7 Quick Takes

So here's my best guess as to what has happened in the Big E household in the past week and half...

- 1 -

We enjoyed a lovely day trip to Lake Lopez in Arroyo Grande, CA to eat way too much Thanksgiving food with my godparents family, friends and my Dad. 

Prego camper & hubs

Not so wild wildlife. They like carrots. 

Best. Dog. Ever.

Usually we accompany Dad in the RV for 3 days of waking up way too early thanks to his 5:30am coffee grinding habits, but this year we skipped out since my pregnant belly wanted to sleep in it's own bed. So we just showed up for some quality campfire time and, of course, the grub. Very blessed to have such a wonderful extended family!

- 2 -

Insurance, Y u no cover birth centers!?

I finally got my butt in gear and read about 100 pages of a childbirth book. I'm seriously so lax in the prepared department. We signed up last minute for a Childbirth class at the Hospital as well, and went to the Breastfeeding class on Monday night. The booby class was much better than I expected (i.e., only marginally corny) and was really informative, so I'm going into this Childbirth course with high expectations. 

There seems to be no gray area with me. I either want to know everything there is to know about giving birth, or I want to go the "ignorance is bliss" route. So please, random women of America, stop sharing your birth horror stories with me. 

- 3 -

We got our maternity photos, and I think they came out beautiful (or as beautiful as one can make a puffy pregnant woman). FYI - we did not splurge on these, they actually came as a part of our wedding photography package. If you live in the SoCal/Orange County area, I highly recommend Gamboa Photography.

We plan on using the images in our Christmas card this year. Double bonus, two birds with one stone, and all that jazz.

- 4 -

34 weeks - OB says baby is head down. Good boy!

7 things I've noticed since entering the third trimester:

1. Everything is sore. 

2. I can no longer spell or do math.

3. It's hard to eat with feet in your ribs.

4. Clipping your toenails becomes an extreme sport.

5. Pants are not your friend.

6. Heartburn sucks.

7. 2nd trimester energy = completely gone.

- 5 -

 I'd like to take this moment (because I have nothing else of interest to say this week) to introduce you to an important member of the family. This here is Juicy Mama. Despite what you think you're seeing, she (he?) is not a koi fish, but a goldfish. Not only is she a goldfish, she is a goldfish we won AT A CARNIVAL SIX YEARS AGO. 

She is the behemoth of her kind, and an absolute terror. Before she reached size ginormous she shared a tank with two fancy-tailed golfish (Doogan and Leroy - I'm obviously very traditional when it comes fish names) who she slowly but surely tortured to death. She's been flying solo for the past three years now - just the way she likes it. 

Her favorite pastimes include binge eating, inhaling the rocks at the bottom of her tank and spitting them at the glass (she used to hurl them at the other fish), and making an obscene amount of noise splashing in the middle of the night.

We heart her.

- 6 -

Itty bitty baby socks. They melt even the coldest heart.

My cats are obviously very discriminatory with their love.

My mom (henceforth known as Grandma) came to visit on Tuesday night and stayed until Thursday morning. She is the laundry guru and I'm lucky to have someone volunteer to separate, wash, and hang up all the baby clothes while I nap.  And by all the baby clothes I mean about 78 outfits, 19 blankets, a bajillion baby socks, and other miscellaneous items. This child will never be naked. 

My Dad (henceforth known as Grandpa) is coming up bright and early on Sunday to paint the baby's room and the guest bedroom. I will, again, be sleeping.

Much love and thanks to my parentals! 

- 7 -

Hey, remember when I used to write about things that were important and intellectual? Yeah, me neither.

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}

Originally posted last week, but reposting again since there is an actual link up this time. Click the button to visit the other ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter! :)

{pretty}

Look who got all crafty and finally did this project off of Pinterest! I'm seriously so proud of myself. I actually got my butt in gear and completed something - and it really does look Pinterest worthy!

I made two (one on each side of my fall flowers). Here is the price breakdown and where I got the supplies from:

Vases from Joann's $6.99 x 2 = $13.98

Pumpkin Spice candle from Joann's $4.99 x 2 = $9.98

4ply jute/twine from Joann's = $3.99

Yellow corn kernels from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Small Red Beans from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

Green Split Peas from Walmart $1.19 x 2 = $2.38

20% Off Coupon at Joann's = -$5.59

TOTAL for 2 Seasonal DIY Decor = $29.50

Or $14.75 for each Seasonal Vase

It's amazing how something as simple as beans in a vase can brighten your dining room. I can't wait to do a variation of this for every season. 

