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Six Must-Have Pregnancy Items

Posted on November 12, 2013 Written by Tonya

For me, along with a growing belly comes swollen feet and legs, an achy back and bizarre cravings for lemons and baked goods. I know, right? But, that’s about it. I’m lucky and don’t get the nausea, heartburn or hemorrhoids.

When it comes to pregnancy, I don’t know why I have been so blessed to have such an easy go at it, but I could not go through this experience without sharing a few of my favorite pregnancy items.

Sure, a great support system and caring team of doctors is important, as are prenatal vitamins, a healthy, well-balanced diet, equal parts exercise and rest and pretty much a whole new wardrobe are essential, but these are my six must-haves for a successful, more comfortable nine months.

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1. Belly cream. My favorite is Bella B Tummy Honey Stretchmark Prevention Butter. It smells delish, feels luxurious and helps prevent stretch marks and itching. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!

2. Proper fitting undergarments. I have grown a full cup size and then some and my go-to bras are Victoria’s Secret’s Body By Victoria, which offers super full coverage, lots of colors to choose from and are available in both under-wire and wireless. Totally worth the price tag.

3. Cheese. Better known as the Babies R Us Pregnancy Wedge Cushion Pillow. If you’re not ready or willing to spend $80+ on a full body pillow, this is the perfect alternative for that extra belly, legs, and hip support you need in order to get a better night’s sleep.

4. My iPhone. I use it to keep track of what my body and baby are doing with awesome apps like Baby Bump and What To Expect: Pregnancy and to pass the time while waiting and waiting and waiting in doctors offices.

5. Compression socks. One yucky side effect I have been experiencing is a lot of pressure in my legs and some minor blood clotting at the end of the day and although they are ugly as sin, Futuro Energizing Ultra Sheer Knee Highs do help.

6. Pampering. Once a month (sometimes more) I get mani/pedis and prenatal massages. Anything that makes me stop and forces me to relax is a very good thing.

What helped you get through your pregnancy?

None of the companies mentioned above endorsed this blog post in any way, I received no free swag for writing this and all opinions expressed are 100% my own, but if Victoria’s Secret picks up on this, I would not turn down a gift card!

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Day 12: Today I am grateful for a good night’s rest. I spent half of last night coughing my lungs out and with a newborn baby on the way, severe sleep deprivation is too and it helps me appreciate the value and luxury of a full eight hours of sleep, glorious sleep. Are you getting enough Zzzzz’s? #30daysofgratitude

California Love

Posted on November 6, 2013 Written by Tonya

California became the 31st state on September 9, 1850.

I’ve lived in Southern California for almost 18 years and I love it! I wish the cost of living wasn’t so high and there were fewer people on the freeways, but I can’t imagine living anywhere else in country. Here are 8 reasons I love California:

1. 840 miles of breathtaking coastline.

2. California has to be one of the few places where you never have to leave to experience every other culture. San Francisco, Vallejo-Fairfield and Stockton are the top three most diverse cities in the country and Los Angeles is home to the largest Thai Town, Little Tokyo, Little Ethiopia, and San Francisco has the biggest China Town.

3. According to The Wine Institute, there are nearly 4000 wineries in California and Californian wines out-rank all other wine-making places. Rich and full-bodied, light and fruity, deep red to crystal white, the wines produced here are outstanding!

4. Disneyland. Enough said.

5. One day you can be snowboarding, the next laying on a beautiful beach working on your tan and the day after that enjoying the desert. Depending on your mood and desired activity, you can have any setting imaginable.

6. The weather! Southern California averages 35 days a year with measurable rain. The rest of the time? Nothing but sunshine!! It’s November 6 and while some people are seeing first snow falls and using their heaters, it was 80 degrees here today.

Enjoying a Fall day at one of our favorite parks in San Diego – November 6, 2013

7. Hollywood, the epicenter American film.

8. My husband was born and raised here and I am glad that my son was and will be too!

Not that I need more reasons to love Cali, but if you do, these are some gorgeous photos of my state: 32 Reasons California Is The Most Beautiful State In The Country.

This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, Prompt 4.) List 8 best reasons you love living in your state.

