Multitude Monday : January 27, 2014

Oh, Mondays. Sometimes you just can't wait for that first weekday to end. Other times, the day is full of goodness and flies by. Today was a little bit of both. I only had class in the morning (Visual Communications) and then I was able to check several things off of my to-do list. Did a return, worked on a product investigation assignment at a store, picked up a few groceries, and purchased a new set of pillows using a birthday gift card. Score!

Today, I thought I'd share some things that I'm thankful for. That's what Multitude Mondays are all about: documenting the little (or big!) things in life that make me oh-so-happy. Feel free to chime in through the comments, on your own blog, or in a journal. Let's make Mondays a day to reflect on the goodies, and not the baddies.

I'm currently thankful for:

Dan and I meeting Tate on the weekend

691 - Welcoming little Tate into the world!
692 - A whirlwind road trip to Halifax to meet Tate's sweet face for the first time.
693 - A snuggly couch nap yesterday afternoon that was super refreshing - and I didn't wake up cranky!
694 - Dan's bro and sister-in-law arriving safely. We haven't seen them and their kiddos in almost two years.
695 - Our new bed arriving and Dan putting it all together. It feels like we're in a hotel!
696 - This dreamy duet with Carole King and Sara Bareilles from last night's Grammys (which I'm typically not interested in) that a friend shared via Facebook:

697 - Remembering a beautiful journal that a friend gave me that I'm excited to use over the next few weeks for a special project.
698 - Seeing the term "whirling dervish" during a class presentation and trying to refrain from giggling out loud... Dan has only recently used the term to describe someone and I thought that he made it up.
699 - A colour-coded bookshelf in my living room that makes me smile every time I see it.
700 - Realizing just how blessed I am in all of the little things, like discovering a replaced lightbulb before I had a chance to replace it myself.

What are you currently thankful for? Do share!

Happy Monday!

Little Lentil : 26 Weeks

Today marks week 26 for the baby bean, and it's a stormy day here! We've had blizzard warnings in the weather reports, so I've been hanging out at home all day. With Sage and the baby to keep me company, I've had nice amounts of relaxing and productivity today. Dan just arrived home a bit early, due to the bad weather. We'll make some supper together and have a nice, quiet evening in.

Week 26: The baby's the size of a head of lettuce

Here's what's new this week:

Week: Twenty-six

What's going on inside: The little lentil is continuing to develop their hearing. They are practicing breathing, too, by inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid. They're starting to open their eyes, too - apparently if they see bright light or hear a loud noise, their activity will increase!

What's going on outside: The baby is moving like crazy! I've begun to notice a pattern, too. They usually move a teensy bit as I wake up, before I get out of bed. The kicks are pretty regular around 10:00-10:30 am, then again between 3-4pm. The evenings are always a busy time for the baby, too. It's been so fun feeling them move! I've been feeling great. The only thing that drives me a little batty is my dreams! They're wacky - sometimes funny and related to real life, sometimes off the wall weird, and sometimes so sad that I wake up in tears. I won't miss that part of pregnancy, that's for sure!

How big is that lentil? Baby's the size of a head of lettuce. They are 1 2/3lbs and 14" long.

Total weight loss/gain: I'm at the same weight that I was last week - I'm at about -15lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Food cravings: I think that Dan is using my red-meat craving to his advantage, hehe. He purchased and cooked steak for supper twice in the past week... for the baby cravings, of course. My appetite is back with a vengeance, and I'm trying to make healthy choices. I made a pot of sweet potato soup today to enjoy for lunches over the next couple of days. 

Best moment this week: It's really reassuring this week that if that baby happened to be born early, chances are that they'd be able to survive. Quite a relief, but please, baby bean, stay in there and cook for a while longer!

Happy Wednesday!

Little Lentil : 25 Weeks

It's time for my 25-week pregnancy update! Dan was getting after me yesterday for not taking photos, and tried to encourage me to get in front of the camera. That's something that I know I need to get more comfortable with. As a chunky gal, it's strange to be showing off my belly instead of trying to minimize it. So... do you know what I did? Took a reflection photo in the hall at school this morning, just for this update, lol. (I had to be a stealth ninja to get one when no-one else was strolling the halls, hehe) I'll try and have a real photo update for next week.

Week 25 reflection :)

Here's what's new this week:

Week: Twenty-five

What's going on inside: The baby's skin is filling out and smoothing out, and they're looking more and more like a newborn. Their hair is also growing: if I could see the baby right now, I could tell the colour and texture of their locks.

What's going on outside: I've been feeling really good this week! I've been applying stretch mark cream daily in an attempt to ward off any new stretch marks. I'm prone to them - I've got some pretty intense scarring from stretch marks when I was younger, and I'd love to avoid developing any new ones. I'm anxious to start a prenatal yoga DVD that I purchased back in December, and I'm trying to develop some healthy habits that will improve the pregnancy even more. I'd like to get to bed earlier every night, so I could wake up a bit earlier to exercise and have a good breakfast before I leave for school.

