3 Month Update!

Mason is now 3 months old! Man time is really flying by.

Here are some updates on Mason and how things are going :)

Growth:
I am guessing Mason is around 13-14 lbs now. He is such a little chunky guy! I am still exclusively breastfeeding pretty much on demand which is around every 2-4 hours. He is still pretty much bald although I can see some thin hair coming in now. His eyes seem to be hazel, they are very green with golden flakes in the middle. I hope they stay that way!!!

Sleeping at night:
Mason sticks to the same schedule every night for the most part. Occasionally he will sleep 5-6 hours straight but he usually goes to bed around 7:30-800 pm and wakes up to eat at 11pm, 3am and 6am.
I feed him and he immediately goes right back to sleep without a sound. We wake up for the day around 7:30-8:00 am.

Daily Activities:
The morning is his happiest time of the day! We play, sing, kiss and talk for about an hour then we shower together, I feed him and then its nap time at 9:30 am. I get ready while he is napping but his naps are usually short (around 30-45 minutes) and I take a little longer to get ready since I can't stay focused on one thing!!! So he does tummy time for the rest. Usually at that point its time to leave or clean. He stays awake for a few hours and naps again around 1 pm until 5 pm. Everyday is a little bit different though. Some days he doesn't want to nap at all and takes very short ones, other days he sleeps for 4-5 hrs straight! Either way he still sleeps at night so do what you gotta do little man!!!

Mason LOVES:
Showering with mommy, SMILING, laughing, sitting up, sleeping with his hands up, riding in the car (he instantly falls to sleep), facing outward in the baby carriers, Christmas music, singing, kisses, being tickled, sucking his thumb, looking at pictures of family, staring at the Christmas tree, his doggies and cat, his aunt and uncles and cousin Scarlett :)

Mason Dislikes:
Being Swaddled, laying on his side, tummy time, facing mom in the carrier and yelling or loud voices of any kind.




This past month we have done lots of shopping and we went to disneyland again.
He has been to Disneyland twice and will most likely be back in January when he turns 4 months!!!


I still absolutely love every second of being his mom. I am taking a few more weeks off from work so I will probably be back in January. Not sure how long I will be working for. Mason comes first and we don't really need the extra money, it would just be nice to have. I am planning on taking some more classes though so I can enroll in an RN program in the future.

Life with a 2 month old

Wow! Time has flown by way too fast! Mason has now been on the outside for almost 2 months now! I find myself missing his tiny little newborn phase but I'm happy he is a little less fragile since I constantly worry about everything. I've written some thoughts about these first couple months. More for me to look back on later but feel free to read what's inside my head tonight! lol

Month 1:

The first week was the absolute scariest! I wanted to stare at him 24/7 to make sure he was still breathing, I was worried he wasn't getting enough milk or that I wasn't taking care of his circumcision right. I probably slept a total of 12 hours that first week. Seriously, not even kidding. I was a little worried my body might shut down on me. But it didn't...and nothing bad happened to my tiny newborn. During all of this I was trying to recover from a birth experience where stitches were involved. It wasn't the best week I've ever had. But It definitely was 100% without a doubt in my mind worth it. Every time I was exhausted or ready to cry I would look down at him and smile and thank God for giving him to me. Every week after that first one hot easier and easier. I could get up and walk easier, make dinner and do laundry. My milk came in (and then some!) so I knew he had PLENTY to eat. We started getting the hang of being parents and honestly, it's been amazing since! 

Month 2:

The second month has been completely different. He sleeps more at night and less in the day. He eats less often and more on a schedule. He loves his car seat and driving in the car now, Thank God since we frequent San Jose often. He smiles and tries to talk to you. He can hold his head up on his own. This kid has stolen my heart. I've learned his personality, likes and dislikes that make him his own little human. I know what he is trying to say when he cries a certain cry or makes certain faces. He stays up for hours smiling, listening to those around him and kicking his legs all crazy. He is so much fun! I can't wait to experience new little things he learns. 

Unfortunately I must go back to work on Dec. 7th 😢 but I am hoping to make my schedule part time now. We would like to buy a house within the next year or two. I may even start looking for a new job closer to home with less hours. Steven is in the hiring process for San Jose Fire and if all goes well I may not have to work for too much longer. Keep me in your prayers! I don't want to miss a single moment of my little guys life!

