they have more feelings than ever. They can relay their thoughts to you.

Throw any newborn my way, I can rock it out but man this toddler, almost school age stuff is tiring.

Not so much physically but emotionally.

I ask myself daily "Will this effect who they become?" ," Am I making the right choices?"

At the end of the day I just have to trust my gut as a mom and do the best that I can.

I just have to pray that everything will fall into place.

Sometimes, it just takes a few good quotes to put things into perspective.

I just have to be me, be the best mom and wife that I can and live the life at hand.

We are so extremely blessed and have our own special unique story that only God could have planned.

I need to stand tall and confident in the fact that I cannot do it all.

That at the end of the day, all that matters is that my family and I are happy.

They are hands down the most important thing and really all that matters when all is said and done.

Cannot wait to fill you in on all the changes and happenings in the household and our life.

Happy Thursday friends.

Vincent's Pirate Bash....

I hope you enjoy pictures because you are going to get a full blast of Vincent's Party.

I literally started planning this a week prior. I hoped on Party City and ordered the supplies and stopped on over at Pinterest for pirate food ideas and BAM, the party was created in like 2 hours flat.

To help with prep I started cooking a few things on Thursday and Friday so I would not overload myself on Saturday morning, so I made the dip, the jello and the cupcakes ahead of time. So all that was left for Saturday morning (which I of course am nuts and also had a photo session that morning) but all I had left was picking up the chicken and assembling the fruit swords.

 I loved the party, and Vincent was in HEAVEN. 

We started the day with a treasure hunt, this was fully Jordan's idea and it was awesome. 

We filled it with chocolate coins and m&ms! I got the chest at Hobby Lobby and painted it

I hid it in a tiny passage way we have in our house.

We then did what normal parents do. Dressed our kid as a pirate to complete his special day.

Got the costume for $10 at Party City! Best purchase ever.

         

 Homeboy was in heaven!! We even talked like pirates for most of the day. 

Now onto the details.....

The food consisted of:

Fruit swords aka fruit kabobs. Pirate Fingers aka Cocktail Weiners. 

Ahoy Matey Salad. Just a normal salad. And Captain Jude's Jello found on pinterest.

I think they turned out really cute.

Golden Nuggets aka Chick Fil A nuggets.

Captain Luke's Deviled Eggs, my dad actually made these. SO CUTE.

Captain Vincent's Spicy Feta Dip and Sharks teeth. Spicy Feta recipe here. 

Sharks teeth are just cut up cheese. 

Pirate's Teeth and Pirate's Booty.

Pirate's Teeth is this amazing homemade caramel corn I made. Thank you Paula Dean! 

Now onto the dessert table. We decided to try out an ice cream bar vs a cake.

Jordan constructed the table for me. Which was found on pinterest of course. 

Scored these containers for toppings at the Dollar Tree.

Added cupcakes in case anyone wanted cake also. 

I used the new cool whip frosting. HOLY HEAVEN IT IS AMAZING.

I grabbed Coldstone for the ice cream choices and got cake batter, chocolate and vanilla.

For drinks I just did Honest kids juice and then got Hansen's and Jones cane soda in cans for the adults.

Had to get Root Beer for people to make floats!:)

I only took a few pics during the party, was too busy visiting with friends and family.

And that is it.

Captain Vincent had a blast and it was easy as pie to create. 

I got all the random pirate decor from Party City along with his costume.

They ship things literally the same day as you order so I always use them.

Hope you enjoyed a peek into the Pirate adventure! 

xoxo