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Day 6: I’m thankful for doggie day care places like The Bone Adventure that put up with our pooch er, I mean, look after our beloved pet while Lucas and I have a fun outing! #30daysofgratitude

Just Thinking Out Loud…

Posted on August 5, 2013 Written by Tonya

Okay, so bear with me, this is a random post in order for me to purge… I have a lot on my mind these days. Stupid, ridiculous, trivial crap and big, life changing, important stuff too. I think it’s imperative to get it all out sometimes, so here goes:

First and foremost, how in the hell is it already August?

Only 34 days until my next Dave Matthews concert… not that I’m counting or anything.

Moving. Or more importantly, finding our (close to and within our budget) dream house. Open living space, big backyard, guest room (or not), Jack & Jill bathroom, two-story (or not) and back in our old neighborhood. It’s not that much to ask for, is it? And yet, we have looked at dozens of houses and haven’t quite fallen in love with any and if we have, they were bought within days or hours of us seeing them.

Dog training. Charlie Pasta is having a hard time and will be going away for training for two weeks later this month and I am absolutely thrilled!! He hates apartment living as much as I do and has decided to act out and turn skittish (AKA bark like a maniac at every noise he hears). We’ve become very frustrated and turns out are not the best dog trainers, so it’s time for professional intervention.

North West. When and how are Kim & Kanye going to introduce their daughter to the world? I’m so curious. Unless, they have already and I’ve been living under a rock?

I’m so happy America’s Next Top Model is back!! Cycle 20, baby!! This time it’s girls vs. boys. No judging… you know you watch it or something equally embarrassing, right? Right?!

Speaking of embarrassing TV, another guilty pleasure show that I have gotten sucked into this summer is Mistresses. It’s so bad.

How many times does a day does “Blurred Lines” play on the radio and how soon before it really starts to bother me that my four year knows almost every lyric?

There is more substance to me than bad television and pop songs, I am currently OBSESSED with This American Life, the weekly public radio show broadcast and I recently downloaded the app and have listened to some of the most amazing stories from learning how to count cards in order to beat casinos to the love of summer camp and an incredible story about babies switched at birth only to find out 40 years later. The host, Ira Glass is my new hero.

I’m looking forward to the day when I don’t have to hear “butt”, “poop” and “pee” 900 times a day or reprimand someone for using them in excess. Seriously, how do you make it stop?!

There is definitely a lot more going on in this brain of mine, but this really helped. For now…

What’s on your mind?

10 Things I Love About My Son

Posted on August 1, 2013 Written by Tonya

When it comes to our children, we all think we’ve hit the jackpot… Our kids are the cutest, sweetest, smartest and most well-behaved and everyone else’s aren’t. And while that be so in own little delusional worlds, when it comes to my kid, there are a few things that I am really grateful for that Lucas is/does/doesn’t do/has:

10. He has never EVER been a screamer. THANK GOD!!

9. Despite being a very picky eater, he has always been a very neat eater, who doesn’t like using his hands and wipes his mouth with a napkin almost after every bite.

8. He may not always go to sleep at his bedtime, but he can entertain himself (usually by looking at books, amusement park maps and catalogs) by himself until he falls asleep and the typical requests for water, snacks, extra cuddles, just five more minutes, etc. are at a minimum.

7. He has WAY more patience than I do when it comes to waiting in lines, waiting in doctor’s offices and getting stuck in traffic. He just accepts it.

6. He has his dad’s sense of humor… very dry and expression filled. He knows how to bring the funny and keep you on your toes.

5. He has the makings of a true humanitarian displaying genuine concern about other people and their well-being. If he overhears me talk about a sick friend, days later he will ask me how they are doing.

4. He is social and wants to meet and talk to new people and make friends.

3. He is crazy inquisitive and the questions he comes up with and the connections he makes and the details he retains blow my mind daily.

2. His blue eyes make me melt. They are bight and beautiful and are a direct reflection of my own and my father’s, which I have written about before here.

1. He’s happy. He wakes up smiling and goes to bed smiling. Sure he has his moments (he’s still only four) and we definitely butt heads from time to time, but for the most part, he is really easy going (another trait he most certainly got from his dad).

I honestly don’t know what I ever did to deserve such an amazing and special blessing. I love this kid to pieces and I could come up with hundreds of qualities, quirks and special characteristics that I adore about him.

