Mix of Prego Food Cravings

Chicken Salad Mix

Snack craving something cool for any time of the year.

Mix up a salad by adding more flavor.

My usual morning mix.

Sunday breakfast splurge.

Dinner or lunch. Mix up pesto and pasta with any healthy veggies or meat.

Being pregnant food all together was a challenge for me. The cravings, what to eat, what not to eat on and on. I have never been a foodie person. I could grab a Fiber One bar on the go and be good. I never had cravings, where something sounded so good that I must have it or just eat lots of it, such as eating a whole brownie. I have always been a healthy conscious eater.

I wanted to share some of my meals that I found had flavor and never got sick of, yet that were somewhat healthy.        here here here and here are similar recipes and foods to follow matching my above mixes.

*I am not a nutritionist nor do I have any background into giving any medical advice, this is just what I have been following during my pregnancy.

Pregnancy nutrition: Foods to avoid during pregnancy

Avoid seafood high in mercury

• Swordfish
• Shark
• King mackerel
• Tilefish

Consider:

• Shrimp
• Canned light tuna (limit albacore tuna and tuna steaks to no more than 6 ounces, or 170 grams, a week)
• Salmon
• Pollock
• Catfish
• Anchovies
• Trout

Avoid raw, undercooked or contaminated seafood 

Canned and shelf-stable versions also are safe.

Limit the amount of fish from local waters.

Cook fish to an internal temperature of 145 F (63 C)

Avoid undercooked meat, poultry and eggs

Fully cook all meat, use a meat thermometer to make sure.
Cook hot dogs and lunch meats until steaming hot, or avoid them completely. 

Avoid foods made with raw or partially cooked eggs completely. 

Avoid unpasteurized foods

Such as Brie, feta, blue cheese, juices, milks, however if they are clearly labeled pasteurized.

Avoid unwashed fruits and vegetables

To eliminate any harmful bacteria wash all raw fruits and vegetables.

Avoid excess caffeine

Limiting the amount of caffeine in your diet to less than 200 milligrams a day = 8-ounce (237-milliliter) cup of brewed coffee contains about 95 milligrams of caffeine, an 8-ounce (237-milliliter) cup of brewed tea contains about 47 milligrams and a 12-ounce (355-milliliter) caffeinated cola soft drink contains about 33 milligrams.

Avoid herbal tea

There's little data on the effects of specific herbs on developing babies. Some types of herbal teas are marked specifically to prego women. 

Again this is what I followed I just wanted to share what worked for me, because it was such a yoyo for me to follow from Drs.  other websites, and from other people. DO NOT STRESS AND GO WITH WHAT YOU KNOW!!! Eat healthy be happy!!! I hope this was helpful. 

24 Weeks 6 Days

Here you are 24weeks 6 days old. 

Belly Shot @ 24weeks 6days old.

Ok I did it I counted the days until I will have this little man. I am getting antsy. I think this heartburn is getting to me. Not to mention the weather. It has been one of the worst winters we have had in years. The temperatures are well below average at 8° (at this moment) and we are expecting little change in the next week with the Arctic Blast and blizzards. I guess I couldn't have picked a better winter to have to stay in though.

How far along? 
24week 6days

Total weight gain?
Total of 26lbs and weighing in at 148lbs. I am deffinatly feeling the weigh gain on my body.

Maternity clothes?
I am enjoying the clothes I bought last week from Old Navy Maternity. Especially the low-rise leggings 
its nice to not feel constricted from the other high rise maternity pants.

Stretch marks?
None at all.

Sleep?
Heartburn is still a problem. I have been taking over the counter medication for it Omeprazole and Tums. Im sure it is helping but I feel like the pain is just so unbearable at times. I am also waking up with a stuffy nose to add to my shallow breathing. Good thing I am seeing my Dr. this coming Tuesday to see if I can doing anything else for my symptoms.

Best moment this week?
Another accomplishment on my DIY baby projects. They are just turning out exactly how I wanted them.

