Anniversary + Toddler Problems + Healthy Happenings

Here is a little bit of everything since I can't ever seem to pick one blog post topic. 

Thursday, Sept 4th was our 4 year wedding anniversary and we had a great time! 

Ava and I had a somewhat typical morning followed by a doctor's check up for me (and baby#2). 

I was scheduled for regular visit to hear the baby's heartbeat and to check all of my levels. About a week prior, I had called ahead to ask about a specific kind of blood test that I wanted done. This test would check make sure the baby was healthy and even tell us the gender. You can have the test done as soon as 9 weeks gestation I believe but since I had an appointment already set for 11 weeks, I was just going to do it on that day. 

The test takes about 7-10 days for the results and so now we are in the middle of the waiting game. I am pretty excited as we didn't find out Ava's gender until I was about 16 or 17 weeks pregnant. This time around, we will know by 12 weeks! 

So later that evening, I drove Ava to Mark's parents to stay with them while we headed out to our 4 year Anniversary dinner. 

This was my "the bump is making a debut tonight" collage to Mark's phone. haha.

 Not to worry...my car selfie photo shoot to Mark was done as Ava and I were waiting for the train to go by. I don't text and drive :)  Going through my iphone's camera roll is always comical...

I met Mark at his parents home and when I hopped into his truck, I had a beautiful bouquet of 2 dozen long stemmed roses. 

He wrote me a sweet message in my card which is my favorite part. 

(We are serious about our cards and letters to each other. It has been that way since day 1.  I have a box that holds Mark's love letters that he used to write to me when we were younger as well as more recent notes and cards to each other.  I love them and they would be the first material item that I would save in a fire.)

Since Mark and I are creatures of habit (or rather as we see it: we are loyal customers to businesses that we love), he took me back to our favorite, Blue Moon Fish Co, where he proposed to me on

 Dec. 26th, 2009. I remember that day like it was yesterday. I had gone to the beach earlier that day with my a bunch of my friends. I was trying to soak it all up before I had to return to the Chicago winter with Mark in a couple of days (We lived there together for 1 year for his job in case you're a new reader and wondering what we were doing in Chicago). 

Mark asked me earlier that day if I wanted to go to Blue Moon later that night to get some good seafood before we returned as well. I happily agreed as I will never turn down a Blue Moon meal. 

I wasn't expecting a proposal at all as Christmas had already passed and I just figured it wasn't going to happen that year. 

Well, he surprised me during dessert and got down on one knee when I saw the plate's message. 

Will you marry me? Yes No Maybe  was written in chocolate. 

The question worded that way is an inside joke referring to the note that I was dared to drop on his front door step back when we were in elementary school. I had written "Do you like me? Circle Yes or No."

Of course when I saw him get down on one knee I couldn't say anything and just repeated, "Oh my God. Oh my God. Oh my God" and gave him a kiss. As he slipped the ring on he asked, "You said yes, right?!" 

haha

He still jokes today and says that he had to ask me then to marry him on that day because he thought I was going to want to stay in south FL and make him go back to that Chicago winter alone. (He knows me well. ha!) Lucky for us, we got a transfer back home 5 months later and started planning the wedding from south FL. 

Mark requested the same table for our Anniversary dinner.

Mark was telling me how he and the manager were going back and forth on which table it actually was and Mark was SURE that it was this one. The man has a steel trap memory. 

After dinner, Maria, the pastry chef wanted to do something nice for us so she made us a dessert that included Mark's Favorite: The Icky Sticky Caramel Torte and also added the Liquid Center Double Chocolate Torte with berries for me.  It was sinfully delicious! 

Happy 4 years of marriage to us. I look back at our engagement night compared to our recent photo at that table and think to myself how much has changed in only 4 short years. It is incredible how much happens in such a short time! 

Okay... onto the next topic. 

Ava and her toddler issues. Not fun! 

Miss Ava is going through a nudist phase right now. Every single nap and nighttime, she strips down to nothing. After doing about 20 loads of laundry and waiting for this to pass, I asked my friend what her mother did with her since she mentioned that she did the same thing when she was little. Her mom taped her diaper on and so that's that I was did!

Currently, it takes me 3 tape wraps in order for Ava not to Houdini her way out it. 

Ava successfully took off her diaper with just one wrapping of tape so I resorted to 3 wraps. (I know it looks a bit tight in that picture but I promise she is okay.

I just love a good bed head collage

Always in someone else's shoes

And then there is this: Ava's very first pairs of underwear. (Excuse me while I go and cry right now)

As I asked other moms about Ava's nudist phase and what I should do next, I came to the scary realization that it just might be time for her to potty train. (I can't even believe I just typed that)

I can't believe that it is already time to do this!!!! She is not even 2 yet! Where did our baby go!? 