What are your favorite things about your child?

Things I Did While I Was 40 – Update

Posted on June 25, 2013 Written by Tonya

A year ago today, I shared a list of things I wanted to accomplish while I was 40. On the eve of my 41st birthday, I thought I would reflect and update.

The items that are crossed off I made happen with enthusiasm and I’m not going to beat myself up about the other stuff.

I’m a work in progress!

Watch all 550 minutes of The Planet Earth DVDs.
~~Run at least four 5Ks.~~
~~Sell my parents house in Arizona.~~ Yay!!
Find a new house here, buy it and move in.
If we aren’t going to move, finish decorating our living room.
~~Raise a puppy. More on this later.~~
Have a baby or at least get and stay pregnant by June, 2013. I am SO ready to get off this roller coaster.
~~Read one book (at the very least) per month.~~ Barely!
~~Stop letting so many phone calls go directly to voice mail.~~ I think I’m getting better at this.
~~Successfully potty train my son. It’s time, yo!~~
~~Finish writing my father’s story.~~ You can read it here.
Go easier on myself. In general. In all matters of my life. This is an ongoing struggle…
~~Resume my yoga practice.~~
~~Walk the 1000 steps in Laguna Beach.~~ This morning!! Twice! With the dog.
Purge my stuff. Meh.
~~Have an epic garage sale. See above.~~
~~Drink more champagne.~~
~~Take Lucas to the beach by myself. Just once.~~
~~Schedule more one on one time with my sister.~~
~~Take Lucas on the Radiator Springs Racers at Cars Land just as soon as he grows one inch taller. 🙂~~
~~Eat more salads than sandwiches. At home.~~
Spend less time blogging, tweeting, status updating, pinning and playing games. For reals! Hanging my head in shame.
~~If I have to be on Pinterest, start trying some of the shit I pin.~~ I have a entire board dedicated to Pinterest projects I’ve tried!
Meet more local bloggers in person.
Make out with my husband more.
~~Reach out to my family across the country more often.~~
Lower expectations across the board.
~~Cook more. I was on a roll for a while and then got lazy.~~
~~Try new restaurants… Pizza Ortica, Chow, The Deck, Rooftop, etc.~~
When eating out at the same old places, try something different on the menu for a change. I’m a creature of habit, what can I say?
~~Never lie about my age.~~
~~Give paddle boarding a whirl.~~ I have been once and I am going again on my birthday!
~~Go camping.~~
Consider hiring a trainer.
~~When moisturizing, never forget my neck!~~
~~Mail medical insurance claims before my husband has a cow.~~
Volunteer in Lucas’ classroom.
Leave the phone in the car and really BE in the moment.
~~Spend more time outdoors.~~
Stop making lists! Not going to happen!!

Am I the only one that makes these kinds of crazy lists or do you too make goals for yourself upon turning a new age?

Notice, there’s not a list for my 41st year.

May 20, 2013 – The first time I took Lucas to the beach solo! There have been two additional trips.

#ApartmentLiving

Posted on June 21, 2013 Written by Tonya

Remember a few weeks ago when I was bitching up a storm and said that I could provide an entire blog post about all the things I dislike about apartment living? Without further adieu….

The Top 10 Things I Dislike About #ApartmentLiving:

10. I’m 10 years too old for this shit! I’ve lived in my fair share of apartments (six to date beginning at age 20 in college) and it gets old real fast. There’s no privacy, lots of noise and very little space. I know it’s only temporary, but I’ve done my time in apartments and I’m over it!

9. We’re on the third floor with NO elevator (a fact that we did not learn until the day before we moved in)! Think groceries, sleeping child in the car and the transfer, etc.

8. No (personal) yard.

7. Limited storage space, resulting in not one but three separate storage units (don’t ask) including our one car garage.

6. No room for overnight guests (wait, is that really a bad thing?).

5. Our dishwasher is as big as a small Igloo ice chest, as in the size you bring to work for lunch so it gets run at least three times a week.

4. It is nearly impossible to find a parking spot after 9:30 at night. More than once I have had to park at least a 1/2 mile away from my front door.

