this baby & this pregnancy

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I thank all those sweet people telling me I am all belly... Thanks for not noticing my thighs or my big chubby arms. Call it laziness and getting old, but this pregnancy is kicking my butt in the weight department. I am constantly hungry. I have been telling myself "eat more protein" instead of the carbs I crave. People say you crave things that your body needs. Is that true? I don't think my body needs more fat deposits from carb storage... I eat things or crave things that are not my usual go-to meals.

Bagels

Deli sandwiches (specially Jimmy John's delivery)

Starbucks chocolate croissant

I miss my discipline before pregnancy and before the postpartum/breastfeeding hunger. I survived with salad and lean meats. I was okay counting calories and making sure that they are not "empty calories" meaning no nutritive value... Now, I just shrug it off when i see that the chocolate croissant is 270 cal. So what, I want to EAT IT!

Pregnant with baby D4 at 32 weeks. weight gain -- through the roof. And I still have +/- 8 weeks to go.


So how about something positive about this pregnancy? there must be something positive... well, of course. I may be tired at the end of the day but I would rather do hospital coverage (aka wards) now rather than during postpartum and I am thinking about pumping all the time.

So this week, I am back to wearing my dansko's and my compression stockings. Bye bye, pretty red sandals...

Bastian says bye-bye.

This sweetheart is 20months old. He is growing up on us. But he is still my baby. He is in for a big surprise. Just like Daniel at this age, he has no idea that a baby in mummy's tummy is  going to replace him as the "youngest." it's a boy thing. Because when I was pregnant with Bastian, Isabel at 20 months old knew that a baby is coming. Knowing that a baby is coming AND life with a baby are different things though. Isabel was also surprised with the changes.

Bastian is a hugger like his older brother, Daniel. They are such sweet kids. I am blessed.

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maxi dress + best accessory ever {wiws}

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Happy Mother's day to all mamas out there! To my mom and MIL, grandma and aunts! Friends, I hope you got pampered today.

I have the best presents this year. I received flowers (per my request) to add to my garden. The chipmunks here in the city are TERRIBLE! I lost a lot of asiatic lilies because they ate all the bulbs. Now I have more peonies, hydrangeas and lilies (of course) to replace those lost bulbs.

How about this handsome dude?

Louis Vuitton Damier Ebene Favorite (LV site) or preowned //  VS coral maxi dress (similar) //  Franco Sarto pumps

The other pretty present I received is this necklace from Daniel! He painted it pink just for me. He knows me very well! Though I wore my pearls, I had to show off the necklace.

This dress from VS can be worn three-ways. I wore it as a maxi dress. It can be worn as a skirt or a midi dress. I went one size up to accommodate the growing belly and chest.

And it can be used as blanket, apparently.

 VS coral maxi dress (similar) // Madden Girl Red sandals 

Let's not forget the ones who made me part of this special day. I had pretty nice accessories today... My LV Damier purse.... My new necklace from Daniel.... The strappy red heels.... but I still think, a baby on my hip and lil tots next to me are the BEST ever.

Boys: Gap Pique polo shirts 

Isabel: Saltwater sandals via Ebay

Daniel: Stride Rite Star wars Jedi lights sneakers

Would you agree?
They make my OOTD post so much better!

Also, could you guess which photos were taken by my hubs and ones taken by my kindergartner?

Linking up with FL&P, WWIW and TuckerUp.

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Pregnancy wardrobe {leggings}

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psstt - these pumps are less <$30... head here!

The oh-so-forgiving leggings. They're stretchy. They accommodate my growing belly and thighs.... oh my.  Thanks spandex.

They can be paired with a tunic, dress, long top! As long as it covers your bottom ~ that's my rule.(Not that I have always followed this rule -- yikes....)

I love wearing flats, wedges or heels with my tights. During April, we had some cold days here in the Midwest. But come summer, I'll have to say goodbye to these leggings. Unless I'm at work in a well-ventilated clinic with cool AC. :)

Motherhood Maternity tunic sweater, cowlneck (try it with long sleeves) // JCPenney tights (footless, compression option, or fleece-lined) // Naturalizer Pumps

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Durham and Raleigh weekend

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I had a free weekend with my sister and her children. It was short and sweet but definitely fun!







A continuing medical education {CME- if you speak doctor language} opportunity was offered at Duke medical center. It was a packed 8 hour Saturday. I tweeted a few take home points, if you care.

I may have a free weekend away from my crew but that doesn't mean I'm free of kids. Once a mom, always a mom, right? Nathaniel is as busy as ever. Amelia is now walking independently!

While I was at the Peds Neuro course update on patient management, my sister took the kids to the museum of life and sciences. I heard it is a must-see if you're ever in Durham.

Then Sunday, after waking up at 8:30a, oh so glorious! We went back to Duke university and visited Sarah Duke gardens. The place is free and beautiful. {I also recommend this place}













My sister wanted to try burgers at chucks. It was located at downtown Raleigh. So we trekked back to the city. The dark chocolate cake milkshake is amazing. {another recommendation}



I found marbles kids museum when I googled for things to do with kids. Glad we also went! Our 2 hour stay was not enough. But we got to see the farm area, splash area, activity gym and sports and painting/carpentry.





It was a sweet weekend. I miss my sister and her kids already. But who am I kidding -- it's nice to be home with this bunch too!

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see you at the alley {wiws}

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As I sit here, enduring this sugar high headache for the next hour, then hypoglycemia-bottoming out headache, let me share our Sunday's shenanigans.

Mr. Fun-parent took the children to the park and a quick hike at the river trails. What did I do? oh well, play 3 different criminal case apps. I haven't solved any of the cases yet because I am cheap and I do not want to pay the extra "power-up" or "energy" or see the "instant results" of the autopsy or evidence analysis... It's a free game. I am ok waiting for a few minutes or hours to continue playing it.

Plus, I am scratching my eyes out because of the high pollen alert? who has the same probs as me during April and May? aaaahhhh......

so here's what we I wore yesterday to Mass.

Motherhood Maternity top // Old Navy super skinny Rockstar maternity pants

My new splurge: Michael Kors ballet flats from Nordstrom Rack

I returned some stuff from my online shopping... The CK pumps were too small (yay preggo feet!). The Northface jacket color was way too bright for me. Too bad I did not like the shape of the very- much-discounted Fossil sunglasses. Then Isabel and I went to the shoe section and I found the MK gold flats.

My plan to take a pict bythe church door did not work out. So alley it is.... so fancy!

Linking up with FL&P, WWIW, TuckerUp... as usual! :)

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