September 2011 | Little Miss Mama

Friday, September 30, 2011

Battle Baby Bulge: Week 1

The 9 months of growing this baby belly of mine has passed, 2 weeks post baby has flow by and I'm back down to my pre-baby weight, however the Baby Bulge has decided to hang-on for dear life.

Fair? I think not!

It's sorta like those people who don't get that you are asking them to leave by showing them out. Simply making small talk as you verbally back them up against the door, passing them their shoes, repeating "it was really nice to see you again, we should do this again soon."

After being diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes in my 7th month of Pregnancy, I took a stance, right after I cried my eyes out {all news is served with a side of tears when your pregnant isn't it}. I promised myself, I would change my lifestyle even after Sofia was born and the GD disappeared. Losing the baby weight wasn't just going to be for selfish reasonings, like fitting into my Yellow, Itty Bitty Ruffled Bikini, but for far better reasons. To be the healthiest I've ever been, physically and emotionally, to be a fabulous role model for Sofia and to live a long life along side my husband and Baby Girl.

I have followed many weight-loss blogs over time and have grown obsessed with a few. I am inspired daily from these amazing individuals and its time I do something about it, let the inspiration take over my body and do good. Two of my all-time favorite weight-loss blogs are:

Funniest Weight-Loss Blog: Jack Sh*t Gettin' Fit

Most Inspiring Weight-Loss Blog: Sheryl Yvette

I've looked forward to the start of this journey for quite sometime.... I did reach out on Little Miss Mama's Facebook Fan Page last week, to see if any other's wanted to join me in making this life change, and Miss Kaitlin from Kait's Life has "hopped on board". If you'd like to join us, pop me and e-mail and I will fill you in on the fun {LovinLittleMissMama@gmail.com}

Meet Kaitlin and listen to her reasoning behind joining "Battle Baby Bulge":
Hi there, I'm Kait, wife to my HotBabyDaddy and Mama to two amazing boys (Little T is 17months and Baby A is 15days old)! They (the boys) are the reason I am here... well technically I'm the reason I'm here. I'm here because I need to get in shape, I need to do it for my boys. For my husband. But mainly I need to do it for myself. All my life I've always been blessed with being thin, that is until I lost all self control and gained 65lbs while pregnant with Little T. To make matters (and my self esteem) worse I never lost all of the pregnancy weight before I got pregnant again. Thankfully this time I only gained 24lbs (mainly due to craving fruits instead of cheese cake!). My goal isn't to become a certain size, it's to be healthy, happy and confidant in my body. Come visit me on my Blog, Kait's Life, and follow my Journey.

Eat Healthier, Be Active and Love yourself just the way you are!

At my THICKEST: Weighting the largest I have ever been during my Pregnancy at 220lbs, I was terrified that I would balloon and have great difficulties in getting into shape after Sofia was born. Upset with what the scale had to show me, I was even more baffled at how walking the neighborhood became a task I dreaded with the additional 20lbs of baby.

Prior to being pregnant my largest scale reading was 202lbs {as you see in 2 out of the 3 picture above}. I vow to never see the number 2 ever again when it comes to the starting digit of my weight. NEVER!

At my THINNEST: Weighting 168lbs at my smallest, was thanks to hard work, dedication and a diet that I absolutely hated. Then again can anyone tell me a diet they actually enjoyed? It was called Sureslim, and it banked its rapid weight loss success on a strict Menu and only eating every 5 hours {3 meals a day} with absolutely no snacking in between, except water *Oh Yippee*. Even though it worked, and had me smiling from ear to ear when I looked in the mirror - I just despised what I had to do daily when it came to eats. I knew this wouldn't be a forever change in my life, and it was a matter of time when the band wagon would stop, let me off, and I'd be back at reading 200lbs on the dreaded scale.

My goals for "Battle Baby Bulge" are the following

Weight: I will weight 150lbs {or less} by my 29th Birthday, August 11th

Active: I will extend my present consecutive running time from 30 seconds to 30 minutes by August

Beauty: I will look in the mirror each morning and love what I see

Week 1

Goal: Walk 5km within the week

Weight: 197.4lbs

Waist: 36"

Hips: 47"

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Sofia Vergara - Kmart Clothing Line

I was so excited to see the next celebrity to get a clothing line started at a Department Store was Sofia Vergara. After looking through what they have online, I thought I'd like a lot more, however those pieces that I do want, I love. Looking forward to getting to a Kmart the next time I cross the line and pick up these token pieces I love below.
I couldn't help but post the commercial she has out right now, I just love her voice!

Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Ruched Ruffle Dress | Buy it for $29.99

Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Motocross Jeans | Buy it for $32.99

Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Flyaway Fur Vest | Buy it for $49.99

Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Lace Back Dress | Buy it for $29.99

Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Ruched Lace-Print Leggings | Buy it for $16.99

Their is about 40 pieces in her collection, but I found a lot of it to be a little to plain for my liking. Great pieces to use for layering or a good base, but not alone. I also found a lot of "bat-wing" type arms on the shirts and dresses that I am not a huge fan of - more of a personal thing. Having said all that, I love Sofia, I love that she has kept her clothing line affordable and she has stayed true to her style. When I look at the entire collection, I see Sofia Vergara and this is key. Looking forward to getting my first piece of Sofia.
XOTairalyn

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Fall Fashion - How I love you...

Lanvin Ruffle Blouse
£435 - harveynichols.com

Monsoon Blazer
£55 - monsoon.co.uk

Cable Knit Mini Skirt
£240 - brownsfashion.com

Zara Booties
$100 - zara.com

Chanel Handbag
$1,467 - fashionphile.com

Friday, September 23, 2011

Things that change once you have a baby...

Sofia Marie turned 1 week old yesterday, and honestly how much she has grown! It's weird how that happens... I know truly understand why every mother says, enjoy it while you can, time will fly by. Becoming a mother in a matter of moments sure does turn your world around. Its the best thing that has happened to Sammy and I - we are so thankful!

... I read this, at 3am this morning, the glamorous life of a pumping Mama {3am is a fabulous time to pump and catch up on Blogging}, and I couldn't help myself but share. This is bang-on when it comes to how you feel after you have had a baby. Rebecca Woolf lists the top 15 things that change once you have a baby and every single one of them, I agree it whole-heartedly.

I've highlighted a few that really touched me and struck a cord, Tell me, do you agree with Rebecca?

1. You finally stop to smell the roses, because your baby is in your arms.
2. Where you once believed you were fearless, you now find yourself afraid.
3. The sacrifices you thought you made to have a child no longer seem like sacrifices.
4. You respect your body ... finally.
5. You respect your parents and love them in a new way.
6. You find that your baby's pain feels much worse than your own.
7. You believe once again in the things you believed in as a child.
8. You lose touch with the people in your life whom you should have banished years ago.
9. Your heart breaks much more easily.
10. You think of someone else 234,836,178,976 times a day.
11. Every day is a surprise.
12. Bodily functions are no longer repulsive. In fact, they please you. (Hooray for poop!)
13. You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself.
14. You become a morning person.
15. Your love becomes limitless, a superhuman power.

If their any you personally feel that she may have missed, or that could be added to the list. Please do comment and share, I'd love to hear them all.

XO
Tairalyn

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Baby Sofia Marie has arrived!

I will make this post short and sweet. We have our very first outing this afternoon to visit the nurse, weight her and a much anticipated grocery shop and Babies r Us visit.

Sofia who was expected to arrived September 7th decided to stick it out a little longer and wait until she was forced out, forced out by induction. Born September 15th at 7:04am, at 7lbs 3oz, Sammy and I couldn't be more happy. She is beyond beautiful and has something new to show us each and everyday. Our routine is slowly coming together and we are making some great progress in regards to eating, sleeping and pooping.

I look forward to when I get more time to post my Birth Story - as well have some fabulous products that I have been testing including The Belly Bandit, Itzbeen Baby Care Timer, Medela Swing Breast Pump and many gorgeous Nursing Bras. STAY TUNED. I promise Ill be back ladies.

Tairalyn

Monday, September 12, 2011

Guest Post: Winter Love

Along came Miss Natalie... A Mama Blogger that I got lucky enough to stumble upon about 4 months back. She is sweeter than pie {for real} and if Australia and Canada shared a boarder I for sure would be over there in a heartbeat to visit her one of these days. Since they don't and its a good 12 hour flight {or so}, this will have to do. Guests Posts on one another Blogs.

