Big NEWS!

Yey, it’s Friday and an “Off-Friday” at that, so hello weekend! Today’s 5 on Friday is really only 2 things and some pictures to make it 5!

(1) EM and I are visiting my parents this weekend. It was supposed to be just me since G was supposed to take EM to Philly for the weekend to surprise his sister for her 30^th birthday (Happy 30th Birthday C!) but since it was supposed to rain the entire weekend and they were planning on being out and about, we decided it wouldn’t be good for EM to be out in the cold. There was a 70% chance of rain and temps in the 50’s. If it had just been cold, they could have bundled her, but with the rain, I didn’t want her to get sick. And since I was already planning on spending the weekend with my parents, now we both are and of course my parents are happy to have us both for 3 days.

(2) And now for the big news! Well remember how I’ve been sucking at “Follow through Friday”? Well, the reason is because I’m pregnant! yey! I’ve been feeling like crap in the mornings (nauseous only, luckily have only thrown up twice) and then going to bed not much later than EM, most nights because I’m so tired! This happened when I was pregnant with EM too. Now that I’m nearing the end of the 1^st trimester (I’m 10 weeks 6 days, today – so 2ish wks to go!) I’m hoping that my energy level perks up a little so I can at least do some walking as I haven’t been doing anything (besides the few races, but nothing since my last one) and feel disgusting! I’ve luckily only put on 2 lbs, which technically you aren’t supposed to put on anything in the 1^st trimester so hoping to not put on anything more. I haven’t been eating healthy and letting my cravings get the best of me, so I’m surprised I haven’t put on more. I FEEL like I’ve put on more as my body is already starting to shift and my clothes are already starting to not fit. I seriously don’t know how some people stay so active during pregnant. I’m going to try better than last time, but it’s hard when all you want to do it sleep and eat carbs!

We found out back in February, two days before the cruise. Normally, we wouldn’t have told ANYONE (not even our parents) until after we went to at least our 1^st doctor appt, but since we were all going on a cruise together, they would figure it out if I wasn’t drinking so we told them before the cruise. It was fun as we left with G’s dad so he found out first as he walked in the door, EM crawled over to him wearing her “Big Sister” shirt, then we went to pick up G’s mom from work and she saw the shirt. Their reactions were priceless (yes, we video recorded them!). My parents were meeting us at the cruise terminal and because of the birth certificate fiasco, we were kind of off to the side waiting to get that figured out when they showed up in line to check in. So we walked over to them with EM in my arms facing out and my mom always likes to see if EM puts her arms out for her, and of course she did so that’s when  she picked up on the shirt and pretty much screamed “You’re pregnant” in true New Yorker fashion and then my dad noticed it. (yes, we video recorded that as well!) They too were priceless! And for anyone who saw pictures of me and my drinking from the cruise, they were staged pcitures, my sister kept asking if I was drinking (she knew we were trying to get pregnant) so we posted those pictures to throw her off until after the cruise so I could tell her myself. We’ve been telling family and close friends the last few weeks with the final person (G’s Sister) being told today while he is up there surprising her for her 30^th Birthday. (He insisted on telling certain people in person and since this trip was already planned it just worked out perfect with the timing of when we planned to announce). So far, we’ve had two doctor appts and an ultrasound and everything looks good. We go back for our next ultrasound on Monday and I’m excited to see the baby look more like a baby and less like a “blob”. My official due date based on the ultrasound is October 19^th, and of course my father-in-law is hoping I have the baby early on his birthday (October 7^th) since I had EM early and it happened to fall on my Dad’s birthday.  Of course, the baby will comes when he/she is ready and we are just hoping for a healthy baby and delivery! So now, without further ado, here is our picture announcement (we had a little photo shoot with EM and G had some fun playing with Aperture!):

see, she isn't ALWAYS smiling

 

our little "blob"

And our only family photo from the cruise where we told our family

Pony Rides and Bounce Houses

Well the weekend flew bye wayyy too fast! Friday Night, we didn’t do much. We stopped by G’s parent’s house after dinner as there was some family in town that wanted to meet Emily, then G and I just watched a movie after EM went to bed. We watched 500 Days of Summer. I don’t know that I’ve ever actually seen the whole thing. It’s too slow paced for me and not one I’ll be watching again anytime soon.

