22 Weeks Baby Rials 2.0

Maternity outfit: Top Old Navy Maternity, Shorts Gap Maternity (both on sale)

Today I turned 22 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 21st week with this babe! 

Baby: Size of a papaya, weighing in at one whole pound and almost a foot long!  Baby is sleeping in cycles - about 12 to 14 hours per day.  Baby is kicking like CRAZY!  When Jeremy was little he was in Karate, so I told him this little one is practicing karate ALL day long in there.  In fact, I even got a little video of it, head over to my Instagram page to check it out {IG: tessrials}.

Mama:I have been TERRIBLY sick ALL WEEK!  Being sick is one thing, but add on to that pregnancy and a constantly on the move toddler... it has been a test in patience for sure! I started with a tickle in my throat Friday night on my way to an event, I even said to my friend, "I bet I'm going to get laryngitis this weekend." Well, I got an upper respiratory and sinus infection instead.  I'm FINALLY feeling like a normal human being again!

On a different note, my in-laws were in town this past weekend so we held an early celebration for Charlotte.  She LOVED her chocolate cake and being sang to.  One of her favorite gifts was this too-cute-for-words Mini Cooper car that we take to the park daily.

Physical Health: Non-existent this week. I have been focusing on my nutrition as I wanted to start a round of my favorite fitness and nutrition program 21 Day Fix.  So, why am I following a diet if I'm pregnant?

I've been asked this quite a bit lately! It's actually NOT a diet. I suck at diets ;) this has been a lifestyle change not just for me, but our entire family.  21 Day Fix has a portion control nutrition plan to ensure I'm eating the RIGHT foods and the right AMOUNT of foods.  My doctor has suggested I eat in a certain calorie bracket, BUT this doesn't mean I have to count calories. It just means I get to add a few more containers to my normal eating plan.

Part of my nutrition plan is this nutrient dense super food shake.  It has helped both Jeremy and I lose and maintain our current weight, has replaced ALL of our other vitamins and supplements (I am taking Folate, but not a prenatal vitamin as this has everything a prenatal has and so much MORE), and definitely given me my energy back.  Check out more on this chocolate milkshake I have for breakfast every morning here: Shakeology

If you'd like more info on this program, please email me at raisingrials@gmail.com

PB&J Chocolate Vegan Shakeology with Power Greens Boost

Mental/Emotional Health: This week has forced me to SLOOOOOWWWWW down, look for patience where ever it may be, and thank my lucky stars for an amazing husband.  Being a stay at home/work at home mom means that when you get sick you DO NOT get sick days.  That is a TOUGH pill to swallow.  So I have definitely had to rely on my support system this week.

I've also REALLY started to think about my birth plan, and it's not what I expected AT ALL!  I kinda want to try going all natural again.  If you haven't read Charlotte's birth story, you can check it out HERE.  I wanted to go all natural with her and we had been focusing on Hypnobirthing, and it was such a long and painful process I thought there would be NO WAY I would want to relive that.  BUT....I also HATED the after effects of the epidural/IV.  So, I'm exploring the ideas right now...it'll probably be a game time decision :)

22 Weeks and our 5th Annual Christmas PJ Party and Beer Exchange

First, I get to brag about myself a little bit :)

My first semester back in school went REALLY well!  I ended with a 4.0 and have submitted my application to the Honors Program.  I couldn't be more proud of myself!  I worked extremely hard this fall, and the payoff has been sweet.

Okay, on to the weekend.  We host a yearly Christmas party, and instead of having everyone wear ugly Christmas sweaters, we decided to be different and go with a pajama party theme.  It's great to see every one's style and how they interpret it.  We had Batman make an appearance, and a sock monkey footed pajama as well.

In addition to the pajama party theme, we also do a beer exchange.  This is kind of like a white elephant exchange, but every guest has to bring one bottle of wrapped beer.  Total Wine has a great selection of craft beer, and during the holiday season there are some great new beers that come out such as Bad Santa, Lump of Coal, and this year Rogue's Voodoo Doughnut beer was a BIG hit!

 I've also included some pictures of our decorations around the house, our beautiful tree we chopped down from up North all decorated, and our amazing friends.  It was a great turnout this year with many new faces making an appearance.  We love this tradition and hope to continue it for many years to come.

Our signature cocktail is a home made spiked apple cider.  We used all natural apple juice and put that in the crock pot with some cinnamon sticks, a sachet of cloves, and sliced oranges.  To add a kick, we stir in Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.

We added a few new ornaments this year including some ASU themed and a boomerang from our honeymoon to Australia.  Here's a closeup:

 Last but not least, here we are at week 22.  As you can see baby is weighing in at one pound.  This little baby is growing! 

Pregnancy dreams are in coming in full force.  The latest this week was a dream I had about Jeremy and I going camping.  I wasn't pregnant and it was during the early summer months.  We were up north in the desert/forest trying to find our campsite.  But we got lost along the way.  Suddenly we came upon a group, it was a J Crew photo shoot for their upcoming summer catalog.  I got out to ask for directions and they couldn't be happier to see me!  They said they were down a model and needed me to fill in, threw me a bikini and told me to try it on.  Of course it fit, and the director proceeded to "teach" me how to model for this shoot.

I mean WOW, right?!

Other then the dreams, no other symptoms or cravings to report.  My low back has been a little sore, but I think it's more from prepping for the party then the pregnancy.  Baby is continuing to move and kick a lot.  I absolutely love feeling this little one inside me.  I've found that if I drink and ice cold glass of water and lay flat on my back I can usually coax the baby into some kicks.

My goal for the week is to get moving more!  Jeremy and I went on a walk last night to look at all of the Christmas lights around our neighborhood.  It was so nice to be outside and spend some time with just the hubby and I.  We made lots of plans along the way of things to add to our home next year.

I guess that about sums up the week.  Only 9 days until Christmas!  Boy did that sneak up on me.  We have about half of our shopping done, and fingers crossed I can get the rest knocked out this week with everything wrapped.  

See you all next week!