Baby Approved Smoothie

Hello lovelies,

I have always loved making and drinking smoothies. You can add whatever you want and it's an easy way to get most of your fruit/veggies for the day in one amazingly packed drink!

Wanting the same benefits for my little girl, I have been making smoothies for her lunch everyday, for the past week. She loves the sweetness it provides in taste and doesn't know that I've snuck in a few other things in there too. That is the main reason why I love smoothies for myself and her, I can add different fruits and veggies and mask the taste.

Here is the recipe.

- 1 handful of spinach/kale leaves

- 1/3 banana

- 1 tbsp plain greek yogurt

- 2 inch cucumber with the skin on; chop into 1/4 inch pieces

- 1/2 chopped celery stock

- 2 tbsp avocado

- 1 handful of frozen berries

- 1-2 tbsp finely ground oats

- 2 splashes of water

Using a blender, blend everything together until you get a smooth consistency (beware of any hidden chunks, that could be hazardous to baby)

My daughter was in love with this smoothie, I fed it to her with a spoon and she just couldn't get enough.

I hope you and your little ones enjoyed this recipe! 

Until next time,

Mel

aka

Jennine's mommy. 

Put on sick leave, until after baby arrives.

Hello lovelies,

Yesterday morning at 5am I woke up with a full bladder and made my normal trip to the bathroom(in the dark). While there something was off, so I turned on the lights and yelled to my fiancé. I was bleeding tremendously.
I had bleeding weeks 5-15 from SCH, but this wasn't that, not this far into the pregnancy(31 weeks).

We packed up a hospital bag(minus baby stuff, as we were not yet that prepared), got cleaned up and rushed to the ER. Being as far as I am in my pregnancy, they sent us straight up to the maternity ward and started to check me out. They checked my cervix did some tests and a quick ultrasound to check on baby.

My cervix was still closed and they could not find crystals in my blood indicating that my water had broke, but wanted to prepare me for all possibilities. I was given a thorough ultrasound to check her measurments and for placenta preavia and everything looked normal. Baby girl was measuring on track and weighs 3lbs 7oz so far. The nurse also gave me a shot to help mature her lungs incase she comes early and I got my second and last shot for her lungs today.

My doctor had come to the hospital to check on me and informed me I would not be going home for at least a day or two.
The bleeding stopped overnight, just dark brown and very, very minimal. Nurses kept on coming in to check on baby and I through out the night and all was good with both of us.

Now today, my doctor came to see me again today and I told her how I was feeling and asked when I could go back to work ('cause I'm such an eager muffin lol) and she informed me that there is no way I will be going back to work. She said I may get to home tomorrow if i stop bleeding and if I do, it is to do the same thing as I am doing here in the hospital (yay...not).

I love this little girl so much and I want to do everything for her to make sure she is healthy and safe, but damn what am I supposed to do for the next two months, if she stays in there. By all means I do want her to stay in there too and keep on maturing, I just feel useless not being able to do anything and I'm only technically on day two of rest.

I'm thinking that this will at least give me more time to prep for her, like get her laundry done and help my sil with the baby shower prep that is still left and of course blog!! But, oi am I going to be bored and probably annoy the heck out of my fiancé every day....ha ha.

Sorry for the semi-long post.
Is or has anyone else been in a similar boat and able to relate?
What did you do while on sick leave, to help pass the time?

Thanks so much for those of you who made it to the end of this post!!!

31weeks 1day
EDD June 12th

Until next time....

xoxo
annpaige

Pregnancy Weeks 20-25

Hello lovelies,

March was a very hectic month for me as my fiancé and I moved into our new condo and officially got settled. Other days I have just been tired and exhausted.
I have loved every minute of this pregnancy so far and I have no regrets whatsoever. The only things I really miss about not being pregnant is that fact that I could wear whatever I wanted!!! Now I can't even fit my pants over my thighs :(, but it will all be worth it very soon.