I am SO not looking forward to doing this. Call me crazy but I don't mind changing a diaper. So next week, we are going to start the week long potty training process. 

So far, my mother in law bought Ava a potty story book for girls complete with charts and stickers that I can make a big deal about when Ava does her business. My mom  purchased these underwear which she gave to Mark to bring home to me (They were both at the AT&T store the other day figuring out an account mess). Mark came home and handed me the Carter's bag without saying anything. I looked inside and said, "Did you SEE what's in here??" 

He only responded with, "Ya...I don't want to talk about it." 

hahaha 

Poor, daddy. This is a day after I caught him crying his eyes out as I sent him a viral video going around of a dad taking his little girl (4 or so) on her "first date" with him (the father). 

Video Below: 

If watching from an iPhone or iPad click here: The Best First Date (YouTube Video) 

....And onto Healthy Happenings! 

From my Instagram account @christinamcguire

"My daily routine"  (smoothie ingredients vary daily)

*** You can order Juice Plus here if you like from my new page :) 

I'm excited to be able to sell them now to my friends and family since I love my Juice Plus+ and they aren't sold in stores. 

Juice Plus+ Link

I am on the hunt for a good fish oil to take. My OBGYN recommended a liquid kind and then when I got home I started reading the ingredients... It is going right back to Whole Foods. I have received some great recommendations so now I just have to figure out which one I will be buying. I will keep you posted! 

I got some questions on my last post about what I take and do during (and while not) pregnant - specifically the probiotics. I included the links right into the words of my blog. You just had to click right on the word and it will show which products I am talking about. But here they are anyways... 

These are our daily probiotics (mine & Mark's) They are kept in the refrigerator as they are live strains of beneficial bacteria for your gut health and immune system. Ava uses the same brand but it is in powder form for babies (birth to age 4) It is a blue bottle and is sold right next to these. You can find them in the refrigerated display in the "Whole Body" section in Whole Foods. They are actually all on sale RIGHT now!  This one is $14.99 I believe. Taking 1- 2 a day, this bottle should last you about 3 months.  

Small capsule. Easy to swallow. 

And just some cute photos before I forget: 

Mark and Ava feeding mama and her baby ducks. Ava is a fan of ducks...big time. 

Ava at Funderdome! These are from the "baby to age 3" play area but I actually took her to the rest of the play area before it got busy with the big kids. She LOVED the big slide that we went down together. 

She is already outgrowing these toys. Sniff... 

And that's all I have for now!
Happy Tuesday. We will be finding out whether Ava is getting a little sister or a little brother as soon as Thursday or as late as Sunday! Eeeee! I am excited to find out!

XO
Christina

Happy 4 Year Anniversary, Mark!

Happy 4 year Anniversary, my love! 

Four years ago today you gave me a wedding day that I'll never forget. Years prior, I had envisioned a very small, beach wedding with you and you went ahead and outdid yourself. You planned a beautiful evening for us along Fort  Lauderdale's intercostal aboard the Floridian Princess. 

You picked the venue, the flowers, the food, the day - everything ! You made that day and months leading up to it so stress-free. I like it say that it was a perfect portrayal of how being married to you would be...and it has! 

So far, you have surpassed my expectations with your hard work by providing for us and making sure that we are always taken care of. You are the most humble, kind, and forgiving man I know and for that, I am so grateful to share my life with you. You've blessed me with the world's goofiest and sweetest little girl making me the happiest mama ever. I look forward to welcoming our next child in March with you while crying tears of joy all over again. 

Thank you, Mark, for always putting 100% into our marriage. You are the most amazing husband and continue to make me laugh out loud like you did when I was 9 years old. 

I love you and always will.  

Love, 

Christina (mookie, creepy, wifey, stinky, babe, dum dum, and all the other crazy names you call me) 

Pregnancy #2 + Healthy Happenings + Weekend Recap

Okay so the news is out... Baby McG #2 is on his or her way! This time around... the guppy gut has already begun WAY EARLY. I think I was about 16 weeks once I noticed a little tummy with Ava. Not this time! 9 weeks and I am looking bloated. I am 10 weeks now and still looking the same. 

This was at my mom's last week. I thought it was an appropriate spot for my 1st pregnant selfie with this baby since it was right where I did mine with Ava for the 1st time. :) 

Baby's 1st sonogram picture. You can barely notice the little white area in the dark area. That's the little guppy looking cute already! haha 

Mark went with me for this appointment. It was where we would have my first ultrasound and see a heartbeat. 