3. We have a dog who refuses to use his porch potty (see #9).

2. We are constantly on Lucas’ case about his noise level and romping around, which is so unfair to him. He’s four and a boy and loud!

1. I mentioned the noise level, but the fights we overhear, yelling at the TV during major sporting events and pretty much constant barking dogs can really make one go crazy.

I digress… It’s not all bad! I can’t believe it’s already been three months. We have awesome swimming pools, a state of the art gym, free weekly yoga class, maintenance staff that responds quickly and we’re all together. At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter where we live as long as we have that.

But, I’m still counting down. I have a countdown calendar running on my phone and as of this very minute, we only have 132 days left.

Provided we can find a house!!

Old School Blogging: ABC’s

Posted on June 7, 2013 Written by Tonya

Old School Blogging is back and this month’s topic is ABC’s. Elaine of The Miss Elaine-ous Life is hosting with Jennifer and if you’re looking for some blogging inspiration, link up!

A. Attached or Single?
Very much attached.

B. Best Friend?
I know I’m expected to say my husband and he is the person I am closest to, but I have amazing girlfriends too and my favorites are the ones that lift me up, make me laugh while supporting me in all that I do.

C. Cake or pie?
Cake. I ate six slices at a wedding once.

D. Day of choice?
Monday. I know I’m in the minority on this one, but I like fresh starts and beginnings.

E. Essential Item?
iPhone.

F. Favorite color?
Navy blue.

G. Gummy bears or worms?
Haribo GoldBears and there is a bag in my purse right now.

H. Hometown?
I grew up overseas and don’t really have a “hometown”, but I currently live in Newport Beach, California.

I. Favorite Indulgence?
Working out followed by a chocolate, almond croissant that I don’t have to share with a soul (or vice versa, probably the smarter way to enjoy the latter).

J. January or July?
January for the same reason I love Mondays (see D.).

K. Kids?
One awesome little boy.

Taken yesterday on my little buddy’s fourth birthday!

L. Life isn’t complete without?
Books, laughter, wine, my son, travel…

M. Marriage date?
August 4, 2007.

N. Number of brothers/sisters?
One sister.

O. Oranges or Apples.
Both please, but I eat a Granny Smith almost every day.

P. Phobias?
Can’t think of any off hand. I wouldn’t like to be locked in a room with them, but I really don’t mind spiders or snakes.

Q. Quotes?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved and collected quotes. Choosing a favorite is downright impossible, but I have always liked this one very much:

Click on image for source.

R. Reasons to smile?
My son, of course, a new episode of Man Men, having dinner made for me, the feeling I get after a great workout and a sleeping puppy at my feet.

S. Season of choice?
Summer.

T. Tag 5 People.
How about 4? Coreen, Katie, Natalie, Poppy.

U. Unknown fact about me?

V. Vegetable?
Any but beans. I’m really into Brussel sprouts right now.

W. Worst habit?
Speeding and occasionally texting in the car (it’s illegal in California).

X. Xray or Ultrasound?
Oooh… ultrasounds!

Y. Your favorite food?
Anything but pie.

Z. Zodiac sign?
Cancer. My birthday is this month!

Come play along! Copy and paste the questions here, write your post and link up with Elaine!

10 Things Totally Pissing Me Off This Week

Posted on May 17, 2013 Written by Tonya

Call it hormones, the wacky weather, lack of sleep or just first world problems, here are 10 things currently pissing me off:

1. Toilet paper in public restrooms. Not only is it cheap and flimsy, why can’t I get more than one teensy square? I hate fighting with those damn dispensers!

2. Pharmacies. I wonder how much time I’ve wasted at the pharmacy this week alone; dropping off prescriptions, picking up prescriptions, arguing with pharmacists over prescriptions, waiting for prescriptions, coming back to pick up prescriptions. It’s enough to drive a person absolutely bananas!!

3. Bad parking jobs. Does anyone know how to park anymore? Twice this week I have had to climb into my car through the passenger door to get into the driver’s seat. The lines on the lot are there for a reason!!

4. Sunburns. Yep, I’m an idiot and before you ask, I was wearing SPF 55, but I guess it wore off after 5 long hours in the sun. Ouch!! Luckily, it’s only in my belly.

