Sometimes The Smallest Things Take Up the Most Room in Your Heart

As you can see from my lack of blogging, the last trimester of my pregnancy was a bit busy. With working hard at my job, staying fit and going to the gym, frequent doctor's visits, preparing our home for the baby and having guests, little time was left over to sit down and reflect on all my twenty-something changes. But right now, my daughter is laying on her father's chest in the next room and I have a moment to reflect: to sit at my laptop with my coffee and think about my little blessing in the next room. Actually, I have more than a little blessing. I have a big happy family that I have no idea how I deserve: a husband, a stinky dog named Karma, and hyper mutt named Pepper, my orange cat Senor Gato, and my beautiful daughter Olivia. Since she was born 16 days ago, not a day goes by that I don't recognize how lucky I am. I don't take a single moment for granted. 

So, how about a quick recap for those of you who didn't get my weekly updates via email about my baby's development? In the last weeks of my pregnancy, Olivia was healthy and putting on weight like a champ! She moved around a lot and I still felt good enough to do my fair share of moving. I worked out up until the day before Olivia was born. At my last weigh in I was up 35 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight. Everything else with my health was superb as well. I'd spent months learning the HypnoBabies technique for managing pain and having a natural childbirth. I also read a lot of books and did a ton of research. Needless to say, much the same as I handled my pregnancy, I was prepared and ready for labor. I knew the right questions to ask, I knew what I would and would not allow and I had a birth partner who knew what my needs were and was prepared to be my advocate!

My baby was due on Dec 5th. On Dec 4th I was having mild contractions sporadically (I didn't even know I was having them until the doc put me on a fetal monitor). This lasted for 2 days, and each day we thought for sure I'd be heading to the hospital. But labor didn't really progress for me. I had a consistent pain in my back that never got better or worse. I tried walking, zumba, running up and down the stairs, having sex, spicy food...nothing made it speed up. So on Dec 6th my doctor recommended she break my water. I didn't want to have any interference with my natural labor, but after 2 days of waiting I was ready for this little bit of assistance. We checked into the hospital (where the L&D department had been on stand-by for me for 2 days) at 3pm, and my water was broken by 3:30pm. Within 30 minutes I was having consistent and progressively stronger contractions. Fourteen hours later we welcomed Olivia Anne Stewart into the world.

Olivia hours after birth

I spent those 14 hours managing my contractions naturally. Because I opted to not have any drugs, I was able to move around the room however I needed and even sit in a hot shower (which I did twice). During this time Doug did whatever I asked him to do, from rubbing my back to feeding me ice chips.  He was incredible, and I honestly don't think I could have done it without him.

The nursing staff at Hilton Head Hospital was great! During my labor I had 3 different nurses tending to me. Two in the early hours (their shift ended at 7pm) and then one who stayed with us through the night.  Everyone was incredibly supportive of my decision to give birth naturally, and I received many compliments and positive feedback.

I'll spare you the gory details of the delivery, though I am extremely proud and happy to share if you have any questions. Yes, it hurt and yes, it was hard. But I could feel everything my body was doing and knew exactly how it was working to bring my daughter closer to being in my arms. I understood the changes my body was going through and am amazed at how effectively it works. My body is designed to give birth, and it's not something we women should be afraid of. Our bodies are amazing.

As soon as Olivia came out I couldn't think of anything else but her. It didn't matter that the doctor was still tending to my body. I had a precious little girl in my arms, 7 lbs and 13 oz, and that was all that mattered. Within minutes she latched onto my breast, making me feel even more proud of what she and I can and did accomplish together. When the cord was done pulsating Doug proudly cut it. Shortly after the nurse took her to be cleaned and examined and I fell into the deepest sleep I've ever had.

Olivia Anne, who we have nicknamed Libby, was born on December 7th at 5:50am. During my last hour of pushing, I told Dr. Blessit I wanted to have her before 6am. She said it was far fetched, but possible if I tried hard enough. I hit my goal with 10 minutes to spare! Minutes after Olivia was born, Dr. Blessit told me she was impressed by how well I handled it and she had a tremendous amount of respect for me. I already felt proud, but the support and compliments I received from everyone around me afterward made me feel like a rock star!

The next 24 hours was tough: my body was healing and I was exhausted. But by Saturday morning I felt good enough to go home. The nurses and doctor checked on me and Libby regularly and were pleased with our recovery. We were able to go home a day early.

Doug took off the next week and we spent time learning how to care for our baby and getting into a routine. In my opinion we were both very calm for first-time parents and got the hang of it quickly.

Milk Drunk

I look at her in complete amazement every day. We created this tiny little person. Her sweet face, tiny hands, soft skin..... I catch myself just staring at her throughout the day. I kiss her more than I've ever kissed anyone. It's hard to explain the feelings that I have for her and the joy I feel as a parent. I've heard other parents talk about it before, and nodded as if I understood. Now I know. You can't possibly understand until you hold your child. It's a completely foreign yet comforting experience. There's a mixture of love, joy, pride, and overwhelming emotion every time I look at her.

2 weeks old

Having my baby is the best thing I've ever done.

You Are What Happened When I Wished Upon a Star

You can imagine that news of having a baby is seriously life altering. But for some reason, the impact is so much more now that I know that she is a little girl. It's not more impactful simply because she is a girl, but it does feel more solidified and real just knowing her sex. That may sound silly to most, but knowing what she is allows me to picture her growing up. I daydream about her, what she'll look like, what sports she'll play, and her little voice calling me mommy.

I often think about how I'm really the only one who knows her right now. And she knows me. She knows  my voice, my touch, my breaths.... I know when she's sleeping and I swear the little peanut actually starts kicking me when she's hungry. And the craziest thing about all this is that no one else understands or can possibly appreciate what all of this means to me. It's deeply personal that only she and I understand.

The very first baby item I bought, when I was just 7 or 8 weeks along, was a Google onsesie. I was on my first trip to California to visit the Google Campus in Mountain View. At this point very few people knew about my pregnancy. I shared the info with my co-worker, Jill, and she happily snapped a picture of me and the onesie. I actually ended up buying a cuter one with cookie monster on it.

A few months later I did buy my first girlie item: a hot pink diaper cover with ruffles with a hot pink headband to match. I've also bought a few cloth diapers, some warmer clothing items, and some decorative items for her room. I'm not the best at decorating, and Doug says her room looks to cluttered. But we've been blessed with so many fantastic hand-me-downs that she already has so much stuff!!!

Decoration Idea

I actually started writing this post back in September. It's now November 16th and I have just 19 days left until my due date. I've been neglecting this blog, my household chores, sleep....but it's all worth it. You see, in just a few weeks I will have a daughter. She will completely change my life and I'll be in charge of shaping hers. She'll come into this world knowing that she needs me. And I already know how badly I need her. So all this hard work, long hours, doctors appointments, household changes and preparation will pay off. We'll have a family- Me, Doug, Baby Girl, Karma, Pepper and Senior Gato. Quite the full house, huh?

I'll leave you with a sneak peak of our maternity shoot we had 2 weeks ago. I haven't seen the rest of the photos yet and simply can't wait! I'll also follow up with a few other posts about cloth diapering, my health and wellness during pregnancy, and some other baby-related items. Thanks for the support!

The Transformation Thus Far

I'm cleaning out some photos on my phone and would like to share my transformation so far. It's hard to believe how much my body has changed and that I will continue to get bigger over the next 3 months! And even more amazing is that this is what I'm designed to do and I will bounce back! Incredible, right? I'm proud of my healthy baby belly and the little girl growing inside me. More updates to come! Her nursery is almost complete and every day plans are being made for her, items being bought, names being discussed....

5 weeks pregnant

27 weeks pregnant

Quite the transformation so far! Looking back I can't believe I didn't think I had a flat stomach. This experience is certainly going to change my body image in the future!

Travel Bucket List

There have been many conversations in the Stewart household about all the amazing and ambitious things we want to do with our lives. We've accomplished a lot so far, but we both have an insatiable desire to do it all, see it all, and be the best. So although at times it feels like a curse because, realistically, you just can't accomplish it all, I do enjoy being a dreamer. My dreams always get bigger, progress with my life, and push me to do better.

This weekend Doug and I are at Sebring International Raceway. Doug was in FL earlier in the week for an Audi track event (this lucky man got to spend 2 days racing Audi's for work...life is tough), so he planned a head and trailered his Porsche down. After 2 days in West Palm with Audi we met up in Sebring so he could spend 2 days driving on one of the most famous tracks in the US. Please let me add that this is immediately following a three day weekend in which he drove his Audi at Virginia International Raceway.

We're having a great time and meeting interesting people. In this racing community there are a lot of Europeans, which reminds me how badly I want to travel to Europe. I wanted to travel everywhere, really (see an older blog post about this). I decided to finish this blog, which I actually started 2 months ago, about my all the places I want to see before I die. I'm sure this list will grow, and I may be leaving out some pretty important places already. There's just so much and I want to take it all in! So I figure, by putting it down I'm making some sort of a commitment. I can read this later and feel good knowing I'm crossing some things off.


First, let's start with the places that are at my disposal in the US. According to Budget Travel these are the 20 places every American should see in their lifetime (I have crossed through places I have already visited):


1. Grand Canyon

2. Yellowstone National Park

3. Highway 1, California

4.
Magic Kingdom (Orlando, Florida)

5.
Times Square, New York City

6. Las Vegas Strip

7. Hollywood Walk of Fame

8. South Beach (Miami, Florida)

9. French Quarter (New Orleans, Louisiana)

10.
Gettysburg National Military Park

11. Nashville, Tennessee

12.
National Mall, Washington, D.C.

13.
Independence National Historical Park (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

14. Taos Pueblo, New Mexico

15. Fenway Park (Boston, Massachusetts)

16. Civil Rights District (Atlanta, Georgia)

17. Architecture in Chicago, Illinois

18. Pearl Harbor

19. Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

20.
Ellis Island, New Jersey



Outside the US I'd like to visit the below places. Please keep in mind that this limited list is based off of what I've heard, seen online, seen on TV etc. I'm sure with a little more research it will change and grow. The places in BOLD are the places I'm sure will be completed, either because I have a friend with a home there, plans are already in the works, or it's simply an easier trip to plan.

1. Plitvice National Park in Croatia

2. Meteora, Greece

3. Rome, Italy

4. Southern France (particularly during the Le Mans 24 Hour Race)

5. Amsterdam

6. Berlin

7. Paris

8. Hiking in Switzerland

9. Albanian Riviera

10. Lake Geneva

11. London

12. Barcelona

13. Budapest

14. Alaska

15. Bali

16. Egypt

17. Venice

18. Thailand

19. The Gold Coast in Australia

20. Prague

21. Yangtze River, China

22. Beijing

23. Tibet

24. Mount Fuji

25. Honduras

26. Quebec

27. Mazinaw Lake, Ontario

28.  The Glapagos Islands, Ecuador

29. Buenos Aires, Argentina

30. Paraty, Brazil


Quite the list, right? I have a lifetime to work on checking things off! Are there any places you feel like you MUST see in your life?

Sweet Healthy Bites

A few days ago I wanted a quick and sweet treat, but I wanted it to be healthier than grabbing a cookie out of the cookie jar. Let's face it, it's easy to get carried away when you're pregnant and have something to blame the extra weight on. And since my pre-pregnancy cravings have always involved sugar, it's no surprise that my during pregnancy cravings do as well.

I follow a blog, Purely Twins, written by 2 twins in NC who are dedicated to healthy living, fitness, and some really interesting food. I say really interesting because MANY of their recipes involve ingredients I don't have in my house, and some I've never even heard of. But they are healthy, usually gluten free, sometimes raw, and the photos make them  look delicious. They even have cookie and donut recipes! A friend of mine is vegan, so I forward her a lot of the vegan recipes they post. But again, since many of the ingredients are not common in my household I've yet to try many of their dishes.  I finally came across one recipe that I found a link to on their blog that seemed easy enough for me and it only has 4 ingredients:

Raw Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Balls

I didn't save the link to the recipe and I'm not having a hard time finding the exact one that I used (though there are a TON of variations). The recipe I followed had 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder,  natural peanut butter, cocoa, and organic honey. That's it. I mixed it all together then rolled 4 balls by hand. Simple and super fast! I ate one immediately and refrigerated the other 3 for later. They made a great addition to my morning breakfast for the next few days. I'm sure I will be making these delicious little balls more often :)

Amazing friends, Delicious Cake and a Good Cause!

As I sit in my office, sipping on my decaf coffee (with almond milk and stevia) I can't help but feel overwhelmingly blessed today. Even with this Jack Russel/Pug mix wining and jumping into my lap every 5 minutes (more on that later), and even though I'm incredibly sleepy and probably should have stayed in bed another hour, I feel happy, loved, and complete.

Meet William

Let me tell you, those are incredible feelings. I was fortunate enough to be able to take 2 days off to celebrate my birthday. Yesterday was productive and relaxing at the same time. I woke up to my first birthday text (love you, Ryan!) and they just kept rolling in all day long. I was able to take the 9 am spin class, followed by a 9:30 am boot camp class, which I never get to do b/c of my work schedule. It was an awesome workout and I was able to keep up despite my growing belly! I then stopped by my favorite local coffee shop for a free latte (decaf, vanilla soy) and enjoyed it at home while catching up on some work and buying some much needed baby items online (thank you gift cards!).  I also made an incredible egg white, black bean, tomato, bell pepper, avocado and spinach breakfast wrap. YUMMY!

A shot of me at the gym. Check out that baby bump!

After purchasing a new crib mattress, crib mattress cover and curtains for our little girls room, I feel like things are finally coming together. We got her bedding the other day from Serena and Lilly (and I am obsessed with how adorable it is), her towels from The Land of Nod, and some more awesome hand-me-downs from our friends Emily and Tracy. Her dresser/changing table also arrived on my doorstep yesterday. Once I find curtain rods and some wall decor her room should be all set! I now totally get nesting. Any empty room is being turned into a nursery, a room where we will spend a lot of time nurturing, nursing and caring for our daughter. I'm turning into a mother, and Doug is turning into a father. Together we are transforming from partners into parents. The transformation of this room, then, takes on some significant meaning.

So after working on some nursery decorating and wrapping up some work, I started to get excited about a fundraiser later that evening at the Bluffton Oyster Company. The event, where all proceeds benefited the Palmetto Animal League (an organization that I occasionally volunteer with and support greatly), was a big outdoor party on the water with food, drinks, live music and great people. We all brought our dogs, PAL dogs came wearing their "Adopt Me" vests, and luckily the weather held out. But this event turned into much more than I expected. Doug invited all our close friends, set up a special tent just for us and turned it into a birthday surprise!! I had no idea he was planning something and was so touched.

Quite the successful fundraiser!

It was great spending time with all my friends (and Karma and Pepper) and knowing each of us was contributing to a good cause. Our best man Nick even drove all the way down from Washington D.C. with his dog Willie for the event. We enjoyed an AMAZING cake from my favorite bakery, Ronnie's, and had a wonderful evening.

A little baby girl for the mom-to-be

Adorable Footprints!

I'm so thankful for having a thoughtful husband and such incredible friends. As usual, I only wish I had taken some photos! T0 top it all off, I also had my cubicle at work decorated on Thursday and received a sweet audio clip via email of my niece wishing me a happy birthday(I tried to add it so you could hear how adorable it is but had some trouble). All the love is almost overwhelming! But the celebration doesn't end there. We're spending a relaxing day on the water today and hopefully picking up the Hunger Games DVD tonight! I still haven't seen the movie which is a sin considering how much I loved the books. Happy Saturday everyone!

Birthday Decorations at Work on Thursday

Babymoon...Wait, baby wha?

Doug and I are certainly not new to the idea of hopping in the car on a Friday night and taking off for a quick weekend trip. We are firm believers that you HAVE to take vacations. What's the point of working so hard if you can't enjoy the time you have off? Now, this isn't to say we don't have our responsible weekends at home. But we do prioritize and work in fun times with each other and friends. It could be a weekend in Asheville, spending the day at the beach or taking the dogs for a hike. Heck, we even flew up to PA for a skiing weekend last winter (which if any of you remember was ruined by us both coming down with the flu). We like adventures.

But from what I understand, these spontaneous and impromptu trips will lessen with the arrival of a new baby. We're certainly not going to become hobbits: I plan to continue to take my dogs and my baby as many places as I can. But in the beginning, our new parenting responsibilities and our financial situation will most likely keep us spending spare time locally and maybe even at home.

It's for this reason that several blogs, magazines and apps have recommended taking a babymoon, A babymoon is a trip you take before the baby comes to relax and spend time with your significant other and whoever else you choose. When I first started thinking about babymoons I wanted to go back to Azul Beach Hotel where were were married for our 2-year anniversary in October. But with the purchase of a new home and our other obligations, I'm afraid the chances of going to Mexico are getting slimmer and slimmer. So instead, I'm thinking we make the most of what we have locally and really cherish the alone time we have together.

Although we both have to work weekends, we're figuring out ways to work it out. For example, I switched a day off with my assistant manager so I can have my birthday (which is on a Friday) off as well as the following Saturday. This way Doug and I can enjoy a nice Friday evening and all Saturday together (hopefully boating!) September is going to be a BUSY month for both of us as well. One thing I'm looking forward to is joining Doug in Sebring for a racetrack weekend. We'll stay in a hotel, enjoy dinner out, and I can catch up on some reading while we are at the track. In October we may be able to stay at a friend's house on Daufuskie Island for a quiet and secluded weekend.

The point is we're planning in advance to make sure we have time for one another and ourselves. We can't just wait for a day to roll around, because it might not. Instead we're scheduling time and trips and looking forward to them! I'm marking days on my calendar to take the dogs to the beach and lay in the sun. I'm squeezing in time with friends that I may not see as much the first few weeks the baby is here. Soon our little girl will be here and our time will be greatly decreased. So now is the time!

Little Milestones and New Home Adventures

It's not really news to anyone that I've been feeling lots of movement from out little girl over the last several weeks. Honestly, feeling her kick and move around never gets old (or at least it hasn't yet). I absolutely love knowing she is healthy and active. 

But today I witnessed another pregnancy milestone. While sitting at work I noticed pretty consistent movement every few seconds for several minutes straight. I stopped from my daily work flow to feel it with my hand. As I looked down at my growing belly I actually saw her push through my skin (well, through my blouse because I usually work with a shirt on, lol). I have no idea if it was a foot, hand, elbow....but I know I saw it and it was incredible!

We're narrowing down our baby girl names and I can't wait to make a final decision. I know we shouldn't rush it, though, because it's something she and we will be saying for many years to come. So in the meantime I'm brainstorming ideas for her nursery. Doug's mom is coming to visit this weekend and I'm planning to have her help me with some baby room projects. I'll be sure to post pics on the progress. 

In other non baby-related news, Doug had an interesting owl confrontation last night. After I got home from work we ran out to Lowes, Home Depot and Target to pick up a few necessary items for the new house. As we were unloading the truck, Doug and I were talking about all the cool wildlife we get to see at our new house. So far I've seen deer, lizards, squirrels (including a black one which I'd never seen before) and a snake. Someone even saw an armadillo in my driveway! Doug asked if I'd seen the owl yet that is always hanging around. Apparently they are pretty territorial and will inhabit the same place for a very long time. As he's explaining exactly what the owl looks like to me I see the owl swoop down from behind Doug and come within 3 feet of his face! He was actually at eye level with Doug before turning and landing in a nearby tree. He was very fast, and appeared to be flying with a purpose! It was almost like he was challenging him for some reason! I asked Doug what he did to piss off the owl but all we could come up with was the perhaps he's irritated with us moving in to a space that had been vacant for a few years. The owl sat perched in the tree staring at us for a few minutes while we stood int he driveway. It was crazy!!

I wish I could have captured it on video. It was just too bizarre. I'll try to snap a photo of my new owl friend at the very least. After looking online I think it may have been a Barred Owl which is common to our area. Below is a photo of one I found in my search.

Have you ever had any crazy wildlife encounters like this?

Mom's Expo at Island Playground

Last Thursday Ashley and I attended the 2012 Mom's Expo held at Island Playground. We attended as vendors and set up a fantastic Arbonne table! This is the first time I've done an event like this, and I wasn't sure exactly what to expect. Still, any opportunity to get in front of people and tell them about the fabulous products we offer is worth our while. So we loaded up products, fliers, a fold-up table, and more and headed to Island Playground.

Ashley and I have become pros at setting up and it took us only about 15 minutes. In addition to having our products on display we also put together an Arbonne Baby Care basket to raffle off. Ladies at the expo just filled out their contact information to be entered into the raffle. Extra bonus of the raffle: having 30+ women to now reach out to about Arbonne products! YAY!

The raffle was a definite success! It attracted people to our table and many were interested to learn about Arbonne. As we suspected, hardly anyone had heard of us before. Ashley and I are looking forward to following up with all our new prospects.

Some other perks of the expo were TONS of freebies and fun! Most tables had their own raffles and Island playground also raffled off items. Arbonne (Ashley and I) donated a few cosmetic and nutrition samples for Island Playground to include in their raffle. The also happily participated in Zumba and free chair massages!

Although I didn't win anything (I only entered my name into 3 raffles...I was busy chatting it up!), I did enjoy some tasty veggie wrap samples and trail mix. I also really enjoyed talking with the other vendors and the mom's who came to the event. All-in-all I'd say the event was a great success for us! We're hoping to really expand our Arbonne business here in Hilton Head. Our company has so much to offer. All we need is the opportunity to tell people about it and they always fall in love!

Transitioning into Parenthood

After spending 8 years with Doug, most of which living together and the last 2 being married, I'd assumed transitioning into parenthood would be natural and easy. It wasn't until reading an article in the Ladies Home Journal that I realized this change may be difficult for us, no matter how resilient we think we are.

There are times in every relationship when you need  to take a step back and evaluate how supportive you are for one another and if there's something more you need yourself, or something more you need to contribute. When you work a child into the equation, everything gets a bit more complicated, and the needs of both parents may unintentionally get put on the back burner. It's for this reason that we often hear parents say that their marriage drastically changed, maybe even suffered.

Let this blog post serve as a declaration that my marriage will only be better with the addition of our little one. Rather than distract us from one another, she will bring us closer. She'll help us learn to respect each other's time and how can work as a team to tackle anything life brings our way. She'll be an everyday reminder of what our love can create, what we can endure, and how joyous the little things can be.

At this point, with me being 21 weeks along and her being just the size of a banana, she's already made me feel a million times closer to him. He's been my best friend since I was 18. We've been through wonderful times, tough times, moving great distances, saying our vows....and all of those things have made us utterly unstoppable. And now this. We've created a life that is developing and growing with every breath that I take. This experience is the ultimate blessing for us. Our little girl, our little miracle, is making our marriage a million times better.

Cloth vs. Disposable- I Need Help!

I've been debating the use of cloth versus disposable diapers since I found out I was pregnant. Don't worry, not EVERY post on this blog is going to be about baby stuff from here on out. But, it is a very real concern for us twenty-somethings.

You've probably gathered that I try to be healthy, clean and green with most things that I do. Whether it's eating, buying appliances or choosing my cleaning products. But I'm not an extremest. I simply choose the healthier/greener option when possible (and realistically affordable) and try to do my part as a conscious human being. Having said that, can my conscious handle producing tons of diaper waste? Will I be okay with throwing away diaper after diaper knowing it will end up in a landfill? I'm not so sure... And how will buying all those disposables ultimately affect my wallet?

Just like many other decision I'll be facing when stepping into parenthood, I'll have to determine what option works best for my budget, my lifestyle, and my baby. Below are some of my thoughts on the subject. I'd love your feedback and experiences!!

Cloth Diapers
In a perfect world I'd be able to toss the dirty cloth diapers in a bag, leave it on my front door for the laundry service and come home to clean diapers! No waste and very little hassle. The truth of the situation is that diaper services can be expensive not to mention we don't even have one in the Bluffton, SC area. Therefore, soiled diapers would have to be dipped in the toilet to be rinsed, and then tossed in the diaper pail. Laundry would have to be done more frequently to keep the pail (and the rest of my house) from getting too funky. So my already overwhelming laundry load just grew exponentially. The upside here is that my brand new washer does have a sanitizing cycle perfect for diapers. SCORE!

Another perk to opting for cloth over plastic is that cotton is more breathable to the baby's skin and can really help cut back on diaper rash. The cotton should also be free of irritating fragrances and chemicals that, quite frankly, do concern me a bit. I wouldn't want to put something plastic on my skin everyday. I just picture a sweaty toosh under that disposable diaper. Doesn't sound too comfortable.

The final thing that has me leaning toward cloth diapers is that it can save you a TON of money. That's only if you stick with it, however. (Investing a bunch of money in cloth diapers and deciding you don't want to deal with it after a while will end up costing you MORE money).  I read a great article online that breaks down the costs of both disposable and cloth diapers. The average person, shopping one of the leading diaper brands in a typical bargain store can expect to spend around $2700 on diapers. Please keep in mind that this is a very general number, as some children are in diapers longer, some shorter, etc. 


The average cost for cloth diapering, including energy and water costs for washing 3 times a week, is anywhere from $1300 to $2500 depending on the brand of diapers you choose and how many you buy. Around 36 seems to be the number that is recommended for cloth diapers, and I'm sure I'd be closer to the $1300 range. 

Disposable Diapers
This is the most convenient diaper you can choose. You simply throw it away when you're done. The manufacturing and disposal of these diapers creates 2.3 times as must waste as cloth diapers, however. The average baby will go through over 7,000 diapers that will end up in landfills. It is unknown how long they take to decompose.



Conclusion
I really haven't come to a conclusion on this yet. Is convenience more important than being able to recycle and my baby's comfort?

Also, does it make sense to use disposable diapers in the beginning, when the baby's poop is mostly liquid, and then switch to cloth later? I've read in some blog posts that cloth diapers may have to be broken in a bit to prevent leaking. I know I definitely don't want runny poop leaking everywhere!


I'd love some tips and advice on this subject if you can offer any. It's definitely something that Doug and I will be thinking long and hard about over the next few months.

20 Weeks Pregnant- Boy or Girl

The 20-week mark is a big one for us pregnant chicks. For those of us without complications, this week is only the second (and most likely the last) time we will see our baby before he or she is born. The first ultrasound is usually done at 8 weeks to confirm the pregnancy. At this point the baby is about the size of a gummy bear. During the weeks to come we get bigger and may even start to feel little movements here and there. Weeks 18 and 19 are complete torture (or at least they were for me) because you just want to SEE your baby and maybe even find out the sex.

Last Thursday I took the day off from work and anxiously awaited my 10 am appointment. I wouldn't be seeing the doctor that day, just the ultrasound technician. I was excited and nervous that morning, and quickly busied myself with unpacking. We're in the new house now and absolutely LOVE it. There's a lot to do, however, so Doug and I have been non-stop with organizing, cleaning, running to Lowes, running to the dump, etc.

Before I new it it was 9:30 am and time to get ready to go! I left for my appointment and was all smiles on the way there. I knew I was about to see the little baby that  I'd been feeling consistently for about a week. I had no doubt that he or she is growing well and healthy, especially after everything I'd been feeling.

I was promptly brought back to the ultrasound room at 10 am (which is awesome because last time I waited almost an hour!!). Doug was running a few minutes late, but the technician told me we had lots to do and he wouldn't miss anything. She started and Doug showed up just a few minutes later.

The anatomy screening was incredible. She checked different parts of the baby's body an measured to determine exactly how far along we are. It turns out we are still on track for a December 5th due date.

We saw the baby moving around a lot, looked at the arms, legs, feet, head (which looks huge compared to the rest of the body) and finally in between the legs. When she asked if we wanted to know the sex Doug and I both responded with an eager "yes!"

She slowly typed on the screen...

GIRL!

I certainly can't tell from the above image that she is a girl, but the technician seemed certain. So there you have it!!! The Stewarts are having a girl, and only the second Stewart girl born since the 1800s (Doug's sister is the other one)! We're kind of a big deal....

She printed us a few photos and provided us with a disc of all the images. Below are 2 of the clearer ones that you might enjoy (that is, if you don't think looking in my uterus isn't to strange)

Feet

whole body

In the bottom picture she is curled up with her legs to her stomach and her head down. You can see the arch of her spine very clearly. For those of you non-yogi's, this is pretty much the yoga pose called "child's pose." We do this in between difficult poses to rest. It is pretty comfortable. Make sense to me now...

My favorite part about being there was seeing her move around inside me. I wish it were customary to have another ultrasound so I could see it again! Now comes the fun part of decorating her room and picking out the perfect name.

I don't know if I could be any happier.

Homeless People With Dogs

I always say that I wish I could save the world. More particularly, I'd like to save those in this world who cannot save themselves: animals and children who have suffered from abuse and /or neglect. But there are thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions that need medical attention and love. I read all the articles, look at the facebook posts and some days I feel completely helpless. Yes, I've done a little by adopting and fostering dogs and cats, volunteering at shelters, and donating food, money and other necessities. But my contributions are so small and the problems are so large.

Most people prefer to turn a blind eye to all the homeless and suffering. It is far easier and peaceful to ignore it than to carry their weight on your own shoulders. But for someone who has nothing, any small amount you can offer may literally mean EVERYTHING.

This morning I read an article on what do do when you see homeless people with dogs. In the past I've felt a bit annoyed that a homeless person has the nerve to care for a pet. They can't even care for themselves. But this morning I thought about it differently. If I were to fall on tough times and become homeless I would do everything in my power to keep my dogs. I would never take an animal of mine to  a shelter were they could be put down or live in a cage for who knows how long. I would never let my animals feel like they were abandoned. They wouldn't understand the circumstances. All they would know is that I left them and they were alone.

So if I were homeless, I'd have my dog with me everyday on a leash. I'd feed them before I'd feed myself. I'd keep them warm and I'd be their companion. And they'd be mine. That's the thing with dogs, they really are your best friend. Even as I'm typing this I have a dog laying at my feet and one right behind my chair. They are my friends, my companions, my cuddlers, and my babies. They make me feel loved and I do the same for them. I wouldn't give them up for the world. A life on the street with me would be better than a life in a cage at a shelter. Like I said, there are so many dogs in shelters, mine would just be 2 more. They may never find a home or get adopted.

So i guess my view has changed. I don't know the homeless person's circumstances, but if they are caring for the dog at their side, they are just another animal lover to me. Whether that dog has been through becoming homeless with them, or they found it as a stray on the street. If they are feeding it and caring for it it's alright by me.

Houston, We Have a Baby Bump!

For those of you who don't know (I haven't been too vocal about it) I'm now 17 weeks pregnant! That's around 4 months for the non-mathematicians out there. Though I've certainly felt pregnant over the last 17 weeks (I will spare you the details of that), I didn't necessarily look pregnant. To me, my close friends, husband and family it's pretty obvious that I'm thicker in the middle. My clothes don't fit and my once flat stomach was beginning to bulge. But for co workers and others that don't know about my normally flat and toned stomach (yea...I workout, lol) I just looked normal. But the in-between faze was very difficult; not quite ready for maternity clothes but not fitting into my own. I felt like people were looking at my like I was chubby when I knew I was carrying a precious little baby in my growing belly.

Well, practically out of nowhere my belly has made a very distinct and obvious appearance!

Side note: I am wearing my new glasses! Yes, I can see!!!

I don't think most people can mistake that baby bump! And although growing is a bit scary, it's also very exciting and I can't wait for more. I know that as I grow and change that means my first child is developing as he or she should. I read updates on it's size and development daily and am amazed everyday at what's going on inside of my body. While I'm busy being a wife, a manager, a friend, etc. my body is busy making a baby every minute of every day. It certainly explains why I'm exhausted all the time.

Two days ago I went for a regular check up with my doctor. She said my blood pressure is excellent, I'm in great shape, I've gained the right amount of weight and everything seams very healthy! We listened to the baby's heartbeat which was 153 BPM. This was the second time I've heard the heartbeat, and it was no less emotional then the first. Knowing that the little heart inside my child is beating strong bring tears to my eyes. I'll do whatever I can, whatever I need to do, to ensure that he or she is healthy and happy. I already feel a strong connection to this child, and it's only been inside me for a few months. I can't even begin to imagine how it will feel when I hold him or her for the first time. I simply cannot wait.

I"ll continue to blog about my 20-something life, including the big changes I'm currently facing with buying a home and being pregnant. My life is changing more in my twenties, and more rapidly,  than I ever thought it could. Here's to change and being healthy and happy!

Alex = Christian? Yes, yes, yes!

Like many women recently, I've read and thoroughly enjoyed the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. I couldn't put it down! Sure, sometimes the story line was a bit predictable, and on occasion I wanted to slap Anastasia Steele in the face, but overall I thought it was captivating and enjoyed the  "different" style of book.

Naturally, while reading I imagined the characters to look a certain way. Does anyone else do this? Then I learned there were talks of a 50 Shades movie and I about jumped for joy. My #1 disturbing yet incredibly sexy crush is perfect for the role.

That's right! Alexander Skarsgard, or Eric from True Blood. His tall build, wide shoulders, long fingers and mesmerizing eyes all perfectly fit Christian Grey. And let's face it, who doesn't want to see this man in sex scene after sex scene? I mean, come on!

The only reason I say he is my #1 disturbing crush is because I started my love affair with Alex when I only knew him as a vampire. And now I'm picturing him as a 27-year-old billionaire heavily into S&M. I wonder how he would feel about my perception of him...

There's also been a lot of buzz about who should play Anastasia. My vote is for the British actress Felicity Jones.

She physically fits the role and is still absent from most peoples radar. I feel that a too popular actress may taint Anastasia's role. What do you think?

Starting My Business

I've recently started a home based business and have been meaning to blog about it for quite some time. Most people reading this blog understand my compassion for animals and know when I find something animal friendly I tend to support it. Well, I found Arbonne, or maybe Arbonne found me, and jumped in feet first. What I didn't realize is I'd land in an incredible opportunity to not only tote high qaulity products but to aslo create a lucrative long-lasting business and make good money.

It started when my friend Nichole recommended I try and all natural acne product. The more running I did the more frequent breakouts I'd have on my forehead. I gave it a try and needless to say LOVED it. Not only was it the ONLY product that actually worked for me, I felt good about using it because it's organic and vegan-certified, like all Arbonne products. The Clear Advantage set is similarly priced to ProActive but doesn't have any harmful chemicals with damaging effects like the industry leader.

When I started to learn more about the company, it's mission and it's products I wanted to get involved. So I did just that. I signed on as a consultant and starting selling Arbonne products. Because Arbonne is a hybrid of a Direct Selling Company and Network Marketing, we are the voice of Arbonne. There are no commercials and no models. We market. We model. And this is why we make money: no middle man to pay (i.e. models, actresses, distributers, retailers, etc).

I kicked of my journey with a launch party. At the party I served:

-Peanut Butter Protein Bars to highlight the yumminess and versatilty of the Arbonne Protein Powder
-Dark Chocolate covered almonds, raw almonds, wasabi soy sauce almonds
-Blue cheese stuffed olives
-Veggies, dip, hummus
-A cheese and cracker plate
- WINE: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio

Unfortunately I failed to take a any photos of the spread. But below is a shot of the products I had on display.

We had a product demonstartion with my Regional Vice President and then went over the business opportunity. It was a lot of fun and by the end of the night I had many intersted prospects. That was back in February.

Since then, I've moved up to a District Manager position due to the amount of products I've sold and the consultants I've signed. I've recieved a few gifts from Arbonne to thank me for my success (jewelry, products and extra $$), and expect many more in the future. And I only do this part-time!!

ANd I've also discovered so many products I LOVE. You see, I already spend money on shampoo, lotion, make up, etc. Why not get paid to spend my money with a company I love?? I now regularly use their products daily: shampoo, body wash, conditioner, face wash, day cream, night cream, firming body cream, tinted moisturizer, minderal powder, bronzer, eye liner, mascara, hand cream....you name it I use it and it's all Arbonne. Because it's Arbonne I know it's pure, safe and beneficial for me and the planet. It's green, organic and vegan.

This has been an exciting journey so far. My goal is to reach executive Area Manager by September 1 and Regional VP by Feb. 1. I know I can do it. All I need to do is represent my company well and sow others how amazing these products are. I'm also looking for consultants to add to my team. There's a ton of opportunity with Arbonne and room for everyone at the top!!! If you'd like to learn more about the products or the business please reach out to me. a.byelich@gmail.com. Arbonne ID # 19841366.

Check out my video reviews of Arbonne products too!

Arbonne Before-Sun Products
Arbonne FC5 Line
Arbonne Cosmetics

Quick and Easy Make-Up Routine

Arbonne has taken cosmetics to a whole new level with the launch of Arbonne Cosmetics, a comprehensive makeup collection utilizing beautiful science to promote gorgeous skin, eyes and lips. The products feature new technologies and superior ingredients packaged in upscale, sophisticated packaging.  

My favorite thing about using Arbonne cosmetics is their Optilight technology which gives you a photo finish! No need for airbrushing an Arbonne girl!! Optilight Technology was developed by Arbonne to promote maximum radiance. Optilight Technology works in two ways: First, finely sized pigments deflect light from the skin, creating a soft-focus effect that gives skin a flawless appearance. Simultaneously, finely sized pigments allow skin to breathe, imparting a “light as air” feeling and promoting a healthy glow. 

To order, please visit www.Arbonne.com. Click "Join Arbonne" and be sure to enter Sponsor ID# 19841366, You'll then be registered as a client under me. You can shop online, pay online and have the products shipped right to your door!