I had already gone 2 days prior to draw blood to confirm my pregnancy and to meet my new OBGYN. I decided to go with a new OBGYN this time since my last experience was good...but could have been better. Let's just say, Mark was very happy I decided this. I did my research and decided to go with Dr. Channing Coe over at Broward Health Medical Center (where I was born and where Mark's stepfather currently works as an anesthesiologist). Dr. Coe and his wife own the Yoga Joint studios that I love and he is a very well known and respected doctor down here. I am looking forward to having a doctor that is on my same wave length on health and letting a baby come when (((baby))) is ready to be delivered. I knew after 1 minute of speaking with him that he would be my new OBGYN. As I asked questions about certain prenatal pills, taking my JuicePlus+ capsules, Omega3s,  etc...he was smiling and knew exactly what I meant and had great suggestions. You would think all doctors would be like this but they aren't. Some, believe or not, will tell you these things do not matter and just to eat everything in moderation and stay active. Well, that's not good enough for me. Sorry to sound so demanding but I think every mama can be informed of even better things to eat and do to have an even happier and healthier pregnancy and delivery. 

I was very calm and comfortable when I was pregnant with Ava. I had energy, felt happy, was limber, slept well, rarely had issues with swelling or heartburn (a few times at the very end), and overall enjoyed every moment of my pregnancy with her. I want to try as much as I can to make that happen again. I know that all babies and pregnancies are different and you don't always know what to expect, but I also know that you do have control over a lot of your pregnancy and health in order to have the best possible outcome. I hope that I can have another healthy and happy pregnancy for our next son or daughter. 

A college friend of mine reached out to me as I wrote this post coincidentally enough on what I take during pregnancy so that when the time comes for her (which is shortly! So excited for her!) she will have some better ideas of what she may also want to take.

What I take/ do (daily): 

1. Rainbow Light Prenatal One Multivitamin A [food-based] multivitamin that also has fresh ginger juice + bioactive probiotics. You can find them in the Whole Body area of Whole Foods as well. 

2. Juice Plus+ capsules (1 vegetable capsule & 1 fruit capsule ) These are non GMO, free of pesticides, herbicides, etc. fruits and veggies that have been juiced and made into powder form (for the gelatin capsule. I love Juice Plus+ so much now that I recently became a rep so that I can buy them for our family and also be able to sell them my friends, family, and future health coaching clients who want them since they aren't sold in stores.

3. Omega3 supplement

4. A green smoothie a day (or at least I try to) - I make them with whatever I have available that day (and usually add chia seeds to them for the extra omega fatty acids, protein, and fiber.)

5. I make a conscious effort to get out in the sun on walks or playtime with Ava. Believe it or not, but a lot of us are vitamin D deficient (even those of us in Florida). We are told to just bathe in sunscreen and sit in the shade, and before you know it you aren't allowing your body to absorb the adequate amounts of vitamin D that you need. 

6. Water, water, water. All I drink is water and lots of it.  (Once in a while I have Harmless Harvest coconut water (It is the only good one in my opinion other than taking it out of a coconut yourself) or GT's Organic and Raw Kombucha. 

I do allow allow myself 1 cup of organic coffee a day still. Organic (you knew that was coming! haha) because coffee is one of the most heavily sprayed crops out there. Gross. For $5/6 a bag I can have 2 weeks worth of organic coffee and feel better that I am not sipping pesticides that are going to my baby. (PLEASE read about decaf coffee if you think that it is safer during pregnancy since it is decaf. It isn't! The process that happens to make conventional coffee into decaf is horrifying. Go organic decaf if you want decaf. It is done with a safer, water process rather than toxic chemicals. 

7. The obvious, I try and eat as healthy as I can while staying just as active as I was before pregnancy. I am human and do leave the confines of my home so I am not always a 100% perfect eater. But I do try when I can. My daily activity is normally one or a combo of: walking 1.5mi-3mi, jogging, squats/lunges around the house, yoga, and naps. Napping is not active but it is good for you. I am a big napper :)

8. I will be buying (this week) my probiotics to take daily as well. Ava has been taking them since she was 4 months old when I learned why gut health is so important for our health. I add them to her apple sauce or yogurt and she can't even taste it. I used to add it into her bottle when she was a baby. (Breastfeeding moms can put it right onto themselves for baby to consume it since its powder form.) 

The adult version comes in capsule form. This is the brand she takes and this is the one I will be buying for myself. I also buy these for my grandmother to take daily.  These are also found in the [refrigerated section] of the Whole Body section of Whole Foods. 

Hope that helps! Feel free to ask any other questions. You know I do not mind at all!  

