Bumpin': BABY!

We've been on a bit of a baby hiatus around here!  On March 13, our little Bennett arrived happy and healthy!  I'll probably continue to take some time to get back to normal (and by that I mean create a new normal with 3 kids!!!), but hopefully some fun crafting and mommy blogging aren't too far off :)  But for now, I hope you'll enjoy looking at this sweet little face . . . 

And one of these days I'll also do a post on Bennett's birth story, as well as my other kids'.  I always love hearing birth stories, and my 3 kids' births have all been so different so I think it'd be fun to record them and have them all documented in one place. 

Bumpin': 38 Weeks and the Countdown is On!

Time is moving at an all-time slow speed these days . . . I'm officially 38 weeks tomorrow and I feel like I've never not been pregnant.  William was born at 38 weeks to the day, and Clara was induced at 39 weeks (after about 2 weeks of pre-labor contractions!), so I'm hoping this baby follows suit and comes early!  But anyway, just so my little baby #3 sees at least two photos of his mama pregnant (I don't think I've taken an official belly picture since this one when we found out we were having a boy), here ya go, me at 38 weeks and officially huge :)

Bumpin': Prenatal Workouts, YouTube Edition

Since posting about my favorite prenatal workouts, I have discovered some great prenatal workouts on YouTube, so I thought I'd share them with y'all!  (All of these, plus some of my favorite non-maternity workouts are listed on my Health and Fitness Pinterest Board.  And you can follow all my boards here!)

10 Minute Prenatal Pilates

This video actually contains 5 different 10 minutes segments.  They are all really great to do individually or together.  Just as a disclaimer, I usually skip the exercises that she does on her back.

Heidi Klum's Prenatal Workout from FitSugar

Also 10 minutes, this prenatal workout uses light weights and will get your heart rate going!  I like to combine this workout with one or two of the pilates segments above.

Denise Austin's Prenatal Cardio Workout--Fit and Firm Prenancy

20 minutes long and low-intensity cardio.  Sometimes good ol' Denise drives me bonkers, but I found that for a third trimester cardio workout, this is just right!  Not too intense, but by the end I feel like I've gotten a decent workout.

Do you have a favorite YouTube workout video?  I don't know why I haven't used YouTube more in the past for my workouts--there are endless options on there!!!

Be sure to check out my other Bumpin' posts on the link list on the right for all things maternity related!

Bumpin': Prenatal Workouts

Exercising while pregnant . . . somedays it almost seems like an oxymoron!  I am usually pretty active when I'm not pregnant; I go to the gym regularly and try and get several workouts in during the week.  Working out while pregnant has been an entirely different ballgame for me though.  At some points in my pregnancies I've remained dedicated, while at other times even attempting to workout has knocked me flat out on the couch making me feel much worse.  Do you like to workout while pregnant?  I have a friend who is diehard all through her pregnancy--she'll even leave an aerobics class to go and throw up and then return to class!  That's dedication if you ask me!

Throughout my three pregnancies, I've experimented with different types of workout routines (and I've done plenty of not working out at all), and I've found a few workouts that make me feel better, and some that I can tolerate better than others.  Here are some that I've liked, and some tips that I've found have helped me to stay active during pregnancy.

Prenatal Workout DVDs.  The two prenatal DVDs that I own and have enjoyed are Shiva Rea's Prenatal Yoga and Karyn Steben's The Perfect Pregnancy Workout.  I really like both of these DVDs and while the yoga isn't as tough of a workout, it has some great stretches that are just what a pregnant mama needs.

Zumba.  Another DVD, and while not made for pregnancy, but that I've recently started doing (WITH MODIFICATIONS!!!) is Zumba.  A couple of years ago, my mom and I got sucked into the infomercial (I've done Zumba at the gym and I love it), and we bought the Exhilirate 4 DVD Program.  These DVDs are a lot of fun, and were actually a major part of my exercise routine after I had Clara.  But, I've recently started doing the 20 minute Rush DVD for a manageable workout, with modifications of course to keep it low-impact, and it's added a fun element to my workout options.

Setting a goal to complete a 5K while pregnant!  At the beginning of this pregnancy, my family all decided to sign up for the Dana Point Turkey Trot 5K and 10K that we could run together over our Thanksgiving family vacation in Newport Beach.  Having set this goal helped me stay motivated to exercise even when I didn't really feel like it.  I was able to maintain a routine of running about twice a week throughout my first and second trimesters.  And, then on Thanksgiving, I completed the race! And, I was able to run about half of it, which was my goal all along.  As happy as I was about being able to run, I was also happy to hang up my running shoes once the race was over until the baby's born :)  Running is just a little too uncomfortable in late second and third trimesters!

Swimming.  Swimming laps in the pool where you don't feel the weight of the baby!  Not much more to say, but I've always enjoyed swimming, and even though my stamina isn't the same as it is when I'm not pregnant, this is one workout where I feel almost like my "normal" un-pregnant self!

Water Aerobics.  Yep, you heard me correctly!  Water aerobics!  News flash, anyone can do water aerobics, even if you're under age 65!!!  And it's fun.  And surprisingly a good workout.  Plus, at least in my experience, going to those classes with all the old-timers can be extremely entertaining!  The old men at my gym that go are seriously funny and they make wise-cracks throughout the entire class.  It's worth experiencing!

What are some of your favorite prenatal workouts???  Don't forget to check out some of my other Bumpin' posts and join the conversations! (here, here, and here)

Bumpin': The Best Baby Products

It's been a while since I've done a Bumpin' post, and now that I'm almost 30 weeks (!), babies and baby supplies are on my mind! I've decided to put together a small list of my very favorite baby products, and then add a few that I'm hoping to get before baby #3 arrives!

