Egg muffins

The school year is upon us so that means busy mornings for all the moms & dads out there.  I used to make these egg muffins every Sunday. They make a great easy morning breakfast or a healthy snack for during the week. Take your own spin on them substituting your favorite veggies and meat.  I wiped some up today and thought it would be a great time to share.  I used chorizo, spinach and low fat mozzarella.

Spring for the Organic option- Muffins ready for the oven 

Ingredients:
12 Eggs
1/4 Cup Almond milk
Salt & pepper
1 Cup spinach (chopped)
4 Tbs Chorizo
1/4 C mozzarella

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl crack all the eggs, add in the milk, salt and pepper then beat until thoroughly mixed.  Spray muffin tin with non stick spray, add vegetables to the tin then pour in the eggs top with meat and cheese.  Bake for 12-15 minutes until the eggs are set.
Be sure not to over bake, so they are can be re heated nicely.  Store in Tupperware and keep in fridge until ready to enjoy.

Enjoy! 

Ideas:
Bacon, spinach and cheddar
Turkey sausage, mushrooms and tomatoes
Turkey bacon, spinach and feta
Bacon, onion, red pepper
*You will need to cook the meat before adding it to the muffin tins.

30 Weeks Baby Bump!

My outfit details: Ray Ban sunglasses // H&M Blazer // Nordstrom Rack Tank //J Brand Maternity Jeans // Francesca Collections Necklace // J.Crew Clutch //Charles David Shoes

Its all starting to sink in now.  In about 10 weeks or so, I will be responsible for my very own human. Some days I feel like I can barely get my own life together much less mine PLUS someone else's, not to mention the child that I already have, AKA the hubbs. :) It's crazy to think how much life will change - my body, all my relationships, my mentality, my daily habits and overall focus.  Its getting all too real.

What am I most anxious for...

• Epidural or not to epidural...that is the question?
• Adjusting to changes in my routine. I am a creature of habit.  How will I adjust to my new family, a new sleep schedule and new everyyy-thing!

What am I most excited for...

• Finally meeting this creature that has taken over my body
• Seeing if Baby W looks anything like me!
• And of course, getting to fit in my real clothes again

Speaking of clothes -- I finally had to break down and buy some maternity clothes.  Squezzing in to my regular pants and tunics was becoming too uncomfortable.  With only a couple months left, I dreaded spending hundreds of dollars on a temporary wardrobe, but I refuse to look frumpy and unpolished. Thank the the heavens for stores like Old Navy, Gap and Asos.  They have best be selection of affordable and stylish maternity clothes.  I filled up my closet guilt-free!  Although the one thing I feel like I had to invest in was designer denim.  These J Brand jeans I'm wearing are so comfortable.  My other fave is Paige jeans!

Scroll down for my 30 week baby bump update!

How far along? 30 Weeks

Baby Size: Cucumber!  He's about 16 inches long and weighs approximately 2 ½ to 3 pounds!! His skin is getting smoother, but his brain is getting wrinklier – to make way for all that essential brain tissue.

Total weight gain/loss: 16 pounds

Maternity clothes? A small selection of dresses and comfortable tees.

Stretch marks? Nope.

Symptoms:  Swollen feet and a ferocious appetite!

Sleep: Started to get up during the night to use the bathroom, but still getting on average of 7 hours per night since I go to bed so early.

Best moment this week: Nothing in particular. But we have started getting registry gifts in the mail.  It’s feels like Christmas!

Worst moment of the week:  Again, nothing too terrible to note; however, exhaustions is starting to creep up on me again.  Trying to regain energy through walks and pilates 4-5 times a week!

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Still…Eating salami and prosciutto.  Cured meats are really the only think I had to cut out of my diet.  I didn’t really like raw sushi or rare steaks pre-pregnancy anyway so my eating choices did not have to change much.

Movement: YES, tons!

Food cravings: My sweet tooth is not anything new, but now I feel like I can indulge with a little less calorie guilt.  Boba drinks have been a weekly staple as of late. So good!  I’m going to have to start weaning myself off this Asian delight or I’ll never loose the baby weight post pregnancy!!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet:  Definitely!

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? Peeking of out for sure!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.  The countdown is in the single digits.

