Lately.

We normally have a family cookout for 4th of July, but our schedules just didn't line up. :( So we spent the weekend hanging at the beach with some of Jon's friends.

 As you can tell it was COLD!!!

 Obviously, Jon had a different opinion. :)

 The Belly at 18 weeks 2 days. <3

 Boys will be boys :)

 After the beach, we headed to Chicago to visit Jon's brother and his fiance. Honestly, I love family time.  It just recharges  my batteries like nothing else can. :D

 I then had the great pleasure of spending some quality time with my brother's son. 

Most exciting of all, we found out that we are having a little girl!!!

We're a little obsessed with her. :D She measuring big and I was not surprised in the least!!!

At the end of the ultrasound, she started yawning and sucking her thumb!! I think my heart stopped for a minute.  She is just so precious and I can wait to hold her.

7 Ways to Look and Feel Beautiful while Pregnant

** Before I get into the main subject of this post I want to ask for prayers for my nephew who was flown to Riley's Children's Hospital this afternoon.

I feel like self-esteem while you are pregnant is a taboo subject.  I have always viewed as the most beautiful thing to happen to a woman.  And then I got pregnant.  My body changed so fast that I didn't even recognize myself in the mirror.  I was sick all the time and my belly was (and is) expanding by the day.  It's really hard to feel beautiful when you're getting huge. LOL.

So I have compiled some tips that have helped me to feel somewhat like myself during this amazing process.

1.  Surround yourself with loving and supportive family and friends.

I cannot express how important this is.  My husband is wonderful at telling me how beautiful I look.  And reminding me that no, I don't look fat, I definitely look pregnant.  (I need this reminder more often than I would care to admit).  Other family members that are supportive are equally important.  I was at a family gathering a few weeks ago and one of my aunts told me that my bump looked small! 

17.4 weeks

2. Try to do something productive. 

I know that this can be easier said than done.  I get it.  I was sick for all of my first trimester and it can be close to impossible to get anything around the house done.  Try folding a basket of laundry, take your dirty dishes to the sink.  If your in the throws of morning sickness aim low.  Even that will make you feel better. :)

3. Don't forget about hobbies and activities that you love.

It is SO easy to get completely wrapped up in your pregnancy.  Don't forget about your love of baseball or your love of reading.  At this point don't forget about you.  Life will become all about the baby soon enough.

4. Do something active.

Ladies, this is the time to have a fitness routine if you don't currently have one.  I am SO bad at this but whenever I take a walk, I just feel better and feel refreshed.  My doctor recommends walking but make sure to check with yours before you start a new fitness routine.

5. Take care of your skin!

For me this is the most important.  If I don't wash my face in the morning, I feel like my day hasn't started.  When you take care of your skin, you look more radiant and helps your makeup apply more smoothly.  You should also use an SPF every day to prevent hyperpigmentation and melasma.  

6. Get creative with your wardrobe.

This is a fairly new one for me.  For weeks I've been wearing yoga pants and baggy t-shirts.  I feel so much better when I actually plan an outfit.  Don't forget that you can utilize your pre-pregnancy wardrobe as well!!!!

7.  Don't be afraid to talk about your insecurities.

This is a big one.  Keeping your feelings to yourself can lead to feelings of isolation and depression.  Find a girlfriend who can relate.  Join a pregnancy community board.  Do something!!!

Talk to you soon!!

XOXO

Update/Random musings

The last week or two has been absolutely insane.  I started my new job and I managed to keep my pregnancy quiet for like an hour.  I guess I was showing more than I thought I was???

This was from Saturday and I was 16.2 weeks :)

I also had my 16 week Doctor appointment today.  I had to get blood drawn which is honestly the worst. :(. It's all for a good cause so I guess I'll suck it up.

By my favorite part of the appointment is hearing Baby's heartbeat. <3

He/she sounds so healthy and strong.  The doctor gave me the go-ahead to schedule our 20 weeks ultrasound!! We just wait to find out what this little one is!!!!

On a sad note, sickness hit our house and Jon has been down with the flu for two days. :((((

I feel so helpless when he's sick.  But luckily his fever broke today and he's starting to feel a little better.  It's weird, my husband almost always gets sick in the summer. Weird???

I'm still struggling with a little bit of morning sickness, but I have a lot more energy (most days).  So I want to do things but the baby is definitely running the show these days!!

My makeup and skincare routine has been cut down to the bare minimum lately so I'm sorry if I see any of you, I look like a hot mess almost all the time.  At least in a few months I will have a newborn to excuse my appearance LO.

