Little Rice Baby: 2014

Maternity Photos

I am finally going to post a few of my favorite maternity photos! :) I had so much fun doing these and its always nice to spend a few hours with my hubby at the beach capturing our love! All photos are done by the amazing Paul Von Rieter, who also did our engagement & wedding photos!

Grey Dress- On Sale- Not Maternity- Leith Scoop Back Dress

Coral Maxi Dress- Maternity- ASOS Maternity Maxi

Black Skirt- Old (Brandy Melville) - Similar here

Bikini Top - Forever 21 - Similar- Bikini Top

33 weeks

Top: Target Maternity - Liz Lange

Bump is growing fast! Our Maternity Photos are done and I will have to post some of them next week.

The Ellen Mother's Day Show 2014

I've had such an exciting and busy week! Ellen Mothers Day Show on Thursday and our Maternity Photos on Friday! Unfortunately, I do not have an official 32 Week Photo this week because my husband is traveling overseas. :(

The Ellen Mothers Day Show!
So fun. My parents met me in LA around 1230 for a 130 check-in. While I was in the bathroom, they told all the pregnant mommas to line up. I totally missed it and was bummed that I was likely going to be seated in the back of the studio. I checked in, received my number and they let my mom get a ticket for the Riff Raft Room. We then had to send my Dad home because they would only let one guest go with me.

Dress: ASOS Maternity Skater Dress - Less than $40 (orig. color is sold out)

Loving the Black too

We then were shuffled in by our numbers. After getting in the studio, the crew was seating us where they wanted, not by our numbers. I was put on the end in the back, but shortly after, I was moved to the front on the end. I was so excited, thinking, ooh maybe you will see my on camera! (if you watched the show, you definitely saw me) We were dancing and cheering and getting excited for the show. She gave away a ton of stuff including....

Sleep Number C4 Bed

A 6-Month Supply of Huggies!

A One-Year Supply of Beech-Nut Baby Food

Quinny Buzz Xtra Stroller

Mima Moon High Chair

$250 Carousel Designs Gift Card

4moms rockaRoo

$200 Babies “R” US Gift Card

Bonavita Peyton Lifestyle Crib from LaJobi

$300 Chasing Fireflies Gift Card

$300 Summer Infant Gift Card

$200 Lowe's Gift Card

$300 DSW Gift Card

$250 Maya Brenner Designs Gift Card

Fortune Cookie Booties

Check out the video and the prizes here- Ellen Video

After the taping ending, we had to fill out forms and tax forms. :( I guess I will be receiving a bill from the IRS. After finishing our forms, I ran up the steps and was one of the first of the mommas to leave! I ran over to my mom in the parking lot and we got in to my husbands truck. I was so excited that I was one of the first ones out! Unfortunately, that is where the excitement halted. We sat in the parking lot for probably 2.5hrs. After waiting, we got our 4 items that we had to take home with us, the Crib, Mima Moon, Stroller and Rockaroo! We were so excited to get out of the parking lot. We sat in LA traffic and were home around 745 for some much deserved pizza! It was an exhausting day but we received so many generous and wonderful gifts, it was definitely worth it. I was so happy to have my mom there with me too!

31 Weeks

31 Weeks
Time is going by so fast. We are doing our maternity photos at the end of this week and I am going to the Ellen Mothers Day Show on Thursday! So Excited!
We were able to take this weeks photo in the baby nursery, so special!

30 Weeks

Top: I was feeling the lace lately. Orig. is sold out but loving This one for $18. I love that website and all their cheap maternity items!

Shoes: Splendid- Rodeo Booties- ON SALE!

Pregnancy Updates

How far along: 30 Weeks

Total weight gain: ?? Not sure, I decided it was best for me to stop weighing myself. I was getting too discouraged. I am working out 4 days a week and trying my best to keep the weight down. I splurge on a cookie here and there but I am mostly eating healthy.

Maternity clothes: Yes!

Stretch marks: No

Sleep: Starting to feel like a whale when I am trying to change positions.

Best moment of this week: Getting the nursery painting finished and the crib assembled. Its starting to look like a nursery! The invites for my shower went out this week, which is also very exciting!