Looking forward to: Starting maternity leave at 36 weeks!!


xx,
Lydia

A dogs life {Homeboy}

It has been 7 months since I had to put my beloved Mr. Vince down.  He suffered from 2 autoimmune diseases at the young age of 8.  He was my little man; I had rescued him on a whim back in 2006.  I was a single girl living in Hermosa Beach who needed a companion.  I soon realized it was the best thing I could have done (even through the barking and bills). He was a special dog who walked into my life at the perfect time and although he left to soon he lived a first class life. People would ask “are you going to get another dog?” my reply was always the same “one day”.  To be honest my greatest concern was that I couldn’t love another dog like I did Vince.  It took me time to understand I didn’t have to try and replace him, I wouldn’t be able to, and when the time is right I could love another dog.

My husband and I both agreed we were ready to open our home and hearts to the right dog again.  There was no question we were going to rescue another dog, the challenging part is finding the right fit.  We knew what we were looking for and were willing to wait until the right dog came along, even if it meant leaving adoptions empty handed.  A little guy named Sid popped up on Petfinder.com and grabbed our attention, so we set out to meet him this past weekend.  At first sight I loved his style (the scruffier the better).  He was chill, just hanging out in the crate while the others barked away for attention.  Shy at first, he just wanted to be pet, then allowed us to pick him up and cuddle him.  He didn’t know any commands we were trying to say but looked to his foster mom for assurance. In a short amount of time we knew he would make a great addition to our family and at the age of 2 could finally have a forever home.  That being said I was able to open my heart again to a little man we named Homeboy. 

Welcome home Homeboy! 

2nd Trimester - Done!

Again I say, where is the time going. Summer is going by in a flash and my second trimester went along without a hitch.  THANK GOD!  Glucose test - check!  Iron test - check! So here we are already in the last trimester, plump (up 16 lbs!) and healthy.  The belly has doubled in size, feet swelling is becoming a big giant reality (pun intended), and healthy eating has been slowly replaced by some serious "I only a couple more months left to eat whatever I want" cravings.  Its a real shame In-N-Out is on my way home every.single.day!

Aside from pregnancy health, the last couple months saw busy days of nursery prep - see my inspiration here -  and European Babymoon bliss....more on that fun stuff later!

Scroll down for the full outfit  and a {super late} 28 week baby bump update!

Dress: Tildon Nordstroms // Shoes: Vera Wang // Jacket: Old {similar here and here} // Sunglasses: Ray Ban 

How far along? 28 Weeks

Baby Size: Chinese cabbage!  He's about 15 inches long and weighs approximately 2  1/4 pound!! He's developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Total weight gain/loss: 14 pounds {I've gained a couple more since then!}

Maternity clothes? Jeans and a few tank tops

Stretch marks? Nope.  

Symptoms:  Nighttime leg cramps are the worse!

Sleep: Still getting a full night's sleep without interruption!

Best moment this week: Completing my second Tri!

Worst moment of the week: My feet starting to swell after long days at work.

Have you told family and friends: Yes!

Miss Anything? Eating salami and prosciutto 

Movement: YES, tons!  Sometimes it feels like he's gonna jump out of my belly.

Food cravings: Carbs!  white rice in particular.  So weird!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!

Have you started to show yet:  Definitely!

Labor Signs: Nope

Belly Button in or out? Peeking of out for sure!

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy.  Only a few months to go!!

Looking forward to: Starting maternity leave at 36 weeks!!


xoxo,
Lydia

Nursery Inspiration

Our little nursery is coming along pretty well. I get excited to see the progress each week.  We - and by we I mean my amazing hubbs JW - have done a pretty good job!   While we continue to put the finishing touches in our nursery, I wanted to share the inspiration behind my theme and designs. You'll notice crisp whites, modern greys and clean gender neutral patterns are the key elements of Baby Webb's new space.

I'll definitely share completed photos in the next couple weeks {hopefully!}.

Obsessed with Moroccan style Poufs!

{All images from Pinterest}

Thanks for reading!

Xoxo,

Lydia

Friends for life {3 things I learned in Vegas}

3 Things I learned while in Vegas with a friend of 25 years. 

1. Kids run you ragged, but it may not be a bad thing:

            Gym time may be hard to get in but she stays fit by chasing the kids around and has never looked better.  It also preps you for the long days and Vegas nights running on only 6 hours of sleep.  I still require 8+ hours for normal functionality.

