24 Weeks Pregnancy Chalkboard

24 weeks! Next chalkboard picture I'll take I'll be in my third trimester which is crazy! And I'm sure you have noticed the frame is now blue which matches the nursery pretty well, but I might paint it lighter. I still wake up many times each night, but I've had less pain in my hips and have an awesome body pillow (with a gel forming thing) which is my lifesaver... Along with a pillow under my head, one under my hips, the body pillow, and a king size pillow for when I turn the other direction. It does take up a lot of the bed so my husband has had to wake me up some nights because he's about to be pushed off :) (I'm so sorry love). During the night I've had some bad dreams, but nothing too terrible (besides once). I try not to watch or read anything too scary before going to bed which has helped, I can get a good 10 hours of sleep right now (waking up but can fall back asleep in a heartbeat) and a power nap during the day which I'm so grateful for because I know it won't always be like that.

Still feeling awesome, I've slowed down a lot and have to do less and usually am way hot.  It's harder to bend so sometimes I'll drop somethings and have a trail and wait for my husband to come home to pick it up because I can't get all of them.

Inches: 12 inches larger around belly
How I've used my time: redecorating the nursery, helping to paint the hutch for the baby room, quiet book for church
Cravings: Nothing particular, just weird combinations of foods. Oh, and snowies are amazing.
Other facts: Achy and slowing down a lot (the sales people at the mall know to go for me because I can't get away fast enough). I can barely fit in most of my "regular non-pregnancy" clothes

Mobi AnimaLamp Giveaway

I'm excited for this AnimaLamp Giveaway from Mobi. These cute LED animal lamps are perfect for any kid's room for extra lighting whether it be for reading in bed, studying or doing homework, changing and feeding a baby, and more.  I love how the AnimaLamp has a built-in rechargeable battery and comes in a bunny, giraffe, and monkey lamp.

Enter the giveaway below! The deadline for entering is June 30, 2013. 

Mobi AnimaLamp GIVEAWAY

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

How to decrease swelling during pregnancy

So far in my pregnancy I haven't been swollen (which I am so grateful for).  I'm only a little over halfway so there is a huge possibility it will still happen (doctors say some swelling is completely normal).  Here are some tips from American Pregnancy Association of how to prevent your body from swelling up like a balloon:

• avoid standing for long periods
• minimize outdoor time when it is hot
• rest with your feet elevated
• wear comfortabe shoes, avoid wearing high heels if possible
• wear supportive tights or stockings
• avoid clothes that are tight around your wrists or ankles
• rest or swim in a pool
• use cold compresses on swollen areas
• drink water, which helps flush the body and reduce water retention
• minimize sodium (salt)

theLAshop.com Summer Sale Products

Looking for crazy summer deals for garden and outdoor living, tools, photography, and more? Whether you are entertaining for an outdoor party, birthday, Father's Day, or everyday fun with your family, theLAshop.com has some awesome products for awesome deals that can save you big.

Photography Deals:

I know I have many friends into photography.  If you are looking for new equipment, the LAshop.com has high quality products for amazing deals.

I love this 8' Telescopic Adjustable Photography Backdrop Stand which you can find for $99 at theLAshop.com!  With a carrying tote you can easily take this backdrop stand wherever you need to go for an easy set up.

 Another awesome photography product from theLAshop.com is this 24" Photo Cube Studio.  With a soft light tent, 4 high-quality backgrounds, 2 75w table lights (with spare halogen bulbs), and one camera stand, this kit comes up to $59.99! What a great deal and awesome starter kit.

Summer Parties and Birthdays:

Need some fun ideas and toys for you, friends, and family to use this summer?  theLAshop.com has a 12" and 21" chocolate fountain starting at $54.99 which is great for outdoor parties and birthdays.

 Another great party idea for over 40% off is theLAshop.com Cotton Candy Machine for $49.99.  

Movie theater popcorn anyone?  How about a mini popcorn machine kids cart for over $20 off at $49.99.  Which fun item would you want to get this summer for outdoor fun?

