31 weeks and counting...

I feel huge and I am only 31 weeks.  Every time I go somewhere there is always one person to point out either how big I am or that baby is coming soon.  It is one of those things that is inevitable.  Fortunately I haven't had any strangers try to touch my belly.  I don't mind people I know doing it but strangers are a totally different story.  Also people have been asking what I am having and when I say girl I get a thank God reaction.  You must be so happy it isn't a boy.  Believe me I am beyond excited we are having a girl but that wasn't why we decided to go again.  I was fully expecting another boy.  I know a lot of people who have tried many times for the opposite sex and they keep having the same gender over and over again.  Happy to have this chance to complete our family.

Happy Birthday to my Youngest Baby

I can't believe 3 years ago my youngest boy was born.  We spent the last few days celebrating his arrival into my life.  If you have been following the blog you are aware that my boy has had speech delay and we had a lot of concerns for him but I am happy to report he has been talking like crazy.  The progress has been pretty astounding especially compared to where we were a couple of months ago.  So this mama is finally breathing a sigh of relief.  Happy Birthday to my little 3 year old!!!  I am looking forward to a year full of even more learning, growing, and fun.  So thankful to have you in my life.  You are my rainbow baby blessing!!!!

***late birthday wishes 

My Current Diet

I am on a very strict gestational diet along with blood testing to make sure my sugars are level.  I am basically for an intents and purposes in my normal diet a vegetarian.  I have no problem with eating chicken or fish but I haven't really being doing that.  But since this new diet I have been incorporating chicken and fish.  It has been hard for me to adjust but I will do what it takes to make sure my baby girl is as healthy as possible.  Basically a gestational diet is very low carbs and high in protein with veggies as well.  The protein counteracts any sugars that are accumulated from eating carbs or sugars.  I don't have to worry about the sugar part I am not a sugary type of individual but the salty potato chips have had to take a backseat.  Fortunately, it is only temporary I go back to normal after delivery and my gestational diabetes are always under control with a diet which besides the protein is really no different than my normal everyday diet.  The only thing that gives me comfort or makes me feel better is I have about 8 more weeks of this intense diet.  I have already lost quite a bit of weight which can be a little alarming.  I am looking forward to my little one being on the outside so I can go back to my normal routine.

New School Year

The time has come once again for another year of school to begin.  In my opinion, summer went very quickly.  My boy was excited but a little hesitant this morning to start school.  I think once he gets into the swing of things he will be just fine.  I used to get really anxious and excited every first day of school.  New clothes, new supplies, new teachers, new friends it can be a little overwhelming.  If you have a kiddo starting school today I hope they have a great first day back and a wonderful school year.

Our Latest Winner August

A winner has been chosen for our latest Amazon Gift Code Giveaway for August.  Thank you for entering and for sharing our little blog page with your friends.





















The Winner is ...





Sarah C.

Email me and I will get your code to you.

Glazer Museum

In Tampa there is a great touch museum with tons of interactive experiences for your little one.  The admission for adults is $15 and children $9.50. Right now they have a coupon for BOGO admission which is a great deal.  http://glazermuseum.org

The first floor of the museum has a giant splash table complete with make your own sailboat, pipe building,  and a weather learning area.  There is also a mock sailboat area in the back of it is a kiddie sand area.  There is also a toddler play area with toys and they have story time as well.  My kiddos could spend hours at the splash table area.

The second floor is jam packed with tons of things to do.  There is a stage with costumes, construction area, garden, publix grocery store, outback restaurant, firefighters area, and sports area.  There is so much on this level it is a little overwhelming for my boys.  I did have a hard time the first time I went keeping everyone together with so many areas to explore.

Right now they have a Wizard of Oz exhibit on the 3rd floor and it was super adorable.  They had scenes from the movie that you could walk into and take photos.  They had a bike like the witch that you could pedal.

Wizard of oz slanted house

We had such a great time at the museum and my boys can't wait to experience it again.  If you have the opportunity you should definitely check it out

***This post is not sponsored or affiliated with Glazer Museum.  All opinions are completely my own.

Lunch Box Ideas

I have a super picky eater.  Every normal thing you would give a child my boy is so against eating.  It is really frustrating.  So I have been racking my brain and the internet for interesting and appetizing lunch box ideas.  Some of the suggestions I have seen for picky eaters are not at all for picky eaters.  So far I have found a few interesting ideas that I want to share with you.

Pizza Pinwheels

I found this recipe after a search online.  My boy enjoyed the pizza but only wanted the ones that looked pretty.  If they didn't turn out just right he wouldn't eat it.  This is one of the many things I mean by picky.
http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/23702/pizza-pinwheels/?mxt=t06rda

Corn dog muffins

I haven't had the opportunity to try these out but I know my boy will like them.  He likes corn dogs and these are the same thing just in a more compact size.
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/mini-corn-dog-muffins-155136.aspx

Make your own lunchables This is one I have actually discovered myself my boy has been so insistent on lunchables and all of those ingredients are so bad for you so for a pizza lunchable I do an english muffin, shredded mozzarella cheese, pizza sauce, and pepperoni.  I do them all in separate compartments or bags.

We also do make your own sandwich.  I normally put a sub roll, meat, cheese, mustard, pickles, tomatoes in again separate containers or bags and he has fun putting together the sandwich that he wants to.  A lot of time he just eats the parts separately but as long as he is eating it I am a happy mama.  There is nothing more frustrating than a full lunchbox coming back home and a starving child after school.

For sides my boy loves cut up apples (I put some lemon juice on them so they don't brown) and peanut butter.  He also like chips and salsa and guacamole.

I hope you have a successful year putting together lunches for your little one and if you have a child who is a picky eater hopefully you will find the foods that they love to eat that you can feel good about giving them.