Some smoothies from my Instagram account: 

This one (below) tastes like cake batter with the Juice Plus+ Complete vanilla shake mix. 

A sweet treat... super delicious. 

Pregnancy is the BEST motivator to eat well. I enjoy knowing that I am not just eating for myself but for a very important little someone too. 

On Friday, I took Ava to a gymnastics center for open play time. She had a blast. 

Bounce house fun

Saturday! GAME DAY! My game day selfie. Excited because I know I am about to tell Mark that I want to let our little "baby #2 secret" out tonight... 

HOORAY! Baby #2 is on the way! 

After the win, we all headed back to our place. My best friend, Ali, and her husband, Lee, slept over that night. That Sunday morning when Ava woke up, she and Ali got to play with her Little People toys. Ava could play with those little animals all day. 

After I said bye to Ali, Mark took us (and my mom) to brunch at The Floridian on Las Olas. 

After we ate,  Ava got to do her favorite... 1!2!3! SWING! as we walked back to the truck. 

We decided to drive to the other end of Las Olas (it was about 90 degrees out and I had a not-so-bright idea to wear jeans that day) or else we would have just walked the whole way. There is a tiny little farmers market by YOLO and I wanted to see what they had. 

They had $2 dragon fruit!!! (And Mark bought a ton of peaches for himself) 

As soon as we got to the farmers market, my mom noticed a lady selling natural popsicles and bought us some. I got the watermelon, mint, and lime popsicle and LOVED IT. It was so refreshing on that hot day. 

I went home and couldn't stop thinking about it. Mark went to the store to grab a couple of things that we needed for that night's little BBQ and bought me some watermelon, fresh organic mint, and limes. He is such a thoughtful guy...  I was so happy. I blended it all up and poured it into popsicle molds. 

Here are the measurements I found on Pinterest if anyone wants to make them. 

There really is no wrong way to make them or mess it up. Just taste as you blend. 

I am making "spa popsicles" tomorrow: Cucumber, lemon, and mint. 

I am also already thinking about a mango, cilantro, and lime popsicle... and a strawberry, basil, and lemon-"ade" popsicle.  YUM. It's a great way to use up your produce and herbs before they go bad too!

 Me & my Vitamix = Love 

Coloring session after popsicle making

Laughing at the camera flash

The next day, Mark was the first to go and see if the popsicles were ready. Haha. I love how he gets just as excited as I do about healthy foods. 

Mark approves! (He's already eaten half of them...) 

Loving my fruit snacks as usual. A friend of mine asked on my Instagram account how to eat and peel a dragon fruit. 

Personally, I all I do is slice it in half and scoop out the middle. It reminds me of a kiwi. It is soft and seedy but less tart than a kiwi. Looks crazier than it tastes. I love them. They sell them at Whole Foods if you aren't by a farmers market that has them. Try one if you haven't already! 

(Yesterday, we went to my in-law's home for a BBQ with their neighbors. I didn't take any pictures but it was a great time.)  

Last night's treat:

When I was pregnant with Ava (and before and after that) my not so healthy craving is ice cream. I am enjoying these popsicles so much that I think I won't have a problem making these my sweet treat from now on. A lot more refreshing than ice cream and not an ounce of guilt. Win win. 

You can buy the Ice Pop Maker Molds with a Sipper Straw Base here (also BPA free :) 

Well, that's all I have for now. Hope everyone has a nice week!
XO
Christina

WE ARE EXPECTING Baby #2 !!!!

If you follow us on Facebook or Instagram @christinamcguire then you may be ahead of the game! 

We decided that there was no better day than the start of FSU football season to happily announce that Ava will be a big sister ! She is thrilled! (Just kidding...she has no clue on what's going on.) 

Baby McGuire #2 will be here around the end of March. 

We are thrilled to be growing our family and grateful to being able to give Ava a sibling. 

Hope all of you are having a great Labor Day weekend! Our Noles won last night and tonight we are having a small family BBQ. 

P.S. I'll keep you posted throughout my pregnancy as much as I can. 

XO

Christina 

Life Lately: catching up!

Ah! Where have I been lately?! My little blog has been a neglected for a while. Oops.
I have been chasing Ava around while studying for my holistic health coaching certification in my free time. All fun stuff, just keeping me super busy!

Here are some of the things that I have failed to keep my family and friends posted on:

1. I made these! Super easy, healthy, and delicious!!!!

2. My pineapple was FINALLY ready to eat! Seriously....BEST pineapple I have EVER had! So so sweet. Mark agreed :)

This was the pineapple's #tbt baby picture.  Cute huh?  (From my Instagram) 

3. 

Mall days look a little different for me now. 