39 Weeks Pregnant Update

Today's Date: Monday, September 7th 2015

Due Date: September 14th 2015

Days until Due Date: 6 Days Left

Weeks Pregnant: 39 weeks

Trimester: 3rd Trimester

Weight: Fluctuates between 161 and 163 lbs - 29 to 31 lbs. weight gain

Size of baby: Mason probably weighs between 7-8 lbs. according to our midwife

Told anyone? Everyone

Showing? haha YES

Baby Milestones: Mason is full term!

Symptoms: Lots of painful contractions and back cramping. Sleeping great again besides the contractions I had all night last night! Always hungry and have a bunch more energy. 

Cravings: Still Pizza my Heart, hamburgers and french fries, chocolate and anything sweet again!

Aversions: Nothing

Best Moment this week: The past couple weeks have been the best! We moved into a big 3 bedroom house in a gated community in Hollister (it's a rental), bought an awesome new washer and dryer that I am obsessed with, finished the babies nursery and got a new golden doodle puppy named Finley! He is so good already and he is only 8 weeks, he sleeps through the night quietly in his crate and already knows sit, come, heel and turn, We also have visited the midwife who thinks Mason will be here early. Last time she checked I was 40% effaced and 1 cm Dilated and Mason was engaged, that was a week ago. 

Looking forward to next week: Not exactly sure if we will make it to next week to be honest. I have been having very painful contractions since yesterday at 6:30 pm yesterday they were coming 5 minutes apart for awhile but then would take a 20 minute break and then happen again every 5 minutes. So confusing!!!! Now all day I've had them every 15-20 minutes consistently ALL DAY. I decided to take 1 tablespoon of Castor Oil to try and help it along at 3 pm and now at 6 pm my contracts are about 8-10 minutes apart. We will see if it helped or not!!!

Emotions: Excited to meet my little guy soon and a little emotional over random things. Anddd a little cranky and irritable lately too.

Stretch Marks: Still None!!!! :))

Boho Beach Pics!

Boho Beach Bump Pictures

33 Weeks Pregnant Update

Today's Date: Monday July 27th 2015

Due Date: September 14th 2015

Days until Due Date: 6 weeks and 6 days!

Weeks Pregnant: 33 Weeks

Trimester: 3rd Trimester

Weight: 152 lbs  - 20 lbs. still

Size of baby: Mason is now almost 4.5 lbs!!! He is the size of a honeydew melon

Told anyone? Everyone

Showing? For sure

Baby Milestones: Mason is bulking up from now until he's born! He hiccups a few times a day and loves to kick, turn and stretch all day!

Symptoms: Still tired, occasionally heartburn and a very hard time sleeping.

Cravings: Nothing really this week

Aversions: Nothing

Best Moment this week: Spent the day with Steven at the beach

Looking forward to next week: This week is fair! It's one of my favorite things in the summer. Our family takes livestock and shows them. They camp at the fair all week and then we enjoy the fair being open.

Emotions: Feeling pretty good, but I am pretty sensitive these days

Stretch Marks: Not on the tummy still! :)

Beach trip Pictures

Bringing Respect Back into the Marriage

Whether you believe in God or not it is sooooo important to respect our husbands. Not only because God calls us to love, honor and respect our husbands but also because it is essential for a positive marriage. Women have fought to become equals, to be able to go to college, have a career and vote. But in today's society it seems that women no longer care to be equals, instead they want to be in charge. It is becoming socially acceptable for women to rule over, control and disrespect their husbands in private and public. 

The media now a days portrays men as being big lazy dummy's that are good for nothing. And yes, I will admit some men may fit in this stereotype but I honestly partly blame us women for them acting that way. If we treated our men like actual men and respected them I feel that their attitudes would be different. Also sometimes it stems deeper, some men may already be pre-wired with this attitude because of how they saw their mom treat their dad. But with help from a respectful woman by their side they will realize their role as a man and work on fulfilling it. 