Miss anything?
Not having to deal with my symptoms, Im not very good at dealing with discomforts.

Movement?
Its funny. I feel him all over now. At one point he will be near my lower left hip and for the first time I felt him at the top right of my rib cage. I glad someone is having a good time ;).

Food cravings?
I am trying to force myself to eat more healthy lately and not indulge in sweets.

Gender?
Baby BOY!

Labour signs?
NOPE

Symptoms?
 Heartburn Heartburn Heartburn and I have 3 months of it :(. Its the worst I crave food and food makes me feel like I am in pain… grrrr. Stuffy nose. Body pains.

Belly button in or out?
I will be having innie!! Above I have a belly shot you can see that is all that I have now, no belly button to poke out.

Happy or moody most of the time?
Besides the symptoms, which make me want to just cry and scream and freak out. I have been mostly calm. I do feel like the littlest things send me in almost tears.

Looking forward to?
Having my Drs apt Tuesday, it just makes me feel at ease. Also I didn't mention it but it is my BIRTHDAY on Tuesday the 28th!!!


Keep in-touch for upcoming post....
Some birthday updates!!! Ill try and take some pics to document it :)
More DIY projects!!! Yeahhh CHECK OUT ONES I HAVE DONE SO FAR HERE.

Our Lil' Mans DIY Onesie

I could not wait to get started on these DIY onesies. Its so hard to not buy every "mini" pairs of shoes, or cute outfit, or plush baby blanket with a cute design on it. So if I make it myself it will give me an excuse to guy something and it will be more personal and exactly what I want. Look ahead on more to come using fabric paint. 

Material:

• Freezer paper (found at any grocery store)
• Onesies
• Ruler
• Xacto knife
• Fabric paint (I used Tulip Soft)
• Stencil Brushes (I used Tree House Studio Value Pack) found at any craft store, well worth the investment.

Pick your paint! I chose just a few to test them out Neon Green, Turquoise, and Black.  

1. Cut freezer paper in strips I used the size of the onesie just incase I wanted to make a bigger stencil.

2. ON THE MATTE SIDE trace or freehand your design (you could print on it but I just chose not to.) Leave enough room around the design so when you stamp it it doesn't bleed around the edges onto the fabric. 

3. Cut out the design with your xacto knife. Make sure you save all of the little pieces.

4. Iron the image onto your onesie GLOSSY SIDE DOWN. Place a piece of cardboard between the fabric so the paint won't bleed through.

(Above) I chose to do this one free hand and not iron it on. You can tell towards the end it gets a little sloppy due to the over use of the stencil. With all of the other ones I ironed them so the paint didn't peek through the edges. 

5. Let your paint dry for about 1 hour or until throughly dry then peel off freezer paper. 

ENJOY & CREATE!!

23 Weeks 6 Days

Here you are 23weeks 6days.

All I have to say for this week… Food cravings are the craziest. I have never been a foodie type of person and now this is a whole new out look on what to eat I can eat anything now and it will taste good. Heartburn is new to me I though I broke a rib before I knew it was heartburn the pain it so bad. Another change as of now, I have always done most anything without running out of breath or feeling exhausted and in pain and now just walking for long periods of time I feel all of the above. And being tired comes so quick and most of all sleep is just what I have to accept it is what it is.

How far along? 
23week 6days

Total weight gain?
I didn't weigh myself this week. +/- 19lbs

Maternity clothes?
I caved. This week I bought a few maternity clothes. Old Navy Maternity by far has the best in price and comfort in all my research and trial. If you are someone like me and are a t-shirt and sweats kind of girl (or just prego) then you will love the comfort of these tops with the rushed sides. They are long enough through the body for flexible fit. The low-rise leggings are so comfortable I should have settled on these from the start, much better then the high wasted stretch wasted legging. Another one of my favorite buys was the Ponte Dress, it has a nice fit to it and accents your belly and new curves. I can't wait to wear this one. Here are some of what I bought a +++ in my book.