I decided to pamper my skin tonight and I tried out this Lancôme melting face mask tonight,  To be honest, I'm not crazy about the smell but I'll put a review in my Instagram if you guys are interested. :)

XOXO

13 Weeks

Looking back on the last week of my first trimester, I have to admit that it was very eventful. :)

I graduated from beauty school and it feels really nice to deal with what is hopefully the last of my morning sickness at home rather than at school. Haha.

I also landed a job as an esthetician and will start in about a week and a half!!!!

More baby related stuff though.  Baby is about the size of a lemon and weighs about 1.5 oz.  I can't believe how big little one is already!!!!! When all the pregnancy apps give food comparisons to show how big the baby is, I always think of that fruit floating around in my belly. Hello, Lemon baby!!!

I have started to feel some quickening at night and Jon is a little jealous that he can't feel it yet!!!  The morning sickness is still going strong but hopefully it will start to wane soon.  I am not showing quite yet although I suspect that I will have a little bump in a week or two :)

Talk to you guys soon!!

Xoxo

May Favorites 2016

This is my first favorites post on the blog and I'm really excited to do this every month!

I only had three favorites this month but I didn't have the chance to do a lot of shopping last month.

1. The first product that I'm going to talk about is the Nivea Men Post Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin. 

I know this is a men's product but I watched Nikki Tutorial and Kathleen Light's reviews on the product and I knew I  had to try it out.  Both women say that it makes an excellent primer but I can't really attest to that because my makeup doesn't fade throughout the day.  I do like to put under my makeup because it is very moisturizing.
Here's where you can buy it: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0014E2Q8K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0014E2Q8K&linkCode=am2&tag=momestielife2-20&linkId=60c4fb4a6cc3dc52f84a961772b38832

2. The next product is the Mario Badescu Chamomille Night Cream.  This is not my first time purchasing this product and I love it just as much as I did the first time I purchased it.  The Chamomille helps reduce the irritation on my cheeks and my skin feels incredibly moisturized the next morning.
Here's where you can buy it: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod6200705

3. The last product is by far my favorite and it is the Tarte BB treatment.  This is the best BB cream I have ever used! It has medium to full coverage without feeling heavy.  It leaves my skin looking so dewy and healthy that I get compliments on my skin whenever I wear it.  The best part is that it also has an SPF of 30.
Here's where you can buy it: http://www.sephora.com/bb-tinted-treatment-12-hour-primer-broad-spectrum-spf-30-sunscreen-P377542

*Sorry guys I had pictures of the products, but for some reason Blogger won't let me input them :(
**Some affiliate links are used

Talk to you guys soon!!!

Xoxo       

Baby King Coming soon!!!!

So as many of you know, Jon and I are expecting our first baby in December!!!

We are beyond thrilled and still a little in shock to be honest.

It all started about 8 weeks ago.  I was feeling a little off and it was coming close to "that time of the month" and so I didn't think anything of it.  One morning, Jon was leaving to go to the gym and I just was like, "Hey babe can you pick up a dollar store pregnancy test just to rule it out?" And said he sure.  

He came back later in the afternoon and I didn't take it until like 3 hours later.  I honestly didn't want to be disappointed again.  So I finally got up the nerve to take it and within 30 seconds it turned up positive.  I immediately started crying!  Jon was tentatively excited and said we needed to go get a "real" test. Haha. Lo and behold those came up positive too!

About three weeks later we had our first ultrasound and it was the most magical thing ever!! I could look at the baby all day, everyday if I could!

After that we felt safe to tell our families and they were beyond thrilled!

I am at the tailend of my first trimester and the nausea and exhaustion are finally starting fade.  Lately I've been craving chips and salsa like crazy!!!!

I think that's it for now!!!

XOXO

A little update

It has been almost a year since I have posted at this point.  I have really missed being away.  Now that school is almost over I finally am getting some extra time.  Since you heard from me last I enrolled in an esthetics program at a local beauty school and I graduate in a few weeks.  Jon is still at the same job but is getting ready to get certified as a personal trainer.  We didn't end up getting a new apartment, we are now living at my mother-in-law's house.  We are currently saving to buy our own home. :)

So here is the last year in pictures :)

 The best thing that happened in 2015 was the birth of both of my nephews!!!!

I am continuing to hone my makeup skills

Lots of cuddling with my favorite girl :)

One of my favorite things that I learned from school was special effects makeup

This past year has been crazy exciting and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store!!

By the way, I will be posting much more often in the future!!!