Father's Day

Father's Day is right around the corner, theLAshop.com has some awesome products to keep in mind for your husband, dad, or boyfriend.  Here is a demolition hammer drill tool set starting at $79.99 instead of retail of $124.99.

I know my husband would love the 2 Remotes Sensor Security System Car Alarm 

Check out many more products from theLAshop.com to see what awesome deals you can find.

10 Modest Maternity Swimwear Websites

As I'm looking around for modest maternity swimwear this summer, I wanted to put together a list to help you out as well of all of my findings and favorite images from the stores.  Pricing includes the whole swimsuit whether it be a one piece swimsuit or tops and bottoms together.

1) Nordstrom Maternity Swimwear pricing around $100+

Nordstrom doesn't have a ton of options, but they have some really cute tankini maternity top and bottoms you can find online.  Nordstrom has great quality materials and brands that are extremely flattering.

2) SwimOutlet.com prices around $35-70 

I love the styles at SwimOutlet.com.  They have many modest maternity swimwear and many solid colors and one pieces if that's what you're looking for.  

Another cute maternity one piece from SwimOutlet.com.

3) Target Maternity Swimwear pricing around $40

Not a ton of maternity swimwear on Target's website.  If you prefer solid bottoms, Target only has solid bottoms at the moments to match their cute tankini maternity tops.  Their prices are also extremely reasonable for these maternity swimsuits.

4) Kohls Maternity Swimwear pricing around $35-$60

There's not a huge selection of maternity swimwear on Kohls' website, but they definitely have some fun patterns like checkers, floral, and stripes and most swimwear comes in sets so you get your tops and bottoms together.  Kohls always has sales so look for some great deals here!

5) Destination Maternity pricing around $50

Destination Maternity has many great modest swimsuits to choose from.  Right now the convertible straps are in style so they have a few cute patterns to choose from.  Their pricing is extremely reasonable and most tops are $26 so if you have your own basic bottoms you can always use those or mix and match.

6) A Pea in the Pod pricing around $100 

Some of my favorite modest maternity swimwear come from A Pea in the Pod. I love their patterns and fit of these cute swimsuits.  They give a really expensive look and they have a great variety of maternity tankinis and one pieces swimwear.

7) Old Navy Maternity Swimsuits pricing around $50

Old Navy has some great basic swimsuits for great prices.  Tops and bottoms are bought separately and tops start around $25.  Their swimsuit tops are a little higher than some of the other stores and cover up more. 

8) Gap Maternity Swimwear pricing around $60-$80

Gap doesn't have a ton of maternity swimwear online, but they do have some different styles.  Here is the same pattern in their swimsuit, the first is a one piece.  I don't know if it still is saggy or when your pregnancy belly grows you can actually fit into it, but I'm not sure I would wear this style.  If you are looking for bottoms that are higher than normal maternity bottoms, Gap has some cute options. 

Here is the same pattern as above from Gap Maternity as a cute tankini drawstring.  

9) South Beach Maternity Swimsuits pricing around $40-$60

If you love the cross over style swimsuits, South Beach has some way cute styles and patterns.  I like how some of their swimsuits convert their straps from halterneck or shoulderstraps.

10)  Pickles and Ice Cream Maternity pricing from $78-$100

I have never been to Pickles and Ice Cream, but I loved their variety of maternity swimsuits. They have tons of tankinis to choose from.

Diaper Bag Gender Reveal.... It's a BOY?

So, you might be thinking "I thought she was having a girl".... well we went to the students at the hospital at 16 weeks and they were 75% sure it was a girl, then Fetal Studios at the mall at 17 weeks said they were 98% it was girl. Well, we were considering not going to the doctor's ultrasound at 20 weeks since we already knew but found out they check all of the organs to make sure everything is ok so we went (at 21 weeks actually).