Best Baby Products

1. The cutest little teddy bear that my daughter can't sleep without.

2. The best swaddling blankets.

3. A sleep sack so that you don't have to worry about baby kicking off any blankets.

4. The only socks that actually stay on babies' feet!

5. A fan to keep your little one cool in a hot carseat or walking around during the hot summer.

6. The best snot sucker out there. Seriously. This thing is money.

7. A mommy hook that goes on your stroller for your purse, diaper bag, groceries, snack bags, and everything else!

Best Strollers

1. The Maclaren Techno XLR Buggy. Best around-town stroller.

2. The BOB Revolution SE. Best jogger out there. However, if you're only planning on buying one stroller, I would get this one. It works great around town, but it's also all terrain and ideal for walking and running.

*Both offer carseat attachments so that you can use with an infant. Additionally, the Maclaren reclines all the way so that you can strap a baby in lying all the way down.

Baby #3 Wishlist

1. A crib wedge cushion. We currently have a small one that I set in the crib to help with reflux and hiccups, and it works pretty well, but this version seems more effective and safer.

2. An Ergo carrier. We have the Baby Bjorn, but it tends to hurt my back once my babies reach about 12 pounds. We also have the Moby Wrap, and I liked it, but it got a little hot and Clara didn't really like to be in it past the first couple of months. So . . . it's time to try the Ergo!

What are your favorite baby products? Am I forgetting any can't-live-withouts???

Bumpin': It's a Boy!!!

I hope everyone had a Happy Halloween yesterday! In addition to Will's preschool Halloween party, Sonic's 50 cent corn dogs :), and trick or treating, we also had a fun doctor's appointment! Yesterday we had our 20 week ultrasound and anatomy scan, and we are happy to report that everything looks good so far for our baby BOY!!! We are really excited to be having another boy, and if anyone can handle being sandwiched between two brothers, it's Clara! She's a tough little cookie and I'm sure that she's going to just love having two brothers.

After the ultrasound, we decided to get some ice cream to celebrate. And since I haven't been very good about documenting this pregnancy's growing belly, here I am at 20 weeks, feeding my pregnant belly (chocolate peanut butter and mint chocolate chip ice cream--Baskin Robbins two best flavors!!!). 

Bumpin': Cravings During Pregnancy

Aren't pregnancy cravings the weirdest thing? It's like all of a sudden you're pregnant and only the strangest things sound good to you! This pregnancy has been no different, although, now that I'm into my second trimester, most of my cravings are gone. Or I'll have a specific craving that will last until I eat it and then I'll be satisfied. But here are the things I just couldn't get enough of during my first trimester:

I remember one night I just couldn't stop eating carrots and blue cheese dressing. And let me just say that the carrots were more like the dressing to my blue cheese! I ate at least 4 full bowls of carrots that night. And that trend continued for a few weeks. I'm still craving pickles and nice, crunchy apples, and for the last couple of months, if I don't eat Cocoa Krispies for breakfast, it's a guarantee that I'll throw up! Isn't that the strangest thing???

With my first baby I craved french fries, fast food, and all citrus fruits. I was completely averse to any green vegetables and lemongrass and chile just made me sicker than sick! During my second pregnancy, all I wanted was sour gummy candy, pop tarts, and salads! So different from my first! 

What are some of your pregnancy cravings??? I'd love to hear. I think cravings are definitely one of the funniest parts of pregnancy!

Bumpin': My Maternity Wish List

1. Dress 2. Polka Dot Top 3. Harem Pants 4. Nursing Cover 5. Green Dress 6. Peplum Top 

7. Tie Dye Maxi Skirt 8. Grey Maxi Dress

Cute maternity clothes are often hard to come by! Here's my current wish list for this pregnancy. Although, I usually just end up wearing Liz Lange for Target v-neck tee shirts with jeans/yoga pants! What are your favorite things to wear while pregnant???

Bumpin': Baby Names

Naming a baby is probably one of the hardest and most important decisions a couple will make once they find out they're expecting. Don't you think??? According to babynamewizard.com, babynames.com, and nameberry.com, the following are the current most popular names (I only took a few from each list, and more specifically, the names that overlapped on all the websites). What do you think of these popular names? Are any of your kids named one of the below?

My oldest son's name is William, but back in 2009 when he was born, his name wasn't even close to the top of the most popular names lists! It's funny how things change in just a few years. I remember liking several of these names a few years ago, but I have to say I'm somewhat disenchanted by some of them now, but only because of their popularity! Does a name's current popularity lead you more towards choosing that name, or against choosing it???

Peter and I both tend to be drawn to old fashioned names (our kids are Clara and William), and with the upcoming babe, we're thinking along the same lines! Some of the names we've discussed have been Matilda, Norris (both of which I like, but he doesn't. boo.), Molly, Desmond, Hazel, Louisa, Bennett, and Frederick.

What are your current favorite baby names??? I'd love any suggestions to throw in the pot :)

Bumpin'

Yep. I am officially Bumpin' around here. Aka pregnant, preggo, preggers, or with child. And because we are now excitedly expecting our third (!) baby, we'll be starting a new series on the blog: Bumpin'! Here we'll talk about baby names, maternity clothes, baby must-haves, delivery, and anything else baby! And to start you off, here's the picture my husband instagrammed to relay the news to our friends and family that we're expecting:

Modeled after the picture below.  I thought it was pretty clever :)

How did you announce to your friends/family that you were expecting??? (Here and here are a couple of my favorite announcements that I found while searching Pinterest.)

Yay for babies!!! Come back to visit and talk babies with us real soon!