Sweating for Two

I will get one of these very soon!!

     Gone are the days when expectant women were instructed by our doctors and midwives to rest as much as possible during pregnancy, refrain from all strenuous activity, and eat enough food for two people (YAY CARBS)! Today, I feel that mommies-to-be are much better off, as we are being informed that it's perfectly fine to run a half-marathon, cross-train, hike a mountain if we want, paint the baby room, and we're now well aware that our baby-building bodies only require about an extra 200-300 calories per day during this nine month journey to motherhood. Coming from the girl who gained an infamous twelve pounds in four weeks, that all sounds good to me!

     One thing I love about my doctor is his support and encouragement of what I  mention above. I was a gym-a-holic prior to getting pregnant but was convinced that I should avoid it while pregnant (apparently, I'd read one too many old wive's tales). He smiled at my apprehensions and told me to keep doing what I'm doing: running, lifting weights, cycling, they're alllll good during pregnancy! Scientific research over the past two decades has even proven that women who exercised while pregnant had easier, quicker labors and healthier babies.
     When I hit trimester two, I was so glad to see my energy come back, but suddenly I was nailed with some serious lower back pain. It doesn't help that I've always had it, but the shifting, stretching, and rearranging my muscles were doing on top of a misaligned pelvis was excruciating at times. I didn't go to the gym for a few weeks; I was lucky if I got in a lap or two around my neighborhood. At my 20 week appointment, I discussed the pain with my doctor and how terrible it had me feeling. Although exercise was the last thing I wanted to do at that point, he guaranteed me that a little more activity would help my back tremendously. 

     Turns out, Doc knows what he's talking about! I got back in the gym and noticed that within just a few days, my back was feeling better. Dead lifts, which strengthen the glutes, quads, and lumbar region, were miracle workers and still are. My back hasn't ached like it had been in a few weeks now, and it's a bigger relief than I can say!
 

      Below I've listed two amazing workouts that I have begun doing a few times a week for the past few weeks. One of them is one I pinned to a fit pregnancy board on my Pinterest account (with some slight modifications), while the other is a good one I got from a friend. I must say that lately I'm really liking the second one better. It's the one I mentioned in my Week 24 update that I thought was going to kill me before I lowered the weights!

No Excuses Pregnancy Workout

     I have to change this one up a little. I usually run one mile before every workout (or at least 1/2 a mile), so I do that, then do this circuit three times altogether, resting about a minute or two in between. I cannot do dips, or at least not three sets of twelve. I'm not ashamed to say I have weak wrists; they couldn't always be depended on when I did gymnastics, and they gave me a lot of trouble as a cheerleader, despite the wrist exercises I did to try to strengthen them. Although dips are a great core exercise, they mainly work the triceps, so I substitute them for tricep kickbacks or extensions while seated or standing. Also, if I don't have access to a wall at my gym, I'll grab a dumbbell or medicine ball and hold a squat for as long as I can. At the end, I bike a few miles or do ten minutes on the elliptical. I actually went months without doing the elliptical; I was really into weights! But a few weeks  ago, I got back on it and really love it! Low impact but a great way to work up a sweat!!

**I tried to credit the above photo, but the Pinterest link was broken or defective**

Workout 2: High Rep, Low Weight

                                                              http://michellemariefit.publishpath.com/

    I call it "High Rep, Low Weight" because it took me trying to do it with way too heavy weights to figure out that it was not meant for anything over fifteen pounds (except dead lifts maybe!) I got this from my friend on Instagram; anytime someone posts a workout, I always give it a try! This is by far one of the best ones I've tried, and I have done it several times now.

     As you can see, it calls for 25 repetitions for each set. I guess I thought I was really cool trying to do twenty-five squats with a thirty or forty pound barbell on my shoulders. I took a step back and re-read the workout. "Dumbbell squats." The light bulb went off; this is a workout meant for much lower weight. I grabbed a twenty pound dumbbell for squats and tricep extensions (dips), and kept my thirty pound barbell for deadlifts. Again, I don't do the dips, per horrible wrists. I stuck with tricep extensions instead.
     The most challenging part of the second part are the fifty lunges. I take "25 stationary lunges" to mean 25 on each leg. I have a love-hate relationship with lunges, so I try to do ten on one leg, ten on the other, then fifteen on each. OUCH. Those lunges make the rest of this part seem easy! I do the rest with a ten pound dumbbell in each hand. I love the rows! When I'm at the gym, I don't do any cardio with this one until I'm done. The quickest I've been able to finish this workout is about twenty-five minutes. It typically takes a good half hour, maybe longer. But I love it! This has definitely become a new favorite of mine, and I plan on sticking with it once baby is here.

     Please enjoy these lovely gym selfies after this workout!

 

Red-faced and ready to ride the Hot Mess Express :) If you still look good after a workout you're doing it wrong!

Weight Training

     I love being that girl who can run on the tread for a little while, then hit the benches and squat racks for a heavy lifting session. I love weight training! I got into it last year with some classes at my old gym and have since developed my own workouts (my husband, the power lifter, is great help with this too). When hitting the gym strictly for weight training, I like to do three or four heavy, solid sets of squats, dead lifts, and bench presses, and two or three sets of other exercises that work the smaller muscle areas. Before pregnancy, I was really impressed with where my numbers were as far as weights. While carrying little Vaught, I've had to cut down on everything, but I still like where I'm sitting. I think constantly lifting and holding a baby in a few months will help keep the muscles in tact too :) I'm by no means the thinnest, most in-shape girl at the gym, but I love being able to tackle a hard workout, do it right, and get it done. I love being able to lift heavy and not be intimidated by all the meat-heads in the weights area. I'm definitely not afraid of some muscle, unlike many women.