Saturday was a very busy day! G was at the NCAA Tournament all day and EM and I had a birthday party to attend. Since the birthday party was in my hometown (it was a 4^th  birthday party for my friend’s son; she’s probably the only person I really talk to that still lives in that town besides my family), we left early and stopped at my parents’ house and was able to spend time with them, plus my sister and grandparents came over. Then we went to the birthday party which was at a farm. I loved it! It would have been slightly better if EM was walking but we still had a great time. They had a ton of animals to look at plus pony rides, a cool swing, and a bounce house. It was a gorgeous day out (actually got a little sun burned on my shoulders, whoops!). EM loved the bounce house and her ride on the pony. It was hard to get a good picture on the pony since I wanted to be close in case she got wobbly.

After the party, my parents had my brother and his family and my grandparents over for dinner so I got to spend some time with all of them as well. I always love spending time with my family. With our hectic schedules, we only get to see them about once a month as they live 1.5 hrs away, so whenever I do go over there, I try to make a full day of it. I love watching my nieces and nephew (and brother and SIL too) interact with EM. They are so sweet to her and share their toys and just love being around her. I have a great relationship with my one set of cousins (despite never living in the same state, but we did see each other about once a year growing up) and I hope EM and her cousins will have the same!

On Sunday, I actually accomplished more than just sitting on the couch (my usual Sunday), don’t worry I still snuck in a nap while EM took hers, that never doesn’t happen! Both dogs even got bathed (don’t even want to think about how long it’s been). I took EM to our community playground for a little while but like Saturday, without her walking it makes it kind of difficult. Crawling in mulch isn’t exactly something she likes, so I’d have to pick her up after eat time down the slide and put her on the steps to climb back up. She seemed to enjoy herself though but this Mommy got tired after only a little while. We finished the weekend with dinner at my inlaws. It was super yummy! I even finished most of my laundry yesterday (determined to finish the rest tonight, it was in the dryer when I was going to sleep).

EM definitely is improving on her standing though, hopefully her first steps will be ANY day now!

Monday morning came wayyyy too fast, but this was the first weekend in a long time where we got out of the house and did fun things with EM so I welcomed the tiredness.

IPSY "Destination Beauty" March 2014 Glam Bag Review

After last month's fiasco, I was glad to see this month's ipsy arrived around it's normal time! (I've had it a few days, but just now getting around to posting about it)

For those of you that don't know, ipsy is a monthly subscription service where or only $10/month (cancel at anytime!) you get a Glam Bag (make up bag) filled with 4-5 beauty products curated by Michelle Phan! You get ipsyPoints for reviewing your items (and for doing other things within the site) that can be used toward purchases of additional items. 

First things first, ipsy comes in a pretty envelope and inside is of course the Glam Bag stuffed with goodies.  The theme this month was "Destination Beauty". Their Glam Room for this month says "Exotic beaches or a simple stay-cation - what beautiful destination is your March Glam Bag getting ready for?" ipsy doesn't send out information cards (Birchbox does, which I definitely prefer). however, an information card isn't really necessary since all items can be found on their website and all have coupon codes for additional purchases if you want to buy some more. It looks like there were a possibility of 10 items (although multiple variations/shades of some items) and each subscriber got some combination of 4 of them depending on their preferences from their ipsy beauty quiz match. Now on to my goodies!