Now your lucky enough to know her, like me.... you can thank me later.

A common fact between Natalie and I, other than being young hot mama's, is that we love Tea. So deciding upon a Guest Post was easy.... Tea related it must be. Enjoy her post below on "why Tea is great"! If you'd like to see what I posted about "brewing the perfect cup" pop on over to Winter Love and have a look see.

XO
Tairalyn

Little about Natalie:

I am a 21 year old, single Mama from Australia. Trying to navigate my way through toddlerhood with my sweet, sweet daughter Stella Winter. I have a passion for writing and creating and enjoy sharing my passion with my readers. I write about the often un-spoken and honest feelings of a single mother, The challenges of parenting, the beauty of children and the love I have for being a mother. I also share my daily life through posts about fashion, DIY's, tattoo inspiration and my mama social life. I hope you enjoy reading along too, whether you be a Mother, a mother-to-be, a father, or just a lover of all things beautiful!

If you know Tairalyn from Little Miss Mama, you know she is an avid, enthusiastic, prettily sipping Tea fanatic! When she first suggested we post swap about tea, I was a little skeptical. I wasn't sure I could write about tea. WHAT would I write about tea?

I love tea. I love drinking, smelling and talking amongst cups of tea, but could I write something witty and interesting about tea? Chances are no. I am not great at reviews nor have I ever written a serious one. So, here I was...tossing and turning at night trying to think of what I could write about tea that would interest and impress Little Miss Mamas readers. All the way on the other side of the world, 22 118 kilometers away so my iPhone navman tells me. In the end I decided to share with you some reasons why tea is great. As simple as that. Me telling you, that tea is amazing and you nodding in agreeance.

An ode to tea, cheers!

1. Tea knows no age. Tea can have an amazing physical and emotional effect on anyone, at any age. There is caffeinated tea for the busy and bustling career woman, milky sweet tea for the retired lady and herbal brightly coloured tea for the children. Anyone at any age can share a cup of tea. Share one with your Grandmother, share one with your Great-Grandmother, share one with your Daughter and share one with your best friend.

2. Sip to good health. The health benefits of tea are aplenty, tea is like the Queen of antioxidants. Claiming to have anti-cancer properties and an antibiotic effect the Queen of antioxidants works hard around the brewing clock to bring you good health. More obviously and instantly tea can increase mental alertness and lift your metabolic rate; this means that having a cuppa can make you slim and smiling!

3. The herbal effect. If you are in a bad mood, feeling a little sick, can't sleep or need waking up. I can guarantee there is a herbal tea for you. Chamomile tea for calming, honey tea for colds, raspberry leaf tea for cramping, green tea for weight loss, fennel tea for insomnia, black tea for energizing. Set your inner skeptic aside and try a herbal tea for your ailment.

4. The tea theory. Tea has a good reputation for bringing people together. You could almost say it is responsible for many a 'deep and meaningful'. There is something about sharing a steaming cup of tea with someone that makes you feel comfortable enough to pour out your soul. Sip one; you breath a sigh of relief. Sip 2; you set your insecurities aside. Sip 3; you have that life changing conversation with a confidant, a best friend, a partner, a lover. All over a cup of tea.

And there you have it, four reasons why you should buy a pretty teapot and start sipping! Happy tea drinking!

...Plenty of love...

Visit Natalie at Winter Love Blog HERE

Visit Natalie at Winter Love on Facebook HERE

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Word Find... that describes YOU!

Looks like your going to need to update your resume, the first 3 words you find best describes you personally...so they say. If this is true, then you are looking at a Bad, but Funny Whore. Yeah, that's right a deadly combo that is bound to go places. Watch out world this Bad Whore is going to make you laugh until you pee your pants! And that's a promise!

Thanks to Delighted Momma, who posted this on her Blog, I now know my true colors! I don't feel too upset about my new traits, she adopted 3 fabulous character personalities that were just as good, sex, door and peep!

What did you all find?

Tairalyn

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Cooking with Tea

{picture thanks to www.weheartit.com}

I have always loved cooking with Tea not because I love Tea, well okay maybe half the reason is this, but its really amazing to infuse foods with flavors one never thought to. When you bite into a regular Shortbread Cookie and get a hint of Lavender Earl Grey, you will know exactly what I mean.

