Weight gain, ER stays and gender predictions...

Eeeekkk so we're finally 20 weeks in!!

I'm not sure where to start since its been so long between updates!
I do have HG so its a long pregnancy full of sickness ups and downs, it doesn't go away for me I just live with it and get through day by day.

BUT some days are worse than others and near the first week of January I ended up in emergency, so, so, so sick!

I had been vomiting for 3 days straight, STRAIGHT.
I mean could not get out of bed, could not eat, drink or shower.
I couldn't even watch tv or sleep.
just vomit and occasionally cry.

so I went to the ER and waited for hours, total time 7 hours.
Which is why if I can avoid it, I AVOID IT. I have to be dying to go to the ER, especially while pregnant because there's really not much they can do.

but I was so dehydrated I caved and thankfully it did help me tremendously! they gave me two litres of fluid and a Zofran which was a miracle worker for getting my vomit under control.
 

 

It was not a glamorous stay! hahah ^

I felt so disgusting, I couldn't even get changed, I went in my 3 day old PJ's and robe.

 

I started to feel a rebound after that liquid boost and finally felt like I could sleep and get myself back to a regular normal of sickness!

 

Since I had been so severely sick I noticed some weight loss and wasn't surprised when at my next doctors appointment I had only gained 3 pounds.

 

that being said I haven't updated the blog on weight in so long so lets catch up!

 

at last reported November weight gain I was at 153 pounds (25 pounds total gained)

my January appointment has me currently at 167 pounds (37 pounds total gained)

she said I only gained 3 pounds since my last appointment so my December weight gain must have been hefty! (damn Christmas treats!)

 

I still feel A-ok about my weight gain, its been rapid but I'm not surprised and I'm trying to keep a goal of 200 pounds in mind for the long term.

 

We know plenty of celebs who hit the 200 mark when pregnant (Jenny McCarthy, she talked about it constantly on the view! haha) and its not an easy recovery but after birth weight drop and eventual healthy eating/gym life is my long term goal.

 

 

Elliott vs baby 2017.. I DO weigh more this round but I don't feel like I look hugely larger. however... I will tell you I think 10+ pounds of the weight is in my boobs! omg I can barely breathe! maybe that will make for easy breast feeding?..???!

 

 

 

so we are getting through it!
I'm starting to think about the little things and stress out about so much...

"will this baby sleep as well as Elliott?" obviously there will be a transition phase but Elliott was an excellent sleeper from very early on! I'm not sure I can cope if I have an up all night and up early morning, no sleep baby! eeeeepp

and then you panic about their personality.. its non rational but its true!
I love Elliott so much and his personality is SO defined, sweet and hilarious.
"what if I don't love my new baby as much" more specifically for me is what if I don't love their personality?? it sounds weird but its true!
how do you nurture 2 separate persons/personalities while giving them equal love but individual attention to unique strengths??

I think the easy answer to all my questions is "you just do"
I haven't been there yet obviously but transitioning from 0-1 was challenging but surprisingly simple at the same time and I think that will ring true again.

then people ask if we want a boy or a girl and the answer is "I REALLY DON'T KNOW!"
I don't have any sway! I think a girl would be amazing and I've always wanted a daughter but I think another boy would be so easy and Elliott would love a brother close in age to him.
not to mention I would have to buy NOTHING for a boy!
if its a girl at minimum I'm going to want a couple of fashionista, maybe mommy and me matching outfits ;)

Lips, skin and bed frames!

My skin has been begging for moisture lately but nothing seems to satisfy!!
My poor lips have been so dry and I haven't even been wearing lipstick... lipstick has not touched my skin since Christmas!

I have not been wearing ANY makeup for at minimum a couple of months thinking it would be good and healthy for my skin to breathe/try to keep as many extras out of my body as possible but these darn pregnancy hormones DGAF. I've been diligent with my skincare and face washing but alas still broken out, oily and dry. hhhhmmmph

I had this little Glam glow wet mud lip treatment on hand as a Christmas gift (I always pick up some universally friendly gift options for those unexpected times of need) but I didn't end up using it and instead of waiting for another gift giving opportunity I decided it was worth a try on my desperate desert lips!

 

 

I had been using the Bite beauty Agave lip mask ^

but I'm not a huge fan of it.