Marvelous Moxie by bareMinerals (in Get Ready) - I am really starting to get wayy took much lipstick in my beauty subscriptions (I don't wear it, I try to get into it, but it's just not my thing) so this one will be going in my giveaway box** which is going to turn into two giveaway boxes soon as it's getting pretty full . The color itself is very pretty (well for what it looks like it's supposed to be, I didn't try it). I wish I would have gotten the gloss instead, boo! (~$7.50 for .05 oz sample)

Love in Rio Eyeshadow by NYX (in Moonlit Skinny Dip) - I like that two of these colors are light as lately a lot of my shades are darker and I need something to brighten me up. This was a full sized item, yey! (~$6.00 for .105 oz)

Indigo Blue Eyeline by Chella - I've actually worn blue eyeliner before and loved the way it looked so I'm actually going to try this out. I don't wear eyeliner regularly but next time I do, I'm going blue!  Although this isn't a pencil, so it may be a little trickier to put on than I'm used to. This looks like a full sized item although I'd never buy eyeliner for that price. (~$24.00 for one eyeliner pen)

Flawless Beauty Primer by PiXi - I never used to wear Primer but now that I have a few times, I see all the difference it makes so I'm excited to get some in my bag! (~$3.56 for .4 oz sample)

Total Estimated Value: $41.06 (not including the bag itself or any shipping) 

Total Price Paid: $10 (free shipping)

Overall Impression: Another awesome value bag and even though I won't use the eyeliner that often or the lipstick at all, the other two items will be used up in no time! Love it! 

If you are interested in signing up for ipsy, use my referral link (and I thank you in advance for some ipsyPoints to use for future add on items!)

Did you get ipsy this month? Did you like it? What'd you get?

**FUTURE GIVEAWAY** once I got 100 followers on BlogLovin' or 200 on Facebook (whichever happens first) - I am going to host a giveaway with all my Birchbox and ipsy items that aren't things I would typically use but I know others who would love. So make sure you follow me, if you are reading me!

Googaro March 2014 Review

I did a one-month try of Googaro after finding a deal on Plum District. I had seen a few reviews on them and liked them but since I already subscribe to Citrus Lane I figured I better just stick to one, but I couldn't pass up a good deal to at least try it out. 

For those of you that don't know, Googaro  is a monthly subscription service where you get a box of goodies for your child that are geared towards their current age (tots to age 3) each month delivered to your door. Plans start at $35/month but if you buy longer subscriptions you can get them as low as $31.83/month).

first look

Since this is my first (and only) month, and you only pick an age range (1-2 years old for us) I don't know how the boxes differ amongst each other however they do include an information card showing you all your goodies and suggested retail prices (although, like I do with all my subscription box reviews, I'll do a break down on the prices as I find them online) The box itself was pretty large and by first look, looked like it might be a winner. They also shipped USPS Priority 2-Day, so it got here super fast (I don't think any of the other boxes I subscribe to send them priority)

Skip Hop Straw Bottle (Panda) - this is an adorable cup and I'm sure once EM figures out how to use a straw, this will come in handy as we don't have any "big kid" type sippy cups yet. I like this it also included an extra straw (in case we lose one or it gets nasty) It's dishwasher safe and BPA free (although I think everything is nowadays. ($6.00)

Innovative Kids Counting Board Book - EM seemed to like flipping through this book. I wish there was more of a "Story" to it, but it does say it's a counting book, and it definitely does that. ($5.99)

Plan Toys Helicopter - we've gotten a few Plan Toys in various baby boxes and they are always a great quality. This one is super cute  (The propeller turns as you push it) and I'm sure EM will love playing with it! ($14.70)

Greensprouts Tiny Bath Mat  - these are adorable whale shaped mats to suction to the bathtub to prevent slipping. I actually have some other ones (that match EM's bathroom theme) that I probably should put down now that she's moving about the tub a lot more. I'll probably try to trade/gift these ones. They are adorable though, just don't match her monkey theme. ($12.99)

Skip Hop Carrying Case - This is just a nice little zip case that I honestly probably won't ever use as I have a bajillion bags about this size (espeically from ipsy). Although Skip Hop is a great brand so I'm sure I can find someone to give it to. Or I could actually use it in my diaper bag to keep my keys and phone from floating about the bag. I couldn't find this online but the information card says $5.00 so we'll go with that. 

