It’s officially spring and that means warmer weather, sunshine, and afternoons at the park. Mr. President and I couldn’t be happier. Life is busy but wonderful!

Here’s a sneak peek of {life lately}

37 Weeks
That’s right, I’m about to have a baby. With the exception of being tired (but who isn’t?!), I feel great! After a mini-scare, the baby is growing and right-on-track for where he/she should be. I’m thankful! LJ is getting excited about the baby and takes every opportunity he can to kiss and hug the baby-belly. It’s the sweetest thing in the world.

Spring Cleaning
We’re getting ready for Baby #2 and that means I’m trying to cram 1 million house projects into 3 weeks! So far we’ve painted Mr. President’s new “big boy” room, I’ve created/stenciled/painted a canvas collection for his room, sanded/stained furniture, and loosely participated in 40 Days 40 Bags. It feels good to check big items off my “to-do” list.

Running
I’m still running and pushing the BOB stroller. Do I look ridiculous? Probably! But it’s the only way I can get in the miles, though I use that term loosely. I’m thankful for the warmer weather – it makes running so much more enjoyable.

Airborne Review
I do a pretty good job of taking a multi-vitamin and prenatal vitamin. Sure, I miss a day here or there but I know the importance of supporting my immune system and overall health. I’m not super loyal to one brand, so I jumped at the opportunity to try Airborne Everyday – a daily multivitamin plus Airborne’s crafted immune support. Airborne Everyday is the latest edition to the Airborne family and provides the trusted support of Airborne plus key vitamins and minerals of a multivitamin. It’s like getting two-for-the-price-of-one. (note: I consulted with my OB/GYN before taking Airborne Everyday and was given the “okay” to take this product in conjunction with my prenatal; if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult with your doctor first)

My initial thoughts are very positive. I love the taste and texture of the Gummies – not too sweet, but still feel like a little treat before breakfast. There’s no terrible aftertaste and they are very easy on my stomach (this is key when I’m looking/thinking about vitamins). I take 2/day plus a prenatal, and I feel healthy all day long.

If you’re looking for a new multivitamin or the convenience of a multi-purpose vitamin (immune support + multivitamin), Airborne Everyday is worth consideration. At $14.99/bottle (50 gummies), it’s competitive with any multi-vitamin, plus offers much more.

Giveaway
3 lucky readers will win a one bottle/each of Airborne Everyday Gummies.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

fine print: Open to US Residents only. Winner has 2 days to claim prize before a new winner is chosen.
disclosure: I was compensated with free product but the opinions are mine

Mom Confession: I’m so excited for baby #2 and can’t wait to meet him or her – but part of me is really mourning the loss of “just the two of us“, as in Mr. President & me. I know all of that will change the second I meet my sweet baby and get a whiff of that delicious newborn scent but until then, I can’t help but cry when I think about how things are (drastically) going to change in +/-30 days.

That’s why I’m hoping to spend these precious moments with Mr. President, exploring & adventuring around our great town, and checking items off our “Bucket List before Baby”.

Bucket List before Baby

• Lunch date (completed)
• Donuts date (and I’ll let you eat a whole donut without worrying about how much sugar or chocolate you’re consuming at 9am)
• Visit the Cherry Blossoms (completed)
• Explore Teddy Roosevelt Island (completed)
• Visit Mr. President’s namesake Monument
• Watch planes take off & land at Gravely Point
• Check out (at least) 5 new parks/playgrounds in our area (2 down, 3 to go)
• Butterfly Exhibit at Museum of Natural History
• Play in the mud and get dirty
• Long Branch Nature Center + tour/exploration
• Ride The Carousel on the National Mall
• National Zoo
• Ride the metro
• Find a construction site and watch diggers dig, dump trucks dump, and cement mixers mix

Have any other ideas? Share them with me!
Did you create a “bucket list” before having baby #2 (or 3)?

And don’t forget to follow our adventures on Instagram #bucketlistbeforebaby

For more miles and motherhood, follow me:
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Twitter: @run4margaritas
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One of the ways I love & serve my community is by making meals for families with new babies. It’s an opportunity for me to love my friends, my church community, or a new mom that I don’t even know. I’ve enjoyed creating and trying new recipes – and then saving some for our family too (bonus!).

One of my favorites has been Chicken Quinoa Stew. This recipe is so delicious and so easy, and the only thing you have to chop are the sweet potatoes. Throw everything into the crockpot and you have dinner 8 (or 4) hours later. Yes, it’s really that simple.

Ingredients
1.5 lbs of Chicken Breast
5 cups of Chicken Broth
2 cups of Quinoa
1-2 large Sweet Potatoes
1 can Black Beans
1 can Diced Tomatoes
1 packet of Taco Seasoning (or Chili Seasoning)
2-3 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
Salt & Pepper
Flat Leaf Parsley, chopped (garnish)

Directions
Spray crockpot with olive oil spray and add chicken to bottom of the slow cooker. Meanwhile, chop sweet potatoes into small cubes and place into crockpot. Add chicken broth, black beans, diced tomatoes, taco seasoning, and S&P. Set timer and cook. About 1 hour before stew is finished, add quinoa (note: for a much thicker stew, add quinoa at the beginning).  Before serving, use 2 forks to shred chicken.

