I don't

I don’t…

Treat Hayden like she's the first kid

Eat eggs or much chocolate, other than reeses or pretzel crack

Like to drive around town, I would much rather drive far or just walk

Wash my hair more than 1-2x a week

Always utilize my time wisely

Always get it right

Put myself out there enough, I'm truly a homebody & introvert so its hard for me to remember to plan to  do things with people even though I always want to

Like having to be decisive about food options

Know how anyone can live without caffeine or bacon

Always like how I view myself as a person but I do love that I have a really strong body image & always have, I may be more fit now but I haven't always been

Know how single moms do it all & am so proud to be raised by one

Put many restrictions on what I eat & when, for me moderation & portion control are key plus some fab workouts

Get much sleep during the last few months of pregnancy, due to heartburn & freakish nesting

Ever really wear red unless its in a print

Have any clue what we are naming little man & its seriously frustrating me

Ever know what to do with my hair

How about you? What are your don’ts?

post inspired by Alissa from Rags to Stitches

Weekend Links

This week has had many ups & downs unfortunately.. Hayden has some sort of cold and on top of that her sleep schedule and attitude are soooo off that I'm a bit at a loss of what to do with her. Even with my lack of sleep though I've only had 2 grumpy days, mainly Tuesday.

//Food//

- I am seriously craving a burger from The Counter, which must be fulfilled soon. Suggestion: Beef 1/3 lb burger, on ciabatta or pretzel bun w/ herbed goat cheese or gruyere, baby spinach, black olives, smoked bacon with roasted garlic aioli or country buttermilk ranch plus side of pickle chips & the "fifty-fifty" of fries and sweet potato fries. Seriously so good but they have so many options, you can even choose to go bunless and put your burger on top of a salad.

//Fitness//

- Since I am not worn out by my work hours anymore, I finally started to work out again today. I started a new prenatal work out program called Expecting More by Sara Haley which I will do a full review when I have done all 6 of the workouts on it.

Insta-Friday February

I've been taking some breaks from Instagram this year, as I have with Twitter already. I love both of these apps but I yearn for a slower pace in this busy season. 

Funny girl loves pictures but somehow does not recognize herself yet

Brownie Waffles: don't bother unless you like chocolate biscotti

Morning baba & obsession of Aristocats

Sassafras face

Weekend Links

I'm super excited for all that awaits me at the moment. This week was my last at work, we recently made the decision that I don't want to get to the point where I am a burden to the others  there (I worked at Starbucks, shorter shifts but its still a fast-paced on your feet non-stop job). This turn of events couldn't have come at a better time as Hayden had 2 nights this week where her schedule has been completely off, i.e. waking up in the middle of the night and staying up till 4 or so. Usually its from teething or growth spurts but we shall see... Here are some fun things I've found or have been thinking about this week.

//Crafts//

- I am still in love with doing

Project Life

but I am really wanting to start a monthly scrapbooking group to do Project Life with. I get even more creative and excited when I craft with others and you can't beat the fellowship of other crafters. I love that Project Life is really whatever you want it to be: simple/intricate, daily/weekly/monthly.  I'm a little behind from last year but hope to finish it up soon & will be starting my 2013 album too. Plus making baby books for my little boos. Here is a little video about Project Life...

//Recipes//

- Make

this

 &

these

together plus your favorite side dish and you seriously won't regret it. Bonus: you can double the shredded chicken in your crock pot to freeze for other dishes or for a repeat another night.

20 weeks v.2

Actually about 19 weeks here

How far along? 

20 weeks, woo hoo half way!

Total weight gain/loss:

 About 6 lbs so far

Maternity clothes?

 I like to wear a mix of both but just had to start wearing my maternity khakis to work.

Stretch marks?

 I think I saw one tiny one and unfortunately I'm not as diligent this pregnancy with moisturizing the belly.

Symptoms: 

Lots of fatigue and naps. A couple bad bouts of heartburn. 

Sleep:

A little restless most nights... that sounds confusing.

Best moment this week:

Finding out were having a boy! We are so excited & think Hayden will be a great big sister to her little brother. Also to know that all the ultrasound shots looked good. Hayden had a single umbilical artery, so I was worried I might have that again. Thankfully we didn't have any complications with her. Registering for boy clothes has been fun, so many people think boy clothes are boring but I love them. 

Miss Anything?

 Margaritas, not a lush or anything just don't like being told I can't have something. Really starting to miss running but I just feel comfortable doing it now because I'm so extra clumsy while prego.

Movement:

 Lots!! Little man has always seemed extra squirmy

Food cravings:

 Um everything! I could really use a good burger from The Counter right now and a side of their fried pickle chips and sweet potato fries. Mmmm nom! I really love soft pretzels & pot stickers during each pregnancy so far. 

Anything making you queasy or sick:

 Just my heartburn now

Have you started to show yet:  

Yes 

Baby is a: 

Boy 

Belly Button in or out?

 Flat 

Wedding rings on or off?

 On

Happy or Moody most of the time:

Much happier, less stress now since its not holiday time and I'm working a little less

Looking forward to:

Picking out the perfect name for our little guy. It might be a little hard since Hayden is more unique for a girl and we would like their names to sound well together. Finding a Bradley Method birthing class, I really wanted to be all natural with Hayden but wasn't and was still very happy with her birth but 

What I'm reading:

 Not much. However I do find it hilarious that you want to read everything with the first baby. Cannot wait till late night feedings cause I got some serious reading done then. 

xo, Emily

hi we're alive here

We've done a lot over the past 3 months, which is by far the longest true bloggy break I've ever taken. In a way I needed it but on the other side there was no other choice. My first trimester this 2nd pregnancy has been overwhelming with the mix of work & toddler. It surprised me a lot because 1st pregnancy I had 2 jobs during my first trimester and yes was overwhelmed then too but in such a different way. I was mentally just demolished for a period and trying to figure out my footing in life but after this Christmas season I am back and have gained some useful tools for future periods of depression & anxiety.

I am now 18 weeks & 2 days, which I wouldn't know if I didn't have an app that told me. Its funny the contrast from 1st pregnancy- where every detail is SO important to 2nd pregnancy- in which I'm lucky if I remember my due date. I have the worst case of preggo brain, so if you ask me something involving a date farther than a week from now I will look really concerned and frustrated for a minute and then maybe if you are lucky have the right answer.

Hayden will be 18 months next week and I can't believe it. I have been watching videos from her first year and I was in shock of how much she really has grown and how she really isn't bald anymore. We are gradually incorporating potty training into our routine and Hayden has already peed on her potty once. She sometimes is now picky about foods but mostly on the factor if she can feed it to herself. Her signing and speech is crazy good, she is adding a few new words to her vocabulary every week. In the past month Hayden has been adding in some short sentences as well but I am most proud of her manners, she signs and says her pleases and thank you's very often with little prompting when speaking to Patrick and I and often none when speaking to others. She is quite the ball of energy and scary good at climbing, this makes my job a little harder but by far my favorite part of my day.

-xo emily