My Last Relaxing Week...Maybe EVER!

One thing I can't say is... "Wow, what a busy week"!  My week has been a lot of things, but exhausting is certainly not one of them.  Since everyone keeps telling me to "rest now while I can", I'm doing just that.  I've also been getting a lot of "your life will never be the same...blah, blah, blah"...I get it!  Point taken people, there is nothing but rest happening on this end believe me!  My days are numbered, I go back to work next Wednesday so I'm trying to soak up every second of relaxation that I can.  Did I mention it's been fabulous?  Thanks for the awesome excuse advice!  There is nothing like justifying sitting around and doing nothing!

It was a struggle keeping up with taking photos since most of my time has been spent on my couch crying over "A Baby Story" and catching up on Long Island Princesses (no judging), but obviously I managed.  Let's take a look at this restful week of mine:
1.  Thank you to my dear friend J-Vrag who recommended the Pandora station "Hip Hop Road Trip Radio"!  I've been listening to it all week, it's better than any scratched up mix cd I have sitting in my car right now.  In fact I'm listening to TLC "No Scrubs" right now as I type this.  Hello, instant good mood!!!
2.  Baby Girl has quite the book collection, so we have been branching out and reading her some new ones.  The books I received from friends and family for my shower have messages in the front covers.  It was great going through all of them and reading their sweet words.  This one is from my parents...or actually "Grandma & Grandpa" -I'll have to get used to calling them that!
3.  I'm a fiend for the passion tea lemonade from Starbucks, and although I've made just the passion tea at home...this was the first time I've ever tried adding lemonade to it.  Not sure why it's taken me this long to try, OR what made me put it in a beer mug...whatever...been drinking these ALL week!
4.  Last night I whipped up a Mediterranean chicken creation, it was insane and YES I'll be sharing the recipe probably one day next week!
5.  It boggles my mind why we don't eat down by the pool more often.  We packed up our pulled pork and sweet potato fries the other night, had a lovely poolside dinner and then went night swimming.  I am having difficulty sitting on the floor and eating dinner at my coffee table anyway, so it was especially nice to sit in a chair.  (Yes, I have a dining room table...but right now it is home to "Operation Thank You Cards").

Linking up...

Make it the best Friday!!!  XO

*Don't forget to ask your guy these 5 questions, and link-up with us for "The Boys Behind The Blog" on Thursday, 7/18!!!

Guest Posting @ Rainbows & Honeysuckle {Summer Hot Dogs}

I've got to admit, even looking at this photo at 6 in the morning...I'm still thinking "YUMMO"!  Today I'm guest posting this scrumptious recipe over at Rainbows & Honeysuckle.  Many thanks to the wonderful Chloe for having me on her page today!  She is especially awesome for putting up with me and the 9 different versions of HTML that I sent her.  It's all good now, so head on over and check out this twist on a summer classic.  Spice up your next BBQ, and don't forget to pin the recipe!

31 Week Bumpdate

At 31 weeks, my app says our sweet little peanut is still the size of a mysterious head of lettuce.  I've decided I do not like this vague comparison at all...so I found another website that says at 31 weeks she is the size of a pineapple!  MUCH tastier better!

This past weekend, I rocked Disney like a boss!  Leading up to the weekend I was a little nervous about how I would hold up with all the walking, and the extreme heat.  Luckily the humidity wasn't a major issue (how rare for July in Florida).  I threw my hair up, and wore as little clothes as would be publicly acceptable.  Yes, by the end of the day I was completely shot and could barely move....but I made it!  It's kind of how things have been going anyway, I seem to lose steam by the end of the day even if I am barely doing anything.

I've gained 27 pounds which is where my doctor told me he would like to see me for total weight gain for the entire pregnancy.  I knew when he told me this 6 weeks ago that there was just NO way!  My last few doctors visits have been with my midwife...and she is more than pleased with how I've been progressing so if she is not concerned, then neither am I!  Besides, I've been kicking #NOtivation in the butt, I am going to try to stick it out from this point on.  There are no vacations coming up, and I'm going back to work next week so it shouldn't be too hard to stay on the right track.