How big is that lentil? The baby is about 13.5" long from head to bum, and has started packing on the weight. They're weighing in at 1.5 lbs this week! That means that they're filling out quite nicely, and losing that long, lean fetus look. The baby is about the size of a cauliflower, hehe.

Total weight loss/gain: I gained some weight over the past couple of weeks, but my total weight loss/gain is at about -15lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Food cravings: Preggo lady confession: went through the Wendy's drive-thru yesterday for a Frosty and snack wrap... and ate out last night. My hunger is back with a vengeance - I just need to steer myself in the direction of healthy choices. We went grocery shopping last night and I tried to pick as many healthy options as possible.

Best moment this week: I started to do a little nursery shopping this week. It's a strange feeling, but it was also a lot of fun. This little bean is going to have a cozy little nook!

Happy Wednesday!

Etsy Finds : Winter Accessories

Sources:

1 - Crochet Infinity Scarf in Taupe Shine by The House of Hemp

2 - Plum and Charcoal Grey Plaid Snap Scarf by Megan's Menagerie

3 - Unisex Winter Scarf by Sena's Shop

4 - Brown Infinity Scarf by Piyoyo

5 - Big Voile Navy Stripe and Anchor Women's Scarf by Yier

6 - Winter Wonder Scarf by Northernly

I don't know about you, but the minute that the cooler weather hits, my favourite scarves are around my neck. Now that it's extra chilly, you can almost guarantee that I'll be wearing a cozy scarf daily. My scarf collection is shamefully large, but I can't bare to part with any of my favourites. Light-weight, heavy, handmade, purchased, gifted, bright, neutral, wool, cotton: you name it, and if it's comfy and not itchy, I probably have a similar one in my arsenal.  I've been given so many beautiful ones over the years, and those ones hold a special place in my heart. Scarves are the perfect accessory: decorative and functional. They're awesome to wear when you head to the movie theatre, too: they double as a cozy blanket for that unpredictable theatre temperature.

If you're in need of a comfy new neck warmer, check out these beautiful handcrafted ones that I've found via Etsy. The links to each item are all listed above. Be prepared: your wallet may not thank you, but your neck certainly will.

Happy Tuesday!

Little Lentil : 24 Weeks

Wowee! With finishing up the first semester of design school, all of the holiday craziness, and getting back into the second semester, I haven't been keeping up with my weekly pregnancy updates. This week we're at week 24: that's 60% of the way done!

My last update was at 19 weeks, and a lot has changed since then. I had my 20 week ultrasound, and our due date has changed. The baby is now due April 30th, a week earlier than we previously were told... Yikes! I've been talking with my instructors now that I'm back from Christmas break, and they are going to adjust some of my deadlines. My last day of classes is officially April 21st, but I don't think that sounds like a good plan for the bebe. I'm hoping to have as little school-related stress in the month of April as possible. Here's to hoping everything gets straightened out - but my instructors have been awesome so far, so I'm not too worried.

Baby's the size of a yummy cantaloupe!

Here's my latest update:

Week: Twenty-four!

What's going on inside: The baby will start filling out their frame more soon. The baby's taste buds are developing, and the brain is continuing to develop. The little lungs are cranking into production, and the skin is starting to become less translucent. 

What's going on outside: I can feel the baby move now! Just on the inside, but that started at about 20 weeks. It was a little unnerving at first, but now I find it comforting that I can feel them. I've been feeling pretty good, and all of my appointments have gone really well. I'm sleeping with a body pillow at night to aid the sleep process, and it's really helping. 

How big is that lentil? The baby is now 12" long and has gained 4 ounces since last week, now weighing in at about 1 1/3 lbs. The baby is the size of a cantaloupe!

Total weight loss/gain: I'm up a pound! Hehe... still down about 19 lbs from my pre-pregnancy weight.

Food cravings: I had been craving steak for about a month and we finally has a steak supper last night. It was perfection :) I'm still drinking lots of orange juice every day and need at least one dose of chocolate a day, but that's pretty typical for me. I don't think it would qualify for a craving.

Best moment this week: Last night Dan felt the baby move for the first time, which was pretty exciting. I was laying on the couch and we were watching Netflix (our favourite evening routine) and I grabbed his hand. He's been so patient with trying to feel the baby at every opportunity, since I can feel it from the outside now, but he hasn't had any luck. Last night, that all changed :) He said it felt like a hiccup, which is exactly what it's like on the outside - definitely not like a kick or punch. It made me smile all day today.

Only a few more days until my next weekly update. Hope you're having a great weekend!

One Little Word for 2014

image via Ali Edwards

Despite the best of intentions in years past, this year is the first year that I've planned to actively participate in One Little Word. For those that are unfamiliar with the concept, Ali Edwards made the movement popular and coined the phrase, but choosing a word to reflect on for an entire year is not a new concept. After careful pondering over the past few weeks, I established a word that I would like to reflect on for 2014: EMBRACE. 