I know it has a massive following and some people swear by it but personally I find it SO thick

It is a thick, goop on your lips, whenever I apply it before bed its such a pain to find sleeping positions that won't lead to cat/dog fur stuck ALL OVER your lips/ the goop being smeared all over your pillow case (I'm a side/stomach sleeper)

 

& the pay off was not luscious, hydration like I had hoped.

Its more at the time of wear your lips will be so thickly gooped it qualifies as hydration but long lasting hydration not guaranteed.

 

 

the glam glow wet lip balm on the other hand has a smoother, almost consistency of Vaseline but thinner plus subtle sheen to it look and feel.

 

I feel like the hydration is lasting and it has minimized my crackage/peely lip problem.

 

 

the downside is the price tag.

I like to use it at least once throughout the day and apply liberally at night, not kind on the purse strings when using that frequent but still I can see me repurchasing.

unless I can find a replacement (send recommendations!!)

 

oooh just came to mind another similar lip balm, Blistex!

the little blue tub, that is a very similar consistency to the glam glow.

I really like blistex but there's that rumour flowing that your lips get addicted to it, is that true??

between blistex and glam glow the glam glow is more hydrating!

 

I paid $20 for the glam glow at Christmas but looking now at Sephora.ca I see that the price is only available at $30.

 

at first thought I was happy!

I thought I scored a deal but upon further inspection I saw I actually had less .oz in my tub, actually half less! so the $30 price point now seems like a deal! darn it for not investigating at xmas!

 

Glam glow wet pout balm $30

 

 

Other than that I've been trying to stay on a no buy...

now when I say "no buy" its a bit different than the typical no buy..

scratch everything I just said lets just call it a "less buy"

more fitting ;)

 

like almost everyone else in the world I am trying to get more 'minimalist' in 2017..

but I am not your typical minimalist, I like stuff. I like LOTS of stuff, I love my things lol

 

I watched the documentary Minimalism and it didn't touch me like so many others..

actually I found it so uninteresting I couldn't get through the whole thing.(snooze)

 

 

*I know this wasn't the whole theme of the movie*

but giving up everything and owning a whopping 21 items is not plausible for a family of 4.

keeping just 21 items in my purse would be a struggle.. hahah

 

I appreciate the thought and I feel like my minimalism journey is more about being conscious to where I spend my money and the items I purchase.

Over the past 2 years I've really tried to stop replacing perfectly good items with more perfectly good items.

 

some things are harder than others.. *cough* lipstick.

whenever I see a lipstick, I see undertones and finishes and applicators.. I mean they all look completely unique to me! so that's been a struggle.

 

the basement clutter game is real, so I've been focused on de cluttering style minimalism there and working from the bottom up. with a new baby on the way this may stall because the newborn clutter game is REALLY REAL.

 

 I did place a teeny tiny Sephora order recently but before you make me feel guilty this falls under my 'less buy!'

 

 

 

I don't know where I've been because when roller lash came out  I was like 'meh'

fast forward to now and I am in love! I recently received another sample and used it dry!

I like the curl and length it gives.

It can be a little messy and you have to be careful not to over apply *spider lashes* but I was so impressed I decided to purchase the full size!

 

I splurged,

Roller Lash $31

 

My brows are something you just don't mess with!

I don't know why I ever bother trying any other brow product, the Anastasia brow wiz is my hands down go to and you will never see me not repurchase!

 

Brow wiz $27

*I've tried the brow wiz with the larger applicator but it does not work like the original with the tiny pen point applicator! I need that precision!

 

all the others pictured above were freebie add ons which I've also been more selective in choosing!

I find a face mask or hair product I am 100% more likely to use in a timely manner vs a fragrance.

so unless I see its a fragrance I've been really interested in I will opt out rather than order just for the sake of "freebie"

 

 

 

not pictured above but also in my freebie choices was this ^

Laneige water sleeping mask 

this is my first overnight mask and I love it so far!!

I've used it two nights and my skin feels fresh and plump in the morning

thumbs up!

 

 

my typical hydration plan is the Fresh lotus preserve face cream which I try to apply both morning and night. Its light and perfect for my sensitive skin.

 

and the Kiehls creamy eye treatment has been a lifesaver for hydrating my eye area.

Its a bit heavier but it really soaks in.

 

ALRIGHT jeeze, I have so much to say and never any time to blog about it!

Elliott has a couple of daycare dates this week so I'm hoping I can get some more updates in on baby and doctors appointments but that's just too meaty for todays post!

 

I will share some *non pinterest worthy photos of our bedroom makeover!