Total Estimated Value of Box: ~$44.68 (not including shipping)

Total Cost of Box: $35.00 (free shipping) -- I only paid $20 though because of an awesome deal I found on Plum District. 

Overall Impression: It's a pretty good box, especially for the $20 that I paid for it. I may have to check it out when they do another special offer as I've told myself I'm only doing one Baby Box at a time (you tend to get similar items) and I'm in the middle of a Citrus Lane subscription so this one will have to hold off (it's also a little more expensive)

If you are interested in signing up for Googaro… here is a coupon code for $10/off your first order: Googar-Discount

Remember, you can cancel at any time, so your first box would only be $25!

Did you get Googaro this month? What'd you get and for how old of a child?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!

Citrus Lane March 2014 Review

My counter looks like I have a subscription box addiction (whoops!); since Citrus Lane is my favorite box to receive I figured I’d review it first. For those of you that don't know, Citrus Lane  is a monthly subscription service where you get a box of goodies for your child that are geared towards their current age (and sometimes Mommy) each month delivered to your door. You never know what you are going to get, but overall I have not been disappointed. Plans start at $29/month but if you buy longer subscriptions you can get them as low as $19/month).

Citrus Lane always includes a very nice information card with their boxes. On the front of it, it talked about sending items that help your baby learn, play, and everyday functional items. On the back of the info card lists the items and descriptions and some coupon codes!

first look

This is what I got in my 16 Month Old, Baby Girl, March 2014 Box and the approximate retail value I found for each item from their specific website (or Amazon, since if you know me, I'm an Amazon Junkie and would most likely buy from there). Sometimes I have to do some math because the sizes aren’t quite the same, hence why they are approximate values.

You Are My Baby Book from Chronicle Books (Garden) - this is an adorable book about mothers and babies in the garden and is kind of like two books in one. EM is really starting to get into books lately, so I'm sure she'll love a new one. ($8.09)

Push Pull Toy from Hape (Elephant) - if EM ever starts walking (I think HOPE it'll be any day now!) this might be fun for her! It's a wooden toy with a pull string and I love that's an elephant; one of my favorite animals! ($13.99)

All Natural Hand Sanitizing Wipes from CleanWell (40 Count Canister) - we got a few of these in my earlier Citrus Lane boxes and LOVE them! We actually JUST ran out so I'm glad I got these this month, right into my diaper bad they go! ($5.50)

Medi Buddy from Me4Kidz - I saw this in a few other reviews and those moms seemed excited to be getting it, so I figure I should be too. It's a cute little first aid kit case that actually comes with quite a bit (15 kid-friendly bandages, 1 knee & elbow bandage, 2 antibiotic ointments, 5 sting-free antiseptic wipes, 12 kid-friendly fun stickers) I like that It's compact and will fit nicely in my diaper bag and can be re-filled when we run out. With EM attempting to walk, the boo-boos are sure to become more frequent. ($5.25)

Total Estimated Value of Box: ~$32.83 (not including shipping)

Total Cost of Box: $29.00 (free shipping) -- I only paid $10 though because of an awesome deal I found on Plum District. 

Overall Impression: It had a nice variety of items and all will get used  The value wasn't the best, but I did think all the items were great! Well assuming EM actually plays with the toy :)

If you are interested in signing up for Citrus Lane… please use my referral link and get $10/off your first box (and I’ll get a $10 credit as well) https://www.citruslane.com/invitedby/citrus.lane.607957

Remember, you can cancel at any time, so your first box would only be $19, not too shabby!

Did you get Citrus Lane this month? What'd you get and for how old of a child?

Disclosure: This post contains referral links!