Post squat-session grub with the hubs tonight :)

     Overall, I'm really proud to have been able to remain active throughout my pregnancy so far, and I have less than fifteen weeks to go! In my Week 24 update post, I revealed, unashamedly, that I had gained twelve pounds in four weeks. Since then, I have lost six! SIX! I cannot tell you the relief I felt when I realized that today. I even weighed at the same time as most of my appointments (mid-afternoon), so I know the scale read pretty accurately. For those who may be skeptical, rest assured that my doctor has okayed my diet and exercise plans (I recently began following the diabetic diet for pregnant women), and a small loss is good for me and baby after such a significant gain. In my situation, too much weight gain increases my chances of gestational diabetes, prolonged and/or difficult labor, delivery via C-section, and other complications. But if I can keep my weight in a healthy range, all is anticipated to go well! (Tomorrow, a post about the GD diet will publish, so you can read alllll about it).

     For my moms-to-be who may not be able to be very active during pregnancy (due to complications, high-risk factors, etc.), know that you're no less healthy than other pregnant women who can be more active. Whatever you've been told by your practitioner to do is exactly what you should be doing and is the healthiest option for you. It's okay if you've been clearly instructed to take it easy. My friend and I had this discussion the other day: we're both getting ridiculous amounts of unsolicited (and often unwanted) advice from all corners of our lives, even from family. I sometimes just want to smile and say, "Well, okay honey, that was your pregnancy, this is mine." Pregnancy, like other things women experience, is different for everyone. We are not all the same! My friend and I agree that although the advice is hardly ever sometimes helpful, we are relying on one person's opinion and instructions: our doctors'. And I love that my doctor is so very supportive of exercise during these nine months. My sister may have been told to stay off her feet as much as possible, but my doctor is telling me the more active I am, the better. Your doctor may tell you not to help paint the baby room or clean house due to the smell of cleaning fumes and chemicals; mine says open a window and paint/scrub like you mean it!

     In closing, pregnancy is this beautiful yet complicated thing all at once. Some of us have a hellacious nine months of torture, while others enjoy it for the most part and go about our usual routines with some added perks and kicks (pun intended). I'm no fitness professional (obviously--I'm writing about struggling with weight management), but I am very much a fan of being active and living as healthily as possible. And there's no standard size for that! I've been very fortunate to have had such an easy pregnancy, but I'm counting my blessings and realizing that could change at any minute. If you're able to exercise, pregnant or not, I want to encourage you to try one or both of the workouts above. Remember: go at your own pace and HAVE FUN! Exercise, for everyone, is so much better when you're enjoying what you're doing!

Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email with some of your favorite workout routines. I'm always up for trying new things in the gym! If you don't have a blogger account to leave a comment, follow me on Instagram, katepace12, and contact me there :)

 

Upcoming: some exciting news concerning a small company I've recently become an ambassador for. They will help sponsor and promote my blog, which is really exciting! I can't wait to write all about it but will wait until all details are finalized :) Thanks so much for reading!!

10 Things I Love About You

For my husband, Eric, Vaught's sweet daddy-to-be. I love you and wish you an amazing first Father's Day :)

 

 

10. I'm an avid reader. I keep a constant stack of "currently reading" on my bedside table and am always buried in a book. Especially at nighttime. I can't tell you the number of times I've fallen asleep while reading or watching TV with my glasses on. I'm a light sleeper, so I almost always stir a little when Eric gently takes my glasses off. If there's an open book on my chest, he'll make a bookmark out of something (Kleenex, pen, anything so that he doesn't have to fold down a page, which he hates). It's little things like that that warm my heart a little every time.

9. The fact that he hardly ever takes out the trash but does lots of other random things for me. I almost always have to roll the big trash bin to the end of our short driveway (it'd be different if we lived where my parents do and had a driveway a quarter mile long), but it doesn't bother me at all. He may forget to roll it out there on Tuesday mornings, but for every time he forgets, there's at least five other things he's done for me during the week that show me how much he cares. I came home one day and he was fixing the blinds above the kitchen sink. I'd only mentioned them to him once and how I'd like to fix them one day. On another occasion, I walked outside and he had decided he was going to shape up the two big hedges we have in the front landscape. "I just thought they'd look a little better," he'd told me. It makes me smile. For all that he does without my ever having to ask him, I don't mind if he forgets to roll out the trash bin nearly every Tuesday.

 

8. Working 6-4:30 six days a week so that we can live comfortably. His alarm goes off at 4AM every morning Monday-Saturday, and he's usually out of bed in a matter of about fifteen minutes. He leaves at 5:15 for his job as a machinist in Memphis and works until 4:30 in the afternoon. Two or three days a week through the months of April, May, and June, he also umpires little league baseball at the Olive Branch park. For him, the day sometimes doesn't end until 9:30. He does all of this for both of us, and now for our little one so we can live without worry.

7. Football. From the end of August to early January, football consumes our lives. Before him, I was simply an Ole Miss fan, a "committee fan," I do admit. I "liked" Ole Miss but didn't really keep up with whether they were winning or losing. But when I met and fell in love with a former NCAA football player, I grew to love, really love, college football. Because of Eric, I probably know more about football than most women. It's a love we now share in common and the one thing we always agree on.

