Pregnancy fashion

The other day a friend and I were talking about the things we used to write when we were young and single. We weren't teenagers, but we were in our 20's looking for love and looking for ourserlves. She and I agreed that back then we used to write a lot more and things that were deep, meaningful, in search of something and that when we got married and settled into a new routine that changed. She even said "things are more mechanical, robotical" and I knew exactly what she meant. Of course, we wouldn't change being married to our husband and having kids or be expecting a baby, but we kind of miss those days were we were very creative and wished to be able to link those two worlds together.

It must be the lack of uncertainty. At least for me, being single meant not knowing if I was going to meet the love of my life, get married, have a family. But once loves comes, then comes marriage and then comes children and for some ladies that is what they want. And I don't care what this culture thinks of me, all i ever wanted was to have a family, fall deeply in love and bear children. The rest, having a career, travel and all that, didn't give me this sense of emptyness if I didn't get it. I guess my friend and I were able to explore our souls and write more because we were suffering, there was lack of something, and of course, we probably weren't as close to God as we should have.

Do you feel that side of you changed when you got married? Were you able to write more or be more creative before getting married?

I challenged myself to go back to the artistic photo sessions I used to have. I can't find the camera I want to use, but I have another, and I will start soon.

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Tourist visa

My mom went to the embassy this morning to request a tourist visa to come visit me and she got approved!! We lived some difficult couple of days biting our nails with anxiety about this issue because the diplomats at the US Embassy can be arbitrary  rude and strict. But we prayed and we prayed and God placed a very cordial and polite young woman to handle my mom's case and she got approved!

I was so excited about the possibility of having her come here and help me out with the nursery, items to buy and help with Baby M once he's here! Now I can plan away!

On another note, here are some outfits to go to work. If you follow me on facebook you might have seen these. I know, I know, it's spring already, so these ones are a little dated. Although, I still see women wear boots. I don't know how I feel about that.

That's me pre pregnancy body, with a purple shirt from Marhsalls, jeans from Forever 21 and camel boots. 

I looove this outfit and how skinny I was. Skirt and shirt from Marshalls, black pumps from Forever 21 and polka dots tights from Ebay.

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Affordable Pregnancy outfit

I wore this outfit when I wasn't pregnant and it gave me a lot of facebook "likes". My friends loved it!

And as no one wants to spend a lot of money to dress for only 9 months - maybe the ones who are really loaded can, but not me- it's good to recycle those items we already have.

Look at me all skinny minny!!

Here I was wearing some beautiful nude pumps I got at Ross (Steve Madden) for 17.99. 

You'll be surprised to know that in the photo below I am wearing nude wedges I found at Ross for 17.99! Gotta love that place. 

Side note: anynone wanna volunteer as my photographer? I apologize for the poor lighting.

 Instead of the black denim pants from Forever 21 ($10.50) I am wearing instead some back maternity jeans from Ross for $12.99.

The beige cardigan was purchased for $5 at Nordstrom's rack, the same with the pink blouse (12.99).

Not too much to say these days, going camping this weekend! It will probably be the last until the baby is old enough to come with us or to stay with Nana.

Creating a baby registry

I have been reading a LOT of blogs about how to be smart at the moment of making a Baby Registry and what to buy for the baby. There's a difference between what you really need and what you don't when it comes to buying Baby stuff. The first thing I did when I realized how many things parents seemed to need was feel desperate. All our savings on baby stuff!!! But fear not, there is a solution.

I think that going through those blogs and articles really helped me at the time I entered Babies R us or Buy Buy Baby. I felt they weren't going to be able to sell me anything I already knew wasn't a necessity.

I got this idea from The Honey Bee (I love this blog!) Visit it and let me know. The moment Andee Layne got pregnant she started posting all her discoveries and lifestyle and it really helped and inspired a lot of young women.

So I copied the layout idea to show you what I have been putting on my registry.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that I found this site Baby List. It's amazing! You can consolidate several baby registries in one site, so if you like products or prices from different sites, you can put it all in one list, Baby List! If you already have registries created, they will do the work of pulling it off in one (and no, I don't get paid for endorsements).

(Note: I must have done something wrong when I saved this layout because when I went back I couldn't get the html code so you can click on each product and go there but this is the link to see it directly from shop style http://social.popsugar.com/profile/14445847)

Now on to what I have here, the first two products are a rocker and a bouncer. I don't know if I am keeping both in there yet. I want my momma friends to recommend which one is better. The same with the swing. I think I'd like to have a swing because I know a lot of babies love it, but as far as the rocker and the bouncer I am still not sure, do you have a preference?

