Joshlynn's Journey -Week 22

How I feel about being pregnant:  Baby's little arms and legs are really starting to pack a punch--a few times he caught me by surprise. Nausea was the worst it's been in a while. I was telling my husband during dinner that once the baby arrives it will be odd not having to jolt to the bathroom after every meal.

Symptoms: Heartburn, bleeding gums, nausea, itchy skin, more pronounced belly button, and backache.

Cravings: Last week I conquered my sweet craving with smoothies. This week, I just couldn't take it anymore! I indulged myself with a carmel apple dipped in trail mix. Satisfied? Yes!

Something I've done to prepare for baby: My husband and I are planning to take a refresher course on infant/adult CPR. Becoming new parents we both think it's important to have that knowledge.

Funny moment: I think my husband got the "nesting bug!" Several times a week he is out deep cleaning his workshop and mowing the lawn. I smile and laugh when he says it's his way of preparing for baby. We are certainly in different mindsets when it comes to change.

Stay tuned for week 23...

Joshlynn's Journey - Week 21

How I feel about being pregnant: Baby must have went through a growth spurt! I'm feeling much heavier as bending over and trying to get up from a laying position is more challenging than last week. Slip on shoes and TUMS have become my new best friends. On the day's I didn't have nausea, I felt well energized and enjoyed a light work out at our local gym. 

Symptoms: Occasional spurts of nausea, lower backache, heart burn, and dreams about motherhood.

Cravings: I had a major sweet tooth, luckily I was able to conquer my candy cravings with fruit smoothies.

What I'm most excited about:  As much as I enjoy planning events; my mom, step-mom, and mother-in-law are hosting a baby shower for me. It will be exciting to see everything they have planned on the day of my shower.

What I have done to prepare for baby: Can't believe there is only 4 months left! We registered at the hospital where we will be delivering our little one. As bad as it sounds, I'm preparing myself for the worst delivery but praying for the best.   

Special moment: Baby kicks up a storm every time he hears daddy's voice, so precious!

Joshlynn's Journey - Week 19 & 20

19 Weeks 

baby size: 10 in. & 8.5 oz.

How I feel about being pregnant: My belly is starting to feel heavy as I'm getting rounder by the day. Laying down and trying to get back up is getting more difficult. I've also noticed I have been more tired this week but not as bad as I was at the beginning of pregnancy. 

Symptoms: heart burn, occasional headaches, & lower back aches 

What I'm most excited about: 4 months left!  SO exciting! 

Cravings: NEW cravings this week are Slim Jim beef sticks & pickles

 Somethings I've done to prepare for baby: Even though the nursery isn't move in ready yet, we are starting to purchase items for the nursery. Woohoo! 

Something sweet my husband did for me: As much as my husband dislikes shopping, he came with me to Jo Ann's Fabric. While we were there I felt that he was more included when I let him pick out the fabric for the bassinet bumper I will soon be making. 

20 weeks

How I feel about being pregnant: Half way there, Yay! This week has been a great one, Baby is getting really good at tumbling keeping mommy awake during the wee hours in the morning.  

Symptoms: The whole nine yards! Hearty appetite, backache, heartburn, indigestion, dreams about motherhood, and forgetfulness.  

I also noticed a few physical changes too. I now have an almost protruding  belly button, and more pronounced boobs with a few small stretch marks but none on my tummy yet.

What I'm most excited about: Coming to realization that it won't be to much longer before baby arrives so I'm feeling a little more nervous but yet still excited at the same time. 

Cravings: Just a hearty appetite. 

Something I've done to prepare for baby: As active as I was pre-pregnancy, it's been tough trying to stay active with nausea accompanying me. So this week I made an effort to go hiking with a friend. We made a day out if it and had fun taking pregnancy pictures along the way. I think we stopped more times to take pictures than we did hiking. 

Stay tuned for week 21...

 

Joshlynn's Journey - Week 18

Week 18:

Baby size: Sweet potato

How I feel about being pregnant: Whatever the days discomfort may bring, I've been enjoying this pregnancy so much I'm kinda sad I'm almost at the half way point.

What I'm most excited about: Lots and lots of movement this week! Baby loves to favor the left side, which makes me wonder sometimes if that is where my left lower back aches are coming from.  

Symptoms: I've gained one new symptom this week: Itchy skin. I've been lathering in lotion several times a day and that seems to help soothe the itchiness. No signs of stretch marks yet. Back aches are still present, which makes sleeping uncomfortable even with the body pillows. My hunger for food never seems to go away even when I'm full. 

Cravings: No cravings this week. 

Something sweet my husband did for me: As hard as he works to provide for our little family to be, I couldn't ask for a better husband ever! He surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers as he walked through the door . 

Something I've done to prepare for baby: Other than surfing the web for cute nursery ideas, I haven't done much to prepare for baby.   

Special moment: With our little one getting bigger everyday there's no possible way I could squeeze into my pre-pregnancy clothes without being uncomfortable. So, I had a fun mother-daughter day shopping for maternity clothes and lunch afterwards. 

Joshlynn's Journey - Pregnancy Food Ideas

Pregnant Moms-on-the-go:

As simple as it is to remember to eat, we all forget the importance of eating healthy. Eating healthy foods is more important than ever right now! A pregnant woman needs more vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to help give baby what he or she needs to develop properly. This week I decided to share with you a few recipes and tips I found useful when I'm on-the-go.

