Christmas Fun 2015

What a wonderful Christmas we had!  It was very relaxing to not have to go anywhere this Christmas, but sad too because we love all the family time!  This year since I'm decently far along with #3 we decided to take it easy and stay at home.  We started a few Christmas traditions of our own in the past few years so it was nice to be able to continue them and add to them potentially too!

For the past few weeks, I have been making a pinata for the kids.  It was a tradition when I was growing up, and I really thought it would be fun to continue it as well.  Grandma has been the one to make the pinata for the past 3 years, but since she wasn't going to be here over Christmas I decided to do one myself.  I remember helping my mom put the newspaper on our pinata when we were little, so that part of it wasn't new to me.  The actual decorating of the pinata and stuffing it with goodies was new though.  I decided to start easy by making a Christmas tree.

Here it is from start to finish.  Now that I've had time to think about it, I think I would have done some things differently artistically.  But now I know so that next year maybe I will be more creative and stuff.  I felt a little bit rushed this year too.  The kids didn't seem to mind though...

Alyssa was so into it this year, it was a lot of fun to watch.  Once Luke saw what Alyssa was up to he wanted to get involved too.  Although once Alyssa smacked a hole in it, he wanted no part in hurting the poor Christmas tree.  He wouldn't go near it and he was very sad.  So Alyssa had to take charge and get the candy and toys out.  Luke liked it once all the stuff was out though.

We also got an ice cream machine as a gift from Brett's parents.  Since when it came to our house it said Ice Cream Maker all over the box, we just didn't bother wrapping it and decided we would use it on Christmas Eve.  We got everything out and ready to go.  The kids were VERY excited to eat ice cream.

They watched it go around and around for a long time actually.  Then we got to enjoy the fruits of our labor, and boy was it good.  We decided for our first try we would go with the standard vanilla.

While the ice cream was being made, we did one of the new traditions that I started for the kids last year, a Christmas Scavenger Hunt.  My kids LOVE scavenger hunts.  I have to make them up for them all the time.  So, last year I decided to incorporate one into Christmas.  This year, I focused on the main characters in the Disney movie Prep and Landing.  If you've never seen them, they're pretty cute.  Anyway, at the end of the hunt they get new Christmas pajamas.

I figured they could kind of match while they still don't know any different :)

Those are some of the fun things we did over our four day weekend.  It was an action packed weekend of fun with my family.  I loved getting all the snuggles, and enjoying the happiness of the season.  We definitely are blessed.

Baby Bump - 33 weeks

Here we are again.  Another couple of weeks have passed us by already.  I'm am no happily at 33 weeks pregnant with #3.  It's going pretty well most of the time, so I honestly have nothing at all to complain about...except that my shirts aren't covering my bump exactly how I would like them to :) I also got my hair chopped off in all the commotion.  I think I'm liking it so far, but It's only been a couple of weeks now so I'm still figuring it all out.

32 weeks with #3; 33 weeks with #3

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and things are still going really well.  Everything is measuring right on track, and #3's heart rate was at 144.  At the time it had the hiccups, so lots of moving around. I go back again in another couple of weeks to get checked once again.  Then I think we're moving to every week appointments.  We are getting so close!



How I'm Feeling: So I went to the physical trainer and over the past couple of weeks my hip pain as almost gone away entirely!  It makes me so excited because it was pretty unbearable at times.  With the hip pains under control, I feel like a whole new person.  Now it's just a matter of getting out of certain chairs that I can get stuck in if I get in them too far.  Things are getting real!

Sleep:  I've been having a little bit more problems with sleep.  I'm still generally comfortable, but I've been having really weird and scary dreams lately.  They don't help much when you're trying to sleep and you keep waking up because you need to get out of the dream that you're in.  Then the uncomfortable flipping over when sleeping has definitely happened.  I am trying really hard to roll around me because if hurts so bad when I stretch a ligament in the middle of the night.  It just ends everything and you have to lay there for a few minutes in pain.  Needless to say, I'm mastering the skill of rolling slowly now.  Most of the time I just want to move and go back to sleep though.

Movement:  SO MUCH MOVEMENT!  This baby is always kicking/punching/head butting something.  I am pretty sure its still been moving all over the place, so I've been really anxious about it getting into position.  I believe we are starting to spend more time there, but sometimes I still don't know what it is I'm feeling.  That's probably half my problem.  So when I go back to the doctor in a couple of weeks, he's going to check the position.

Food Cravings:  Still all of the holiday goodies.  I just can't help myself.  Not that this is really abnormal though.  I love Christmas because of all the baking and goodies.  Who doesn't?  So I'm saying this is just normal, not really a craving.