Miss anything: Wine and Europe! I want to take a trip to Europe!

Movement: Yes, more like jabs this week.

Food cravings: Cinnamon and Sugar- Always!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this week.

Have you started to show yet: Yes!

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: It's still in but its starting to pop out where my belly peiricing was.

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Both! Getting a little crazy and feeling like everything needs to be cleaned and organzied.

Looking forward to: The Ellen Show Next Week & Our Maternity Photos!

Nursery Update!

We have made some progress on the nursery lately. The chandelier was hung and my husband and Mike began painting the nursery. I love the chandelier and the paint color. I cant wait until its finished!

*I changed the bulb to a long filament bulb after I took this picture

The boys were working for beer!

Paint Color- Benjamin Moore - Revere Pewter
Chandelier - Rope Orb Pendant - ON SALE NOW!!
Light bulb- Similar Long Filament Bulb

*Update*
The Crib is assembled and the ceiling is painted!

My Fave Salad

My Favorite Mid-Week Salad

I like to do Pure Barre on Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday. On Monday and Wednesday, I do Pure Barre at 530, and end at 630. By the time I get home, I'm starving. This is a quick salad that I like to throw together with items on hand! All of these items can be found at Trader Joes except for the dressing.

*Organic Mixed Greens

*Organic Dried Cranberries

*Organic Red Onion

*Organic Shredded Carrots

*Steamed & Peeled Ready Beets (non GMO)

*Goat Cheese or Gongonzola Cheese

*Organic Kiwi or Apples

*Cracked Pepper

*Sweet & Spicy Pecans

*Braggs Organic Healthy Vinaigrette bragg.com

28 Weeks

Top: Old- Non Maternity - Loving this one - Less than $10 or Yellow Stripes or Pippa Bow Blouse

Tank Top: My favorite wear under everything- Less than $4

Pants: AG Maternity Jeans

Shoes: Tory Burch - Thora

Pregnancy Updates

How far along: 28 Weeks

Total weight gain: 19 Lbs, ugh, I guess I won't hit my target of 25lbs

Maternity clothes: Yes!

Stretch marks: No

Sleep: Not as good as it used to be :(

Best moment of this week: So many exciting things! My sister in law had her 3rd baby, a new baby niece for us to spoil. I got to meet a 2 week old and 1 month old baby from 2 of my friends. I also got new windows installed in the house!

Miss anything: Wine

Movement: Yes

Food cravings: Something Spicy.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this week.

Have you started to show yet: Yes!

Gender: BOY!

Labor signs: No

Belly button in or out: It's still in :)

Wedding rings on or off: On

Happy or moody most of the time: Both! A little more emotional than usual, maybe the lack of sleep

Looking forward to: Painting the nursery and the chandelier being hung on Friday!

27 Weeks

There is a little delay in my post this week. I have been so tired lately, I guess the honeymoon phase of my pregnancy is over. 3pm naps are now normal!

I received a call on 4/1 (not an April Fool's Joke) that I was invited to be in the audience at the Ellen's 1st time expectant moms Mothers Day Show. SOOO EXICITED, I CANT WAIT FOR MAY!! I was shaking and jumping up and down. I am so thrilled and feel so blessed to get one of 300 spots.

Top: My favorite tank, its comfy, not too tight and makes me happy - ASOS Maternity Tank - Less than $10 I will be wearing this all spring & summer. I bought all the colors.
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity Avedon - ON SALE! The reviews aren't so pleasing online but I sized up and I am very happy with them. I just wish the belly band was nude for spring & summer light colored tops. Plus an additional 20% off with code SPRING20

A night out

My husband and I had a little weekend getaway for my his sales meeting. I am just over 26 weeks in the photo!