6. Food. This one's short, so I'll just tell you that my husband is the greatest grillmaster there ever was. The charcoal grill I got for his 26th birthday last year was not only the greatest gift I think I could have gotten him, it was an investment. He hasn't disappointed yet :)

5. He sticks with it. When he starts something, he finishes, whether it's a difficult job at work or a project in our house. I mentioned his umpiring side job above; he doesn't have to do that. But he enjoyed it last year. This year, our lives were a little busier, and he's gotten into his powerlifting training four days a week. He didn't have to umpire, but he made a commitment to his boss, so he's sticking to it. His days are long and he's ready to collapse from exhaustion sometimes, but if he tells me he's going to do something/fix something/go somewhere with me when he gets home, he does it. He sticks to his word, and I can always appreciate that.

4. He lets me be me. One main reason marriage never really appealed to me when I was younger is because I'm extremely independent. I like doing my own thing and so often just loved being by myself. I hate the idea of someone waiting on me or hovering over me. Eric is perfect for me because he doesn't do that. We are married and live together, but we are still very much our own people. We have our separate areas in the house where we go to just be alone, and that's fine. It makes the time we spend together even more special. Now that I'm pregnant, he watches over me a little more closely, while still letting me be me. He tried to fight me only once on mowing the yard (I love to push-mow!), and he hasn't tried to fight that battle since, though we did compromise: I only get to mow the front yard, and he gets the back :(

3. He's an amazing son-in-law, brother-in-law, grandson-in-law, cousin-in-law, etc. I include this because before him, I didn't bring home very many that my mom and dad had good feelings for! Both my sisters are married, but we rarely see their husbands--nothing against them, they just don't come around as much. My parents say that Eric is like having a second son. He and my dad get together and talk guns and farming for hours. He loves to help my mama with the cooking when we visit. I know they love him so much because they know he's so good for me, and it means more to me than I can say.

 

2. His personality. He's not afraid to speak up and he always says what's on his mind. At the same time, he's one of the kindest, most gentle guys I've ever met. He makes me laugh more than anyone I know, but I also have to roll my eyes at him a lot too. We're as different as night and day, but somehow we are the perfect fit. 

1. He's going to make an amazing dad. Unlike me, he's not worried a single bit about parenthood. One thing he's always been sure of is the fact that he wants to be a father some day. It makes me so glad to know that one of us feels so passionately about parenthood; his confidence eases my anxiety about becoming a parent. He's made mental lists of the hundreds of things he wants to do with Vaught, both as father and son and as a family. I love how in love he already is with the idea of being a father. I cannot wait to see him and his son together for the first time.

 

What It Is & What It Isn't

     No, I'm not trying to rap here. I'm talking about this blog. Since I've made it public to my family and friends, and social network acquaintances, I've gotten a lot of positive feedback, which I love. But I've also received a lot of questions too:

"Well, what's the purpose of it?"

 "Do you just talk about your life?"

 "Is it a blog about your pregnancy?"

 "Who is your audience?" 

     It's hard to answer it all to so many different people, so I decided to write a "brief" history of my blog, followed by an explanation of its role in my life now, to maybe clear up some of these common Q's.

     When I started the blog in 2010, it went by a different name, and I wrote entries about college and sorority life mainly. I've deleted many of those entries now because I would also talk about the nutcase of a roommate I had at the time and an unnamed friend who was suffering from an eating disorder (not negatively, just in general). I sounded so vain and immature sometimes. I would never release my full name or where I lived; it was like an online diary, I guess. I didn't really filter anything I wrote. 

     I grew bored with the blogging world and didn't really mess with it for nearly three years, but in the summer of 2013 (precisely a year ago), I came back with intentions of making this domain a health and fitness blog where I could journal new healthy recipes and smoothie mixes I was trying. I had also planned to begin blogging my workouts, which were pretty intense for a while, and list my muscle gain and fat loss along the way, but I never got around to it. Once again, I suppose I just lost interest.

     When I discovered I was pregnant, I came back to it and renamed the blog "Keeping Pace." One of the main questions I've been asked, even from my husband, is why Keeping Pace? What does the name mean? Well, if you're keeping pace, it means you're keeping up. It's a play on words; my last name is now Pace, so you're keeping up with me. Get it? Clever, I know. I decided that although I wanted to refrain from making it a blog about my pregnancy or baby, I really did want to keep the site up-to-date with interesting articles and lifestyle columns.

What it is:

      Lately, I have written a lot about my pregnancy; this is a lifestyle blog after all, and pregnancy is currently a pretty big part of my life! Plus, there's just so many interesting areas to explore with pregnancy. I really like being a member of the Baby Center community; I never post anything on the discussion boards, but I love reading the discussions and thoughts of other mothers; it gives me an inside look to how different all of our nine month journeys really are. Much of what they say inspires me for what I write about here, concerning pregnancy and children of course.
      As my life changes, so will the content of my blog. I'm really looking forward to blogging more about health and fitness once Vaught arrives and I begin working on post-baby body. I'm a seasoned runner and weight trainer, so expect some good pieces on that in the future. I follow thirty-four week pregnant, WBFF competitor Abigail Edwards on Instagram and get a lot of my pregnancy workout ideas from her, and I would love to blog about those sometime soon. Basically though, a random thought or topic will just come to mind one day. I'll open the Blogger app on my phone and begin writing from where I am, be it in line at the grocery store or waiting in my OB's office.

