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 :)

20 Weeks Baby Rials 2.0

Happy Easter!  Dress: Old Navy Maternity

Today I turned 21 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 20th week with this babe! 

Baby: Size of a banana, weighing in at 10.2 oz and 6.5 inches long.  Baby has gained almost 2 ounces again this past week, putting on some much needed fat!  Taste buds are fully formed and baby is gulping down several ounces of amniotic fluid each day.

This week we had a regular OB appointment where Charlotte and I got to hear the baby's heartbeat.  Everything is looking good!

Mama: Feeling okay.  Back is sore but might be due to my weightlifting workouts this week. Maternity clothes have officially taken over the closet and my drawers, and although there's a few elastic waist pre-pregnancy pieces I can still squeeze into, I'm sticking to the comforts these days.

Craving fruit and salads again this week.  Trying VERY hard not to buy the on-sale Ben & Jerry's at Target each week!  I've also been experienceing some nausea this week.  I started taking my prenatal (I'm out of my folate supplement) and fish oil supplements again, so I'm not sure if that's the culprite or not. 

Non-maternity shorts: Kohl's, shirt: Liz Lang Maternity from Target

Non-maternity shorts: Forever 21; tank: Old Navy Maternity

New order of maternity clothes from Gap and Old Navy!

Physical Health: I have only worked out a few days this week, not part of my goal so I'm a bit disappointing in this number. I did try a new 22 minute workout from Beachbody that I LOVED! Here's a quick little video all about 22 Minute Hard Corps from P90X trainer Tony Horton.  Also check out my FB page Raising Rials Health and Wellness for my own video of this quick cardio sesh.

We also met up with a few friends to celebrate Easter on Friday.  It was a beautiful day to be outside and get some vitamin D.

Mental/Emotional Health: An emotion I have been trying VERY hard to avoid this pregnancy: ENVY.  I wouldn't say I'm jealous, but more envious of my fit friends.  I miss my pre-pregnancy body (when I was in the best shape of my life).

My private challenge group on Facebook was asked to compliment ourselves on the progress we've made thus far in our fitness/healthy living journey.  I had SUCH a hard time with this.  My body is CONSTANTLY changing, nothing is getting smaller, I'm having to wear all bigger clothes.  Yes, I get it, I'm pregnant.  This is what's supposed to happen.  It's just a tough week for my self image I guess.

Goals for next week: work out 4 days this week, daily mantra: I am beautiful, I am enough.  Lead with my best qualities.  What are your goals for the week ahead?

19 weeks Baby Rials 2.0

Today I turned 20 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 19th week with this babe! 

Baby: Size of a mango, weighing in at 8.5 oz and 6 inches long.  Baby has gained almost 2 ounces this past week, big gains!  Baby is developing the vernix caseosa which is a waxy coating covering the baby's skin protecting it from the surrounding amniotic fluid.. Baby's 5 senses are forming: never cells for taste, hearing, sight, and smell are developing in baby's brain.

This week we had a regular OB appointment where Charlotte and I got to hear the baby's heartbeat.  Everything is looking good!

Mama: Feeling great!  No back or hip pain. Wearing more and more maternity clothes. Craving fruit again this week, can't get enough. And an occasional pint of Ben & Jerry's (chocolate fudge brownie, YUM!)

Attended The Mom Made Market in Scottsdale, AZ.  Dress from Forever 21

Physical Health: I have worked out 5 days this week!  4 workouts at home and walked the zoo on Friday.  It was so CRAZY busy at the zoo we had to park across the street which increased my overall mileage which was a bit of a challenge.

This week I focused on an amazing Beachbody program called PiYo.  It's perfect for where I am in my pregnancy as it allows me to get in a high intensity workout with low impact.  It's also on SALE this month! So if you're interested in starting a new workout routine at home please feel free to email me at raisingrials@gmail.com.

I also added in some weightlifting with Beachbody's Active Maternity workout for the second trimester.  It's with the 21 Day Fix trainer Autumn Calabrese and is a great workout for maintaining and improving the strength you need get through the rest of your pregnancy as well as after baby comes.  If you're an expectant mommy and would like more info on this program please email me at raisingrials@gmail.com

Last but not least we headed to the mountains for a weekend hike.

St. Patty's Day workout: PiYo. 

Hike at San Tan Mountain, AZ.  Top: Lululemon

Top: Liz Lang Maternity - Target; Shorts: Ann Taylor Loft

Dress: Forever 21; Cartigan: Ann Taylor Loft

Mental/Emotional Health: Another emotional week that I wasn't expecting!  Actually the week was good, but then Friday I had a fellow Beachbody coach and expectant mom tag me in a post about saying goodbye to your only child before leaving to go to the hospital to have your second child.  I thought that was a tough one, but then another mom posted a link to this article that I have saved in my phone and read frequently (although I cry almost every time I read it).