Stretch marks?
Im still in the clear.

Sleep?
This week my heartburn is keeping me up. I have it throughout the day and laying down makes it worse. Body pains are still a problem.

Best moment this week?
I have been really focusing on baby DIY projects, blogging and researching on baby products for the baby shower. look ahead for my top picks. here. To ease up on my discomforts buying more maternity clothes was a big bonus this week.

Miss anything?
My body :)

Movement?
Most mornings and nights. I hope this pattern doesn't carry on in a few months to come :)

Food cravings?
Hmm to add an odd food craving, I had a salad with blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes, cucumber, nuts, dried raisins and tomato/french dressing (my usual) but with sweet n sour chicken mixed.

Gender?
Our little baby BOY!!!!

Labour signs?
Not yet

Symptoms?
 Heartburn it is the worst!!! I have it all day, at night it is the worst when I just want to sit or lay down, laying down triggers it and makes it more intense and all I want to do it get off my feet. I can't do much about it so complaining doesn't make much sense. I am taking Omeprazole and tums we will have to see if it works over time (fingers crossed)!!! I dint mention this before, but I have had a stuffy nose for a few months. The bigger I get its harder for me to stay on my feet as long without them hurting along with my back, legs and just over all being tired.

Belly button in or out?
I have a new discovery. I have been waiting for my belly button to pop out at some point. My mom took a look at it and said "there is nothing there its flat… what do you expect to pop out"… :) so it is an innie from now on.

Happy or moody most of the time?
I have had a very calm week. I have been taking many walks in the mall and at baby stores (mostly window shopping) I also like to spend time in the bookstore reading craft/baby magazines for inspiring finds. I would have to say calm.

Looking forward to?
Trying to ease this heartburn. Working on more of my DIY projects and planning for our baby boy!!!


Keep in-touch for upcoming post....
My weekly DIY project…
Must haves for Baby Shower…
I am starting a photo diary on what I have been indulging in… more on the healthy side though...

22 Weeks 5 Days

Here you are 22weeks & 5days little man.

These moccasins are to die for. From Freshly Picked each pair are handmade to order I love the traditional brown, but this metallic Iced Mint color is just so fun!

How far along? 
22week 5days

Total weight gain?
19lbs gained with a total of 141lbs. I deffinatly indulged in that holiday food and it showed with my last check up. I have been eating healthier to get back on track and due to that I lost 1 pound.

Maternity clothes?
I haven't bought any more. But Chips shirts come in handy when I want to feel comfortable and stylish.

Stretch marks?
NOPE

Sleep?
I still have discomforts and I still wake up throughout the nights. To add to it I have been getting leg cramps, really bad. Heartburn is also keeping me up. I had to sleep sitting up the other night because of the pain.

Best moment this week?
I have been working on DIY projects for our little man.

Miss anything?
Not feeling so tired and out of breath.

Movement?
I am feeling his kicks more often and they are stronger.

Food cravings?
Everything tastes so good so Im taking advantage of it and eating a little healthier.

Gender?
We have a little BOY!!!!

Labour signs?
Nope

Symptoms?
The heartburn is getting worse and more often and I'm feeling a little sick at points. I am also waking up in the middle of the night with strong leg cramp. My muscle on my calf tightens up in a stiff pain.

Belly button in or out?
Still in.

Happy or moody most of the time?
Everything leaves me emotional… Moody by far.

Looking forward to?
We have been planning our registry and its so fun to get out and look at boy stuff, even if its window shopping Im still getting exercise while doing it. I am also looking forward to my next DIY project.


Keep in-touch for upcoming post....
The next DIY project for our little man…
Must haves for Nursery

DIY Feather Clay Mobile

This is the very first DIY project I wanted to do for our little Baby Fig. It symbolizes the boho feel of the nursery- creative, soft, worming, imaginative, natural environment. This will be one of many DIY project I plan on creating for our little man. 