     Keeping Pace is a place for me to let everything out and be 100% honest--not that I'm not in real life, but I think that we understand ourselves and our situations so much better when we're able to put them down on paper, in our own words. Yes, I know this isn't exactly paper, but you get what I'm saying. Keeping Pace is not a reveal all, tell-all, but it is the one thing that can be all about me or whatever is going on in my life at the current time. It's not like Twitter or Instagram, or dare I say Faccebook, where you don't have a choice but to see what I post or Tweet. If you're reading this, then you made an effort to come here, meaning you're interested in my life and/or what I have to say, which I LOVE. Seriously, I love how many readers I've gained since going public! Even still, you're reading truly by choice; I can put whatever I please on here, and if you grow tired of me, all you do is simply stop visiting. Because of that, I can write whatever I please. There's much that I'd rather not say on Twitter or Instagram because I don't want to offend anyone or hurt any feelings. But this blog is an open range where I feel like I can write about anything I want without having to tailor much of what I say. That's what I truly love about blogging.

What it isn't:

     As stated above, it's not my online personal diary. If you're looking for deep, dark secrets you won't find them here. This blog is not where I hang my dirty laundry, trust me :)

     My precious baby boy... I love how many celebrity gossip magazines are adopting the "No Kid Policy," meaning that they are refusing to print paparazzo photos of celebrities' children; they will only print pictures of famous children if the photos were made public by the parents (i.e.: Channing Tatum posts a picture of his little girl to Instagram with millions of followers; therefore, People Magazine is safe to use it as well). I would almost like to adopt a "No Kids Policy" with Vaught. Yes, I will post plenty of pictures of him, I'm sure, but this blog is not the place to do it. Also, I do not want, and am very adamant in this, a "Facebook baby," where it seems like my child's entire life is documented on Facebook, or any social media for that matter. Before deactivating Facebook, I vividly remember a friend of mine posting question's about her newborn son's recently circumcised penis, open for all Facebook friends to see. And people were answering her questions like it was nothing. Maybe it was okay to many of them, but I just completely disagreed with it. To each his own, but personally, I would never, ever put stuff like that out there for everyone to see. First, out of respect for my son. Secondly... it's just not what I want to see on social media. And I don't want to do that to other readers. So, this is not a place where you'll read all about my son's life as he grows and develops into the handsome little stud I know he'll be. I'm extremely personal about pictures of young children and babies being everywhere, and this definitely is not the place for that.

     A ranting page. This should be quite obvious because I don't have any posts where I'm just throwing a fit. I've seen lots of blogs like that though... the writers just seem so angry! Who wants to read that?? Some of it's entertaining, sure, but this is not the thing I'll turn to when something or someone pisses me off. Positive vibes only!

     To sum it up, Keeping Pace is one of the things I am happiest about in my life. I know that probably sounds weird, but I love writing; therefore, I really love my blog. It's a place where I can be myself without worry and a place I can connect with other bloggers. We all have interesting things to share and talk about, and I love reading about others' lives and experiences. If you're reading, then I want to encourage you to continue doing so. It makes me so happy to log on every day and see the page view tab keep going up and up. It's inspiring and makes me want to go even further with my blog. Once Baby Pace arrives, expect my entries to tailor slowly back to the "lifestyle" area, with many articles about fitness, health, and of course, post-baby body updates. I'm seriously considering enrolling in a bootcamp after baby and tracking my progress, scary as that might seem right now.

 

You're not going to see breastfeeding selfies nor any opinion articles on breastfeeding here :) You're not going to be forced to listen to me whine and complain about the hardships of being a new, young mother. Keeping Pace is a positive, happy place. And I am hopeful that you'll continue keeping up with me.

13 Beauty Products I Absolutely Cannot Live Without

 

 

I realize to say that I "absolutely cannot live" without these items sounds extremely egotistical and vain. However, if I'm going to be waddling around this summer, I am determined to look at least halfway pretty doing so. I got the idea for this blog Sunday morning, as Eric and I were rushing to get ready to go to my parents' house for lunch (we had overslept and were way late)! I only had about 15 minutes to get ready, but I wasn't stressed, for I've got the perfect products for a quick but pretty routine!

1. Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer by Hard Candy. I discovered this after the first three pages of my Google search: "best drugstore concealer" returned Glamoflauge as the consecutive first place winner. It goes on light and blends reeeeally well, especially underneath my foundation. It's also a great tool when highlighting or contouring!


$6

 

2. Amy Head Cream Moisture Glow Foundation: The one on the left is my natural shade, while I use the one on the right more for contouring (I'm getting better at it!) I love Amy Head's cream foundation because it goes on super smooth and doesn't feel cakey or nasty like some cream and liquid foundations. It's also sweatproof, which is hard to find but vital for me. I wore it on my wedding day, Cheslin's wedding day, and I'm sure I will wear it for the other two weddings I have this summer; I have no worries when wearing this foundation!

 

 

$34

3. I don't always have time for foundation, so Avon's Ideal Flawless BB cream is my go-to for days when I've only got about five minutes for the face! BB cream is a "blemish balm" cream that has been around for decades, but its popularity on makeup shelves has only gotten popular in the last couple of years. After trying a tube by L'Oreal and then another drugstore brand, I stumbled upon Avon's Ideal Flawless cream. "Sheer coverage" may sound like an oxymoron, but it's the perfect, light look for days when I have little time but need some color on my face. It doesn't feel sticky or cakey, and it's the perfect mix with a loose, translucent powder on top.