Here is a recap of my 20th to my 25th week of pregnancy....

Week Twenty:
- lots of congestion still
- upset stomach and gasy if I eat anything too greasy or with too much oil. This baby is already a health freak.
- weird muscle spasms that cause me to involuntarily kick or squirm from baby kicks and punches.
- Dr.'s appt and another ultrasound this week
Weighing in at 131lbs,  gained a total 14 lbs so far.

Week Twenty-one:
- dry cough duting the night
- sore joints, especially my knees
- extremely exhausted
- really bad back pain some days
Waistline 30 3/8" that is a total of 5" bigger then pre-pregnancy on the smallest part of my waist
Belly 36 2/8"

Week Twenty-two
- starving omg!!
- nausea in the am on some days
- back pain
- dry itchy skin, especially itchy on my belly

Week Twenty-three
- saw baby's kicks when I was laying down :)
- chest pains
- bleeding gums still
- very itchy belly
- feel my stomach is so big that I am literally going to POP!
- more energy on some days
- exhausted on other days
- back pain
- extremely dry and itchy skin all over
Belly now @ 36 6/8" and waist @ 32 1/8"

Week Twenty-four
- light head aches
- dry cracked lips
- exhausted
- felt baby hiccups for the first time
- nerve pain in my lower back limiting and almost disabling certain movements. Happened four times for short periods.
- sore joints, knees and my wrists
- very active movements from baby
- glucose and blood test this week.
- Dr.'s appt. Now at 140lbs, 23lbs in total.
Heard baby's heart beat and it is fast as always. Everything looks and sounds good from the doctors point of view yay!!

Week Twenty-five
Moving week for us, so I really didn't keep track or record anything for this week.
- itchy belly
- exhausted
- sore joints
- starving all of the time!

My most memorable moments of these past five weeks, were seeing my baby's movements for the first time and getting to hear the heart beat.

What were some of your most memorable moments of the second trimester of your pregnancy?

Thanks so much for reading everyone and continuing to follow me on this amazing journey!

Until next time....

xoxo
annpaige

Stretch Marks - To be, or not to be?

Hello lovelies,

I don't know about you, but stretch marks are a part of my everyday life. From a big growth spurt as an adolescent I developed stretch marks quite young, which has delivered the anticipated fear of more during pregnancy(yikes!). They currently exist on my hips and butt, but are very light in colour.

Now, on to pregnancy stretch marks...

Now being 24 weeks and 4 days pregnant and feeling everyday like my stomach is so big that it is going to pop, I have yet to develop any new stretch marks (thank God). They say stretch marks are hereditary and that if your mother had them then you will too. I'm not sure if I was the result of any of my moms stretch marks, but I hope that my little cupcake wont be the result of any more for me.

There are two products that I use regularly to "lube" up my skin and so far *fingers crossed* they have been working great for me.

Product #1
Bio-oil
I bought this product when I first "popped" a bit around my 12 week mark. I was using this product everyday at night. Being on the more expensive and greasy side I didn't want to use too much at a time. I also started getting really itchy and didn't want to get oil on my clothes, so I also started to use.....

Product #2
Vaseline
Cocoa Radiance moisturizer.
This is a product that my fiancé and I always have in the house, but for some reason I never thought to use it on my belly.

As I started to get really itchy on my belly I started to use both items together. In the morning I use the Vaseline moisturizer and any time my tummy gets itchy during the day. I will usually use the Bio-oil at night, before bed and after a shower and then apply the Vaseline on top. The Bio-oil I will apply just to my hips, thighs, belly and upper half. I apply the Vaseline pretty much everywhere as it is a regular moisturizer.

Now, do either of these products really work for the prevention of stretch marks you ask?
That is an answer that I cannot give, because every woman and every pregnancy is different however, they have been working amazing for me thus far.

Will I continue to use/repurchase either or both of these products?
Definitely! I will do everything it takes to prevent stretch marks no matter what any one says.