On my old Blog, LahTeaDah, I made these Fabulous Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies that were to die for. Had a blast making them, but better yet I enjoyed devouring them. Of course I shared with with my Mum and Dad... because that's what I always do when I bake. It just seems right to treat Mama and Papa with anything sweet that comes from the oven.

I have not baked or cooked with Tea in quite sometime for the simple reason that I don't bake much these days, with a baby due any day now, I find putting my feet up is more of a priority. Soon this will be a thing of the past and I don't want to forget what it feels like. I wish I had a post for you about the latest thing I have infused with Tea however because I do not I will search high and low of all the recipes that I will be trying when my schedule gets a little more back to the way it "used to be"... sorta

If any of you try these recipes, please please be sure to let me know and better yet if you post about it please e-mail me the link so I can see, dream and drool. Happy Baking!

Cupcake Project goes into great detail and shows us exactly how to infuse Tea into any/all of your Baking. This is a MUST READ that I think is just superb information to have always in the pocket of your apron. What a fabulous tip.

Over at the Paula Deen site I find this, a Peach Tea Cupcake, I then further look into it and find it too is also created, designed and whipped up too by Cupcake Project. Go Figure! This girl must be the real deal when it comes to infusing Tea into Baking. A recipe I will no doubt try once time is a little more on my side and I will no doubt have a posting on the outcome.

Stumbled across the Becks & Posh Blog and found this fabulous recipe for Jasmine Dragon Pearl Tea Cookies. They sure do look and sound perfect. A Perfect little biscuit for an afternoon cup of Tea. In between baby naps of course. No doubt I will be making this as well, just add it to the MUST BAKE list, I will get there. One day!

Wow, this one, no doubt, took my breath away. Over at The Island of Dr Gateau I found this amazing Black Tea infused Red Velvet Cake with Black Tea Icing. Wow. Seriously I need to take a second before I continue, this sounds beyond divine. Oh how I wish Sugar, Butter and Flour was my good friend. This is why, the words in moderation is music to my ears. I can because I not over-indulge, yet enjoy each bite, until my next appropriate time. My husband, Sammy will just love this, his heart beats a little faster every time I say Red Velvet.

Tairalyn

Friday, September 9, 2011

Baby Update | 40 Weeks plus 2 days

The past 48 hours has been trying... to say the least.

I had a doctors appointment yesterday, thinking that we were going to go in and see some small progress and possibly a little light at the end of the tunnel.... she says to us, that she can no longer feel her head engaged in my pelvis. WAIT. WHAT?!? We were not really setting ourselves up for anything but positive news going into the appointment. Our OB booked us in for an emergency ultrasound to see if Baby Sofia Marie decided to go breech on us. FAB-U-LOUS! With loads of anxiety flowing through our home, I sure wished they could have fit us in a lot sooner than 29 hours after our Doctors appointment. Either which way, we have come and gone and the verdict is in.

Baby Sofia Marie is a good girl, she is still head down, face down, and in the ready position. Why our doctor could not feel her head must mean she is just yet to engage herself good into the right area in my pelvis and we have a few more days ahead of us of waiting for her arrival. Something tells me we will be doing lots of walking over the weekend with hopes to get her as low as we can, avoiding Induction Day on September 16th if we can.

Today may not have gotten us an exact date of when we can snuggle her, but what we have gotten confirmation on is her sweet little face. Sammy and I could pick out exact features that she has from us both. She has a sweet indent and dimple on her chin, after her mama.... She has beautiful full lips, no doubt after her daddy... and her nose is a for sure her Mama's nose, small round and sorta pushed up {perfect for her label loving ways.... I'm thinking Gucci}.

We were so happy to see her again, but of course it just gave us both more excitement mixed with some anxiety. Is it just too much to ask that we see her now?! We just wanna cuddle and squeeze and love her. Boy of boy this waiting game sure is torture.

