Creamy Banana Steel Cut Oats

Morning loves! Another weekend is flying by, but has been full of rest - thank goodness. I'm already 33 weeks pregnant (still can't believe it), and I am definitely feeling the fatigue hit hard! Something I've been loving to make this entire pregnancy has been this clean eating steel oats to get my energy levels back up. I'm obsessed with the McCann's brand oats because they are high in fiber and low in sodium - a pregnant girls two best friends! This is my go to recipe when I am too lazy too cook a lengthy breakfast. I will even make it as a midnight snack when cravings hit to fill me up and it keeps me full for hours! Hope you all enjoy and have a happy rest of the weekend!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup prepared McCann's steel cut oats (or any quick steel cut oats)
• 1/3 cup Van's blueberry walnut granola
• 1/2 banana or other fresh fruit
• 1 tbsp organic light agave
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• splash of organic half & half or milk

Assembly:

1. Make oats according to package directions (or make overnight to save time see below!)
2. Cook on medium heat for package directed amount of time 
3. Top with additional fresh fruit + granola + agave and enjoy!

One of the easiest ways to make this is to prepare the night before - thanks to McCann's website, here is how I have mine all ready to go for the morning.

Quick Soak Method

One of the quickest and easiest ways to prepare McCann's Steel Cut Irish Oats is to soak the oats overnight. Before going to bed, boil 4 cups of water in a pot. Then add one cup of oats and simmer for 1 minute. Cover the pot, cool, and store overnight in the refrigerator. The next morning reheat over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Nordstorm Favorite Picks - What I Got

Good morning ladies! It's that time of year again for the amazing Nordstrom anniversary sale! I tried to limit myself to things I HAD to have, but found myself walking away with a little more ;) Here's what I picked up this time around.

Even though I live in South Florida - I am obsessed with the trench, it's the perfect color for fall. Believe it or not, it does get a bit chilly down here come November! I just ordered the Sultra hair barrel and I'm so excited to use it when it comes. I've been using my GHD straightener to create loose beach waves but I've heard amazing things about the barrel. Lastly, I cannot get enough of fringe lately and the little bootie and heels were both too cute to pass up. Have a wonderful week! 

Baby Must Haves

Hello ladies! With just two months left until my lil man is here, nesting is in full effect. The nursery isn't quite finished yet, but it's definitely coming along! I have already started to receive some adorable gifts from my family that I can't wait to use when he is here. Shopping for baby as a first time momma has been overwhelming to say the least. Since there are so many options out there it's hard to narrow it down sometimes. In the beginning I didn't realize there is so much research that goes into buying things for baby! It's really helped to read other mama's blogs I follow and get the opinions of friends. I know every baby is different so trial and error is always going to happen. I think it's all about trying what works best for your baby. Here are just some picks that I can't wait to try. 

1. sophie teether | 2. aden & anais swaddlers | 3. medela pump in style electric breastpump | 4. pacifier tommee tippee | 5. halo bassinest | 6. wooden teether | 7. bob single fitness stroller | 8. little onesie | 9. honest co gift set | 10. ubbi diaper pail

Sleep: The Halo Bassinet came a few weeks ago and it is amazing! It took Ben just 10 minutes to set it up. Not only does it have a white noise maker already built in (there's even one that sounds like the womb with a heartbeat, too cute!), but it has a breast feeding timer which I think will really come in handy during those late nights. 

Products: The Honest Co products were a gift and they smell so good! I've already been using the little hand sanitizer that comes with the set. I do really like that they use no harmful chemicals in their products. 

Stroller: There were so many great strollers to choose from I didn't even know where to begin. I know everyone loves the UPPA baby stroller which I was going to go with originally, but I fell in love with the BOB Jogger at Target. It was much cheaper and got the same rave reviews. I was wheelin' it down the aisles and I loved the way it moved! I also got the car seat infant attachment that it comes with here. It's something that my lil peanut can grow into along the way. 

Breastfeeding: How awesome is the Medela Pump System. I like the compact travel system that is easy to take along on the go. Everyone raves about this product so I am most excited to try this one - plus this new mama definitely wants a glass of wine (or two!) from time to time. ;)

I'd love to hear from you guys! What have been some of your favorite baby products?