Maternity Clothes: As discussed earlier, my shirts are starting to not cover my bump.  I think I have a handful of them that do, so it looks like we'll be starting a rotation of shirts.  It kind of pains me to wear the same things every weeks, but at the same time it makes it so that there is less for me to have to think about when putting clothes on.  I'm going to have so many options once this baby is out!

What are you looking forward to:  I am looking forward to celebrating Christmas with my two kiddos, because once that is over nesting is coming out in full force!  I am so ready for January to get here and to get things ready for baby.  I'm not exactly sure where I'm going to be putting everything...our house just seems to get smaller and smaller...but I'm going to make it work!  I'll share more on that later I'm sure.

Now what you've all been waiting for ;)  my comparison picture of my belly with Luke at 33 weeks and my belly currently at 33 weeks.  I just love seeing these pictures because it makes me question what this baby is! Do you have a guess?  Go put your guesses in on my baby pool!

33 weeks with Luke; 33 weeks with Baby #3

Christmas Cookies

For most of my adult life I have not enjoyed baking or cooking at all, for any reason.  I just do it when I have to to feed myself or my family.  Growing up, my Mom ALWAYS baked.  It's kind of her thing.  We were always helping her...and of course eating a lot of cookie dough.  :)

Well, for some reason this year I am SO all about baking!  Every weekend since Thanksgiving the kids and I have baked something to get ready for Christmas.  It's been so much fun especially now that Alyssa is old enough to really truly help me with things.  She's a little budding baker that's for sure!  

I think so far we have made about 6 different batches of cookies or candy, and we still have a couple of things left to do this coming weekend!  

We've made:

• Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookies
• Brownie Cookies
• Chocolate Chip cookies with Andes mints 
• Pretzel M&M Kisses
• Sugar Cookies
• Russian Tea Cakes

And I feel like I'm missing something...oh well.

Alyssa has helped with every single batch, and the boys have been our official "taste testers"! They're enjoying their holiday titles.  

Here are just a couple of the cookies we have been making. 

 I'm excited to be able to put an assortment on a plate or in a tin and gift them as holiday presents for people just like my Mom has always done.  

Luke has even gotten in on a little bit of the action, although he doesn't have the patience that Alyssa has.  He just keeps saying "taste, taste"!  I don't blame him though I want to taste everything too!

We also got in some time to build and decorate gingerbread houses.  Alyssa has been wanting to do it since way before Thanksgiving.  Once I finally said yes, she could barely stand it!  So I got a great box from Bed Bath and Beyond that actually had 5 little houses in it.  I thought what a great idea since I know the kids aren't going to want to share.  

I think they turned out pretty cute!  Alyssa was really into decorating and Luke....well he was really into just eating things off of his gingerbread house.

So on the agenda for this weekend: 

• Make fudge (this is a definite must because it's a favorite)
• Make Chex mix (this is definitely for the husband, he LOVES this stuff)
• Get my plates/tins put together for distribution.  

I just can't believe how close it is to Christmas already!  I feel like I have so much to do still!  Wish me luck!

Baby Bump - 31 weeks

I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is going by!  I'm officially 31 weeks pregnant today.  I definitely waited a while to do an update this time.  With the holidays and everything coming up, there have been so many distracting things on my list of to dos.  We are getting so close!  Only 9 weeks left!!!  Single digits!

28 weeks to 31 weeks progression photos

I don't feel like I have grown a ton in the past 4 weeks though.  I did a comparison pictures last week (at 30 weeks) of my bump with Luke and my bump with #3.  I think my bumps are definitely different in these pictures.  My bump with Luke appears to be a little bit more pointy, and this bump seems to be VERY round.  I'm actually shocked how round it appears!  

Bump with Luke @ 30 weeks; Bump with #3 @ 30 weeks

But then I did a comparison from this week at 31 weeks and I don't see the same differences.  Maybe Luke was sitting really funny in there that day.  Who knows.  It could probably be a lot of things, like the clothes that i'm wearing, the angle of the picture...anything.  Now for how I've been feeling over these past four weeks.

31 weeks with Luke; 31 weeks with #3

How I'm Feeling: Over the past 4 weeks I have really started to feel more pregnant.  I would say that up until now this pregnancy has been pretty easy.  It's been harder to move around, get up from the couch and get out of bed.  The kids have been really helpful though, and are learning a little bit of responsibility :)

I've been having a lot of hip pain, so my OB referred me to a physical therapist.  I have my first appointment on Thursday, so hopefully that helps me feel a bit better and maybe even have better movement myself.