Our bedroom like so many master bedrooms gets shoved to the bottom of the list and becomes a catch all but I really want to get it organized before baby comes.

 

*hello bassinet, video monitors, baby swings, toys, pets, Elliott, everyone, everything.. .

 

I've had the same headboard/footboard for SO many years!! I mean teen years to now, 15 plus...  

I love my bed its comfy and familiar but lately its been looking worse for wear.

Its outdated and extremely scratched up from pet wear so we swapped it out for a canopy bed frame and I'm kind of loving it!

see below!

^ old bed, I'm thinking I may try some Annie Sloan chalk paint to update this set and put it in Elliott's room. send hints on chalk paint/thoughts! :)

 

 

^ new bed frame!

Our room is quite large so the canopy is perfectly suitable/almost grounds the room better than I thought & is a nice focal point.

 

but should I add sheer curtain panels????

Is that too juvenile??????

I don't think I want to but then I scroll pinterest and get confused..

I'm not sure!

 

we still have a lot of cleaning/pinteresting to do to this room but I'm happy to have the bed up for now.

I was worried about the pets not being able to hop over the footboard (Marley is over 8 and her joints have been acting up on occasion) but so far so good!
See me, Marley, Roxy and Annie happily cuddled in :)


so let me know what you think, what you want, what you've been up to!
baby update soon! xoxoxoxo

Rollin' in the doh...

Since the frigid temperatures and morning sickness has hit, I'm finding it a whole lot harder to occupy Elliott..

He LOVES to play and stay busy..
he's not hugely (is hugely a word? is this a bigly moment? ... no I think its a word..)
into television, I mean he loves elmo but that's maybe an hour out of our day and he doesn't play with the ipad ever.. mostly because he hasn't developed that addiction yet and I'm good with keeping it at bay for as long as possible.

so, what do you do that's different, cost effective, and indoors/inside our same boring walls, everyday!?

I don't know?
I am asking you..
What do you do???!
I need some fresh ideas!

This week I will say I've been pleasantly surprised with myself and I'll give you a sneak peek of what we have been up to!

 

 

HOMEMADE PLAY DOH!!

 

YESSSSS! this was a huge win yesterday!

 

the recipe is SO easy, you 99.9% will have all ingredients in your pantry already.

I did and I'm not a huge baker/homemade anything kind of gal.

 

the hardest part was mixing the food colouring with the dough, because I'm very ahem, particular. I have an OCD need for things to look pretty so the wrist took a beating wrestling food colouring into 4 different coloured balls..

but if your child is older you could always get their assistance at this point or you could just leave the doh, well dough coloured. it wouldn't take away from the fun!

 

^Real doh

 

Elliott got two small real play doh containers as Christmas gifts and he hasn't stopped playing with them since! the doh keeps getting smaller and smaller as little pieces go missing and dry up.

I remembered it had been almost two years since we made our own play doh and I figured it was beyond due time we made some more.

 

^two years ago!

 

^ omg. he was so tiny and sweet!

one of the best things about this blog is going back and reliving the memories through the posts.

I've been a blogger for 2.5 years and although time consuming, it was one of the best moves I've made!

which is funny because minus you guys, the readers, I don't get a whole lot of blog support.

Its one of those judgey things where when people don't understand they criticize and belittle.

I don't talk about it a lot because I hate, hate.

 

but I get the "you're so obsessed with yourself"

the "you can't write. its called grammar and punctuation."

the (a lot of this one comes from other bloggers which RLY boils my blood)

"so you're a mommy blogger? beauty blogger? you don't post enough beauty. we don't want to hear about your personal life." etc. etc. etc.

 

Ugh. so much dram.

OF COURSE I AM OBSESSED WITH MYSELF. I LOVE ME.

NO I AM NOT A WRITER BUT I WANT TO SHARE, IF IT MAKES YOU UNHAPPY LOOK AWAY.

I AM ALLLLLLLLLL THE BLOGGERS.

 

 

this year I'm making it a priority to accept I am who I am.

and that's who I'm gonna be!

 

so I write.

and sometimes I write in private.

I have a draft folder with about 20 blog posts in it, its my "when something annoys me or is controversial" folder.

You have no idea how good it feels to let words flow out of you when they start to feel so bottled up like you may explode. I am not against sharing these post eventually, its just I have a hard time coming round to a point lol. most of those posts are unfinished so I haven't felt they're ready to be released.