Tairalyn

Thursday, September 8, 2011

DIY Polymer Clay Shoe Accessories

ob·ses·sionNoun/əbˈseSHən/

1. The state of being obsessed with someone or something.

2. An idea or thought that continually preoccupies or intrudes on a person's mind.

I have grown a major obsession with Polymer Clay thanks to Delighted Momma. She makes loads of lovely things with a bake-able clay and only your creative juices can stop you from designing the next HOT thing. I have been creating for the past week and have to you you my latest and greatest... what I am most proud of at the moment {of course until my next creation}.

my first visit to Michaels Crafts I purchased 6 blocks of Clay in a beautiful array of colors and even some with texture {like the Grey Granite}. At $2.95 a block I was beyond happy with how affordable it was and even more so with my 40% off coupon that I had and made my husband walk through the line behind me with his {don't lie, as if you don't also do this}.

Okay, I won't hold it off any longer... Here is my DIY Polymer Clay Shoe Accessories. I think I have made them somewhat designer looking. Do you agree?

{Started off with a Plain Jane... GI Jane... Pair of Flats}

{removed existing bows on the Shoes to give a clean canvas}

{Use 2 or 3, or more Polymer Clay Chunks to make up a ball-oh-goodness}

{Squish is down into a circle and trace out a desired "accessory" shape}

{get them in the oven | 275 Degrees for 30 minutes}

{After cooled, about 30 minutes, I painted with a top coat to make it Glossy}

{Affix to the Shoes...and WEAR}

Tairalyn

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

My due date has passed me... isnt that fabulous!

So I'm due today... end of story!
Do we really need to talk about it?
Turn your back on it and it will come running back right? That's how I'd deal with not getting my way.... why not this?

Gah - Ladies, help me out here. How does one wait for a BIG DAY without any knowledge on when, where and how. This is pretty much torture at its finest? Its like knowing someone is hosting a suprise party for you but not knowing ANY details including why the heck they are throwing the party.

I sit here, eating my breakfast - writing this out thinking maybe, just maybe a little extra syrup on my French Toast will do the trick... or maybe switching to chocolate milk and chocolate chips on my greek yogurt will cox her out. Sorta like a little extra incentive if she is a good girl? And so I do.... mini chocolate chips, chocolate milk and some good old syrup!

....and so now that my blood sugars have HIT AN ALL TIME RECORD HIGH... I must go, and walk, and walk, and walk, and walk, until I've learnt my lesson - or else my water breaks. One of the other.

This will be the first time and probably last time I ask you all this, but please, WISH ME SOME LABOR PAINS PLEASE....

XO
Tairalyn

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Fashionably Pregnant: Jennifer Lopez

We all know and love Jennifer Lopez for her glamorous ways, amazing body and catchy songs that get every women on the dance floor. I'd like to think that their is no difference when it comes to her Maternity Style. Giving birth to Fraternal Twins, Emme Maribel and Maximillian David on February 22nd, 2008 - I'd say her glamour we see everyday never changed through out the entire pregnancy, and I cant help but love her for that.

She looked gorgeous on any photo I researched, and it says a lot about a women who can keep her sense of style intact during a pregnancy. That and I am sure she has a stylist to help her along the way, of course with a bank account full of cash. Either which way, today we will focus on her Maternity Beauty and take inspiration from it, make it our own... minus the help from the pro's and a limitless credit card.

XO
Tairalyn

Sunday, September 4, 2011

DIY Hospital Gown

I have been searching high and low for a Dress/Gown that I can wear that is less... hmmm how to you say... UGLY and more conservative {my butt is not for the world to see thanks}, soft, and comforting when it comes to the basic Hospital Gown. I have searched high and low and found nothing that I thought would work for me. Sammy will hopefully be able to take pictures during the entire birth and I anticipate my face and hair not to be fully "done" so the least I could do for myself is look fashionably decent.

Without any luck in the store {too many patterns or colors which I wanted to avoid, just something neutral was really what I was after}, just the other morning I thought "hey, wait a second, don't I have that black cozy pants jump suit that I wore once in Hawaii - that seems to be collecting dust now?". My answer to my own questions was "yes, why yes I do!"

So I don't have much of a problem parting with the suit since a} I didn't totally care for it and b}Sammy reminded me just how much he disliked it and c} it wasn't short enough for flats but not quite long enough for heels. Wow, with so many positive things I liked about it, I bet your wondering why I didn't buy two. So why did I buy it you ask... Well it had lots of potential, just not quite for my body type apparently. It was a flop on my part for purchasing it, until now that is.

Here is my DIY for a Pants Suit to Hospital Gown