today's inspiration

Happy Hump Day Friends! What's inspiring you today? The upcoming long weekend is giving me all sorts of inspiration and here are a few images to get you through the work week. The last one is my favourite. I think I need to get that in print form for the nursery. Enjoy!

pregnancy // 27.5 weeks ... where is the time going?

I'm at about 27.5 weeks in my pregnancy now and I cannot believe how fast the time has gone. Each day has been a battle but when you string all those days together, I am shocked that we only have about 3 months to go! 

This pregnancy journey has taught me so much already - and surprised me a lot too.

• I actually thought morning sickness meant I would throw up in the morning and get on with my day.
• Reality: I was sick for about 18 weeks and then heartburn set in. Now morning sickness and heartburn are controlled by medications but my body feels like it has been hit by a bus every single morning. Oh well - as my husband would say - suck it up buttercup, you are creating life!
• I so thought I would blog every day about pregnancy and baby related topics 
• Reality: I barely find time to blog. At all. Ever. About anything.
• I thought I would keep a pregnancy journal.
• Reality: I do keep a regular journal on my iPhone through the Wonderful Days app so I have been keeping some pregnancy related notes there but have I filled up any of the beautiful journals that my friends passed on to me? No. Couldn't even think about it for the first little bit and now I am too far gone - 3rd Trimester hardly seems the time to start :)
• I thought I would spend more time with my fellow pregnant mom-to-be friends.
• Reality: I have barely seen them since I found out they too are pregnant.
• I thought I would embrace my pregnant body and buy the cutest maternity clothes.
• Reality: I actually feel much better in my body now that I have a belly than I did when I just felt sick and "mushy". But maternity clothes are expensive. And bras? Come on now - if I wanted to wear the "proper" size bra at all times during my pregnancy, I would probably be buying a new bra every month. I am living on these right now: Bra Extenders.
• I thought we would have the nursery done by now.
• Reality: Chad finished the painting and wallpapering this weekend but we still need to load in the furniture, build some of the furniture, put up some pictures, bring over a rocking chair from Chad's mom's place, etc. etc. etc.
• I thought I would exercise more.
• Reality: By the time I get home from work I am lucky if I do my 20 minute walk around the block. I still have my list of prenatal yoga classes that I was so excited to sign up for. Maybe next time ... or mom and tot classes perhaps? :)
• And the list goes on and on and on ... 

So - to say my pregnancy journey hasn't exactly gone the way I thought I would is a MAJOR understatement. But would I trade it for a different experience? Nope - this is our journey - our path to meeting our baby girl. I said to Chad last night, "Maybe this means we will be better prepared for number two or number three." I think I gave him a mild heart attack :) 

lately ... sunday movie night

I know, I know - I am a bit behind the ball when it comes to my movie choices but Chad always brings home random DVDs from his buddies at work and "Expendables 2" just happened to be in the pile I picked up last night. Have you see this? Yes - the first and second are horrible movies but the cast is phenomenal - can you imagine being in charge of wrangling up all those guys to be in the same place at the same time? And the writers - with lines like "I'll be back," says Arnold Schwarzenegger. "No, you've already been back, I'll be back this time," said Bruce Willis. You just have to laugh.

Okay - maybe my pregnancy is making me a bit nutty but if you want to impress your man and have a few laughs (and stare at Jason Statham - which I could do all day long by the way) then toss "Expendables" one or two in the old DVD player.

And just for my lovely lady friends ...

a special BIG edition of today's inspiration

I did really great last week. Wrote at least 1 post per day. Felt amazing. This week has left me a bit frazzled though.

I am starting to get anxious about my mat leave (getting everything done that I can and then leaving what I can't behind in an orderly fashion and in the right hangs), the nursery (my husband has decided to go with a Tinkerbell theme which I think is adorable because he is excited about it but the walls are still bare and the furniture is still not put together. I know, I know - I have time but the nesting vibe is kicking in big time and I really want to start putting stuff in its place) and about what will come after our baby girl is born. Money, bills, stuff, clothes, expenses, budgets, money ... did I mention money?! Ha ha - I know, the usual worries but they seem to be compounding in my head this week and I don't seem to have enough hours (or energy) in the day to worry about it enough.