I recommend anyone keep a blog or journal just to help work out those emotions/remember the memories!

 

anyway back to the dough....

 

here's my original blog post:

PLAY DOH 2015 

 

and here is my girl April's original recipe:

 HOMEMADE PLAY DOH

 

 

 2.5 is SUCH a good age for this activity..

Elliott was so impressed and played ALL day.

I mean ALL DAY, dusk till dawn, then I put it in the fridge and we will reuse all week I'm sure!

 

 

^ look at his little legs. omg.

what a little man.

I threw in some cookie cutters, a fork, a cup and any other little plastic toys that I thought would be helpful in creating masterpieces.

 

 

I let him play in the living room A LOT.

its risky, yes.

but the truth is I want to be involved in his play and I also want to watch mommy Netflix...

so I put down a plastic bag and luckily I've raised a neat freak so he keeps the dough (mostly) on the table.

night time and STILL playing..

 

The next activity, we did the day before and it was a fluke play time.

I've been compulsive about hand washing lately and I've been trying to get Elliott to learn to wash his hands without my assistance.

 

We are not quite there yet but he does stand on his foot stool and wash with my help of handing the soap/turning on the water. he was having so much fun a couple of days ago I thought why not fill up the sink and let him go wild..

 

 

we've done this in the summer multiple times with a bowl or pool but this was the first time I walked away and let him splash while I made supper.

 

this washroom is literally off the kitchen so I was listening to make sure he wasn't soaking the room top to bottom (again he's a neat freak so I have more confidence leaving him with these tasks)

 

He was in there for about an hour and a half I swear!

I had to keep warming up the water because he was playing so long I was scared he would get cold!

I purchased one of those little fake shaving kits for him for Christmas, which came with a "shaving cream" aka mouldable bath foam and all hail that foam!

 

once he got his hands on it, it was all over. now he asks for the "fom" every time we go into the bathroom. loll

 

that's how we've been keeping busy lately, anyone have more suggestions for inside excitement?!?!

its getting more and more fun to do crafts and activities like these together because he's getting good at listening and taking direction. I let him help pour the flour and stir the dry ingredient's for the play doh making.

anywoo I have some beauty and new baby talk coming up this week but for now I have a doctors appointment tomorrow so keep you posted!!
XOXO

Sponge glitter mani...

I LOVE glitter manicures!

Until I have to remove them but alas... 

does the application process make a difference? 

I want a really, really dense glitter look without the layers upon layers of polish. 

Because all that will never dry and then your hard work leads to a smudged, messy, juvenile looking nail. 

So I gave the sponge mani trick a try and see for yourself.. but I was super pleased with the result!! 

The hardest part was choosing which glitter colour I wanted. I love sparkle!!

I started with a base coat since I was hesitant of how well the glitter would cover but if I'm being honest I think you could skip the base or just do a single base layer to start. 

No need to waste your time when the glitter will be nice and opaque :) 

^ the third nail in is normal polish brush one coat applied glitter and the fourth, pinky, is applied one coat with the sponge. 

 

Big difference, no?! 

Basically the sponge absorbs the extra clear polish but leaves enough so the extra glitter sticks without an eternity of drying between coats. 

I used an average triangle makeup sponge and if you're worried about cost that sponge could be saved and reused for multiple, multiple mani's! 

I only kept rotating to see if the application worked better with a particular section of sponge or fresh area vs used but all in all you could use a single corner of sponge to complete one whole hand. 

I was only going to do an accent nail or two but I liked the look so much I couldn't stop. I also think a full glitter mani is very on trend! 

An accent glitter nail can look a bit dated OR you could switch it up and do all glitter except for a solid accent nail - ooooh unexpected ;) 

^ this is immediately after painting. 

I am no manicurist so a quick shower and those edges were cleaned up. 

I did not find the sponge to be particularly messy, take care in application and it seems to stick to the nail and not your skin. 

I did apply a clear top coat and it really set the look, making it appear more shellac like. 

The mani easily lasted a week and grew out nicely! After a rough week of present opening etc. the tops started to peel a bit but would be an easy touch up. 

Removal was what's expected with glitter.. Tedious. 

But actually better than expected! 

I think removing the extra polish on the sponge made for some time saving. 

I will definitely be using the sponge for future glitter mani's! I'm hoping I have a pink glitter actually.. I'm feeling the need for a pink pick me up :) 

Have you tried the sponge application process??? How'd it go?!