$10

 

 

4. Amy Head Cosmetic Sponges: I cannot say enough about these. You may look at the picture and think, But can't I buy those at Walmart? No, you cannot. These particular sponges are actually patented by Amy herself I believe. They are latex free, so they don't absorb the foundation. I wash mine in mild soap and warm water every week and reuse. $8 buys a pack of 12 of these fabulous sponges, and they are worth every penny! I was once picking up a few things in the Amy Head Oxford store, and there were two women there shopping for makeup. One of them, I suppose noticing I was a regular customer, asked if the makeup was "really that good." I gave her an enthusiastic "YES" and then told her "but you also have to get the sponges. They are miracle workers!" I can also use these to swipe on my BB cream when I don't feel like using my hands. They are incredible; I buy a new pack nearly every time I visit the store!

$8 for pack of 12 sponges

 

5. Amy Head Golden Luster Highlighter Powder & Pressed Powder: I combine these as number 5 because I often combine them as I apply them. I can't say enough about the highlighter; it's amazing on my cheekbones and jawline. The pressed powder goes perfectly over everything but is especially useful when contouring. I'll often combine these two for perfect, shimmery coverage over my foundation. Together, they are worthwhile face brighteners!!

Highlighter: $40, Pressed Powder: $34. Anyone wanna volunteer to get me some new ones?? :)

 

 

6. Avon Blush/Bronzer Due: I'm glad I got it when I did because it's no longer available :( I LOVE Avon's blushes, so combined with bronzer, this is one of my faves! Perfect color without being too heavy or intense.

 

 

7. elf Powder Brush: No need to even add a link for this one. All elf brushes are fantastic and are available at Target (and maybe a few other chain stores, not sure), for $1 each. I've had a couple of powder brushes by elf in the past several years, but the bristles on this one are a bit thicker and stiffer; I feel like it holds onto the powder better, so when I swipe it on, it's not all over my neck and hair. If I can only carry a few things with me, I definitely include this fabulous brush.

 

 

8. Amy Head Eyeliner in Sage: I don't wear a lot of eyeliner, but when I do, this sage is my go-to. The color is a greenish gold (it sounds odd, but it's beautiful), and Claire, my favorite makeup artist at Amy Head, used it on me just a couple of months ago. I fell in love with it! It looks especially amazing smudged on the lower lash line, but it's great for top and bottom. I love the texture of it (so smooth!) so much, that I plan to go back for one or two more colors soon!

$20

 

 

9. Victoria's Secret Makeup Mettalized Eye Shadow in Petal to the Metal: I forget that this is an eye shadow because I actually use it all over my face. Sometimes, it's a quick highlight on my cheekbones. Other times, it's a brightener on my brow bone and just a dab above my brows. I love how it can go almost anywhere and look like that's what it was made for.

$8

 

 

10. elf Eyelash Curler: Ahhh, another elf product! Let me just say that I have tried dozens of eyelash curlers in my day. I don't wear much mascara, so instead I like my lashes curled to the extreme to give the illusion that I am. I've tried a $5 curler by Revlon that was okay and $7 one by another brand that was mediocre. The best eyelash curler I have ever used? $2 from elf.

 

 

11. Amy Head Lash Primer and Great Lash Mascara: Honestly, because who doesn't love Great Lash? It wins every magazine's "Best Mascara" nearly every year, and their latest creation, Lots of Lashes, is my new favorite. I'm also a big fan of Benefit's They're Real! mascara ($23). However, I just can't stand to wear a lot of it--I hate taking it off at the end of the day! For an average day, a light coating is all I need. Amy Head's primer is the perfect pre-step when applying mascara; it gives lashes a thicker, "lashier" look and makes mascara glide on 100 times smoother!

Primer: $20 Mascara: $5

 

 

12. Never underestimate the power of.. Baby Powder! I use it everywhere. Literally. On my face, body, and even in my hair. When swiped around and underneath my eyes, it keeps my eye makeup from running. When dotted along my lashes, it makes my mascara look thicker. I used it to prevent chafing on my thighs on my wedding day and still use it when wearing a maxi skirt (because leg sweat isn't fun). And I cannot say enough about it in the hair! It works as a great dry shampoo (I have yet to find a dry shampoo that doesn't suck), plus it holds a tease really well. My sorority's 2012 pledge class found out just how well it holds a tease when they used it in their hair for their skeleton routine for Theta Encore. They were one of the first acts, and the show had to be cancelled because baby powder ruined the floors and wires around the stage. Oh, whups! You can get baby powder anywhere, so I need not post a link. Who knows-- while changing diapers in a few months, I'm likely to just turn the bottle over on my head. Talk about double duty :)

 

 

13. Amy Head Lipstick in Somerset: I've never worn lipstick until I discovered Somerset. It is a perfect nude shade with just a hint of orange on my skin tone. Once I apply it, I need not apply more for several hours, and I top it with a sheer, minty gloss or chapstick. Somerset makes me excited to put on lipstick every day; I never thought I would say that!

$22

 The result? A happy, confident Kate :)



This is 5 minutes after leaving Amy Head studio in Oxford... If only I could look like this every day.
 

 

Not nearly as fabulous when I do it myself... but it works :)

But first... Lemme take a selfie.

                                               

If you're wondering why there are no hair products included here, know that it's because my hair has a mind of its own and no amount of products I use will it ever be able to manipulate it. It does what it wants when it wants, and I just deal with it. My hair stylist, Jessica Evans, is the only person I know who can get it under control. She's amazing. I have an enormous amount of respect for people who do hair for a living; they know how to deal with hair like mine; they've got the magic touch, and I'm so jealous of that!!! 

 

What are your must-have beauty/hair products??

 

Any cool beauty tricks you'd like to share?

 

Comment here or send them to knc9009@gmail.com. If I'll put eggs and vinegar in my hair, I'll definitely try your tricks :)

 



Additional Week 24 Update

Thrifting Saturday... Couldn't resist!