I've been sleeping well, but can't seem to get enough.  Since I'm not really a "napper", it's a lot of work to turn my brain off during the day and just relax.  It's also hard because she is just kicking away, it's pretty much non-stop.  Everyday I try to nap...finally I had success yesterday and it was the best nap of my life!  Maybe napping could be my "new thing" (at least for the next week).

I also want to add that pregnancy brain IS a real thing!!!!  It's science, they have a name for it...it's called "Momnesia".  There is no other way to describe the disaster that became of my guest post that will be live tomorrow morning.  It's perfectly fine now (I think)...and I'm okay I swear!

{via}

My emotions are also a disaster!  I think by watching "A Baby Story" every day, I'm only setting myself up for a sob-fest.  Speaking of...I've got quite a few episodes built up on the DVR that I'm going to watch now.  I'll get the tissues....

Happy "Bump" Day!!!!

Curing #NOtivation - Fabulous Fitness Survey

In an effort to help cure #NOtivation (a lack of motivation), I am linking up with Mallory, Hallie and Nikki and answering this FABULOUS fitness survey!

1. What did you eat for breakfast?
I've been having a two part breakfast every day.  So far today (about an hour ago), I had a granola bar and a banana.  At around 10:00 I will have a greek yogurt and a slice of ezekiel toast with almond butter.  Spacing my meals apart in smaller portions has been helping ever since I've been pregnant.  This especially has been helping because I am ALWAYS hungry, and I fill up pretty quickly.  I know "they" say you should eat smaller portions, more frequently throughout the day.  I may try to continue this after Baby gets here.... there may be no choice in the matter anyway from what everyone is telling me!

2. How much water do you drink a day?  
Usually I try to have about 4 or 5 bottles of water each day.

3. What is your current favorite workout?
Right now I am limited, so I've been sticking with yoga, walking, and very low intensity interval training.

4. How many calories do you eat a day?
Wow, I have no idea...I tend not to measure my calories.  This tends to drive me insane, and has never worked for me in the past.  I'm not really trying to lose weight, so I'm just making sure that I am eating nutritious foods in reasonable portions and drinking lots of water.

5. What are your favorite healthy snacks?
Fruit...especially ice cold cantaloupe and watermelon!  I also love veggies with hummus!

6. What do you usually eat for lunch?
Lately, I've been mixing it up with lots of different salads.  My current favorite has been spring mix with golden raisins, berries, nuts, and a homemade raspberry vinaigrette.  I also like Morningstar Veggie Burgers.  I don't need a bun, but sometimes I put it on a whole wheat sandwich thin.

7. What is your favorite body part to strength train?
It used to be my abs, but now it's been my arms and butt.  In a few months I will be back at it in the ab department I'm sure!

8. What is your least favorite body part to strength train?
Legs -for some reason I tend to neglect them.  My thinking is that once I started running, legs were automatically covered!  Now that I'm only walking, they are being neglected again.

9. What are your “bad” food cravings?
Cheese, and usually anything salty!  Chips and salsa, which doesn't have to be unhealthy if I could control myself...but since I don't know when to quit, it is usually a problem!

10. Do you take vitamins or supplements?
Pre-natal vitamins for me!

11. How often do you eat out?
Hmmm.... I'd say on average once a week.

12. Do you eat fast food?
Not typically - but I have had my moments.  When I first got pregnant I suppose I was "craving" fast food, and went through a phase where I was having it about 3 times per week!  I also felt disgusting, and knew I was making poor choices so eventually I snapped out of it.  This isn't to say that I NEVER have it.  I do try to avoid it whenever possible.  I could definitely live without it, however my one weakness is Taco Bell.