2.  I drink too much and she enjoys “grown up" dinners:

            A glass of champagne was pretty much glued to my hand 24/7.  While she was thinking about where and when the next meal was coming, I was more concerned where I was going to get my next glass of champagne.  We were able to get into Giada’s, a new Vegas restaurant and was able to indulge in wine, champs and great food with out her hearing “Mommy, mommy, mommy”.

3.  Britney Spears and French fries will always be part of our life:

            Although we stayed up late, we were not studding our stuff and twerking in the club, but giggling our way into any restaurant at 1am that was still serving up French fries (and champagne).  To my surprise we still know every word to Britney Spears circa 1998-2002 and still remember the dance moves we had made up to “hit me baby one more time” in 1998.

Friends grow up, move away, and move on to have husbands & kids

(Well hopefully) but friends of 20+ years never seem to change.  We can go a month or 2 without actually talking on the phone, but still know exactly what the other is doing on a daily basis. Time spent together is fun whether it’s riding a Ferris wheel or chatting over a good glass of wine, topped of with many belly laughs.  Oh and lastly, I learned we are still irresponsible enough to let our phones die on a daily basis with out any major concern.

great views from the High roller 

Thank you Vegas! until next time. 

-Suz

Mommy community {guest post} By Suzanne Solomon

When Suzanne and Lydia first asked me to guest blog about my pregnancy I was a little nervous and wasn’t quit sure what I would write about. As you have read in my prior Q & A I have had a very uneventful and healthy pregnancy (yay!! currently 32 weeks) with no real issues except the occasional doughnut cravings.

Needless to say, at week 29 I received routine blood work results that diagnosed me with gestational diabetes. I was shocked! I felt great, maintained a healthy diet and was exercising regularly, and hadn’t put on much weight. I was so confused.

Scared and nervous, what had I done to cause this? Once I gained my composure and started educating myself on the disease; I soon realized it was nothing I did, per say, yet how my body was/is reacting to and breaking down of carbohydrates and sugars.

I met with my doctor to review a list of foods to eliminate from my diet. Juice, soda, fried food, sweets and FRUIT. Yes, fruit. My pregnancy had turned into a fruit maniac, eating about five to six servings a day. I thought we were supposed to eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies everyday. I was surprised to learn that fruits should be kept to a minimum, or thought of as a "treat” due to the high natural sugar content.  Who eat fruits as a “treat” unless its over ice cream?!  The conclusion is I was over indulging, I had to give up my daily banana, apple and pineapple, all which are the highest in natural sugars.

Overall, I haven't had to make too many changes in my diet. Due to an autoimmune disease triggered by food allergies, I already abstain from dairy, wheat, soy and artificial sweeteners. So, cutting out complex carbohydrates wasn’t too difficult.

I do have to test my blood four times a day and maintain a low carb, high protein, NO sugar diet. If I eat fruit it must consist of berries like blueberries or raspberries, which contain the least amount of sugar.  I am required to walk for at least 10 minutes after each meal with an additional 30 minutes of cardio a day. 

In all honesty, it has not been too bad. GD is not a death sentence; rather an opportunity to learn portion control and focus on eating super healthy. And its true, the less sugar you eat, the less you crave it.  Knowing I am doing this for my little man who is due October 8th has made the transition and process that much easier. And I plan on continuing this way of eating post birth.

baby on board 

My husband and I have been together for three years, health and fitness has always been a priority to us, and at times an obsession. I was very informed about the do’s and don’ts of pregnancy, but what I have learned the most in these 32 weeks is to go with the flow and listen to your body.  You may have your mindset and planned to do something one way but your little guy/or girl has something totally different planned out for you.  Pretty much the way life will be from now on.

30 week Q & A with Suzanne Solomon

We know how much everyone loves a good baby story.  We were so happy when our good friend Suzanne said she would contribute to our baby series updates.  She also agreed to write up a brief summary about her past 32 weeks, hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

Active as ever throwing the football 

How far along? 30 weeks (7.5 months)

Baby Size: 16" from head to heel. 

Total weight gain/loss: 14lbs

Maternity clothes? Not a big fan. Since I'm not working right now, I'm sporting Pilate’s clothes and sundresses.

Stretch marks? Not yet, hopefully never. 