First post + Bumpdate 29 Weeks

Hello loves! I am thrilled to finally get this blog up and running. Time has been flying and I am in the third trimester already! The girls over at Somewhere, Lately had the cutest bump updates and I thought it was great idea to look back on something to remember how you felt during pregnancy. It’s still hard to believe that in just 10 weeks we will be holding our little man! Finding out I was pregnant back in January was a big surprise. I knew I felt a little off after New Years, but just thought I had overdone it on the holiday celebrating. I decided to take a test not thinking I would be and surrrrre enough, I was already 4 weeks pregnant :) Ben and I were both in utter shock in the beginning since we weren't planning it, but we couldn’t be happier for our little miracle. The first half of my pregnancy I had an intuition that he was a boy. At 16 weeks it was confirmed he was in fact a boy! Needless to say, I cried my eyes out right there in the ultrasound reveal. It was such a special moment for both Ben and I.

Maxi T-Shirt Dress (sold out similar here)

How far along: 29 weeks

Gender: Baby boy!

Maternity clothes: I got a few key pieces from ASOS and Target tanks but other than that I’ve just been living in little striped dresses like this one. It’s getting to the point that it’s hard to pull off certain things though! After work, I pretty much live in this and these.

Baby movement: He really loves to move at night! It’s like he knows when Ben and I get home from work and the minute I kick up my feet and relax he starts kicking away. I love watching him move around in there, I seriously could sit there and watch him forever.

Cravings: Lemonade, especially the one from Panera! I liked lemonade okay before becoming pregnant but ever since I got pregnant I’ve had such a craving for it. Believe it or not, I've also craved big kale salads with avocado this whole pregnancy, steel cut oats with fruit, and decaf iced coffee. Hopefully this little man likes some healthy things like his mama!

Organic granola grains bowl with Greek yogurt.

Addicted to chai tea lattes.

Symptoms: Braxton hicks have been pretty annoying ever since I hit 27 weeks. I think I am just one of the lucky ones that get them several times a day. Running to the bathroom every 20 minutes has been fun too. Ugh.

Missing anything: WINE (oh my goodness!), sushi, rompers, and pretty much fitting into my clothes period!

Sleep: After a few minutes of getting my parade of pillows in order (I steal all the pillows, sorry Ben!) I fall asleep easily. 3rd trimester fatigue is no joke. Staying asleep throughout the night can be difficult because I have to pee every hour. I’m trying to stock up on all the sleep I can get now!

Exercise: I had been exercising about three days a week throughout my whole pregnancy but ever since I hit this last trimester I’ve been taking it easy. I was doing elliptical and light weights. As long as I continue to feel like my body can still do light workouts I will until the last few weeks.

Weight gain: About 18 pounds. This basketball belly is getting serious!

Body changes: Holy boobs. I was just an A cup before pregnancy, but that ship has set sail for a bit!

Mood: I get emotional off and on but I’m thinking that’s pretty standard at this stage in the game. We had a wasp nest growing outside our front door that Ben had to take care of and I made the mistake and watched from inside the window. Well, Ben came back inside and I was tearing up because I felt bad that we had killed their babies. He thought I was crazy. Pregnancy does weird things people.

Best moment: Relaxing with our close friends over the weekend in Sarasota. It was a quick trip but it was nice to be away for the weekend and catch up.

Looking forward to: My mom is planning a little baby shower soon so I'm definitely looking forward to it. Also, 8 more weeks and I will be officially on maternity leave. Whoo!

Real talk: I am getting to the point where I am becoming more anxious as the weeks start to fly by. I finished washing all his clothes and getting his nursery in order which makes me feel better, buttttt I am definitely getting nervous about the labor part! I am a really big baby when it comes to pain so I’m hoping I can just buck up and handle it when the real deal happens. I don’t even like getting my blood taken! Google is not your friend at this point. Actually, when is google ever your friend when it comes to looking up symptoms and labor stories? I am scared out of my mind, but I just can’t wait to see our little peanut.