Would I recommend either of these products to a friend?
Heck yes! Who is to say whether or not they will really prevent stretch marks or scarring, but who doesn't at least want to try.

What is your holy grail product for preventing/reducing stretch marks during pregnancy?

Thanks for reading everyone!!

Until next time...

xoxo
annpaige

Pregnancy Weeks 13-20

Hello lovelies,

In this post I will recap the first half of my second trimester!!! It is seriously insane how fast this pregnancy is flying by. This little baby is growing so fast and so am I!
If you are unaware I am now, while writing this 22 weeks pregnant! Crazy right? I know!

You hear stories of other pregnant women all of the time, but never really understand certain things until they happen to you.

Did anyone else really expect to have pee every 5 minutes or literally right after a glass of water? I thought it took longer to travel down to my bladder, apparently not. And what about (while on the topic of an uncontrollable bladder) coughing and laughing, please no, not until I get home (or at least to the closest bathroom)!

Omg and dont even get me started on always being hungry! That and eating my favourite food only to realize that it is sooo not babies favourite food.

And then the joys of feeling baby move. Was that really baby or just gas again.

Anyways... here are the weeks and what happened/how I felt during them.

Week 13:
- had a dr's. appt and heard babies heart beat!! 149bmp
- starving all of the time
- cannot stand to look at raw meat and will not touch chicken, unless it is fried
- bleeding slowing down. Only occurs during the night with nothing during the day.

Week 14:
- felt baby kick for the first time when sitting down.
- a lot of blood during the night for one day only.
- starving
- car sickness
- gained a total of 6lbs
Now weighing in at 123lbs

Week 15 (Dec. 19th - 25th):
- could feel more movement, when my fiancé was talking to my belly. Other days baby does flips. Feeling small flutters everyday and occasional kicks on some days.
- tired
- suffered the worst ice storm in the city since the late '80's and had no power for three days!
- finally got power back on Christmas eve and I received the best and unexpected gift from boyfriend....fiancé. He proposed!! He was so sweet and I was and still am so happy!!
Belly: 34 2/8"
Waist: 29 1/2"

Week 16:
- starving
- motion sickness
- more energy some days
- light headed and dizzy some days
- had another dr's. appt and my ob found babies heart beat again, but she couldn't keep it because baby is soo active and keeps on moving!
- still no more bleeding yay!! Dr. Is very happy with my health and babies health.

Week 17:
- still no blood, everything feels good!!
- dreamed that baby was a boy, but I still have no idea. My fiancé and I both have our ideas of what baby is, but not 100%.
- light headed and dizzy still some days
- really thirsty
- baby is really active at night
- able to eat chicken again!
Waist: 30 1/8"
Belly: 35"

Week 18:
- tired
- itchy belly
- was listening to a Bob Marley song and baby started moving.
- started playing Beethoven for baby while getting ready for work and at night.
- baby still active, especially at night
- noticed a bald spot on my head; alopecia. Not too worried as I had it when I was a teenager as well and my dad had it before.

Week 19:
- nausea and really bad motion sickness
- ate Pizza Pizza and it made me feel so sick.
- horrible sinus congestion
- headache
- sore throat ...ugh
- had an ultrasound and my fiancé was able to come with me!!
- baby was so active and we were able to find out the gender.
- of course we went shopping afterwards, but what colours we bought are still a secret to our families.... ;)
- we will be telling our families closer to our shower date.

Week 20:
- tired
- still congested, have a sinus infection
- certain foods make me yuck
- dr's. appt to follow up from my ultrasound
- baby hit a nerve and gave me a muscle spasm and made me involuntarily kick out my leg. Very embarrassing at work!

Gained a total of 13lbs!! Yikes!
Now weighing in at 131lbs

If you are or have been pregnant, what are your most memorable pregnancy symptoms?
When did you first feel your baby move?
What are your least favourite memories during your second trimester?