Let me know what you think! You Won't Remember But I Will

18 Weeks Baby Rials 2.0

Today I turned 19 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 18th week with this babe! 

Baby: Size of a pear or large tomato, weighing in at 6.7 ounces, and 5.6 inches long.  Baby is yawning, hiccuping, sucking and swallowing. I remember being pregnant with Charlotte and feeling her have the hiccups ALL THE TIME!

I'm feeling so much movement from this active babe twisting, rolling, punching and kicking. Fingerprints are forming too!

Mama: Feeling good!  Back and hip pain is almost non-existent. Wearing more and more maternity clothes. Craving salad this week which is odd because I am NOT a salad person.

Physical Health: I have been SO LAZY this week! Since getting back from San Diego I haven't put my workouts first and it is definitely showing. 

I've had one of my besties visiting from out of town and we've had LOTS of catching up to do. Isn't she beautiful? And to top it off we're BOTH pregnant and due 1 day apart!

Mental/Emotional Health: Very emotional this week! Everything is making me tear up and cry... Not in a bad way though, I completely understand it's the hormones at this point. 

An old friend from high school posted an open letter to her son who just came home from the NICU within the last month. 

The way she described his entrance into the world, how it turned everything upside down, yet completed their family so perfectly said exactly what I needed to hear. 

I reached out to her and she had some great advice on including Charlotte in the every day process. That this is "our" baby, the family's baby, not just mamas.  I loved hearing that. 

Here are a few of the ultrasound pics from this week. Everything looked "perfect" in her words. 

Baby's heart actually looks like a heart! I absolutely love this pic ❤️

Baby's feet

Baby's hand near face.

Now ... Onto the news I'm sure EVERYONE has been anxiously awaiting.

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 

We are actually going to hold out on all of you a few more weeks!!  I'm sorry!!!

We have family coming into town the last weekend of March and the first weekend of April and want to share this news with them first. 

Baby isn't going anywhere, promise! You just have to be patient 😉

17 Weeks Baby Rials 2.0

This weekend I turned 18 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 17th week with this babe! 

Baby: about the size of your palm, an onion, or an apple. Weighing in at 5.9 ounces, and 5.1 inches long, this babe has gained almost 2.5 ounces in the past week!  Baby's rubbery cartilage is turning into bone, putting on some fat, and growing a stronger thicker umbilical cord too. 

Baby can hear my heartbeat and the sound of my voice as it resonates throughout my body, kidneys are creating urine, and liver is producing bile. 

Mama: This is the best I've felt my whole pregnancy! My hips are still bugging me, but I started a new program called PiYo and as long as I get a workout in I feel great. 

I'm fitting into my bigger clothes I bought after having Charlotte, but finding maternity clothes most comfortable.

I'm continuing to crave fruit but wanting salads more and more, especially Caesar salads! And I am NOT a salad person. 

Physical Health: Like I mentioned above I started a program called PiYo this week. This was the first workout program I did after having Charlotte and it's just what my body needs right now. 

It's a 60 day program, Pilates and yoga inspired workouts that are high intensity but low impact. I'm getting my much needed stretching in, but still strengthening without needing weights. 

Chalotte and I also met up with a few coaches frim my team and their children at the zoo on Wednesday.  So I pulled three 30+ pound toddlers around in a wagon for 4 hours which was no small task!

Mental/Emotional Health: feeling this little one kick inside me is one of the most amazing feelings on earth. With my introduction of PiYo and prenatal yoga I'm feeling more and more connected to this baby every day. 

I've been orecticing mindful meditation when I wake up each morning. Placing one hand on my heart, the other on my belly and setting my intentions for the day. It has helped me stay present in this pregnancy so much more and I'm loving it. 

Can't wait to tell you all about my trip to SD this past weekend! It was amazing 💕

16 Weeks Baby Rials 2.0

Today I turned 17 weeks, so I'll be discussing our 16th week with this babe!

Baby: Size of a avocado, weighing in at 3.5 ounces, and 4.6 inches long.  Baby can hear my voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in his or her ears.  Baby's growing hair, lashes and eyebrows, and forming taste buds

Mama: Feeling good!  My hips and back were achy this week, but some prenatal yoga helped with that.  I'm "fitting" into my pre-pregnancy clothes still with the help of hair ties to hold buttons together and I've introduced the belly band. Craving cold, juicy fruit especially mangos... and ice cream ;)

Physical Health: I got a few workouts in this week.  Chalotte and I met a few friends at the zoo on Wednesday.  So I pulled two 30+ pound toddlers around in a wagon for 4 hours which was no small task!