13. Who is your biggest supporter?
My hubs is so supportive, and encouraging!  He never complains about having the healthy stuff in the house, or about the super low calorie dishes that I sometimes end up making for dinner.  He knows the deal.  It is not unusual for us to be watching a movie, and me suddenly get up and start lifting weights or doing wall push ups out of the blue.  It doesn't phase him anymore (when we first moved in together he would laugh).

14. Do you have a gym membership?
No, my apartment complex has a gym...it's dinky but gets the job done!

15. How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
When I am working, I get about 7...but since I'm on summer vacay it's been about 8-9.

16. Do you have a “cheat” day?
I do have cheat days, but I don't set out to say "this is my cheat day".  Usually on the weekends I am just a little more lax.

17. Do you drink alcohol?
Used to...I miss a nice glass of wine on a Sunday while cooking dinner the most!

18. Do you have a workout buddy?
Nope, it's just me.  I like it better that way anyway.  No one lives by me anyway, so IF someone did it would be nice...but I'm fine with just blasting my music and doing my own thing.

19. What is the best thing that has changed about your life since committing to a healthy lifestyle?
Obviously it was nice having my clothes fit me better, and feel more comfortable about my body.  Increased energy, and far less stomach aches have been a major bonus as well!

20. What was the last healthy thing you did?
Last night, I stretched for about 20 minutes before bed.  This has been helping me fall asleep faster, have less cramping in my legs, and ease my aches and pains.  It's not a magical cure, but it sure does help!

That was fun!  Now I guess this is the part where I get out of bed, and work on my fitness?!?  I'm on it! 

What's cooking this week & Our Disney Weekend

It was an eventful weekend, and before I get into any of it I must deliver on my promise!  It's been a while, but of course I am back at it!  Here is what's cooking this week...

Tonight:  Broccoli Pasta With Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Parmesan
Tuesday:  Taco Tuesday (it's been too long)
Wednesday:  The Easiest, Most Delicious Pulled Pork EVER
Thursday:  Mediterranean Pasta Bake (my own creation - if it's good, you know I'll be sharing it)
Friday:  Loaded Veggie Pizza

Whoa Baby, you were warned that it was an eventful one!  The sister-in-law, and her whole crew were in town and it was a blast!  We did what we do best....crash their Disney family vacation, and they did not seem to mind a bit!

On Saturday, we planned to meet up with them at the Magic Kingdom and surprise these three adorable nephews of ours.  As you know, I am nearly 8 months pregnant and wasn't messing around with the heat so the hair went up in this funky bobby-pinned mess (SO glad I did that)!  Of course the boys were psyched to see us and I snapped this pic of them with Uncle Steve right away.  Little Zach was excited too, once he woke up from his nap.  We had a great time, went on some rides, and met lots of characters at the buffet dinner.  The boys got so excited over seeing the Winnie the Pooh characters, I loved watching their eyes light up as they came around.  This whole "Mom" thing is going to be fun, isn't it?!?

They were all staying at the Art of Animation Resort.  We were unable to get a reservation there, so we stayed at the Hilton up the road...no big deal, we met up with them around noon the next day after they spent their morning in Epcot.  This resort is unbelievable!!!  Every single possible finishing touch was put into every detail.  There is something amazing everywhere you look.  They stayed in the "Cars" section, and I got the biggest kick out of the traffic cone lamps, curtains, and even carpet.  We spent the afternoon at the pool, which of course had a "Finding Nemo" theme (I think I am in the mood to watch that movie today).  Jake and Ryan used "the force" to open ever single automatic door, as well as the elevators.  It was all very entertaining and dramatic!  Needless to say, our "goodbye" was bittersweet.  Not only was it sad to leave, but this was the last official family goodbye (out of all of the NY family at least) before Baby Girl gets here.  It's another one of those milestones that makes us realize just how close it is all getting.

It truly was a wonderful weekend, we all had a blast.  Stephen and I feel so lucky to live so close that we are able to do this!  Did you all do anything fun this weekend, or were you still pooped from the Fourth of July festivities?

Linking up: