Dear Baby: Week 35

DEAR BABY,

We are officially in countdown mode! We had two baby showers for you in the last two weeks - one planned and one a surprise for your papa from all of his work buddies. You have lots of new goodies and so much love from so many people that can't wait to meet you! We ended up seeing you in 3D last week after all and let me tell you little one, you were stubborn. We had to work for it but you showed us that sweet little face and it was really something special. We're going to register and take a tour of the hospital this week so we know what to expect and where to go when the big day comes. The Dr. tells us you may come just a tad bit early too because I'm currently at 1cm already. Eeeek! That's a little scary and exciting all at once. I got the whooping cough shot while we were there to protect you when you come out into this world. Your papa has to get one too. Finally some kind of pain on his part! We spent an afternoon taking pictures together with you in the bump this weekend and I can't wait to get the end results! In just about 5 short weeks we'll be taking your newborn photos and sending out announcement cards to all of the people waiting for you to join us! You are so loved little boy! XOXO MAMABEAR

A visit from the Parents

My parents came to Long Beach on their vacation last week to visit, and it was the best. We took them to some of our favorite local restaurants (Eggs Etc, MVP Burger & Belmont Brewing Company to name a few). We laid out every day at their hotel pool and I finally got a little bit of color that I've so desperately wanted, even if it was red color and not brown color. We got to watch a little bit of cable tv which is always a treat to me having basic tv. We walked to the shops of Retro Row and picked up a few goods, went to Hollywood and saw the sign, the famous farmer's market and the grove. There we stumbled upon a maternity fashion show/book signing party for Rosie Pope of the tv show "Pregnant in Heels." (More on that coming soon.) On our way out we caught Kree Harrison from American Idol taking photos and doing signings in the Extra circle. We went and saw a live taping of the Chelsea Lately show (which was better than Jimmy Kimmel in my opinion), and we saw our precious little in 3D, 4D &HD. He was awfully stubborn about showing himself so we had to make a day out of it, coming back and forth to the dr's office and killing time between appointments shopping and scarfing down reese's blasts to make him move. In the end we got a good glimpse and some adorable photos. (Again, coming soon!) My dad tried his very first Arnold Palmer drink which was hilarious to me, how curious and amused he was over it all. We shared lots of treats and time together in the hotel's concierge lounge laughing and making friends with the sweetest staffer, Lucielle. They finally got to try G's famous hotdog creations which was more exciting for me than anyone else, I think! I'm just a big proud sidekick. The week went too fast and I'm already bugging them about making the arrangements to come out in August for my dad's 50th birthday weekend. I just wish all of our family could move and be here all the time! Bittersweet. 

Drey $ Nicole

Dear Baby: Week 33

DEAR BABY,

WE SAW THE DR. YESTERDAY AND EVERYTHING LOOKS GOOD AND HEALTHY AS USUAL. I'VE GAINED 2 POUNDS IN A MONTH, SO THE GROWTH SPURTS ARE SLOWING DOWN. THIS WEEK I GOT MY VERY FIRST STRETCH MARKS THOUGH, AND I COULD CRY. THERE'S A TINY CLUSTER ON EACH OF MY HIP BONES AND ALTHOUGH YOU CAN'T SEE THEM UNLESS YOU'RE REALLY IN MY BUBBLE, IT'S ALL I CAN HELP BUT NOTICE WHEN I'M DOING MY DAILY COCONUT OIL RUB DOWN IN FRONT OF THE MIRROR. WHEN I THINK OF WHAT I'M TRADING THEM FOR I FEEL BETTER. THEY'LL EVENTUALLY FADE AWAY AND I'VE GOT YOU FOR LIFE! YOU'RE STILL MEASURING AT A WEEK LATER THAN WE ARE ACCORDING TO MY DUE DATE, SO MAYBE YOU'LL BE HERE EVEN EARLIER THAN WE THOUGHT! PEOPLE KEEP TELLING ME FIRST BABIES COME LATE THOUGH, SO THIS MIGHT PUT YOU RIGHT ON TIME. WE'VE REALLY BEEN ABLE TO SEE YOU MOVE THESE DAYS. MY WHOLE BELLY SHIFTS FROM SIDE TO SIDE AND POPS OUT ALL OVER AND YOUR PAPA REALLY GETS A KICK OUT OF THAT. I'VE ALWAYS GOTTEN THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING ABLE TO FEEL YOU SO I THINK HE LOVES THAT HE CAN GET IN ON IT TOO NOW. I HAVEN'T HAD ANY OF THE DREADED PREGNANCY DISCOMFORTS OR COMPLAINTS I EXPECTED TO HAVE BY NOW BASED OFF WORD OF MOUTH, AND I JUST KEEP WAITING FOR THE HARD PART. NOT THAT I'M ASKING FOR IT, IF YOU WANT TO KEEP MAKING THIS BREEZY FOR MAMA, PLEASE DO! I THINK YOU'LL BE HAPPY AND MELLOW AND LOW MAINTENANCE LIKE US. YOUR HEARTBEAT WAS THE MOST LOUD AND CLEAR IT'S EVER BEEN WHEN WE LISTENED ON THE DOPPLER THIS WEEK. THERE WAS NO MORE WHITE NOISE AROUND IT, JUST A CLEAN, STRONG BEAT. SOME OF YOUR GRANDPARENTS ARE COMING TO VISIT IN THREE DAYS! WE ALL HOPE TO SEE YOU IN 3D IF THE DR. WILL ALLOW US, BUT I READ SOMEWHERE THAT IT'S NOT RECOMMENDED AFTER 34 WEEKS (WHICH YOU'RE MEASURING AT), SO WE'LL SEE! I'VE REALLY BEEN GETTING EXCITED FOR YOU TO COME OUT SO I CAN DRESS YOU AND ENTERTAIN YOU AND TAKE YOU EVERYWHERE! WE BOTH WENT THROUGH A FEAR FAZE BUT ALL THE SHOPPING AND PREPPING FOR YOU HAS US READY AND ANXIOUS. I JUST WANT TO SEE YOUR SWEET FACE AND GET TO KNOW YOUR PERSONALITY! WE LOVE YOU LITTLE BOY! XOXO MAMABEAR