I did a Beachbody OnDemand workout (which is like Netflix where you're able to stream from any device, but workout videos instead of movies) from Yoga Booty Ballet: Baby On The Way.  I actually REALLY liked this workout!  It incorporates yoga, ballet, and sculpting moves; fast paced and fun.  I also did this Prenatal Yoga video from YouTube.  I'm going to try out a few different ones and decide which I like best.

My plan for March is to clean up my eating habits with my clean eating challenge starting Feb. 29, and then start 21 Day Fix again with modifications when I return from SD March 7.  I'll be adding 300 additional calories when calculating my bracket for my container count.

Mental/Emotional Health: I have had a really great week emotionally.  I actually told my husband I'm anxious for the baby to get here... in a good way :)  I want to meet this little one, nurse, hold, love on.  I can't wait to see how Charlotte is with the baby.  I know she'll be a little mother hen and pretend like the baby is her own... so we'll have to see how that goes.

I'm in a REALLY GOOD place with this pregnancy right now.  Trying very hard to focus on the here and now and not get too caught up in the future/unknown.  That's where my anxiety likes to hide.

I've been nesting ALREADY!  We bought a few new cube cabinets to surround our TV in our living room.  I'll post pics next week.  They have storage bins for me to put some of the baby toys, diapers, etc.  Bought a few newborn diapers at Target too... they're SO TINY!!

Anyhow, here are a few more pics from the week.  Check out my IG account @tessrials for more detail on these.

13 Weeks: Baby Rials 2.0 - Emotions

We just turned 14 weeks, so today I'll be reviewing our 13th week pregnant with this sweet babe.

13 Week Update:

Baby: Size of a peach, weighing in at .81 ounces, and 2.9 inches long.  Baby's vocal cords and teeth are forming.  Even though baby's still teeny, he/she already has fingerprints.  Finished up the last week of the 1st trimester, which means we've completed one whole third of the pregnancy!

We had a doctor's appointment this week and baby's heart rate was 168. 

Mama: There is definitely NO hiding this belly anymore! Still fitting into my pre-pregnancy clothes.  I've gained nearly 4 pounds already (thanks to some Girl Scout cookies... I won't name any names haha).  Craving cold, juicy fruit especially strawberries... and cookies ;) 

I've been getting sharp shooting pains around my belly button and my OB said my abdominal muscles are being overworked.  I've been unconsciously holding my belly in which is causing them to be over used and spasms.  Round ligament pains have also made an appearance, OUCH!

Physical Health: I got one workout in this week... which was more than last week, so I'll take that.  I did a Hammer and Chisel workout at home where I lifted weights.  I also walked 3 miles pulling Charlotte in the wagon one day this week.

My goal for this coming week is to workout Mon, Wed, and Friday.

Mental/Emotional Health: As I stated earlier I had a doctor's appointment this week.  We talked a lot about my anxiety with labor, delivery, and recovery.  I LOVE my doctor, she really let me lead the conversation, asked all the right questions, and what I came away with was that I'm letting my emotions control me WAY too much... in a negative way.

So today I wanted to discuss my 6 Steps To Controlling Emotions.  Emotions are the most present, pressing and sometimes painful force in our lives. We are driven day by day by our emotions.  In my case, it's the negative emotions that must be handled with extreme care.  It's the negative emotions that tend to spiral out of control for me, especially when triggered.

Here are some tips that I use, often daily, to control my negative emotions:

1.  Don't react right away. Take a deep breath and stabilize the overwhelming impulse to react, you'll most likely regret something later if you do. Continue to breathe deeply for five minutes, feeling as your muscles relax and your heart rate returns to normal. As you become calmer, affirm to yourself that this is only temporary.

2. Ask for divine guidance. When burdened with emotion, close your eyes, envision a positive solution to your problem, and ask the universe to illuminate the best path forward.

3.  Find a healthy outlet. Now that you've managed your emotion, you'll need to release it in a healthy way. Emotions should never be bottled up. Call or go see someone you trust and talk to them about what happened.  Exercise, meditation, or taking a relaxing bath are other ways to release.

4.  See the bigger picture. Wisdom means being able to see past the moment and figure out the greater meaning of any given situation. You may not understand it at the moment, but as time goes by, you'll begin to see the bigger picture falling into place.

5.  Replace your thoughts. Negative emotions bind us to recurring negative thoughts, creating cycles of downright negative patterns. Replace those with a different thought. Imagine the ideal resolution to your problem playing out, think about someone who makes you happy or remember an event that makes you smile.  Concentrating on what I can control is my biggest sense of relief.

6.  Forgive your emotional triggers. Your emotional triggers may be your best friend, your family members, yourself or all of the above.  When you forgive, you detach from the resentment, the jealousy or the fury lingering within you.

I hope these steps can help you, as they've helped me, to take more control of your emotional well being and live more in the present, happy, and healthy.