Our First Picture

Looking through my camera today I came across one of me and baby boys first pictures. This was right after our first ultrasound. It was so awesome to see the heartbeat even though we didn't get to hear it. Completely Life Changing. Little did I realize just how much more amazing these visits would get. Seeing your little hands and feet ugh about kill me!

I can't believe how time has flown and so soon we will be kissing on our sweet lil baby love.

Positive Vibes

So being that this is my first pregnancy there are some things that I have learned along the way. (and I am sure I will learn so much more) So numbero uno-- cliche-- but Attitude is Everything.

My mom told me when I first got pregnant "Honey brace yourself for the baby stories. I swear women try to out-beat each other on the drama/hardships of pregnancy and motherhood. Remember the blessing and miracle that Got has given you and you will be fine." Little did I know how true this statement was. As time went on sure enough momma was right.-sigh- but isn't she always.

One of my dear friends had what I would consider a very hard pregnancy. From hardships getting pregnant to intense testing for diabetes, which she didn't have. To finish the journey...21 hours of labor followed by an impromptu C-section (which her recounts of the C-section were not so great.) Just as she was finishing the last sentence of her birth story she said to me, "You know what Julie, it might not have been ideal but I am thankful for this blessing and wouldn't change anything. The whole journey was such a blessing." This was one day after her delivery so the pain was very fresh on her mind.

What a great attitude to have! A girl that let me tell you is completely scared of needles and blood with such a great outlook. This got me thinking why do women take such a negative outlook on pregnancy and sometimes motherhood and how can we change this?

I truly feel that it is a change of mind and heart. What a great blessing the Lord has given each of us, let's celebrate it and look at the glass half full ;)

"Remember the blessing and miracle that God has given you."

Fight For Your Body

Whew thank goodness the Lord gives us a breather during our second trimester. The first trimester is such a hard break. I have been extremely lucky to not have any morning sickness but exhaustion--check. Working full time and being pregnant is a hard gig in the first trimester.  I would literally come home from work and sit on the couch and not leave. period.

Let me preface this by saying I am not the most toned person and I don't have a perfect body but I have always been someone who loved (most days) to workout. You can't beat the mental and physical strength that it offers. So when this exhaustion hit it was extremely hard for me to give up...but I did just for a bit. Once I got out of that funk I said "I am not letting this 9 months dictate how my body is going to be."

Now I understand that changes are happening...my hips and butt have definitely grown (as my husband sings I like big butts and I can not lie...) so sweet. sigh- and maybe those won't go back completely...but why do I have to give up all my hard work just because I want a child. Nope. Not giving into it. I am fighting for my body to bounce back. I thougtht I could share what I have been doing. (and hopefully when/if baby #2 happens this will give me some inspiration for that pregnancy)

You know post pregnancy this probably wouldn't have been my cup of tea. Not enough cardio or sweat in the mix...but during pregnancy this has been great at toning my arms and lifting my big bootie. I usually do this two to three times a week. 

{find it here}

I used to run on the treadmill and then every now and again switch it up with the elliptical. Now I find with my balance a little off this seems to be a great option. I try and do this two to three times a week for 30 minutes. I pick a program that goes from hills to flats so I can get my heartbeat up and work those legs. Another great perk is that I can watch my heart rate easily. Which to me is a great workout tool.

I needed something that was really going to work my legs. I decided to look on pinterest and I ended up with my own little workout. I try to mix this in a couple days a week but let's be honest sometimes only once. See below:

So I guess it is only fair that I share a workout pregnancy pic. Not that I want to but I guess I should. Side note these bottoms are awesome and cheap link below.  See below this is from a couple days ago 24 months:

{top} {bottoms}