Well, that’s definitely a celebration I can get behind. In fact my friend, Megan and I had a a great time today and might have to make this holiday a yearly tradition.

First, we started with a nice hike in the local foothills. We wanted to be able to reward ourselves with cookies afterwards and not feel guilty.

Then came the fun part! Chocolate chip cookies! We decided today would be a great day for a taste test. So we picked up cookies from 4 different places to enjoy.

Who would win the battle royale?

These are all local Boulder establishments on Pearl Street with the exception of my homemade cookie. But, how did they fair?

I’m a bit biased, but it’s hard to beat homemade. These had both white and semi-sweet chocolate chips and just the right amount of butter. They were crispy on the outside and still slightly gooey on the inside – a tough combo to beat.

My second favorite was the Woody Creek Bakery cookie. They were actually giving away free cookies today and sparked the whole cookie celebration. These cookies had a good ratio of chocolate to batter and were nice and soft.

Third place went to the Trident cookie. This is a big cookie and a great splurge. The chocolate ratio is really high so if you are a chocolate fan, this would be your winner. Although there is a bit of a spice with this cookie that tastes a bit like ginger so it’s not for the traditionalist.

Finally, the Illegal Pete’s cookie. Coming in last place for this competition is not an insult. It was still a delicious cookie and I would happily eat this cookie anytime.

I guess the real winners were the taste testers. Megan, thank you for the great idea of celebrating National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! It was a super fun adventure.

Speaking of my body, my new ailment this week is that my right hand is constantly “asleep”. It’s been about a week now so I am getting used to it, but it does make sleeping somewhat uncomfortable and it’s hard for me to write. Thankfully, typing is still easy. I checked with the doctor and she said it’s a swelling issue and it will go away when I deliver. Super. Only 3 – 6 weeks of a tingling hand left. At least it’s not something really wrong or indicative of a problem.

Here’s to hoping she wants to make a slightly early appearance.

If you can’t read the board, here are the stats:

Alias: Peanut/Skeeziks
Age: 34 weeks
Sex: Girl
Height: ~17.75 in.
Weight: ~4.75 lb.
Notes: Baby is the size of an average cantaloupe (picture of a cantaloupe slice)

How far along? 34 weeks
Total weight gain? 35 pounds (I did not gain any weight this week)
Maternity clothes? Uh huh. Except I am still able to pull off a few non-maternity items like the dress in this week’s progress photo.
Sleep? The tingling hand is making it a bit difficult, but I am still able to get a few good blocks of sleep.
Miss anything? Moving quickly. I’ve also been bumping my belly a lot this week.
Movement? All the time and full belly waves.
Cravings? Nope. We did pick up some coconut water popsicles this week that are really tasty though.
Aversions? Nope. However, I find I need to eat smaller meals before bed now to help me sleep better.
Gender: Girl
Labor signs? Nope.
Wedding ring on or off? Off.
Looking forward to: Meeting this little one!!!

However, while we were there I started to swell a bit. I’m glad we have a doctor’s appointment tomorrow so I can ask her about it.

If you can’t read the board, here are the stats:

Alias: Peanut/Skeeziks
Age: 33 weeks
Sex: Girl
Height: ~17.0 in.
Weight: ~4.25 lb.
Notes: Baby has a favorite place for her foot (picture of my belly. X marks the spot for baby’s foot.)

How far along? 33 weeks
Total weight gain? 35 pounds (I don’t think I eat as well when traveling)
Maternity clothes? Of course
Sleep? I actually slept pretty well in Iowa which was a bit surprising. However, there was one night where I sang in my sleep. What’s up with that?
Miss anything? I can tell you I will not miss traveling. Pretty excited that I get to stay home from here on out.
Movement? Oh yea. Now other people can see her move just by watching my belly.
Cravings? Not really. I try to remember when people mention something that sounds good to eat.
Aversions? Nope
Gender: Girl
Labor signs? No.
Wedding ring on or off? Had to take it off this week. Boo! You can see in on my necklace in the photo above.
Looking forward to: Finishing up our shopping this week. I had two amazing showers, not to mention a small party in California last Christmas so we have most of what we need. However, our friends had their baby recently and there were a few items left on their to do list. It made us want to get ready well ahead of schedule just in case – although I am sure we have close to a month left.

And now that it’s May, it’s time for the flowers to bloom. Not sure we’re done with the snow yet, but this treasury is a look at rain, flowers and even some rainbows in my attempt to bring back some normalcy to the weather.

‘April Showers Bring May Flowers’ by deannabe

Rain Drop Recycled Glass Soa… Rail19 $25	New Clouds and Gold Rain Dro… OneandTwoOrigi… $75	Spring Flowers on a Clothesl… EmbroideredbyS… $16.99	Spring flowers for mom dozen… HappyDollsByLe… $45
umbrella necklace with glass… alapopjewelry $22	Flower Earrings. Pale Pink F… dreamyvintage $14	Spring Flowers Creamsicle Pa… BendixenArt $28	Rainbow Bunting Pennant Flag… FeltLikeCelebr… $27
Abstract Rain Drops Wall Art… revigorer $20	We Shall Dance In The Rain -… FreyaArt $4	Leather iPad Mini Case, Eart… EightSeasons $40.6	Spring Flowers Bangle, Rusti… BeauMiracleJew… $21
Rain Must Fall Laceybabe $21	Hand Stamped Jewelry Dance I… klacustomcreat… $48.9	Natural Wood Toy -RAINBOW St… applenamos $26	Baby Nursery Quote Sunshine … rawartletterpr… $15

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Now I’d love to hear from you. What are you thoughts on all these cute treasuries this week? Do you have a favorite? Are you ready for spring too? Let me know in the comments below.