Winter Park Road Race 10k and 2 Miler Recap

the start of the 2 miler (via Facebook)

Yesterday was the Winter Park Road Race 10k and 2 Miler. I was signed up for both the 10k and 2 Miler (making it a Distance Dare event). This was the last event of the Track Shack Running Series I had signed up for last year. I hadn't ran (and barely walked) since the Best Damn Race 10k, 2 weeks ago, so I was not looking forward to it at all.

I arrived in Winter Park with what I thought would have been enough time to finally meet up with some of the ladies in the Moms Run This Town group, but by the time I picked up my packet and walked back to my car (I parked like .4 miles away) to drop off the stuff and get back to the start line, they were already counting 90 secs down to the start of the 2 Miler. In order to make the start of the 10k, I needed to finish the 2 miler in 30 minutes or less. That should never be a problem with my usual pace but of course I wasn't really "feeling" like running this morning so I was a little worried. The course for the 2 Miler was an easy course through the residential area of Winter Park and the weather was perfect. I finished with about 5 minutes to spare before the start of the 10k. 

I wish you could just continue into the next race and not have to wait for them to begin because the little sweat I did have from the 2 Miler did bring me a chill while waiting for the 10k to start (and I'm coughing and sneezing today, coincidence?) I ran the first mile per my 3/1 intervals and then stopped to use the bathroom at a random construction site of a house (there were a bunch of houses being built along the course so the port-o-potty's were easy to come bye without lines of more than 1 person). After stopping to pee, I just couldn't get into the running groove. I just wasn't "feeling it" plus my "bad" foot was hurting a little bit and I ended up walking the majority of the race (pretty much only running on the walking intervals). The course scenery was sooo nice, probably multi-million dollar estates on the chain of lakes in Winter Park, ah so pretty to look and drool at! My one complaint of the course though was the majority of it was on brick roads, and it wasn't that they were brick roads, it was how uneven they are. I was only walking for most of it but when I did run, I was very concerned about tripping on raised bricks. There was even one section that was "up-hill" which to most people probably wasn't much but to us flat-Florida runners, it wasn't welcomed, at least not by me. Overall though, had I been in the mood to run, it probably would have been a very enjoyable race and once again the weather was absolutely PERFECT! 

Because I had signed up for the Track Shack Running Series I was allowed to go into the post-race VIP area for free (others had to pay $10). Inside they had PF Changs sampling their Chicken Lettuce Wraps (one of my FAVORITE things from PF Changs), Krispy Kreme Donuts, beverages and some other samples. Plus picnic tables to sit down and chat with others. They were also giving out beer (to all runners, not just the VIP group) but after a run, 9am beers don't sound appetizing to me  although the line was VERY long, so apparently it appeals to lots of others! I just indulged in many Chicken Lettuce Wraps while chatting with some other runners and had a Krispy Kreme donut for dessert. In the regular post-race area they also had a bunch of refreshments like samples from Smoothie King, cups of fresh strawberries, and bananas. All runners also got stemless wine glasses and the 10k finishers got Medals and the Distance Dare finishers got an additional medal. Although, I'm a little disappointed that the Distance Dare medals are the same as they were for the last Distance Dare event (U CAN FINISH) and only changed out the lanyard. (Plus our Tech T-Shirts!) It was a pretty "perk-worthy" race to run that's for sure. I really enjoyed the Running Series however many of the races were pretty far from home and now that I know Winter Garden's Tri-N-Run hosts a bunch of their own races (usually on the same days as Track Shack) I won't sign up for the series again as I'd prefer to run the races closer to home (a 5-10 minute drive sure beats a 35 minute drive, especially at 5:30am). Although I'm sure I'll still run some of the Track Shack races too, I just won't sign up for the series. 

This was the last race I was signed up for until November's Give Kids the World Gingerbread Run. Depending on what is offered, I may throw another 5k or two in there before then. Otherwise, summer is coming and it gets way too hot!

Race Bib!

the finish line

Race Bling!