Material:

• Sculpey oven-bake clay (white)
• Gold leaf pen
• Embroidery loom (inside)
• Natural color thread
• Optional gold spray paint to paint the Embroidery loom
• Optional sculpting tools (I have some but with moving they are packed, home tools work)

Steps:

• To soften or condition the clay I put it in the microwave for about 20 seconds NO LONGER!(although it is advised not to do due to cooking it.)
• First, roll out your clay about 1/4" thick. (I used the side of a cup) on parchment paper for less of a mess.
• Start cutting out feather shapes, I free handed it in various sizes, no two feathers are the exact same!
• TIP: Using the side of the spoon to smooth out the edges of the leaf and cut out niches along the edges to better resemble a feather. 
• Remember to poke a hole at the top of your feathers using a toothpick.
• Bake! 275 F for 30 minutes. Lay on parchment paper or foil and then on a baking sheet. 
• Allow clay to cool.
• Add chevron stripes, be creative with the pattern with the gold leaf pen. The gold just adds that special touch!!

I really enjoyed this project and it turned out exactly how I imagined it for our little boys mobile. This DIY project took me back to when I worked with clay making bowls and sculpting. Sculpey Clay is practical, its so durable and most of all it doesn't shrink while it cooks and its firm enough to hold its detail. I see myself using it in the future for future DIY projects… look ahead for more to come!

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did and got our creative juices flowing!!

ENJOY & CREATE!!

Baby Boy DIY on the Brain

Printing/Stenciling on onesies. source

Mobile for my lil'man. Im thinking of making feathers instead of elephants. 

Making my own baby blanket with stenciling and fabric paint. source

A must DIY Teepee for the nursery to play in, read in, or cuddle in.

Bow and Arrow decor for our Baby Boys room.

Now that we know we are having a wonderful baby boy DIY is on my brain. My goal is to make one or more DIY project each week for our little man. He will have so many keep sakes that will last him a life time. Above are some inspirations.

Look ahead  or under the DIY tab to see the outcome!!!

21 Weeks Its a…...

Here you are 21weeks and 5days!

Here you are 21weeks 5days and you are a BOY!!!

2014 is here!! What a ways to start off the year WOW, I am so grateful! Chip and I spending our first New Year together with our baby to come. Two days after we find out we are having a beautiful baby BOY! What more can I ask for!


How far along? 
21weeks along

Total weight gain?
20lbs gained with a total of 142lbs.

Maternity clothes?
Above, one of the first tops I bought to fit loose over my baby bum. The leggings are maternity in black.

Stretch marks?
Still no, but Im a little more itchy.

Sleep?
So my sleeping pattern has changed a little. Along with waking up as same as before I am more of a heavy harder sleeper now, when I sleep I feel like I am sleeping.

Best moment this week?
We are having a Baby BOY! The suspense was driving me crazy. We got to see him on the ultrasound again he is still a wiggle worm moving all over <3.

Miss anything?
Ice cream, I am trying to lay off the sweets. Besides that not at all!

Movement?
All the time I love it!

Food cravings?
Everything tastes so good to me.

Gender?
Its official we are having a wonderful baby BOY!!!!

Labour signs?
Not at this point.

Symptoms?
I found out that the sharp pain in my upper rib area was heartburn. I am taking tums for it and its helps.

Belly button in or out?
Still in but becoming more flat, it looks like the tip of a pin.

Happy or moody most of the time?
I am over the moon happy. Nothing can pull me down right now!

Looking forward to?
We have our eye on a house. Baby Boy shopping! I have one pair of shoes in mind a must have keepsake. Planning for my baby shower and doing my baby registry. So mush to be thankful for!


Keep in-touch for upcoming post....
Now that we know what we are having I can now start on my...
DIY Baby Boy nursery decor and narrow down what to make next.
More on Baby Boy inspirations.

Heres to 2014!!!!

Here you are 21weeks and 3days!!! 

Heres to 2014!! This past year has been life changing for me leading up to our wonderful gift of our Baby Fig. 2014 will be filled with fulfillment, joy, peace, and purpose!