I just need to sit back, relax and put my feet up (because I have officially lost my ankles and cannot wear my wedding ring anymore - oy). Hopefully this list of beautiful inspiration will help you relax and have a better day too!

Happy Thursday Friends! xo

today's inspiration

What's inspiring you as you move into a new week?

LOUD talker?

When I was little and started talking, my parents quickly new that something wasn't quite right. I couldn't pronounce certain letters properly - pillow would be piwwow.

This puzzled them and my teachers because I was a pretty bright kid - made friends easy, learned things quickly and adapted easily. So what was going on?

Turns out that back then (I was born in 1979) they didn't do hearing tests on a regular basis or assume to check the ears like they would now if a child has development issues. 

Turns out I was born with a hearing problem that took a while for my parents to realize because it wasn't obvious until I started speaking. 

A simple procedure - tubes in my ears (wasn't so bad - I got a Popsicle after all - and a summer of wearing ear plugs every time I went swimming in the tub, and I was good as new - could say pillow with the best of them!

Now - at 34 years old - I often have people tell me that I'm a loud talker. I catch myself all the time. Even my mom and my husband ask me on a regular basis why I'm shouting. Um - hello - you of all people should make the connection. 

Moral of the story is: don't judge. You have no clue why someone is the way they are or what their whole story is. No, talking loud isn't a huge deal or something that impairs my life in any way but there is a reason for it. If you know the story, just let it be. 

Yes - I'm a loud talker and baby I was born this way! :)

i'm terrified of not changing

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Since finding out that I was pregnant, my anxiety (I have a mild form of GAD) has actually lessened overall. I suddenly knew that things were beyond my control and I just had to let go and let nature take over.

I was on a medication to help and was very anxious to stop taking it because I knew the difference between how I felt when I was on it and when I wasn't. Go figure - going off anxiety meds caused me extra anxiety! :) I weaned myself off and feel great - haven't looked back

I've worried a lot about what will happen with my job when I go on maternity leave but have come to the realization that I am not the boss and if I'm not there, I can't control what goes on. I will have a job to come back to and I am very grateful for that. 

I let go of some things that I know people who are close to me will be surprised about. The baby's name for example - leaving that up to my hubby. I know he wouldn't choose anything I don't like but he is driving that bus for sure.

Yes - I am a control freak by nature - overly organized and anal. But this new experience - being pregnant - had already taught me so much. I can't control other people, I can't get frustrated because things don't go exactly the way I wanted them too or planned them to go and I need to really focus on the here and now. It's cliche but it truly is the only time we have and days and weeks and months seem to fly by in a blink of an eye. I want to truly treasure these moments (as I write this I am sitting in a BCBiomedical lab waiting to take my glucose test and even though I'm not looking forward to it, I'm here - in the moment).

I still have my lists and have signed up for all the classes - prenatal, hospital tour, birth and delivery and breast feeding. I'm not going to change completely who I am but I know I am moving into a better direction. Basically - I'm growing up!

But this is where my fear of NOT changing comes in. The small changes that I've already experienced are awesome and amazing. I want to continue to see these changes evolve in myself but what if they don't? They say this journey of pregnancy and motherhood is supposed to be a magical experience - one that changes you as a woman for the better. Transforms you into a better person, a better human being. But as I look around, I see so many examples of woman who are exactly the same as they were before they had children. I cannot judge what they see from their point-of-view or from the inside but I see so many selfish, ignorant, lazy, boring woman. It's just a fact. 

I am not saying that these women are not good mothers by any means because they are - they are great mothers, amazing friends, supportive family members and smart business women. But have I seen a change for the better in them? Not really from my vantage point.

Will motherhood make me a better person? I know it already has hope that as I go along this road, I will gain new perspectives, kindness, patience and humility. I guess from my experience I can't expect others to see but I look forward to seeing those changes within myself. Normally people are afraid of change - it's human nature - but for this next stage of my life, I am afraid of not changing. Bring on the change baby girl ... momma is ready!

What was/is your biggest fear with your first pregnancy? 

fear of the phone?!

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Ever since I was little, I have hated talking on the phone. Even before technology evolved into pagers and emailing and then text messaging (so grateful for these changes) I didn't enjoy the telephone. 