I recently had to venture out to Coral Springs Mall because they have a Stride Rite shoe store and that's where I buy Ava's shoes. This little car was the best thing that happened to me as a mom shopper. Not a peep out of this happy little girl. 

4. Found this:

I'll be trying this as many of you know that I am all things pumpkin obsessed. It's almost Fall and college football season !!!!! Woohooooo! 

5.

My closet (and Mark's)

Ava has started to hide when she is going "number two". Cracks me up....This is her in the hamper: a popular choice). There is a picture of her behind my mother in law's window shades but it won't let me upload it. That one really cracks me up because she is playing on a toy "iPad" in the process. 

6. Ava is loving this Thomas the train set that her uncles Tommy & Luke passed down to her to play with. This is now at our house and entertains her for hours!  

7. Ava still enjoys "reading" and being read to. I love that. 

8. Our "banana pancakes" are still a favorite of Ava's which is great for me because I love them too and they are super easy to make. I make them different every time but here are the usual main ingredients: 

Just blend and pour.
I use GreenPan cookware for a safe and non toxic brand. They sell them at Target now as well which is great news! 

9. (Photo from my Instagram) A typical breakfast smoothie that I make. Again, they're always different but this is a nice one for mornings since it has the oats and banana taste. (You can use almond milk in place of coconut milk too) 

10.  This little tot is keeping me on my toes! She will be 2 on Nov 2nd ( her golden birthday! ) I can't believe it...

And just for the fun of it: 

Almost time for college football!!!!!!!!!

Go Noles ! 

Oh, and before I forget...There is a new company called Luc&Lou that I came across by my friend, Kelly! It is such a special company with an amazing concept! Two neonatal NICU nurses started this company and basically it is a buy one, GIVE one kind - of -purchase. As you buy a sweet little onesie for your baby or as a great gift for someone else's baby,  you will also be donating one to a baby in need. So sweet, right?! I love products that have this model! Two smiles for the price of one. Love it! Thank you, Kelly, for sharing this awesome company with me. 

***Mama bloggers, please pass on their information as they are a new company and looking to spread the word on their very generous and special mission for our sweet babies. 

LUCandLOU.com

(I suppose this wasn't the best "catching up on life lately" kind of post. I didn't really add the "adult events" that I've had recently like: two concerts, some date nights, my best friend, Ali, came to visit, etc... I swear I do things other than take pictures of my daughter go #2...but not too often because mama life is basically the above right now ha! 

 I'll try and capture some more next time around.) 

XO

Christina 

Snapshots of Today: Ava Meets Baby Camden

Today was way overdue and so much fun!

I met up with a friend of mine that I have known since we were about 6 years old. Chelsea is the reason I met my husband. She lived on his parents' street when we were younger and the rest is history. 

If you remember, I wrote about her baby shower here. After her sweet little boy, Camden was born, she invited me over to their home to meet him.  He was so so tiny and only about a couple of weeks old at the time. He is now 6 months old and cuter than ever! 

Chelsea and I decided to meet up at Funderdome in Fort Lauderdale which is basically an indoor playground. The nice part is that they have a small area that is gated off for kids ages 3 and under. 

It was a great little spot to keep cool during this hot summer where our kids could meet and her and I could catch up. 

Police woman 

I got to hold this sweet little boy and loved every moment. 

Ava saying, "A baaaall"

More interested in the buckles of the swing than the swing itself. This girl is buckle obsessed anywhere she goes. 

Next time, I need to remember to get a picture with all four of us in it ! It was so surreal being with Chelsea today with our kids in tow. I have so many amazing memories with Chelsea when we were young. At times, I felt like a part of their family because I was always at their house playing with Chelsea, her little brother, and little sister. We traveled to Disney World, Bimini, etc. together.
A funny memory I have is when we flew over to Bimini and I forgot my birth certificate on Chelsea's bed back in FL that morning. Once we were going through customs, I realized that I had no way in... (talk about a nerve wracking experience for a child.) Some way or another, Chelsea's parents made it happen within minutes and I got to stay with them and not be sent back to Florida all alone. haha! Oh man...the random things you remember! 
Her parents are the sweetest and always let me come over to play with her and her siblings. I love that Ava and Camden will live close together and hopefully become great friends too. 

Blurry but their first photo together :) 

Can't wait to see them again.

TGIF!
Happy weekend, everyone!

Ava has a birthday to attend on Sunday for her good friend, Mya. Mya is turning 2 already! (You may have seen sweet little Mya during a visit to her parents' restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, Myapapaya | juicery+kitchen. It should be a really cute day on the beach. Hope you all enjoy your weekend.

XO
Christina