Garish with fresh parsley and salt & pepper. Serve warm.

Enjoy!

I’ve been running most of my life, so I didn’t want to stop when I became pregnant. But running with #2 has proven to be much different than running with #1. I quickly realized no two pregnancies are the same and priorities tend to shift from pre-baby to post-baby.

Running when pregnant with Mr. President was a lot easier – from a time, weather, and physical (I wasn’t sleep deprived) standpoint – but I’ve made a commitment (to myself, my family, and baby #2) to run when I can.

Time
I wish I would’ve realized this when I was pregnant with #1 but I had all the time in the world. Time to myself. Time to run whenever I wanted. Time for the gym. Time to recover after a run. Time for stretching. Time for yoga. Time for me.

Now, my “me-time” is devoted to the cutest little boy in the world. Of course I wouldn’t change it for the world but my “me-time” is limited. Especially since I stay home with LJ and I have a husband that travels a lot for work. I have to get my runs in when I can – and sometimes that’s hard.

Weather
I was pregnant January – October with Mr. President and while those first couple of months were cold, the remainder of the pregnancy was great for running (I’m a Florida girl at heart so the heat doesn’t bother me). By the time I realized I was pregnant with #2, it was late September and the weather was starting to change. Since I run while pushing LJ, I have to ensure that the weather is warm enough to take him out. Anything below 30 degrees and we’re just not running. Thankfully, I received a BOB weather shield for Christmas – and it’s been a lifesaver through the winter – but these last few weeks have been miserable and I’m not comfortable running with him (add snow/ice to the mix and it’s downright dangerous).

Physical
I’m tired. Like, really tired. At 16 months, LJ is just now sleeping through the night. And after 16 months of interrupted sleep, sometimes the last thing I want to do is bundle up for a run. Is it an excuse? Probably, but it’s also important for me to listen to my body. With #1, I slept 9+ hours/night. I had time to sit down and relax (the word relax is no longer in my vocabulary). I had time for naps (even though I’m not a good napper). In other words, I was tired because I was growing a baby but nothing like I am now.

…But I wouldn’t trade sleep or time with LJ for 1,000 runs. Plus, he keeps me very busy chasing him. Which counts for something, right?!

Did you find that running during your second pregnancy was different than your first? In what ways?

For more miles and motherhood, follow me:
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Twitter: @run4margaritas
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Wait, it’s already the third trimester?! When did that happen?

This pregnancy has flown by. I wish I could say the same thing about the winter. Unfortunately the winter has taken a toll on my running. Between snow, ice, and below freezing temperatures (+ double digit wind mph) it’s been tough for Mr President and me to hit the trails.

Thanks to my BOB weather shield, I’m comfortable running with LJ when temperatures are 30 degrees or higher (and even then, he’s completely bundled up). I try to make our runs fun with signing & talking, plus we run on the trail where there’s lots to see (metro, bikes, runners, dogs). It’s about as good as it gets for winter running.

Workouts at 29 weeks
Sunday: 3 mile run with stroller +BJ, plus it was 45 degrees!
Monday: basement workout, including TRX, weights, and plyometrics
Tuesday: 2 x 1.5 miles, ran to/from library for story hour (with stroller)
Wednesday: 3 miles (with stroller)
Thursday: off
Friday: basement workout, TRX

This is my best + most productive week in awhile! The last couple of weeks have been plagued by the stomach bug, below freezing temperatures, and a husband that was gone for 10 days. Thanks to something new called sleep and slightly warmer temperatures (read: just barely above freezing), I feel good!

Do you run outside In the winter? What are some of your favorite home workouts?

For more margaritas and miles, follow me:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/willrunformargaritas
Twitter: @run4margaritas
Instagram: http://instagram.com/run4margaritas
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I like to think I’m a {happy} person. Sure, there are times when I’m not, or afraid, or stressed, or unsure, or angry. But I like to think that’s just the devil trying to get the best of me (and sometimes he wins).

I’ve never been one to “give up something” for Lent. I understand why people do it, and I applaud those who forgo wine or chocolate for 40 days (although the last 2 out of 3 years I’ve given up wine for lent too – haha). This year, instead of giving something up, I decided to give myself something: time spent thinking about & reflecting on all of the things that make me HAPPY (and thankful)!

They are little things – like Mr. President’s smile. Or big things – like a house that keeps us warm, dry, safe on cold winter nights. It can be anything – anything that makes you HAPPY.

We’re less than one week into the Lenten season.

Will you join me?  Use #40daysofHAPPY when sharing on social media

What makes you HAPPY?