I had to come and add this to the blog due to my week 24 appointment this afternoon. I have new measurements for little Vaught, who is growing bigger by the minute!

But first...

     This morning was a little crazy. The storms last night mixed with placenta brain just weren't a good combination, and I kept having insane dreams. Due to one reeeally intense one, I woke up in a panic about the w hole labor and birth process, which, up until this point, has never scared me at all. I mean, it's life. Literally. I was really shaken up. It was 4:30, and I knew going back to sleep wasn't an option, so I got up and had Eric's breakfast made before he got out of the shower. It made for a good morning to eat with him before he left for work, even if it was 5:15. And by that point, there was 0 reason for me to try to go back to sleep, so after egg whites and strawberry oatmeal (bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches for my big man), I tackled this really great workout I got from a friend a few days ago. It's my third time to do it, and I absolutely love it because it's something I've not done in so long: high rep, low weight. Actually, the first night I tried it at my gym was a little funny. For the past year I've done low rep, high weight workouts (muscle builders) with cardio in between. So, I attempted this new one (3 sets of 25 reps) with a thirty pound dumbbell for squats, sixty pounds for dead lifts, and 15-20 pounds for everything else. After about 10 reps, I was thinking to myself, There's no way... Then I realized this was meant for low weight. Oh. Once I lowered everything, it was much easier but still a challenge. By the third set, I was a mess. But it felt amazing. I added two miles on the treadmill the first two times, but since I did it at home this morning (with 8 pound dumbbells), I decided to skip the cardio (plus, it was raining). I started at 5:40 and finished a little after 6. I don't have to get up for work until after 7, so I laid back down and watched a little television before I just had to get up and get going :)

     And after my appointment, I'm very glad I got myself going this morning and did that workout. Since my last appointment, just over four weeks ago, this mama has put on nearly twelve pounds. TWELVE! That's about three pounds per week--WOWZA! And not a good wowza either. I was so proud of myself at my last appointment (the halfway point at twenty weeks) when I had only gained a total of ten and a half pounds in twenty weeks. I've gained that much in four! My doctor was kind of "blehhh" about it. Not thrilled, but not too distressed. But I can't help but be disappointed in myself. I've been so careful and done so well during my pregnancy, but I have to hold myself accountable and admit that I have been indulging wayyyy too much lately--it definitely doesn't help that every single weekend I've got more wedding showers, parties, and get-togethers (meaning cake, cake, and more cake, which I never liked until I was expecting). It's hard to pay attention to what you're putting in when you're eating while running around catering to brides and their needs. Not that I'd trade it for anything!! But today made me realize I've got to be more careful for the next fifteen weeks.

     Three weeks from tomorrow I will take the glucose test (many refer to it as the sugar test), which will reveal whether or not I have gestational diabetes. I expressed my anxieties about the test to my doctor, who feels confident I'll be fine and will pass with flying colors.

Totally can't wait for this :-\

 The weight gain since my last appointment was a bit of a surprise to both of us, but aside from that, this pregnancy has been a wholesome, healthy one. Even still, I requested a copy of the diet sheet that expectant women follow upon discovering they have GD. I had spoken to my good friend earlier today, who said she started following the diet during her second trimester, despite not having diabetes, and claimed she had never felt better. Even if I'm not gestational, I feel like it would benefit me and baby greatly if I followed this diet for the rest of my pregnancy. There's never anything wrong with being healthy, and pregnancy is the best time to give it even more effort! Through all of this though, God has still been so good to me and Vaught, and I must remember that. A few extra pounds are nothing compared to what some other women experience. I have to remember how blessed we are and have been and trust that He will continue taking good care of us.
I tried to post pictures of the diabetic diet my doctor gave me, but the quality sucked. Google "diabetic diet," and it's very similar to the ones you'll find. I'll try very  hard to include blog posts about some of the new recipes I plan on trying too :)

On a brighter note...

     My ultrasound technician is the sweetest thing ever; she complimented how well I'm carrying Vaught, which made me feel good, especially after seeing the number I had seen twenty minutes earlier! He now weighs one pound and 10 ounces--growing like a champ! She took a pretty good picture of his sweet little face... Gosh, I cannot wait to love all over him! I keep meaning to ask about the 3D ultrasound... I want to know if it is required or not because frankly, I don't think I want one. The parents of my generation had very basic black and white ultrasounds and were fortunate to be able to find out the genders of their children. They didn't get to see what the baby looked like before he or she arrived, and I'm not quite sure I want to. I am really glad to know that Vaught is a boy, but do I have to see his face before his birth day? Personally, the 3D ultrasounds are a little creepy, and I'm not quite sure I want one unless I absolutely have to get one. Who knows, though! The day may get here where I'm DYING to see a super clear picture of him! But at this point, I'm just a little skeptical; it'd be nice to have ONE surprise--seeing what our precious little guy will look like!

Sweet face!

Vaught was being a little camera-shy, but we were able to see this one...  

 

The "Belly Shots"

And no, I don't mean those that involve alcohol :)

Pre-workout tonight. I seem to be carrying high for a baby boy.

Before my brother's wedding shower Sunday

Let me know of any good recipes I should try whilst on the GD diet! Feel free to send them to my email: knc9009@gmail.com

What do YOU think of 3D ultrasounds??


Keep checking back: I've got about 10 good posts I'm currently working on. Thanks for reading!!!!