{happy}

I generally stick to a lactose free diet as it is easier on my ulcerative colitis. I drink lactose free milk, have soy milk with my Starbucks drinks, avoid yogurt and all soft cheeses, etc. Of course, I let myself indulge every once in awhile.

12 pack at Walmart for $5? Yes please. Nothing makes this pregnant mama happy like a can of chocolate gold.

{funny}

 I succumbed to the pressure and bought that damn giraffe everyone harps on about.  Don't get me wrong, I love me some eco friendly baby toys (or really eco anything, since I'm generally pretty crunchy) but $20 for something my baby is going to suck on? We had a gift card to Babies R Us so I felt justified in splurging.

You should have heard the sales lady.

Me: "So do you have that giraffe thing-"

Sales Lady: "Oh, you mean Sophie? She has her own section right over here, and there's only one left! She's really popular."

I'm sorry...are we still talking about the giraffe teether?

Just look at her, with her big eyes and rosy cheeks...I know she's plotting something.

{real}

While taking a bubble bath the other night, there were strange rattling sounds coming from the ceiling. I texted my husband (because that's how we do things around here) and he came to investigate... 

By spring boarding off the tub rail and onto the bathroom counter. BECAUSE THAT'S SAFE. First I'm freaked out that some creature has gotten into the air ducts, and NOW I'm freaked out that he's going to slip and fall, kill himself, and I'll be a pregnant widow. With no one to help me out of the tub.

No small mammals or husbands were harmed in the making of this post. Turned out to just be windy outside.

- - -

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! 

What I Wore to Thanksgiving Dinner

Totally late to the party on this...hope it's fashionably late. We've already eaten all of the leftovers, and I'm currently suffering from Round 2 of the 'itis - you know, that feeling of being stuffed/tired. Zzzzz...

Trying instacollage. I'm embarrassed to admit how long this took. 

We have a family tradition of camping at Lake Lopez in Arroyo Grande for Thanksgiving, and we've done it since I was kid. We do a full turkey dinner just like everyone else, but we do it outdoors in the company of nature. Like pilgrims yo. We go with my Godparents and whoever else happens to be joining. Oh, and it's camping in a trailer. Don't get all "that's not really camping" with me. 

Deer in the background. Rustic.

Where is my turkey?

Sweater dress: totally not maternity (like that's not obvious), but got it from some random online store two years ago for under $20

Belt: same from WIWS

Sweater cardigan: super soft delight from Motherhood Maternity, $35

Leggings: same from WIWS

Boots: love my pirate boots, cheapos from Ross

Necklace: semi-polished amber, a gift from my German surrogate mother-in-law

Thanks to Grace for hosting this link-up, and of course to Fine Linen and Purple for the inspiration! Y'all should join us there this Sunday!

What I Wore Sunday

I had a serious conundrum today while getting ready for noon Mass. First of all, I was feeling nauseous and just overall not healthy (foreshadowing!), but I also really wanted to wear my brown slouchy boots.

Except, my maternity wardrobe seems to be mostly of the black/grey variety. I've made due with a flowery dress before, but I 1) had never worn it with boots, and 2) needed to wear leggings because it would be a tad bit immodest without.

Silly big ol' pregnant lady belly, getting in the way of my wardrobe, making clothes all short and stuff.

Anyway, I think I might have committed a cardinal sin. I wore brown boots with black leggings. With a flowery dress. Please don't hurt me. 

This was husband's idea of a pose. I don't know.

Flower/Pattern Dress: On sale at Sears

Black leggings: Motherhood Maternity - prob the most expensive part of my outfit

Brown slouch boots: cheapos from Ross

Does an instagram filter make it okay? Also, 33 weeks.

Sadly (depending on how you look at it), I got lightheaded and started to feel faint in the middle of mass. We went to the San Buenaventura Mission today, and apparently they were having some sort of teenage get together, because the pews were full of kids chomping on gum and texting on their phones. A group of girls slid in next to us and practically sat on top of me, pregnant belly and all. I'm not sure if it was the smell of Abercrombie & Fitch or the lack of oxygen, but we had to leave after the homily. No communion for me. :'(

I promise to consult ahead of time with y'all next week before I attempt such a fashion disaster again. But seriously...I'm running out of clothes to wear. 

Trust God In Every Circumstance

Let nothing trouble you

Let nothing frighten you

Everything passes

God never changes

Patience

Obtains all

Whoever has God

Wants for nothing

God alone is enough.

St. Teresa of Avila