5. Apartment living. Enough said.

Actually, there is an entire blog post in that one, but I’ll save it for another day….

6. Poop. Specifically, people that don’t/won’t/can’t pick up after their dogs. O_o

7. Visiting blogs that make me jump through hoops to leave a comment. Math equations, Captcha quote and a check box? Just to prove I’m human? Are we still doing this? C’mon, already.

8. The punishment light. You know the one, your neighborhood has to have one, it’s the traffic light that is red no matter what direction you’re coming from and you always get stuck at it. Always!!

9. Services that just can’t be services. Regular every day, need to go places like the car wash or hair salon that have treats and snacks and ice cream and TOYS!!! Can’t I just get my car washed without having to argue with my son and say no 900 times?!

10. Customer, no service. It doesn’t matter where I go anymore, I can get no help from sales staff and they actually act like I’m just a huge burden to them. I know minimum wage is low, but please do your job.

What’s irritating you these days?

Change Is (Mostly) Good

Posted on February 25, 2013 Written by Tonya

I can’t believe we have to move.

Even though I knew it was coming, it feels like the rug has been pulled out from underneath me.

My chest is cramping with stress and the lists running through my head are giving me the spins.

The last few days have been chaos amidst boxes and packing tape, furniture pads and piles.

So many piles.

We’ve decided whether to save, sell, donate or store countless items.

Another new address.

Temporary, but still.

Change.

I don’t like change.

Especially on top of all our regular everyday stresses…

Deadlines.

Appointments.

Trips to the grocery store.

Laundry.

Late nights.

Early mornings.

Errands.

Exercise.

Phone calls to make and return.

Full In Boxes.

Bills.

Lunches to prepare.

A chipped tooth and an emergency visit to the dentist.

Infertility treatments.

A dog with warts in his mouth (Ugh. Don’t ask!).

Birthday presents to purchase.

Swim lessons.

Responsibilities.

Life.

But, I don’t have any more going on in my life than you, in fact your To Do list probably looks a lot like mine. Sure the tasks may differ, but the intent behind the reminders is the same and I’m sure the strong desire to cross items off is too!

The older I get the more I realize change can be exciting and a move doesn’t have to be all that stressful. It’s a huge pain-in-the-ass, but I know it’ll all get done.

Plus, there’s a lot of really great stuff going on right now too. Lucas, for one is very excited about living in an apartment complex that has not one, but three pools! We are looking forward to a fun Spring and Summer and finding a house by Fall.

I’m not going to be posting here as much over the next few weeks, so bear with me. Having said that, my infertility column over at SheKnows is still of the utmost importance to me and you can find a new post there every Monday through May. Today’s offering is Acupuncture for infertility: On pins and needles. Please read and share!

Faves

Posted on January 9, 2013 Written by Tonya

1. Favorite 2012 Movie: Magic Mike… um, Matthew McConaughot AND Channing Tatum shirtless? Yes, please! (with Argo as a close 2nd)

2. Favorite Album: Away From the World – Dave Matthews Band

3. Favorite Song: Titanium by David Guetta featuring Sia

4. Favorite Tweeter: Too many to chose from! My favorite Facebooker is Galit Breen of These Little Waves because she posts engaging and thought provoking questions all the time that I just can’t help but respond to and follow along.

5. Favorite Blog: I read a ton (Farewell Stranger, Four Plus an Angel, Funny or Snot, In These Small Moments, Mommy of a Monster, My Time as Mom, Old Tweener, Reflections of Now, Sluiter Nation, Writing, Wishing, etc.) too hard to pick a favorite.

6. Favorite TV Show: Modern Family

7. Favorite Instagramer: iheartsunnydays, her (?) photos of every day objects and scenes are whimsical, fun and always give me pause.

8. Favorite Moment: 1) Earning my first freelance writing paycheck, 2) adding a puppy to our family, 3) thinking Lucas & I had seen the Space Shuttle Endeavor when it was still an hour away, 4) Todd texting me a picture of him meeting Dave Matthews.

9. Favorite Conference: N/A 🙁

10. Favorite Viral Video: Sesame Street: Share It Maybe

This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop Prompt #1 The ladies at MomSmack listed their top 10 faves of 2012 here. Use their list as a template and fill in your own answers!

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