Our Lives Are Not Over.

image from Glamour.com

"I've lived a very big life, and I don't feel my age, and I feel like I was born to be a mother... Sometimes people speak about [having kids] like, 'Your life ends--you're never going to be able to do anything again!' And I'm like, 'What are you talking about?' Motherhood is the most beautiful, exciting thing."

     This quote comes from 24-year-old actress Hayden Panettiere, from her May 2013 issue of Glamour magazine. I fell in love with it after I read it, for even before I became pregnant, I knew that what this beautiful, talented young woman was saying was very true. 

     At sixteen years old, I swore off marriage and children. I just knew I would never get married or reproduce, two things that absolutely terrified me to think of, even hypothetically. When Eric and I began dating when I was 18, I started to think that maybe this was a guy I could marry some day. Maybe marriage isn't so bad. Maybe! Then at 21, I knew it was him. I wasn't sure of very much else, but I knew he was the man God sent for me. And although marriage was still a pretty scary thought, my decision to become his wife was one I felt sure of. Being married to him makes me the happiest girl in the world. In a world full of uncertainties, our devotion to one another is the one thing I can always hang my hat on. And that makes me happy.
     Then comes the thought of children. I still didn't want any, but I married a guy who did. I told him we would need to wait a few years. Maybe when I was 27 or 28 I would feel more at ease with the idea of motherhood. In the back of my mind, I think a part of me hoped that after it was just us two for so long, Eric would no longer want children. I know--selfish, right? But sometime shortly after our wedding, I happened to pick up Hayden's issue of Glamour (and it was almost an accident--I thought she was Scarlett Johansson at first glance of the cover), and I read and reread her interview a dozen times. My favorite part? The part about motherhood, of course. Here was this absolutely stunning 23-year-old woman who was willing to say, with confidence, that she feels like she was born to be a mother (and rumor has it that she is pregnant now). It was enlightening because that is, after all, a large part of God's purpose for woman. The idea of motherhood suddenly not only seemed possible for me-- it began to sound appealing.
     Even still, you can read Baby Pace's story and know that we weren't really planning for him, so I want to talk more about what went through my mind when I realized he was coming. Other young mothers and mothers-to-be should understand that it is perfectly acceptable to feel this way... At 20, 21, 22, as I watched (on Facebook, mainly) girls from high school, even some from my graduating class, become young mothers. I would laugh and think, Bless your little heart; your life is over. After those two positive pregnancy tests, I kind of thought the same thing to myself, I admit. What happened to all of my plans and my aspirations? What's going to happen to my body, and will I ever look the same? Will Eric and I be as happy with a third person in our home as we are now? What about all the stuff I wanted to do first? Can I really do this? Yes, all of those things came to my mind. In all honesty, it took a good week for the news to really resonate with me; I wasn't this giddy, happy pregnant girl at the first sight of a pink plus sign. When I announced our big news, I was almost afraid of what people would think and say. All of my friends know me as the girl who was never having kids, who claimed to strongly dislike them even, and would wear many titles in life, "mother" never being one of them if I had it my way. In their minds, I feel like so many of my friends and family kind of laughed at me after announcing the news (and I do hope it was with good humor). Others may have thought the same thing I used to think of all those girls: Well, your life is over.
     In this interview, I think that's the barrier that Hayden is trying to break down. To all the girls and young women who make crude jokes about pregnancy, our lives are not over. If anything, they have just begun. And you. have. no. idea. what. you're. talking. about. Are we scared? Yes. I think any new mother would be crazy to not be at least a little. Are our lives about to change forever? Well, of course. That's motherhood, dear. And I'm hearing that it's a pretty incredible change. But are our lives "over?" Are we officially going to be bumps on the mommy logs who just sit around all day wiping away spit-up and filling bottles? Nah. At least not all the time. Our lives are not over. Not in the least bit.
      I never really saw myself in these shoes (swollen feet and all), but now that I am, I couldn't be happier. Every kick reminds me of the miracle that's taking place within me. It's so amazing, I cannot even begin to describe it. The first time you hear that little heartbeat, you've never been more sure of anything in the world except how badly you yearn for this tiny person in the making. Suddenly every decision you make revolves around this little one; you do everything with him in mind, and you shudder at the thought of harming him in any way. Your entire outlook on life changes. To be honest, my plans are not important anymore. I was supposed to at least have my Specialist's degree before Eric and I even considered babies. And it will happen (I'm still trooping through the Master's program), but it's not important anymore. I was supposed to run my first half marathon in New Orleans the first week of February; after finding out I was expecting, I decided not to, for fear that I might suffer a second miscarriage. I couldn't bear the thought of the possibility that I could cause this child any harm by running thirteen miles. I was supposed to do a lot of things in my mind. It's not important to me anymore.
     It's not a walk in the park, and I think that's part of the beauty of this journey, and yes, it is beautiful. I still get really anxious and scared sometimes. As a matter of fact, I had a complete meltdown on Memorial Day. It was silly, but in the midst of my family having a good time at my house, I retreated to my bedroom, laid down, and cried for nearly an hour straight, due to something that arose in the conversation we'd been having that had frightened me. Upon realizing something was wrong, my mother found me, and I cried to her that I was terrified at the thought of not being a good mother. I expressed my fears of not being able to provide or give him everything he needs. My mother hugged me and told me I was being silly. It wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear at the time, but I knew she was right because she's never been wrong before about things like that. This is all 100% normal, and if you've had children and say you've never felt this way, you know you're kidding yourself. Yes, it's beautiful and wonderful, but it's also scary. Marriage is a huge step, but motherhood... Motherhood is one giant leap of faith into the unknown.