Dress: Isabella Oliver- Ruched Tank Dress- ON SALE

26 Weeks

Top: ASOS Maternity Tank in Soft Touch - in black - $15
Skirt: Old - Non Maternity- Brandy Melville - Billabong Look-a-Like $36
Necklace: Old - Forever21- Similar Key Charms Necklace - $5

Pregnancy Updates

How far along: 26 Weeks
Total weight gain: 17 Lbs, Too many Cookies & Doughnuts for my bday
Maternity clothes: Yes, just wearing a few key items and mixing things in my closer
Stretch marks: No
Sleep: Not as good as it used to be :(
Best moment of this week: Dave finally felt the baby kick on Friday! Made me so happy!
Miss anything: My Waist!
Movement: Yes
Food cravings: Nothing really, just trying to get back to eating clean
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not anymore
Have you started to show yet: Yes! Strangers are now asking about it!
Gender: BOY!
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but its becoming less "in"
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or moody most of the time: Both! A little more tired this week.
Looking forward to: The Chandelier for the nursery arrives this week. I cant wait to see it in person and have it hung!

Nursery Rug

I finally decided on a rug for the nursery. It just arrived on Saturday and I am so excited!! I love the way it looks and I think it will really tie in the room. The room is not very big, so I bought a 5 by 8.

It has all the colors I wanted, Gray, Navy, light Blue and Cream. Its perfect for the nursery and I can't wait to see it in the finished room. Its also chevron, I love chevron rugs!

I bought mine on Joss and Main but I also found it on overstock for cheaper (see the link below)

Safavieh Rug 5 by 8 - $220

Safavieh Rug 5 by 8 - $220

Nursery Inspiration

Here is my styleboard that I created to help guide my nursery design. I wanted something sophisticated and nautical because my husband is a freediving spearfishing enthusiast. It only seemed fitting. I love the warm gray walls with the navy & baby blue.

*The underwater artwork in the images below are actual pictures of my husband that I edited in Photoshop*

Final Picks (so far):

Wall Color - Benjamin Moore - Revere Pewter

Chandelier- RH Baby - Rope Orb Pendant

25 weeks

25 Weeks

Top: Isabella Oliver-Cap Sleeve Maternity Top - $65

I bought mine 30% off at the local maternity boutique- Xpecting Maternity

Kale Smoothie

My Typical Breakfast

An Organic Kale Smoothie

Ingredients:

Organic Kale

*Trader Joes*

2% Fage Greek Yogurt

*I would prefer full fat but it's harder to find in bulk at TJ's/Costco*

1 Banana

*Organic or sometimes not*
Organic Frozen Strawberries or Mixed Organic Berries
*I buy a big bag at Costco*
Coconut Water
*Trader Joes*

Blend together using a Vitamix

Pure Barre

This is how I like to start my Saturday morning... LTB at Pure Barre!

Does the Camo help hide the bump?

24 Weeks

6 Months

Dress: James Perse *non Maternity* Found it at HomeGoods for $60! A very similar one can be found Here for $195.

My Birthday at the Beach, March 15th 2014

Last Birthday in my 20's!

I had a wonderful birthday at the beach with my hubby. I had all my favorite foods and pregnancy cravings... including starting the morning at Pure Barre, my hubby bringing me a doughnut, eating my kale smoothie, enjoying the sun and sand, a takeout lunch - a grilled pork bahn mi, a homemade avocado & bacon turkey burger for dinner including garlic fries, and a mud pie for dessert! Its not a typical day for me!

Monthly Pregnancy Updates

How far along: 24 Weeks
Total weight gain: 15 Lbs, its been tough watching the scale go up and up
Maternity clothes: Yes, I bought a few key items at Target, ASOS, and Ebay
Stretch marks: NO
Sleep: A little anxiety this week about all the things that I need to register for and accommplish around the house before he gets here!
Best moment of this week: My Birthday! It was a lovely beach day with my hubby.
Miss anything: The tipsy feeling after a few glasses of wine
Movement: Yes, especially at night. Hubby hasn't felt him yet though.
Food cravings: Cookies, Mud Pie, Doughnuts,
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not anymore
Have you started to show yet: Yes! Strangers are now asking about it!
Gender: BOY!
Labor signs: No
Belly button in or out: It's still in, but its becoming less "in"
Wedding rings on or off: On
Happy or moody most of the time: Both! Some days I am happy as can be other times the stress gets to me and I cry :(
Looking forward to: Setting up the crib and getting the nursery ready!