 Chris didn't work that day so we went over there excited to see "her" little face and organs. The first question the doctor asked was "are you finding out the gender today?" I said yes and sat down in my chair saying they better say the same thing as our last ultrasound did and we laughed.  I was still getting all comfortable and within seconds of her placing the ultrasound monitor on my belly she said, "ahhh, looks like a boy"....

"WHAT" I said whipping my head toward the screen (I was looking away getting all situated).  "I take it that's not what the other ultrasound said?" said our poor nurse who looked again and took many pictures and said "yep it's a boy!"  Wow, I had her check a few more times for us to be certain and for the shock to sink in, but yep it's true, we are definitely expecting a little BOY!!! We are so excited and feel bad we have been calling him by a girl name, decorating his room in pearls and pink, and buying and making him girl clothes.... many apologies! Here are his diaper bag diaper bag gender reveal pics :)

My husband created this to tell the change to our family. hahah, it's called "Things Change"

Well, we still have our 'boy' scratch offs we'll send to our family.

 And lastly, here is our announcement from the Bahamas, cancel the girl one I posted and sorry I probably look like a beached whale.

Best Dance and Gymnastic Outfits from Lexi-Luu

What is Lexi-Luu? Lexi-Luu Designs sells girl's dance outfits for dance or gymnastic performances or practices.  They have so many cute and modern designs with awesome styles, colors, and options to choose from.  I love how you can choose your own tops and bottoms and mix and match, or you can buy one of their cute sets.  Here are a handful of cute products from Lexi-Luu.

Tops:

The tops from Lexi-Luu have so much personality.  This Flirt Top Solid has 11 colors to choose from for your little girls dance or gymnastic routines.  Nylon spandex makes this top easy to move and dance in, and I love the ruffles on top.

They also have tops with fun prints and designs like this cute red, white, and blue top.  This shorter top is a "crop top" which Lexi-Luu has basic solids and also fun ruffley designs and prints.  

Bottoms:

Lexi-Luu offers both skirts and shorts to their girls.  I love how cute and playful the colors and fabrics are at this store.

Sets:

Lexi-Luu has so many cute two-piece sets you can buy for your little girl.  Like their other products I've mentioned, their sets are made with the finest spandex with a lot of stretch.

I love this Flirt Skirt Zebra Set which can also can be purchased in neon green or pink.  Ruffle booty shorts are attached.

Here is the Mega Dot Flirt Skirt Set which also comes in black and white polka dots.  Ruffle booty shorts are attached as well so she can dance and tumble away.

Some other adorable sets from Lexi-Luu.

Check out more of Lexi-Luu's products on their website and on their Facebook.

Pregnancy good and bad foods

Figuring out what foods you should and should not eat during pregnancy? It crosses my mind so many times and it's great to have a reminder list right there on the fridge to help you until it's memorized.  So here is my list that's going on the fridge.

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy:

Alcohol
Raw fish and seafood
Undercook or raw meat or poultry
Soft cheeses
Raw eggs

Pregnancy Super Foods:

Avocados
Broccoli
Carrots
DHA Eggs
Edamame
Lentils
Mangoes
Nuts
Oatmeal
Red Pepper
Spinach
Yogurt

(info from whattoexpect.com)

20 Weeks Pregnancy Chalkboard

So the frame is pink this time since we are having a girl! I can't believe how big the baby has gotten these last few weeks, size of a banana (6.5 inches long). 

I have slept terribly of late (details below) and have enjoyed getting the nursery all ready!

Inches: 11 inches larger around belly

How I've used my time: making baby skirts, designing the nursery, wedding stuff for my sister who is married now.

Cravings: Mango Lemonade, strawberries, chocolate (oh no)

Other facts: Sleeping terribly starting this last week.  Now that I shouldn't sleep on my back, I have slept just on my sides which have ached so bad.  I have tried sleeping so many ways and wake up easily over 15 times a night now.  Since I found sleeping with a pillow not only underneath my knees, but under my ankles will help my hips stay in their sockets.