Reading Books

   I would love to tell you that I'm a big reader and enjoy reading in my spare time or just for fun.  Unfortunately, I would be lying.  So the truth is I only read when I have to, like for my woman's bible study group, when I'm reading to my family or when I want to learn something or teach Jaime a thing or two ;).   Ironically Briana enjoys reading and will even read the same book more than once.  I think that came from reading to her every night since she was a baby and now we read books as a family for a story time.  She loves that since she has big imagination and books exercise that muscle, I guess.  Anyways, here are the 3 books I picked up:

1.)  Duty or Delight?: Knowing where you stand with God, by Tammie Head

This is the book we're going to go through for our 6 week ladies bible study. To be honest the book alone isn't what i'm excited about.  It's the combination or women getting together and the holy spirit doing it's work within us.Good stuff. :)


2.)  Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back, by Todd Burpo

Now this book, I picked up by impulse (i rarely do that).  I don't know anything about it but it was on sale and by just reading the title, sounds like a good family time read.  So far we're halfway through the book and it was hard for us to find a good stopping point. This book is Briana approved.

3.)  What Happened to My Little Girl?: Dad's Ultimate Guide to His Tween Daughter, by Nancy Rue and Jim Rue

I didn't go into the book store with any research but this was just what I was looking for Jaime to read  me to read to Jaime.  He is very willing to listen, just isn't a reader.  I'm sure every women with a 10-12 year old thinks her husband can be a better father.  I mean we all have room to grow.  Especially since the father shapes our little girls into the women they will become.  Kinda important.  We're only a couple of pages in, but so far I love the male narrator. Jaime can relate to his point of view since he is rough around the edges like him.

So like I said, I'm not a book worm but hopefully posting about these books will keep me continuing to read.  I mostly like Inspirational books or really good self help books.  Leave me any suggestions on anything you like to read.

36 Weeks

Pregnant and Perfect

Decided to get a shot out of the bathroom

How far along:

36 weeks

Size of baby:

About 6 pounds, compared to a crenshaw melon.

Total Weight Gain:
33 lbs, no weight gain this week! woo hoo!  I'm sure its the gym that has been helping with that.

Maternity Clothes:

I got this shirt from Kohls.  They don't have a wide selection, but this shirt is cute.

Exercise:

I slacked this past weekend and paid for it this week.  I feel sore all over, but the good kind.  That means my back pain bothers me less.

Movement:

Compared to when i was pregnant with Briana, this baby is alot stronger with it's kicks and punches.

Sleep:  
Couldn't sleep good since my whole body was sore. I know it's because I need to stretch.

What I miss:  

Fitting into clothes period, but bonus if they're cute clothes.  I also miss my pre-preggo body.  You don't appreciate it until it's gone.

Cravings:  

Mocha Latte's, french fries.   The sweet and salty combo.

Symptoms:  

Is nesting a symptom?

What I'm looking forward to:

Not having baby stuff all over the place.  Hmm I have a feeling that I'll still have baby stuff all over the place.  Fine than.  Knowing what my schedule will be like. O_o

Still need to:

• Pack hospital bag
• Strap car seat in car
• Get breast pump replacement parts
• Haircut and Pedicure :)

 (I really need to put this on my planner to do list or it really won't get done.)

Baby Shower

Here are some pictures of my baby shower this past weekend.  I love these girls!  I couldn't survive relocating to Georgia without having these friendships.  

35 Weeks Pregnant

How far along:

35 weeks

Size of baby:

About 5 1/4 pounds, compared to a honeydew.

Total Weight Gain:
33 lbs! It just doesn't slow down.

Maternity Clothes:

Well what I'm wearing in the pic is Briana's off the shoulder shirt, tank, and yoga pants.

Exercise:

I've been doing really good.  Been walking on the treadmill at a 5 incline 3 speed, today was 30 minutes. 

Movement:

It's so cool to see my belly move around like crazy.  I should take video of it.

Sleep:
I've been having the weirdest dreams.  Next time I'll write them down before I forget them.

What I miss:  

I can't think of anything right now, but what I WILL miss after having the baby is eating whatever I want. Oh and not having to suck in my stomach.  Definitely will miss that!

Cravings:  

Not salad. Dark Chocolate. 

Symptoms:  

Still anxious and excited.

What I'm looking forward to:

Shopping for baby clothes

To do list:

• Pack hospital bag
• Strap car seat in car
• Get breast pump replacement parts
• Haircut and Pedicure :)

Training for Labor Day!

I have been hitting the gym pretty consistently up until 4weeks ago.  I thought I was too pregnant to continue going.  Recently, I've been feeling the lack of exercise hit my body hard.  Some of the symptoms are laziness, lower back pain and feeling fat.  I have also been feeling down.  Working out is the magic pill for all that.  I just needed some guidance on how to alternate some of the moves in my weight training class and a pregnant buddy doesn't hurt for motivation.

6 weeks (approx) until the big day!  Most people would think to rest until then, but if I'm going to try to go through it all natural, I want to be prepared physically.  Hmm I should put above Kegel Exercises, but that would be TMI and I should be doing those every night.  Anyways, Mon, Wed & Fri's I'll be walking, then Tue, Thu, & Sat's doing the Power class at my Gold's Gym.