I can't say that I'm going to do everything perfectly as a new mother or that I'll even know what I'm doing half the time. The first few weeks may be all about survival and doing whatever I've got to do to get a little sleep and keep my sanity. But I do know that I'll be okay. I can't say for sure that I'll ever get that doctorate's degree, though it is still an enormous goal for me. I can't say for sure that I'll end up running a half marathon or that I'll open my coffee shop when I'm older (another dream of mine). But these things aren't so important anymore.

My life is not over, and even if all of the above never happens, I feel as if I now have more to look forward to than I could ever imagine.

 

Proverbs 31:25 "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she laughs without fear of the future."

 

6 Months Already??

  It doesn't seem like I should already be near the 6 month mark in my pregnancy. But I am today, and this baby is now coming sooner rather than later! He's about 8 and a half inches long and is probably creeping up to two pounds in weight. I'll be surprised if he doesn't already weigh at least a pound and a half at my appointment Monday! Since we've only got three months to go, give or take a little, we're cracking down on some of the most important things we'll need to have taken care of by the time little Vaught arrives. That includes childcare, which horrifies me already. Number one: I don't want some other lady taking care of my baby. I wish it could be me all day every day until he's in Kindergarten! But times have changed, and I've got to work! Not just for our family but because it's what keeps me going. I love working and being able to contribute to our household. Number two: it's crazy expensive, especially where I live. It almost seems like we might be saving more if I stayed home for a while. To the mothers who are able to do that, great, but I know myself, and I know I'll want to go back to work just as soon as I get settled into a routine with Vaught. I've already visited a few places in our area and nearly cried at the thought of leaving him there at just a couple of months old. But the people I've met at each business have been incredible; regardless of where he goes, he's definitely going to be taken care of!

How I'm feeling: pretty good lately. The back pain is sporadic, but I'm stretching and getting more exercise in. That helps tremendously! I actually went to the gym yesterday afternoon and had an amazing workout. Squats feel amazing on my back! I stand and walk around a lot at work, so my ankles are now starting to swell a little at the end of the day; not so much uncomfortable as it is humorous. My husband has begun calling me "Ol' Swoll' Feet." So clever.

How I'm looking: I include this because the belly is definitely there now, and there's no hiding it. I was able to slenderize it pretty well up until about week eighteen or nineteen. But it is now on full display. Some days I feel like I am the most fabulously glowing pregnant woman there ever was. Other days I feel like TLC could arrive at any second to film me for the next episode of My 600 Pound Life. And I had to throw this in there because I'm working at my mom's office again this summer, so I see a lot of people from my hometown and some that I went to school with. I ran into a girl from high school just last week; she kept glancing down at my belly as we were chatting, as if willing me to mention that I was pregnant (I hadn't yet), but I could tell she was dying to ask or maybe had heard that I was and wanted me to bring it up. I did eventually. LOL. But I get a kick out of people staring in curiosity.
  

What I'm craving: nothing in particular besides chocolate milk. I've begun a nightly routine of having a glass of chocolate milk, and I crave it at weird times throughout the day. I feel like Vaught will end up being a big time milk guzzler like his mom! I'm not necessarily craving this, but I've begun eating more fruit to combat my sweets cravings. My intense sugar cravings were a major part of what had me thinking Baby P was a girl for so long! So to curve the sugar craze, my mother and I have stocked the fridge at work with tons of strawberries and blueberries, and we've kept a bowl on the office kitchen table full of green apples and peaches. YUM!

And she picked up this cute little strawberry/yogurt parfait for me the other day!

 

Movement: he's all over the place! He's especially active when I sing in the car and after I eat anything spicy. Eric has tried to feel him a few times, but when he puts his hand on my belly Vaught will stop moving altogether; I kind of feel like we may have a little stubborn boy on our hands! But I can feel him and do so several times a day. It's amazing.
 

Up next: I went to Lowe's and picked up a paint sample for Vaught's room; I went about a shade too dark, so this weekend I plan on trying a lighter shade and doing some more organizing around my house. I was just telling my mother today how vital it is for me to get organized before he gets here! Right now, we have two or three different designated spots in our home where we just toss things and lose them later or never even worry with them again. My goal for the month of June is to de-clutter! My next prenatal appointment is this Monday. We will schedule my glucose (sugar) test, which makes me a little nervous. One of my sisters passed with flying colors, the other failed and was gestational. It disappeared after pregnancy, but came back several years later. She's now a Type Two diabetic. It's also a little frightening because Type One and Two run on both sides of my families, though aside from my sister, no one in my immediate family has ever been diabetic. However, I'm staying positive. I've been fortunate to have a really healthy pregnancy so far. I've monitored my weight really well and stayed active, despite some small setbacks! I feel good about the test, but I'm glad I have another four weeks until I have to worry about it.

      After the initial shock when we first found out to wear off, I started wishing the time away. Being ten weeks pregnant seems like it was decades ago; I barely remember looking at my What to Expect app, just waiting for the week when Baby Pace would begin to look more human. Now, he is very much a sweet little baby with fully functioning legs and arms and a weiner, oh my! I said I absolutely could not wait to have him here, and now that we're getting closer, I kind of wish I had some of that time back. I am SO excited to meet Vaught; I'm so anxious to say "Hi, baby," to him for the first time and hold him, but I realize that there is still sooooo much to do. We have picked out a really nice crib for him, and we plan to make that our next big purchase! Once we have that, we'll just have some minor things to get before he makes his big debut. I'm already starting the guessing game with his birthday. I'm saying September 20th (he's going to let me turn 24 on the 18th first!) :))))