Sleep:  Sleep surprisingly has still been ok, as long as the kids that are already in the house aren't coming to find me in the middle of my sleep.  I am so thankful that I haven't been having a lot of pain while I sleep or charlie horses.  It's been so very nice!  I hope I can enjoy this sleep before baby comes because who knows how #3 is going to sleep.

Movement:  I can definitely tell that things are getting tighter in there for baby.  Baby moves around a ton, but the movements are more jabby and aggressive.  I'm not exactly sure how baby is situated in there, and I'm pretty sure this little one has been flipping around a lot the whole time.  I know that it's ok and normal for baby to be doing this still, but it gives me anxiety since my other two kids were already engaged at this point.  I really don't want to have to have a c-section for #3.  So I just keep praying that this will not be the case.  

Food Cravings:  Anything and everything that's sweet.  I've also been craving a lot more water then I normally do.  My body knows that it needs it I suppose.  This is one reason why it's so hard to be pregnant (this pregnant) over the holidays.  It was pretty much the same way when I was pregnant with Luke, and it's so hard to resist all the holiday goodies!  We have been doing a lot of baking too...bad me ;)

Maternity Clothes: I've given up on clothes.  I just wear the same things every week I think.  My shirts seem to be getting shorter some how.  I don't remember them being this short at this stage last time.  I have gotten a few new shirts from Target that seem longer so those are now my go to shirts.  There are only about 9 weeks left, so we are going to make it!

Other: At 28 weeks I did my gestational diabetes test and I passed!  That's a huge relief considering my need for sweets.  I've never had it with any of my previous pregnancies so I wasn't anticipating having it this time either.

What are you looking forward to:  I am looking forward to my appointment this Thursday!  We are finally having another ultrasound to see how my placenta and baby are doing.  I have good feelings about this, but I'm definitely excited to see baby again!  I'm going to have to remind my doctor that we don't know what the sex of the baby is.  At this point we are so close!  I really don't want to find out now.

I'm going to try to do these updates every couple of weeks now that things are definitely changing!  I can't believe we are so close to the end already and we'll get to meet baby and find out if it's a boy or a girl!  Not too long now :)

Stitch Fix Review - December

I know I haven't blogged about all 6 of my Fixes, but I'm going to be better about it from here on out.  I really love my stylist - Tina, so I think we're on the up and up!  I received this Fix on Black Friday which was awesome, because it was a long weekend and I was clearly at home to wait for it to come!  I have been anxious about this fix and probably the next few because I am getting bigger now being that i'm 30 weeks pregnant, and I just don't know what to expect!  Tina did a fabulous job though.  She really doesn't ever disappoint :)

Now when you set up a Stitch Fix, it asks you to send a personal note to your stylist before they put together your Fix.  This is what I said in mine for this month:

"More warm sweaters in fun colors are appreciated.  I would love something in purple.  Also, my maternity style is generally form fitting, stretchy clothes that are a little bit on the long side so they continue to fit over my growing bump.  I'd love to get a metallic clutch for holiday parties. I've also been seeing a lot of flannel infinity scarves that I really like.  If you want more info from my last Fix check out my blog.  I wrote about it :)  http://citytoranchandmore.blogspot.com/"

Then, when you get your Fix, they write you back a little note, and this is what was said in mine:

"Hello Amie! Thank you so much for reviewing my Fix on your blog! The pictures really help me get an idea of what will work for your silhouette.  I added the Madigan top this time as a better elbow patch option compared to the one from the previous Fix.  It is maternity specific and should be long enough for your third trimester bump.  Layer it with the 41Hawthorn and Look by M plaid wrap scarf for extra warmth! We didn't have any infinity style in stock so I included the wrap as an alternative.  The Street Level metallic purse has a removable chain so you can use it as a clutch too.  I hope you find this Fix delightful! -XOXO, Tina"

Now if you're curious how Stitch Fix works you can check out my first blog about it here.  And if you'd like to schedule one of your own you can use my referral code to get started!  

Now let's get into the good stuff!

RD Style Ridge Zipper Detail Cowl Neck Sweater - Small - $64

I wasn't immediately awed by this piece when I took it out of the box.  The color is great for fall/winter, and I currently do own a couple of pieces that are maroon which I do tend to gravitate towards.  I liked most of the features about it, such as the zippers on the sleeves and the cowl neck, but I wasn't sure about the hemline.  As I tried it on, I was just hoping that it would fit over my bump for starters.  

And here is the hemline that I'm unsure about....one side was slightly longer then the other.  I just don't know how I feel about it.  