Of course, this is only a outline of what I want to strive for.  So who knows how closely I'll be following my so called plan.  I'll keep you posted. :)

Room Tour

 

 Here is Briana's new room!  When we found out I was pregnant and started thinking of the nursery, we had to think of revamping Briana's room first.  We also thought it was meaningful, since she was transitioning from childish elementary school to I know it all middle school.  So it was only appropriate to spice up her room before the baby gets all the attention (in her words).

I love this room!  I wish it were my room.  My favorite parts of the room are the dry board eraser and the exposed closet.  I can write down what she needs to be doing without saying a word, It's perfect.  The closet was the biggest project since we tore down the closet wall and did extensive patchwork.  Installing the closet organizer was the easiest part. Jaime is pretty handy when it comes to things like that.  I painted the walls and the NY skyline painting, I also covered the cork board with zebra print fabric.  We're going to add friends and family pictures above her bed since that wall is kinda bare.  Other than that, her room is complete.

This room was very inexpensive to do.  We already had the bed, night stand, cork board and dry board eraser.  The only things we spent were:

• $46 = 2 cans of Paint
• $120 = Vanity from Bed, Bath and Beyond
• $98 = Closet Organizer from Walmart.com
• $20 = 3-Drawer cart (that's in the closet) from Walmart.com

Total of $284!  

Hope you liked it.  I can't wait to have the nursery finished and show that off as well :)

34 Weeks Pregnant

How far along:

34 weeks

Size of baby:

About 4 3/4 pounds, compared to an average cantaloupe.

 

Total Weight Gain:
31 lbs :( and feeling every bit of it on my lower back. 

Maternity Clothes:

Running out of warm weather clothes.  I know the cooler temps are here, but my body doesn't go with the season.  It does what it wants.

Gender:

Still don't know and have no maternal instinct to even a guess.

Movement:

I think I felt Braxton Hicks contractions yesterday or it just could of been some intense baby movement.  Not really sure o_O

Sleep:
I am sleeping well at night but still am extra tired during the day.

What I miss:  

I'm starting to miss my family (mom, dad, sister, cousins ect.) It will definitely be different from when I had Briana 11yrs ago.

Cravings:  

Authentic home cooked Hispanic meals, like my mom's soups and my mother-in-law's everything else.  I need to really practice cooking more. 

Symptoms:  

I don't really have any except for maybe feeling anxious and excited.

What I'm looking forward to:

Well currently just having the nursery finished and having family over for the holidays :)

To do list:

• Contact Insurance
• Register to Hospital (I took a hospital tour but apparently i still need to register)
• Pack hospital bag
• Strap car seat in car
• Pick a Pediatrician (Probably the same one Briana goes to, depending on Insurance)
• Get breast pump replacement parts
• Get a Pedicure :)  ofcourse!

Getting Financially Fit

Last year July 2010 we owed $18,879.43

Currently we owe $6,290

I want to share and show our progress towards becoming debt free. I know this can be embarrassing for some people to air out your dirty laundry like this, but I'm happy with where we're at.

I like using graphs and excel spreadsheets to get a visual of the numbers going down. It's great motivation! It feels like losing weight.

Our goal was to become debt free before the baby arrived but that was slowed down significantly after getting laid off. Now we are living off of just one income and It has only been through God's grace that has carried us through. I feel He has prepared us well for this time, and we can still make our goal of becoming debt free a reality before March 2012!

33 & 1/2 weeks Pregnant

Belly Shot

The top right blob is the baby's full lips and nose, poking out from the shadows

Profile Pic (Briana used to sleep like this, with her hands above her head)

How far along:

33 weeks

Size of baby:

Over 4lbs compared to the size of a Pineapple per babycenter.com

Total Weight Gain:

I don't own a scale, but 29lbs since my last visit almost two weeks ago. Next Dr. Appt is Tuesday

Maternity Clothes:

Leggings are so in right now :)

Gender:

It's a Surprise. It was all good until the last few weeks, now I just want to know already!

Movement:

Is that what you call it? It feels more like Martial Arts

Sleep:
At night, in the morning, afternoon nap. I'm just exhausted
What I miss:
Wine, Sushi, jogging, heck i even miss putting on my shoes
Cravings:
I'm not picky, just as long as it has sugar in it
Symptoms:
Out of breath, frustrated with not being able to move and do as much, and cry baby syndrome sums it up
What I'm looking forward to:
Meeting Gisele or Maximus :)

Fun Due Date Facts:

• Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
• Birthstone: Yellow Topaz
• Birth Flower: Chrysanthemum
• Chinese Zodiac: The White Metal Rabbit
• Half Birthday (or baby's very merry unbirthday): May 23

So excited!

First Blog Post

10 Reason's I started this blog:

1) I'm at home enjoying a layoff, why not

2) To keep myself accountable with just making life interesting

3) Journal projects/goals I want to meet.

4) I dont have TV or Facebook, so a blog would be a good pastime

5) Online memory keepsake

6) I just love reading other people's blogs

7) Trying something new and spontaneous

8) Help encourage, and motivate others

9) Stay connected with family (I live 4 states away from my family)

10) Share Life experiences