Stay Moisturized and Youthful

Radiance and hydration are key to skin's beauty.  FC5 helps preserve, protect and revitalize the skin's appearance thanks to innovative techonolgy and progressive plant cell ingredients.  Our groundbreaking technology allows us to extract cells, while keeping them fresh and intact.  Each cell retains it's original wealth of essential nutrients.

I use the FC5 products morning and night. Because I tend to be on the oily side, I use the FC5 Oil Absorbing formulas. Arbonne also offers a nurturing formula for those with normal ti dry skin. This kit includes a rich and creamy night cream which I absolutely adore! The FC5 line is one of the most popular lines, offering a wide variety of products. Below is my review of the face products alone.

To order, please visit www.Arbonne.com. Click "Join Arbonne" and be sure to enter Sponsor ID# 19841366, You'll then be registered as a client under me. You can shop online, pay online and have the products shipped right to your door!

Have Sun-Kissed Skin this Summer

Summer's here and it's time for fun in the sun. Our weekends are filled with beach days, back-yard BBQs, pool parties, dock "meetings" (aka dock cocktails)  and more! Play it safe this summer while improving the quality of your skin with Arbonne's collection of Before Sun skincare products for adults and children.

A good sunscreen should protect against UVB rays, which cause sunburns, and UVA rays, which danger's can result in more permanent damage to the skin such as cancer, sun spots and premature aging. Remember, apply 30 minutes before going outside and use SPF everyday!

To order, please visit www.Arbonne.com. Click "Join Arbonne" and be sure to enter Sponsor ID# 19841366, You'll then be registered as a client under me. You can shop online, pay online and have the products shipped right to your door!

Movin' On Up To the East Side

Wow. It's been a month since my last blog post. Let me start off by saying I am a poor excuse for a blogger! But life have been crazy and I do believe you'll enjoy all the exciting news.

The biggest reason for my absence lately is I have been leaving the house everyday around 8am and getting home around 8:30 pm. Then it's dinner, laundry, and quiet time with the hubby and our furry kids. When we're not working or at the gym, we've been having a good time!

Helen, GA for Southern Worthesee was exciting as usual. This year we rented a cabin for 10 of us. It was an awesome crew and the cars were incredible, as was expected.

We drove up Friday around 1pm and met up with our friends at the cabin. We stayed in Friday night, catching up, washing cars, and getting pumped for the next 2 days. Some of the people we met up with we only get to see once or twice a year so spending a weekend together was a real treat!

Saturday was the main event. Thousands of Volkswagens and Audis were on display, with custom body and mechanical work. Vendors sold fun t-shirts, parts and accessories, and enthusiasts walked the field and enjoyed the show. It was an awesome day! My pups were pretty hot in the sun so we spent a lot of time chillin' in the shade.

Sunday was the annual drive through the mountains, which thankfully was uneventful and brief enough for us to get back on the road at a decent hour and make it home by 11pm.

Just 2 weeks later we went to Asheville, NC for our annual BeerCity Festival. Asheville is one of my favorite places and I can't wait to some day own a home there. Again, we rented a cabin for 10 of us. Shenanigans ensued with beer olympics after the beer festival. Again, we had a great group that got a long very well. My sister and her boyfriend Nate even drove all the way down from PA for it!! I loved spending time with my sister and the rest of the group in one of the most eclectic and enchanting cities I know :)

VW Touareg, Audi A4, VW Golf and Audi R8 a top Mount Mitchell, NC

Holly, Pat, Nate, Melissa, Me, Doug, Joe, Leah. Jonathan, Ashley, Pepper and Karma

Cheers!

Renting cabins for both trips allowed us to keep our meals both less expensive and healthier! Doug is trying to maintain his 200 lbs of muscle and low body fat, which requires 6,000 calories a day! I know, he's nuts right? But he went from 180 to 200 in no time and is looking big and sexy!

We were also able to bring both Pepper and Karma along for the trips which I loved. They spent time outside, sniffing, running and playing which I always prefer to being cooped up in a kennel. They enjoyed the short walk to the top of Mount Mitchell, and the chilly air didn't bother them one bit! There was a 10 degree difference from the top of the mountain to back in town. CRAZINESS!

Other than the 2 trips it's been  work work work with an occasional boat ride with my friends. And all this work isn't for nothing. We have something very exciting and scary happening at the end of this month.

Wait for it.

Wait for it....


I'm buying a house!!!

That's right! I'm buying my very first house! Doug and I have been renting here in Bluffton for the last few years. We love our current house and our neighborhood but we couldn't pass up this deal. The home we're moving into is a foreclosure and a great investment. It's listed way below what is appraises for, is an IDEAL location for us (Golf cart distance to the dock AND downtown Bluffton) and it's on 3/4 of an acre.

We fell in love with this house about a year ago when my mother and I stumbled upon it during one of her visits. It had a contract pending, then went to foreclosure...then finally it came back on the market and we made an offer immediately.

With foreclosures the time-frame is very quick. After my offer was accepted, I had 5 business days to have my home inspections done and the closing date was set for a month away. Preparing all the documents for a foreclosure has been time consuming, not to mention nerve racking because this is my first time buying a home. Doug has bought 2 homes in the past, and still owns one, so he's not nearly as intimidated as I am.

But I couldn't be happier and can't wait to move in! 5 bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, lots of space both inside and out. It's perfect! I'll keep you updated on the progress. Next week I find out if I am approved for the loan. FINGERS CROSSED!!!