I remember dreading it when I was at my grandma's and she would get a call from a friend or family member and she would say, "Come here Jaclyn, someone wants to talk to you!" What the hell was I going to say to this person who I couldn't even remember really because they were my 2nd cousin twice removed?! 

I've mentioned in previous posts that I have issues with anxiety so I know this is where the fear stems from but throughout college and into my working career, it was definitely an issue for me. 

Over the years it has gotten better for sure but I have always much preferred emailing or texting over actually talking on the phone. I'm an event organizer so lucky for me, email works really well for me because I can keep a paper trail of what people promise me and what I commit myself to. 

It was a random moment last week that I realized that I am cured!! Ha ha - not medically or technically - but when I'm given a task at work that involves a lot of phoning, I tend to procrastinate. This time, however, I was given the task of phoning about 100 people and started it right away, flew through it and then realized part way through that it was no big deal.

I still prefer the writing over the spoken. I hate talking to people on the phone who tend to speak at the same time as you do and the conversation becomes seriously disjointed and hard to follow. But do I have telephone phobia? Not anymore, that's for sure.

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Telephone phobiaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Telephone phobia (telephonophobia, telephobia) is reluctance or fear of making or taking phone calls, literally, "fear oftelephone".^[1] Telephone phobia is also considered to be a type of social phobia or social anxiety problem.^[1] It is often compared to the fear of public speaking, in that both require engaging with an audience to a certain extent, followed by the fear of being criticized,judged or made a fool of. ^[2]As is common with various fears and phobias, there is a wide spectrum of severity of the fear of phone conversations and the corresponding difficulties.^[1] In 1993 it was reported that about 2.5 million people in Great Britain have telephone phobia.^[3] The term Telephone Apprehension refers to a lower degree of telephone phobia, where it is the anxiety derived from telephones, but less severe than that of an actual phobia.^[4] These people may have no problem communicating face to face, but have difficulty doing so over the telephone.

today's inspiration

What's inspiring you this week?

pregnancy = crazy?

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My friend emailed me this article recently: The 10 Worst Things About Being Married to a Pregnant Woman. Some of it definitely hit home but for the most part, I have been pretty sane during my pregnancy. 

I have had two or three "melt-downs" and my husband (who is not known as the most patient person in the world) has dealt with them like a champ. One was over the paint colour for the nursery and the second was over a diaper garbage can discussion. Both were in public places. Um - yes, they were. 

Twice I have just felt so tired and overwhelmed, I just started crying for no reason. My husband wasn't able to help me with these episodes but all I really needed was a nap :)

I haven't had any cravings but I have a ton of other symptoms: exhaustion, swollen feet, heartburn, morning sickness, bad taste in my mouth always and excessive weight gain. 

Now let me tell you - the last one is by far my least favourite. And I am about to open a serious case of pregnancy cray cray on the next person who points out how much weight I have gained. People tend to mention it. All. The. Time. People close to me (family members and family friends) as well as people outside of my inner circle (a lady I come into contact with through work asked me the other day if I am sure that there is only one baby in my tummy). Um - yes - bitch, I am sure. Really people? No wonder Kim Kardashian has issues! I am eating as healthy as I can given my extensive morning sickness and heartburn issues so lay off. 

Who wants to mess with a pregnant woman anyways - crazy or not?! :)

Were you crazy during your pregnancy? Any odd or out of the blue symptoms that threatened to take you to crazy town?

blogging resources

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Have you established a blog or are you just in the process of starting one? Check out these resources to either help you get going or to keep your current efforts on track!

• Blogging: Part 1 // starting a blog
• Blogging: Part 2 // growing your blog
• Blogging Part 3 // maintaining your blog
• 20 Free Printable Blog Planners
• Some Bloggity Blog Chit Chat
• The Truths About Blogging

pregnancy reading

The number one most common piece of advice I got from people when I started telling them I was pregnant was to not read anything about pregnancy or delivery. To just go with the flow and not get overwhelmed with the crazy amount of information out there. Listen to your doctor and talk to your husband. Case closed.

Well - if you know me - I like to be educated and believe that knowledge is power so the first thing I did was download an app on my phone (okay - so I downloaded about 8 apps) and picked up some literature. Oh - and I ask my doctor about a million questions at each of my monthly visits. 