Thanks for reading everyone and continuing to follow me on this amazing journey!!!

Until next time...

xoxo
annpaige

Weeks 1-12; 1st Trimester

Hello lovelies,

Being pregnant has honeslty been the most beautiful experience for me thus far. Getting to see my baby, feel my baby and just know that my little cupcake is growing strong and healthy makes me so happy. I have loved every minute of being pregnant,  mind you I did have some not so pleasant and/or scary bumps along the way too.

Week by week here are some notes on what baby and I have been going through.

Starting measurements and weight
Waist(smallest part): 25 1/2"
Hips(widest part): 36"
117lbs

Week One:
Started feeling short of breath, more than usual. I have asthma, but it wasn't from that and I could tell the difference.
Also started feeling as though I had to go to the bathroom more often.

Week Two:
Missed my period and took an at home test two days later. The test was negative, but I couldn't help fight the feeling that I was really pregnant this time.

Week Three:
Went to my doctors for a blood test. Got the results back and they were positive!!

Week Four:
Motion sickness slowly started to kick in.
Any foods that were too sweet or sugary that I usually love, were now making me feel nauseous. Prefer anything salty and/or crunchy.
- so bloated now too!
- migraines were starting
- always hungry

Week Five:
Started spotting dark red, so we went to the ER. They tried to do an ultrasound, but could only see what looked like a yolk sac and weren't sure what was wrong.
The bleeding stopped at the end of the night. The doctor however told me to get another blood test done at my dr.'s and to go for a proper ultrasound with the next couple of days.
- still bloated all the time.
- still had migraines
- always hungry

Week Six:
It was time for my ultrasound and I started to bleed again, this time a lot more. Back to the ER we went (by we I mean my fiance and I). They told me either the placenta seperated or I could have a sub-chorionic hematomma; a blood clot in my uterus.
Had an ultrasound done at the hospital,  but the image wasn't very clear. Saw a tiny gestational sac. Doctor told me to schedule another ultrasound at a proper clinic.
- nausea in the am a few days, but no vomit
- abs were hurting like I did too many crunches.
- motion sickness in the car, especially when hungry
- shortness of breath

Week Seven:
Still bleeding. Had a lot of pain similar to cramping.
Finally got to see our baby at the ultrasound clinic and they were checking for the SCH.
Baby was .3cm long. 
- nausea different times of the day, especially when hungry
- migraines
- tired
- shortness of breath
- a little disoriented at times
- irritable at times
- jeans beginning to feel a bit tight.
- dry lips and skin
- slightly heightened sense of smell
- loosing some appetite;  not always as hungry

Week Eight:
Had another ultrasound at a clinic and baby was at 5.9mm. SCH was confirmed this time.
Bleeding was beginning to slow down over night, but picked up other nights.
- nausea and motion sickness
- tired all of the time
- dry lips and skin still
- started to vomit after breakfast 3 days in a row. Thought could be due to prenatals.
- cannot stand to look at raw meats
- still bleeding

Week Nine:
- waist size getting a bit bigger. Now at 26 6/8"
- started to notice a teeny tiny bump!
- nausea
- threw up again one morning
- starting to get some of my appetite back
- motion sickness in the car
- still bleeding

Week Ten:
- motion sickness at night
- tired all of the time
- shortness of breath
- bad cramping from the bleeding and some pain when trying to bend

Week Eleven:
- still bleeding
- had another ultrasound. I think baby was asleep, wasn't very active, but still moving.
- threw up again on an empty stomach after taking my prenatal vitamin.
- motion sickness
- light headed at times
- shortness of breath

Waist: 27 3/8"
Hips: 36 1/2"
Belly: 33 2/8"

Week Twelve:
- I can no longer button my jeans. I need an elastic wrapped around the button to secure them, on my biggest pair!!!
Now caught in only leggings! :(
- popped a bit and have a little baby bump!! Did a photoshoot with my fiancé of my belly.
- bleeding slowing down during the day, but heavy overnight.