Here are a few things we need to stop doing

• Treating him like a child. Wives shouldn't talk down to their husbands as if they are lesser than them, scold them or punish them. He is your best friend, your equal, your partner in life. Therefore he needs to be treated as such. Some may be surprised how well a conversation will go if you change your tone and have some respect. Years of being talked down to will ruin his spirit and make him resent you.
• Micromanaging his time. Do you try to control everything your best girlfriends do? If so how did that work out for you? Your husband is a human being too that had likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests before you were married and I can guarantee that he still does. They may change as time goes on because people change as they age and mature. As his wife you should notice what makes his heart happy and want him to pursue it. It should give you joy to see him enjoying himself. And the same goes the other way. Do you want someone micromanaging your time and activities all the time? I don't!!! 
• Not allowing time with friends. Absence really can make the heart grow fonder. It is so important for him to have guy time with friends away from you. Knowing that when he gets home he will be welcomed with hugs, kisses and smiles.  It should make you happy that he has friends that love him for who he is and make him happy. 
• Slandering his name. Don't slander your husbands name to others or put him down. (Proverbs 31:11) "The heart of her husband trusts her..." When you married him you accepted him flaws and all. He trusts you to keep those to yourself. Talking badly about him to others and pointing out his flaws will not only tear down his character and hurt him but it will make you bitter inside.

How to Show Respect:

• Love him with your whole heart and Encourage him
• Find pleasure in what makes him happy
• Be genuine. Do not fake a happy attitude actually work on having one!
• Make the home a peaceful safe place to come home to
• Express in words how much you love and respect him
• Express in actions how much you respect him. With your attitude and behavior
• Let him do things his way. Sometimes we think we know a better way or we really do, but it's important to let him do things his own way even if it may take a little longer or be more work. 
• Stay consistent!!! Yes it is easy to love and respect someone when things are going great. Remember to continue to show love and respect even when things aren't so good.

I am constantly reminding myself of these things and it can be a real struggle sometimes. But I know that my husband, marriage and future children deserve it.







Bibles Verses About Being A Wife:


It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.

Proverbs 21:9

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their own husbands.

1 Peter 3:1-6

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of every wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 11:3

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Ephesians 5:22-24

And so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Titus 2:4-5

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs 31

10 

[b]A wife of noble character who can find?

    She is worth far more than rubies.

11 

Her husband has full confidence in her

    and lacks nothing of value.

12 

She brings him good, not harm,

    all the days of her life.

13 

She selects wool and flax

    and works with eager hands.

14 

She is like the merchant ships,

    bringing her food from afar.

15 

She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants.

16 

She considers a field and buys it;

    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 

She sets about her work vigorously;

    her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 

She sees that her trading is profitable,

    and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 

In her hand she holds the distaff

    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 

She opens her arms to the poor

    and extends her hands to the needy.

21 

When it snows, she has no fear for her household;

    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 

She makes coverings for her bed;

    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 

Her husband is respected at the city gate,

    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 

She makes linen garments and sells them,

    and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 

She is clothed with strength and dignity;

    she can laugh at the days to come.

26 

She speaks with wisdom,

    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 

She watches over the affairs of her household

    and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 

Her children arise and call her blessed;

    her husband also, and he praises her:

29 

“Many women do noble things,

    but you surpass them all.”

30 

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;

    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31 

Honor her for all that her hands have done,

    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

This is a great bible based book to read if you want to strengthen your marriage. This is a book that would benefit being read once a year as a reminder as well :)

Click HERE to buy!

Bump Style!

Pink BlushMaternity

This maxi dress from Pink Blush Maternity is so perfect for a beach day or a day out shopping with your girlfriends. Super lightweight and breathable fabric makes it perfect for a hot sunny day. It's like the yoga pants of dresses, can I wear it everyday?!?! Definitely going to be getting some more in other colors.

Excited to continue wearing it after the baby is born too :)


Right now this dress is only $25 with free shipping! 
Find it here

32 Weeks Pregnant Update

Didn't have time to do the chalkboard this week, so here is a picture at 32 weeks in my new Pink Blush Maternity Dress! 

Today's Date: Thursday July 23rd 2015

Due Date: September 14th 2015

Days until Due Date: 7 weeks and 3 days left!!! Although I have a feeling it will be a little longer since I am not inducing.

Weeks Pregnant: 32 Weeks 4 days Pregnant

Trimester: 3rd Trimester

Weight: 152 lbs  - 20 lbs. I've been fluctuating at 151-152 lbs. Same as last week

Size of baby: Mason is now almost 4 lbs!!! He is the size of a head of lettuce

Told anyone? Everyone

Showing? For sure

Baby Milestones: Mason is bulking up from now until he's born!