Overall, I was just kind of underwhelmed by this piece once I had it on.  It was nice and comfortable, but then I asked myself would I love it when I'm not pregnant?  I don't know that I would.  Plus, I just couldn't get over the hemline!  It just didn't seem deliberate enough for me to get into it.  

Verdict - RETURNED

Look by M Alpine Plaid Wrap Scarf - One Size - $44

When I saw that I had a scarf in my Fix I was really excited!  I haven't had one before, and this is definitely the time of year to use an actual scarf!  

I love the color and the feel of this scarf.  It was SO soft and really just a beautiful plaid.  When I opened it up though...it was huge!  I feel like it's about as big as a blanket.  The style card suggested that I do the traditional scarf knot, which I did try.

I don't think it looks so bad from the front.  It just looks like a warm bulky scarf.  But from the side I feel like I've got WAY too much stuff out in front of me.  Maybe it's because I'm pregnant but I just don't like the final look.  I think I need a longer neck and torso for this to look better, or maybe I need to style it differently. More like a blanket scarf.  I just still think it's too much for my little self. 

Verdict: RETURNED

Madigan Copolla Elbow Patch Maternity Knit Top - Small - $54

The scarf pictures bring me to the next item in my Fix.  This was my first actual maternity item in a Stitch Fix.  When I took it out I thought it was pretty thin, but it's not see through.  I have a lot of grey so I thought to myself...more grey, but when I turned over the sleeve to reveal the patch, I was SO excited that they were red flannel!  LOVE it!  I knew right away that I was going to love this shirt once I put it on.  I was actually already doing calculations in my head.  

So guess how it went down...I LOVE the shirt!  I love how it's form fitting and hugs my bump really well, but there is still a lot of room to grow because it is fairly stretchy.  Tina suggested that I pair a cardigan with this, but I just can't cover up the sleeves!  This is a shirt you need a vest with for sure!  The only bad thing I have to say about this shirt is the price.  Since this is our last baby, I just don't know if I can justify spending $50 on a shirt that I can only wear for another couple of months.  As disappointed as I am for having to do it...I had to send this one back :(

Verdict: RETURNED...but very sad about it :(   Maybe there is a shirt like this that is non maternity for after baby comes...

41Hawthorn Abrianna Longsleeve Knit Cardigan - Small - $48

I immediately loved the color of this cardigan, but thought that it was just ok.  It's a very thin cardigan which upfront I thought wasn't going to be very practical for the winter months.  Again wasn't super impressed, but I've gotta give everything a try, right?!

I actually ended up liking it a lot once I tried it on.  It was a good length and it wasn't overwhelming like some cardigans can be on my body.  A part of me feels like I should have kept this cardigan because I think I could have gotten some good use out of it.  Maybe something like this would be better to get in a spring Fix.  I'll have to keep this in mind for later.

Verdict: RETURNED

Street Level Juno Small Folded Clutch - One Size - $38

I am an accessory person for sure.  I LOVE me a nice purse, and I must confess I've kind of become a purse snob to some extent.  I have been wanting a metallic clutch for some time now to use on date nights or more specifically to use for holiday parties that are coming up!  I figured I'd ask for one and see what I would get.  Well, I got this little number...

When I took it out of the packaging the first reaction I had was boy this is heavy!  I love the color and the gold accents on it.  One of the best things about it is that it can be used as a clutch or a cross body/over the shoulder bag!  It comes with this really awesome braided chain that is VERY heavy duty.  That's probably where most of the weight I was feeling is coming from.  Think about the possibilities though!  Such a great feature.

Then on the inside of the purse, it is nicely lined and has so much space!  It has 2 zipper pockets and an open pocket in the back.  The closure is magnetic which is probably my favorite kind of closure for this kind of a bag.  Basically I think this bag can carry anything that I would want for a night on the town.  It's not going to be my mom bag, but it definitely will serve it's purpose.  I can't wait to use it this weekend!

Verdict: KEPT

So, as you can see I had a lot of great options in my Fix this month.  Even though I only ended up keeping one piece, I waffled on basically the rest of the box.  I think Tina just gets me, and that's what I love about Stitch Fix.  I have heard conflicting reviews from people, but I think once you find the right stylist you are golden...just like my new clutch :)  

Next month is going to be a little harder.  I'm going to be testing Tina since I'm pretty sure i'm going to be huge, and I'm basically refusing to buy anything that I can't wear postpartum.  I've got some more accessories in mind for my next box since I had good luck this time around with my first Fix with any accessories.  I call that a win in my books.