The third item from the left that you see is a play mat or play gym. There is another one down below and I am still deciding which one is better, or more practical.

Fifth item, the one in the center, is a walker. I think it's a really good buy, my siblings and nephews loved it growing up but I've also heard bad things about it regarding the balance and motors skills development of the child.

Pack and Play: I think this one is a very practical one. I chose an inexpensive one. It's not the same kind my brother used to spend hours in, the one he had has bigger and sturdier but he loved it when he was a pre toddler. He had all his toys there and my mom was able to do things around the house. This one I am showing is good to pack and take to other places as well.

In the bottom line we have the sound machine. People swear on these things but my hubby thinks that if we get an air purifier it will create the white noise effect anyway.

Last, a frog humidifier.

Question: Do you need the three Bouncer, Rocker and Swing?

Let me know if you recommend any brand/product in particular, I would love your input!

Out and about: Fallbrook weekend getaway

A few weekends ago our small group organized a weekend getaway (we're all couples) to Fallbrook, CA, the home town of our group leaders Rob and Kristin, with the ocassion of the "Avocado festival" on Sunday.
We started off the day with some of our friends chilling at the beach in Oceanside and headed shortly after to a restaurant in Fallbrook and Kristin's favorite called "El Jardín". I got stuffed on chips and salsa, as usual and when the Burrito came I could barely put it in. Weird thing of my pregnancy, other times I would devour anything, now I get full faster but I still manage to gain weight. I ordered, after Kristin recommendation, the Sour Cream Burrito, which I liked a lot, but found very heavy on the sour cream. The beans where oddly delicious. My husband got the chimichanga, which looked really good as well.

After that we headed to Kristin's folks' place (a huge house on the hill overlooking an amazing view) where two of the couples would sleep in, to enjoy some time in the spa and the fire pit doing s'mores.

I put only my legs in because when you're preggers you should avoid raising your core temp but we had a great time with friends. Then we sat around the fire pit, toasted marshmallows, made s'mores and sang worship songs. It was great.

We split to spend the night at Rob's and K's parent's houses and in the morning those who have slept at Kristin's parents' house drove to Rob's for ommeletes made by Trey, Anna's husband. Like everything Trey cooks, they were amazing. We watched our church service online all together and after that headed to the Avocado Festival!

My real friends, told you!

It was extremely hot but we enjoyed it. For you to have an idea, is a city fair where all the local business show their merchandise and of course there are avocado stands. Yum! I was so hot that all I consumed were lemonades. But my friends had some interesting options. It was really fun!

Taking a much needed rest in the shade.

 We thought: why not buy a classic car?

Summer must haves

It's Monday again... I don't know if it's because I am pregnant, but it's getting harder and harder to get out of bed lately. I've been trying to convince my hubby into getting a Cal-King size bed, maybe that will help me sleep better...

How is your Monday going?

Considering I went to church yesterday on a 100 degree weather with jeans, a tee and a cardigan, I made sure I wouldn't do the same mistake again and wore one of the dresses I bought at Ross (will show you in a future post).

This weekend was pretty eventful. Our church had the 3rd annual Women's tea, which was awesome as usual (also to come in previous post). Later we went to dinner to Outback to celebrate my brother in law's graduation and Sunday, as you all know, was mother's day.

Thinking about the heat that we're encountering lately, I thought of creating a list of staple items that we all must have this summer, especially if you have a growing bump like me.

Summer staples by lucia-belen featuring flat heels

I got a denim jacket at Ross to pair up with any summer dress I wear, especially at night. And an off-wghite faux leather jacket as well.

Maxi dresses are a must. Or maxi skirts.

Wedges are super comfortable if you want to keep the height that a heel would give you but without the pressure. I find them pretty comfy at least.

Flats, of course.

Sunglasses.

Shorts, or in my case, maternity shorts.

Flowy and lose tees.

And last but not least, lots of ideas to wear your hair up to be comfy, still look pretty and above all, avoid the heat! I got a hair cut Friday as well and thinned out my big cat!

What are your summer must haves?

Belly bump fashion

 I was busy at work today and forgot to have my picture taken and when I got home the first thing I did was take my shoes off, I was tired.

Here's what I wore today.

maternity by lucia-belen featuring a bib collar necklace

White tea from Burlington Coat Factory maternity section $5.99
The jeans are maternity (Ross $14.99). I really like them because they're skinny and they have really nice pockets. The thread is golden too.
Cardigan from Nordstrom's rack (15.99 or less)
Purse and multicolor necklace were a gift.
Yellow rose studs earrings ($.099 from ebay)
Simple make up with baby pink eye shadow. 
and these shoes from NR  at $34.99

TGIF!!