Below is a brief list of resources I have consulted and taken notes from so far. I am 24 weeks pregnant so have about 4 months to really get prepared. We are registered for the hospital tour, prenatal classes and a labour and delivery class. Breastfeeding class still to be scheduled. Hey - I'm a first time mom and like I said, knowledge is power and this momma-to-be is going to be ready. Until Baby Girl comes and then it will all go out the window but the information is keeping my anxiety at ease ... for now :) 

What literature or tools would you recommend for first time moms?

Fraser Health Best Beginnings Website

The Best Chance Website

mommy iq

Got a copy of Baby's Best Chance during my first doctor appointment when I found out officially that I was pregnant. Used the book as part of my props for telling my husband I was pregnant too :) You can download a copy HERE.

what to expect app

baby center app

fashion!??

I read this article this morning and I was basically jumping up and down with excitement - someone else gets it! I have mentioned in a previous post that I am so not a fashionista - I go for value and comfort over anything else. But even I, in my limited fashion wisdom, know when a trend should not be followed and when something just does not look good. Just because "someone" tells you it is "in season" does not mean that you should wear it: a) everyone's body is completely different and therefore, clothes fit everyone differently and b) designers sometimes design their "trends" a year in advance so just because they say it is, doesn't mean it is. Just saying.

friday faux paw

1. Yes over sized big, round sunglasses make you look like a bug. They make EVERYONE look like a bug. See photo and article above for proof.
2. No skinny jeans probably don't look good on you. I have only seen skinny jeans look really good on - well - skinny girls and most of us, are not that skinny. As my girl Mel of Vancity Voicebox says, she is happy to see the flare is coming back because the skinny jeans just don't suit everyone (I couldn't find the exact post so I am paraphrasing but I remember I was screaming YES - SHE GETS IT - in my head when I read it). She has style for days even though she calls herself a "boring fashionista". You should definitely follow her blog! Oh - and if you need any tips on a delicious beverage to try, she is your lady!
3. High wasted shorts seem to be the "in" thing this summer. I have had two men in my life say that they look horrible and make no sense to them. Not that I am saying that you need to dress for a man but if they can figure out what looks okay on a woman and what doesn't, why can't we?
4. Calling all little girls. I mean young ladies from the age of 10 to say, I don't know, 100. Put. Some. Clothes. On. Yes it is the summer and yes it is hot but that is no reason to go around half naked. No matter how in shape you are, no one wants to see it. Trust me. And if this baby in my belly thinks that one day she is going to get away with wearing shorts (even athletic shorts) that show part of her butt cheek? Baby girl has another thing coming from mommy and daddy! Why would anyone want their 12-year-old behind to be showing in this day and age?!

I think when it comes to fashion, a little common sense goes a long way don't you?

my favourite beauty product

Prime Time Eyelid Primer by bareMinerals is by far my favourite beauty product right now. I have used their regular formula for a while now and it is AMAZING! My eye shadow never smudges, gets oily or stuck in the crease if I use this product first. My eye makeup lasts all day long without any worries. 

I am an Event Coordinator so I am often working a full work day before heading to an event and I never have to touch up my eye make-up. 

I just ordered the Prime Time Brightening Eyelid Primer in Pearl from Sephora and I cannot wait to try it out. Hoping it is enough colour that I can just wear it on a hot summer day! And the best part? What it is formulated without:

• Parabens
• Sulfates
• Synthetic Fragrances
• Synthetic Dyes
• Petrochemicals
• Phthalates

What's your favourite beauty product of the moment?

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today's inspiration

Back in full swing after a wonderful long Canada Day weekend. Feeling a little inspired this week!

What's inspiring you this short work week?

thank goodness for long weekends

I NEEDED this long weekend. I'm so grateful for an extra day tomorrow. Baby is growing and perfect and healthy, but momma still isn't feeling super awesome. I have such great intentions when I wake up each morning but I realize really quickly that I can't accomplish near what I set out to do. This weekend is hella hot and I love the sun but am so grateful for air conditioning and for my husband for setting up our mini pool in the backyard. Both are lifesavers this Canada Day long weekend! Oh - and Lexxus is pretty grateful too :)