Embrace can apply to so many aspects of my life. Our lives are changing, perhaps the biggest changes yet, with my completion of school and more importantly, bringing a little one into the world this spring. I hope to embrace all of the changes with open arms. I don't want to second-guess decisions that I make, I want to embrace each choice and move on. I want embrace each thing that I'm involved in, no half-hearted attempts at anything. I want to embrace disappointments, acknowledge them, and let them go. I want to embrace the good times and the not-so-great and grow from them.

Already, we're three days in to the new year and I've been challenged on my word several times. I struggle, as we all do, with people that have different personalities than myself, and those that make decisions that I don't feel are the correct ones. I'm attempting to embrace their personalities and decisions as their own, and focus instead on being solely responsible for the ways that I affect others. I'm not sure if it's from getting older or from being pregnant (LOL), but I struggle to hold my tongue when addressing someone or something that I'm not comfortable with. Embracing others (and myself) and all of their shortcomings is a way that I hope to become more Christ-like this year.

I've gotten ahold of a new Bible reading plan for the year that I am hoping, with God's help, to stick to. Through the daily reading, I will be able to make my way through the Old Testament once, and the New Testament several times by the year's end. I want to choose one verse that means something to me from my daily reading to record in my new sketchbook that I received from my Secret Santa this year. I want to embrace my relationship with the Lord and not have such a segmented life: incorporating craftiness and the Word together is one way in which to start.

Each month or yearly quarter, I would apply the word embrace on a different aspect of my life. I hope to share those with you after I've worked through each way. I sometimes feel that from sharing with others before you do something, you can set yourself up for failure before you even begin. 

What about you? Have you chosen One Little Word for 2014? If you have, I'd love to hear from you. Each word can be such an encouragement to hear!

Happy Friday!

New Year, New Look

Blog - before 

Blog - after

New year, new look! I figured that the beginning of 2014 was a great time to give Polka Dot Soup a mini-facelift. As much as I liked my old blog header, photo and colours, it was time for a change. I designed a simple header that reflects my style a bit more and feels fresher that the older design. I love the light and bright colour palette and fun font choices. We have enough cold temperatures and snow to last a lifetime, so I hope that a bit of cheery colour will brighten your day. It was high time that I updated my blog photo - that old photo was taken at a friend's wedding four years ago! The new photo was taken on one of our many road trips over the past summer.

Interested in giving your blog a facelift? Contact me! I'd love to work with you in creating a design that suits your style, whether photographic or graphically based. Sometimes a little blog pick-me-up will make the world of difference. My e-mail address is littleohme@hotmail.com and I can also be reached through Facebook or the comments here on Polka Dot Soup. I can provide you with a PDF of my current design portfolio so you can get an idea of my design style.

I'll be back tomorrow to share my "one little word" for 2014 that I've been brewing over for the past few weeks. The word that I chose will affect all areas of my life, and I'm excited to share it with you!

Happy Thursday!

Oh, 2013: A Recap

2013 - what a colourful year!

Bonjour, 2014! Honestly, 2013 was the fastest and most colourful year of my life. There were lots of highlights this year, but I can't wait to see all of the amazing changes that this year will bring. School will be wrapping up in a few months, and we'll be welcoming a new baby at the end of April! Whew!

- - -

Here are a few things that made 2013 extra-special:

We had one of our most snow-filled winters in the recent past - gotta love a good storm day or two! (Although 2014 is shaping up to be the snowiest!)

A new young couple bought a dairy farm and moved to 

our area and we got to be great friends.

Our fun-filled March break: we traveled via train to spend the week in 

Quebec City, one of my favourite vacations yet.

I attended a creative conference, the first of its kind in our area 

and heard from countless inspiring speakers.

I finished my first year of Graphic Design in college, 

which in itself was quite an accomplishment.

I racked up oodles of kilometres on our car - and every single one was worth it. 

I can use every bit of practice driving a standard - and I got much more comfortable doing so.

I spent lots of time with my family, watching countless basketball games and

 traveling around Nova Scotia with my brother's team.

I started a busy summer job that I loved and worked with an awesome 

group of women that became my friends.

I worked on several design client projects 

that helped to shape my design portfolio.

I spent too much time Instagramming and too little time blogging - poor 

little Polka Dot Soup had its most neglected year since I started blogging.

I planted a little herb garden that ended up getting neglected, 

but the herbs that I did use were tasty!

We discovered Netflix, and in turn, burned our way through 

several TV series on cozy evenings in.

I got to see Tegan and Sara in concert with Heidi 

in Halifax - a highlight for sure.

Dan and I celebrated six years of marriage 

and nine years together!

The library became even more of a friend than before - 

lots of great reads this year.

I spent several nights camping throughout the summer, 

both tenting and in my parents' travel trailer.

We took a road-trip to Newfoundland and explored the island's 

nooks and crannies up and down.

I started my second and final year of Graphic Design.

I tried preserving for the first time and loved it - 

a definite new hobby.

I turned the ripe old age of 27... 

which we won't talk about.

My favourite thing that happened in 2013?

I found out that I was pregnant with our little miracle baby! 

- - -

What about you? What was your 2013 highlight? 

What are you looking forward to for 2014? Do share!