So that is a recap of my first twelve weeks of pregnancy!!!! I cannot believe how fast everything is moving.
I plan to do my next post hopefully by the end of the week, recapping weeks 13- 20 (where I am now).
I will also keep on doing random posts inbetween. Let me know what you want to see!!

Thanks so much for reading and check out the bottom of the post for belly pics through out my first twelve weeks!!!!

Until next time..

xoxo
annpaige

First Pair of Maternity Pants

Hello lovelies,

So, I caved and last week went out to buy my first pair of Maternity pants. Now, I wasn't necessarily looking for "maternity" pants, but just pants that were comfy and wouldn't bug or get in the way of my growing belly.

My fiance and I went to Old Navy and I immediately went to their active wear section to look for yoga style pants, because I am not usually a fan of the maternity style selection. I found a few pairs of comfy work out pants that I liked and some loose tops plain tops in their sale section. Making our way to the cash I thought or my fiance suggested why not check out the maternity pants instead and they had maternity active wear, which I originally knew nothing about. So, instead of getting the regular active wear pants I bought a pair of maternity active wear pants and I love them!!!!

The pair I got are black and the band goes all the way to the top of my growing belly. I am still in the stage of wearing everything inappropriately low so it doesn't touch my belly, so I just fold them over and they are perfect. I don't however like the material I picked up, because it is the type of material that almost everything sticks to. Aside from the material they are super comfy and I can definitely see myself wearing them through my whole pregnancy and possibly even afterwards with the band just folded over.

Here is a picture of the pants (I am wearing them in my Latest Bump Pic >>>)

They are called the Compression pants

You can check them out online here

The price online and in-store was different for me. They were I believe $29 here in Canada plus they were having a 50% off sale when I got them.

Hope this post was helpful if you are expecting and need some comfy pants to wear!!

Until next time....

xoxo

annpaige

How We Found Out

Hello lovelies,

For my first post I wanted to tell you all how we found out that I was pregnant!!!!

I am currently as of today 19 weeks and 2days pregnant and if you follow my other blog http://annpaigefashion.blogspot.ca than you will already know this story....

My fiance and I found out that I was pregnant on Friday, October 4th, 2013. We hadn't been exactly trying to get pregnant, mind you we weren't preventing it either. We wanted to have a baby yes but, whenever God thought it would be the right time to give us one and it turns out that this was the time. When we found out, I thought I was anywhere from 5-7 weeks due to my LMP, but turns out I was wrong.

One week prior to us "officially" finding out, I had taken a pregnancy test at home that turned out to be negative. I did not take this test very seriously, because I still really felt like I was pregnant. So, on Thursday, October 3rd I went to my Family Doctor to get a blood test done. I called my doctors office the next day to get the results and lone behold, I was pregnant!!! I was on my break at work and could not wait to tell my fiance the news, so I called him right away. At first he didn't believe me and though that I was joking but, hardly being able to breath and talk because of the huge smile that was stuck on my face he started to believe me. We were and are both so happy and excited to be parents!!!

 When I went to see my doctor the following week to actually confirm my results I thought my hcg level was low (86) for 5-7 weeks, but now knowing that I was really only 4 weeks and 3 weeks when I had the test done it made sense.

We kept my pregnancy a secret from everyone except for a very small select group of close friends and our parents and siblings, until I hit the 12 week mark and knew for sure that our baby was healthy.

In the beginning of the pregnancy we did have a couple of scares that lasted longer then we had hoped, but I will get to that and more in another post which will be the Happenings of my Pregnancy from weeks 1-12. expect my next post to be up in the next few days!!!

Thank you so much for reading and I hope that you will enjoy following me on My Mommy Journey!!

Please also share in the comments section if you are expecting and have a blog too, or if you are a new mommy blogger. I would love to read and share experiences with other preggo or mommy bloggers!!

Until next time....

xoxo
annpaige