Symptoms:  The typical…

Sleep: Baby likes to sleep on my bladder, which causes frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the night. Naps are keeping me alive. 

Best moment this week:  Boxes and boxes of hand me downs.  

Worst moment of the week:  Restless legs syndrome during the night. 

Have you told family and friends:  I told family and friends right when I found out, I chose not to wait the full 12 weeks.  I had suffered a miscarriage a month before and could use all the prayers and support (of family and close friends) early on.  

Miss Anything?  Sushi, crown royal, allergy medicine and most of all RUNNING!!!  

Movement: Lots, love his kicks and turns. 

Food cravings: Anything with Vinegar, but I've always had a love for it. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really. 

Have you started to show yet: Yes

Labor Signs: Not yet

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy, on a constant endorphin high. 

Looking forward to: A glass of champagne and a full platter of sushi finished off with a sprinkle donut. 

Baby shower weekend #1 (DIY)

Hope everyone had a great weekend!! What a wonderful fast weekend we had celebrating a friends baby boy.  Planning a shower is always fun! Baby shower decorations can range from baby bottles and owls to fancy plates and banners, we chose the ladder.  I have to say it was more work then anticipated but turned out exactly as I visioned and had my friends name written all over it.  The day of was quit hectic due to set up and food prep (a special thanks to my husband who spent his morning picking up balloons) but everything came together wonderfully.

We focused on decor seeing the setting was a blank canvas and had some space to fill in. The party started at noon so I chose a "tea party" theme for food and drinks.  This went over very well and kept the food cost down, food tends to be the greatest expense.  I cut the cucumber sandwiches with a round cookie cutter and left the prosciutto and ham as open faced sandwiches.  This made for a cute display of  food and saved me time on labels (although I did plan on making them).  The best part of tea sandwiches is the finger food aspect, It limits silver wear therefor saving some $, I wrapped forks in bow tie napkins and placed them at each table setting.  Gold charges found here ($2 ea.)  adds a pop of sophistication top them with white glass plates for a clean stylish look.  

Table scape

Food display/banner

Decor: If you have never arranged flowers make a point to put an arrangement together this week.  Its relaxing, fun and saves a lot of money! I had some friends over the night before to help with arrangements in the gold boxes and glass jars.  The polka dot table clothes and burlap runner are from factory direct party here and I rented the white linens to go underneath.  This layering type of style adds dimension and style to the tables carrying a small cost. I ordered an array of blue colored balloons including some polka dot balloons and hung them all around the seatting area, you can never have to many balloons.

DIY flowers 

Games & Favors:  We played two games, baby scramble and baby name bags.  This keep everyone engaged before the opening of gifts and allowed for some guest interaction.  The winners of the games received a potted succulent.  I loved this idea because its cheap, pretty and they last forever!

Favors: Choosing favors is always challenging…. you want something guests will use while keeping the cost reasonable.  I chose carnival suckers, it adds some fun color and brings the child out in everyone.  For chocolate loving guests I bought some mini baby ruths and butterfinger candy bars.  

We set out a DIY cost saving but pretty shower and I have to say I was amazed and very happy with the way everything tuned out! I was worth ever ounce of energy, we had a successful shower for 24 people all under $1,000. 

Menu: 

Cucumber/ cream cheese & chive sandwiches

Prosciutto/ arugula & honey crostini  

Ham/ brie & apple 

Chicken curry lettuce wraps 

Smoked salmon plater/ fresh dill/ mini dill pickles/ capers/ herbs cream cheese & sliced french bread

Fruit platter with scones

Hummus with sliced veggies/carrots/cucumber & radishes

Kale salad

Olive tapenade 

Cake:

Ombre blues - Meringue bakery - here

Hit of the party

Drinks:

Champagne (6 bottles) 

OJ

Strawberry lemonade 

Lemonade

Ice Tea 

Cucumber & lemon infused water

Small mason jars 

Polka dot straws

Flowers:
Blue hydrangeas
White roses
Gold boxes
Blue mason jars

Decor:

Balloons 

Banner - DIY

Onesies 

Pom Poms 

Gold chargers 

Rentals: Baker party rentals

Chairs

White table linens 

Games:

Baby scramble 

Baby name bag game

Favors:

Mini candies 

Carnival round suckers