Chia Seed Pudding

Chia seed pudding has recently become one of my most favorite afternoon snacks. It's so very simple to make, too! Chia seeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, protein, calcium, potassium, antioxidants and iron. They curb your appetite, increase energy, aid in digestion, diabetes, lower cholesterol and blood pressure. You can eat them whole in your yogurt, salad or cereal, or you can soak them in water causing them to form a gel, which can then be added to smoothies and pudding. Today I'm sharing the recipe for a pudding. It can be found on the back of Trader Joe's chia seeds package, but if you don't have a Trader Joe's near you, just go to any local health food store and follow the directions below!

In a small cereal bowl, combine the following:
> 1/4 cup chia seeds
> 1 cup coconut milk
> 1/4 cup (or less) agave syrup
> mix and refrigerate 3 hours, serve 4 tbsp and enjoy!

I personally use about half of the 1/4 cup agave or else it's just too sweet. You can also substitute it for organic honey or any other sweetener, but the agave is my favorite. Play with different flavors by adding cocao powder, vanilla, fruit or citrus juice. (Again, I've tried flavors and the three ingredient recipe above is still simply my favorite.)

How do you eat your chia seeds?

Drey $ Nicole

Long Beach Livin'

My life this week via iPhone photos:

1. Bathroom mirror pic with the bump

2. Daily words of wisdom from street art found on Retro Row

3. LB Bentley's "Happy Cinco De Mayo" photo

4. G made grilled chicken stuffed with spinach, mozzarella & homemade pesto/cracked pepper cream sauce on salad

5. Multigrain pancakes from Trader Joes topped with sunflower seeds

6. An afternoon at Home Depot with my friend, Siera

7. I love how this ombre truck looks like it was watercolored

8. An adorable pocketed bib and bunny for baby

9. Planted an aloe, cactus & succulent arrangement

10. Too much food at our friend, Nikki's Cinco party

11. Chicken yellow curry, sticky rice & egg rolls at Long Beach Thai

12. Cinco De Mayo style. I love how he thinks I'm hilarious :)

Follow along on Instagram for daily updates!

Username: dreynicole

Drey $ Nicole

Dear Baby: Week 31

Dear Baby,

You're getting so big! I can feel your knees and elbows slide against the inside of my belly when you move now. Your bones are so sturdy and sharp. It feels the same as sliding a knuckle in a cupped palm, only from the inside out- so crazy! We went to the Dr. today and we're at 31 weeks, 5 days, but you're measuring at 32 weeks which is just fine. Your heart rate was a strong 140 and we always love hearing it beat so loud and fast on the doppler. I weighed in at the exact same amount as when we went two weeks ago, so the prenatal workouts sure are paying off. I've really got that pep back in my step and have felt much more energized taking those iron pills twice a day. I got a little taste of the first trimester sickness this week though when I drank some acai pomegranate juice with breakfast. To be sure I drank it the following day with my iron pill before eating and sure enough, that was the cause. It's always been my favorite juice so hopefully I'll be able to handle it again when you're out of there. The books say that you're fully formed at this point and look the way you're gonna look at birth, you're just adding on fat now along with other tiny tweeks. I just can't wait to see your little face, so much so that we're going to see you in 3D/4D at the end of this month when your grandparents come to visit! Keep growing strong and big so they can see you! We love you tons little boy. XOXO MAMABEAR

A new Harness

We got the Bentley's new harnesses over the weekend so it's more gentle on them when we're walking, instead of being pulled by their tiny little necks. We found some with lots of under body padding, and they seem to just love them! I think they like having anything snug around their bodies. TX Bentley has always gone crazy when he sees G start to fold up a bandana to put around his neck, and you can find LB Bentley wrapped tightly in a blanket when he's not eating or out on a walk. We took them to the dog park down the street and they were happier than ever. TX played fetch for a good hour, when usually he sits on the bench with us and just watches the other pups. We agreed that we love picking up little toys and treats and doing nice things for them now and then. It always puts a little pep in their step and makes us smile!

Drey $ Nicole