Symptoms: Still tired, occasionally heartburn and a very hard time sleeping. Dizzy a lot and headaches lately

Cravings: Still burritos and chips and salsa. Pepperoni Pizza (Pizza my heart) and Hot Cookies and CAKE!!! (Husband made me some cake last night and it was perfect!)

Aversions: Nothing

Best Moment this week: Pictures at the beach :)

Looking forward to next week: Lamaze class through the hospital on Friday

Emotions: Feeling pretty good, but I am pretty sensitive these days

Stretch Marks: Not on the tummy still! :)

Bump Style!

Pink Blush Maternity

www.pinkblushmaternity.com

I am in LOVE with this gorgeous summer dress by Pink Blush Maternity. It is so versatile and can be both dressy or casual. I paired it with my favorite tan sandals for a beachy look :) I will be posting a more formal look with this dress later this week

 This dress made me feel so elegant and feminine which I feel can be hard to achieve sometimes when you are 8 months pregnant! It is very light and flowy with beautiful lace detailing on the back. I personally love this vibrant color because it brings out a summer tan and helps you stand out in a crowd. 

Not only is this good for pregnancy but also after while you are nursing! I love buying maternity clothes that can be used later on and Pink Blush has so many options on their website like this. 

Go check them out for yourself!

Click HERE to view this dress :)

I wore this dress for some of our maternity pictures and I cannot wait to frame them!

Skinny Cinnamon Rolls

Skinny Cinnamon Rolls!

Soooo don't expect to eat a whole pan of these and stay skinny! But they are healthier than most recipes!
 They taste so amazing that no one will know too :)

Ingredients:

DOUGH:

3 1/2 Cups organic flour - Whole Wheat or Regular

1 Cup  room temp milk

1/3 Cup room temp water

1 Package (2 1/4 Teaspoons) Instant yeast

2 Tbs. granulated sugar

1 Tsp. Salt

1 Tbs. melted coconut oil

FILLING:

1/3 Cup packed brown sugar

2 Tbs. ground cinnamon

2 Tbs. Melted Coconut Oil - 1 Tbs. for the mix and 1 Tbs. to spread on the dough

Mix all the dough ingredients together in a kitchen aid. Let it knead in there with the dough hook attachment for 5 minutes adding extra flour if needed so it isn't too sticky. Then roll out on a floured surface until thin and flat. Spread 1 Tbs. of the melted coconut oil on the dough and pour the filling mixture on top. Spread it out evenly. Then roll the dough and cut to desired size. Place in oiled pan and cover for an hour to let rise. Then bake at 350 degrees F until golden brown usually about 15-20 minutes when I do it.

ICING:

2 oz. Cream Cheese (You can use low-fat if you prefer)

1 1/4 Powdered Sugar

1 Tsp. Lemon Juice

1 Tsp. Real Vanilla Extract

1 Tbs. Melted Coconut Oil

Water as needed for right consistency 

Whip the cream cheese and coconut oil together. Then add the vanilla and lemon juice and blend. Slowly add the powdered sugar and then blend together for 5 mins testing the consistency. If needed add water.

Here are some pictures of the process...please excuse the messy house!

31 Weeks Pregnant Update

Today's Date: Tuesday July 14th 2015

Due Date: September 14th 2015

Days until Due Date: 8 weeks and 5 days

Weeks Pregnant: 31 Weeks Pregnant

Trimester: 3rd Trimester

Weight: 152 lbs  - 20 lbs.

Size of baby: Mason is now over 3 lbs. Size of a Pineapple!

Told anyone? Everyone

Showing? For sure

Baby Milestones: Mason's 5 senses are fully developed

Symptoms: Exhausted all the time again. Had a crazy weekend hoping that is why?

Cravings: Still burritos and chips and salsa. Pepperoni Pizza (Pizza my heart) and Hot Cookies

Aversions: Bad drivers haha

Best Moment this week: My first baby shower :)) Also went with the family to watch the new minions movie

Looking forward to next week: Sleeping haha and Maybe some maternity pictures this weekend

Emotions: Feeling pretty good. Not as stressed out as I've been even though we are getting closer to the end of our lease and the due date!

Stretch Marks: Not on the tummy! :)