Daily Food Guide:
Fruits:
2 cups daily
eat a variety of fruits
Vegetables:
3 cups daily
Eat more dark green and orange vegetables
Grains:
8 oz daily
choose whole grains instead of refined grains
Protein:
6.5 oz daily
Choose low-fat or lean meats and poultry
Dairy:
3 cups daily
Go low-fat or fat free when you choose milk, yogurt, and cheese

Prenatal vitamin:

The best option for healthy food choices is to plan out your meals and snacks at home. It does require planning ahead and extra time, but later on you'll be glad you did!

Nutritious Breakfast Ideas:

Oatmeal topped with fresh fruits-for better nutrition fresh berries are best!                                   Whole wheat waffles                                                                                                                              Breakfast burrito wrapped in whole wheat tortilla

Pregnancy Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins:

makes 12

Ingredients:
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup firm packed brown sugar
1 Tbl. Plus 1 tsp. baking powder
1tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp. allspice
1 cup non-fat buttermilk
2 Tbl. olive oil
2 Tbl. applesauce
1 egg lightly beaten
1 cup fresh blueberries
Directions:

1. Mix flours, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and allspice.

2. In another bowl whisk buttermilk, oil, applesauce and egg.

3. Make a dip in center of the flour mixture and pour in buttermilk mix. Stir gently - DO NOT over mix.
4 Fold in the blueberries.
5. Spoon into lightly sprayed muffin cups and bake in preheated oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes until golden brown.

 Snacks Ideas:

Hard boiled eggs
Make-it-yourself trail mix
Fresh fruits or vegetables
Celery and peanut butter
low-fat Greek yogurt parfait topped with sliced almonds

Peanut-Butter-Chocolate-Chip Energy Bars

Makes 20 bars

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp. vegetable oil
1 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
20 Medjool dates, pitted
2 eggs
1 tsp. kosher salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup chocolate chips
Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch-square baking pan with vegetable oil and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. Put the oats, peanuts, peanut butter, sunflower seeds and dates in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
3. In a bowl, whisk the eggs together with the salt and vanilla. Add the mixture to the food processor and pulse until it becomes a coarse, chunky paste. Fold in the chocolate chips with a wooden spoon. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking pan and spread evenly, gently pressing down to flatten. Bake for 35 minutes, or until firm and golden.
4. Cool and cut into 20 bars. The bars can be stored in an airtight container for a week in the refrigerator and a month in the freezer.

Per bar: 164 calories, 10.31 g fat, 14.51 g carbs, 5.39 g protein, 2.57 g fiber, 16 mg calcium, 1 mg iron, 153 mg sodium, 28 mcg folate

 Lunch:

Looking to pack a new lunch? Recently came across this website recently searching for new inspiring recipes. http://www.lunchtaker.com

Dinner Ideas:

Stir fry vegetables with brown rice
Herb roasted chicken
Casseroles

Grilled Salmon & Pineapple

Makes 4                                                                                                                                                             Ingredients:

1/2 cup Mcormick Asian Seafood Sauce                                                                                                             1 pound salmon steaks or fillets

8 oz of fresh or canned pineapple
Directions:

1. 1/4 cup Seafood Sauce over fish and pineapple in shallow dish; turn to coat well
2. Refrigerate 20 minutes or longer for extra flavor.
3. Remove fish ans pineapple from sauce.
4.Discard any remaining sauce.
3.Grill fish 8 to 10 minutes per inch of thickness.
5.Turn fish once and brush with remaining 1/4 cup sauce halfway through grilling.
6. Discard any remaining sauce.
7.Grill pineapple 2 minutes or until heated through.
8. Serve with fish

Larger Rockin' Green product line

We are expanding our in-store Rockin’ Green product line. We have added Doghouse Rock pet bed and toy detergent and Grunge Core auto dish detergent.

Rockin’ Green is an award-winning manufacturer of eco-friendly products designed to make cleaning easier and greener. They are most well-known for their clean-rinsing laundry detergent formulated for use on all fabrics and especially useful on cloth diapers. Rockin’ Green also carries Funk Rock a first of its kind natural ammonia bouncer and Melody, an odor neutralizer and air freshener home spray.

Doghouse Rock Pet bed & toy detergent

Most detergents are designed to leave something behind. It could be fabric softener, fragrance or optical brighteners. This residue is a breeding ground for dirt and bacteria and is toxic to your pet’s delicate system. This is a clean rinsing detergent that can be used on chew toys and bedding without the worry of residue or toxic chemicals. Phosphate Free – Enzyme Free – SLS Free

*It also works on really stubborn pet smells like goats, horses and cattle accessories

 

Grunge Core Auto dish detergent

Grunge core technology targets your problem areas be it baked on bologna or hard water headaches, it has you covered. Dye free – No fillers – Cleans and protects – Eliminates unsightly water spots – No need to pre-rinse – Natural scrubbing agents – Non-toxic – Tackles burnt on food – Phosphate free – Easy rinsing formula – Recyclable packaging – Prevents mineral buildup – No cloudy film – Etch protection – Vegan & Gluten Free – Biodegradable – Naturally scented – Excellent in hard water – No need for boosters or rinse aids!

 

What is your favorite thing to clean with Rockin' Green?

Joshlynn's Journey - Week 16

Week 16

 

Baby Size: Avocado

How I fell about being pregnant: With nausea accompanying me this week, I was at ease when my doctor told me “feeling sick is a healthy sign”.  It makes the past 16 weeks of nausea worth it.  

What I’m most excited about:  Looking forward to see how much our little boy has progressed.

Symptoms: Nausea and mild lover back aches.

Food Cravings: No food craving this week…eating like normal.

Something I’ve done to prepare for baby: There is so much to do in so little time!  I updated our baby registry, picked out a nursery set, and organized the attic where there is plenty of space to store baby items until the nursery is ready.

 

 Stay tuned for week 17…