Stemless Wine Glass

My 2 Miler Stats:

Official Chip Time: 25:23 (overall pace of 12:41) - They started everyone at the same time even if you didn't cross the start line right away

Place: 383 of 671 Finishers

Place: 1475 of the 1782 Women Finishers

Place: 55 of 92 in my Women’s Age Division (25-29)

My RunKeeper stats:

2.20 miles in 25:03 (overall pace of 11:23) 

Fastest Mile: #1 at 11:17

Slowest Mile: #2 at 11:54

My 10k Stats:

Official Chip Time: 1:22:58 (overall pace of 13:21) 

Place: 2438 of 2817 Finishers

Place: 1475 of the 1782 Women Finishers

Place: 219 of 246 in my Women’s Age Division (25-29)

My RunKeeper stats:

6.25 miles in 1:23:02 (overall pace of 13:17) 

Fastest Mile: #1 at 12:27

Slowest Mile: #4 at 13:56 

Distance Dare Stats (they had limited stats, added together the two times & showed placement for gender): 

Official Chip Time: 1:48:21
Place: 309 of 377 Women Finishers

Bachelor Recap / Fantasy Standings: FINAL ROSE

(via instagram)

That had to be the worst Bachelor season ever. The drama wasn’t really there (when compared with other seasons), JP is such a tool, and the outcomes? Well I’m still not even sure what happened. Nikki looked like a battered wife who is in denial during the After the Rose grilling. Poor Chris Harrison tried SO hard to get details, but they weren’t budging. If it were any other season, with any other bachelor/ette who said they wanted to just date a little longer and not be engaged, I would be all for it (I mean except that isn’t how the show is supposed to go). I mean MOST of the relationships don’t last and I think dating a little longer isn’t a bad idea before rushing into marriage (although you COULD just have a long engagement as well). BUT considering how this season went and the nastiness that is JP, and how Nikki is in “love” with him but he only “likes her a lot” – it just boggles my mind how she could stand by him! I thought she was a smart girl and during the last few scenes before the proposal, I thought for sure she was coming to her senses, but I was clearly wrong.

When he mentioned that something happened two weeks ago, around the airing of Women Tell All, my speculation was: They had broken up, but then 2 weeks ago Nikki found out she was pregnant and now they were trying to make it work. Now, THAT would make for a good story. However, I’m probably very wrong and it looks like it has something to do with Dancing with the Stars and the fact that JP was supposed to be casted, but now isn’t (b/c he’s a complete ass and ABC doesn’t want to deal with him anymore).

I was never really a fan of Clare, but LOVED her during her breakup/send home. I thought she told him off well, not that he understood it, but at least the viewer’s got to hear it!

Juan Pablo will definitely go down as the worst bachelor ever. I mean, I don’t think any other contestant has ever been so rude towards Chris and the producers (and ABC) and that by far is the worst. 

And the Bachelor Fantasy League Standings - FINAL:

Congrats to my Mother-in- Law on her dominating win (I came in 2nd place in the non-money league)!

DS: 2940

JL: 1960

JR: 1870

LL: 1810

ME: 1285

SR: 1140

KW: 1100

The Teams:

JL:  Elise, Lucy, Lauren H, Christine, Victoria

JR: Amy L, Christi, Elise, Kat, Victoria

LL: Alli, Cassandra, Elise, Lucy, Valerie

DS: Victoria, Sharleen, Nikki, Kat, Andi

ME: Alexis, Christi, Kat, Lacy, Valerie

SR: Alexis, Amy L, Chelsie, Kat, Lauren S

KW: Alexis, Ashley, Chelsie, Lauren H, Valerie

Received a Rose:

Nikki

Sent Packing:

Clare

Points Earned:

Involved in a real kiss: Nikki (20), Clare (20)

Cries: Nikki (20), Clare (20)
Swears: Clare (20)
Travels by Helicopter: Clare (20) + (100) for SEASON FIRST

Winner: Nikki (150)

Eliminations Points:

JL: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

JR: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

LL: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

DS: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

ME: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned

KW: 200/each: Nikki - ZERO earned

SR: 200/each: Clare - 200 earned