And on top of that, it was a wonderful week. First, my mom and mother-in-law were in town this week for my baby shower on Saturday. It was so awesome to have them both here for the occasion. I love them both and am so lucky our families are wonderful, kind, caring and that they get along. (I know…super lucky!)

I’ve been heard saying that I want to include my family (both sides) in this process and that is completely true. But, after this week, I’ve realized it’s as much for me as it is for them. Their support, love and stories have been amazing throughout this pregnancy.

If you can’t read the board, here are the stats:

Alias: Peanut/Skeeziks
Age: 32 weeks
Sex: Girl
Height: ~16.7 in.
Weight: ~3.75 lb.
Notes: Daddy got to feel baby’s hiccups this week (drawing of my belly with hiccup quivers)

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain? 32.5 pounds (Getting back on track! Not that I’m limiting my food intake to get here though.)
Maternity clothes? Of course.
Sleep? Hit or miss again. It was difficult falling asleep a few times this week, but once asleep I can get a few solid hours. I’ve also found that sleeping with a fan on has been helping.
Miss anything? My lap. I am used to being able to work while watching TV on the couch and that is getting harder and harder every night.
Movement? She’s starting to push out which is really fun for both me and Brett.
Cravings? Not really.
Aversions? Not really.
Gender: Girl
Labor signs? Not that I really feel them, but there could be some Braxton Hicks action going on.
Wedding ring on or off? Still on.
Looking forward to: The upcoming Steve Yates Memorial Golf Tournament and seeing our friends. Brett’s family has done an awesome job raising money for melanoma research again and we’ll all get together on Saturday to play golf and celebrate what a great man Steve was.

And you know what I’m finding…the eco stuff is REALLY cute! It might be slightly more expensive, but I think in the long run I am going to be so much happier with a few choice pieces vs. a house full of plastic.

For more finds, I invite you to check out my For the Lil One Pinterest Board and to follow me. I have to admit, I really like the finds this week…

Sunblock is a MUST! As someone who has lost a loved one to melanoma, my husband and I are really adamant about having good sunscreen for our kiddos. So of course we want to choose an eco-friendly option too. Not only is it better for our baby, but it’s better for the environment and oceans too.

How cute is this matching game? It’s made out of wood so the pieces will last longer. Plus, it even comes with a carrying case made out of a wooden box to match.

Who says you have to buy toys for your little one? Here are 12 awesome DIY ideas you can make yourself!

This little elephant was just too cute not to include on this list, don’t you think?

Eventually there will come a time when your little one will need to take a snack or lunch somewhere. Or maybe you will be packing a lunch for a play date. Either way, it’s time to ditch the plastic which can contain BPAs for something better for you and your loved ones.

What do you think of these finds and my desire to go green for my baby? Do you think it’s a good idea or do you think I am over thinking it? Let me know in the comments below!

It was an information packed two days that also allowed me to meet some amazing bloggers and get a new perspective and enthusiasm for Little Green Bow. The only downside is that I now have pages of notes I want to implement.

The session in Phoenix was all about the business of blogging which was perfect for me since I am at a place where I want to be making some money from all of the hours I spend on here. Sessions included things like working with brands and PR companies, making money from online jobs, creating amazing sponsored posts, building your blog like a business, and utilizing social media and SEO properly.

But, one of my biggest epiphanies from the event came after the first night when I realized that I was not blogging about what I live on a daily basis. Of course, my baby bump posts are real and that is my weekly progress, but since becoming pregnant (and actually while trying too) I have become obsessed about eco-friendly products. It was something Tiffany said that made me wonder why had I not written about this stuff yet. So look out for some posts about what’s on our registry, changes I’ve made in our home, and tips for buying eco-friendly products.

However, that’s pretty specific to me and I want to share some tips that will help you with your blog too. So, here are 9 things I learned from Bloggy Boot Camp.

1. Go alone. It’s great if you know some of the bloggers there, but I found it was pretty easy to stick close to the first few people I met. Once I realized that, I made it a point to break off and meet new people. If I had been there with a close friend, it would have been really difficult to meet a lot of new people and that’s one of the best perks of a live event – new friendships.

2. Don’t be afraid. Everyone at these events is there for a different reason. Come up with your own mission for the conference and do not let other people make you feel inferior or lacking in any way. We all have different goals and dreams.

3. Bring business cards. Don’t be like me and forget to order them in time. I had to make my own cards last minute and print them out in black and white at the hotel because I did not plan properly. Oh well, I was still able to get my contact information out there.

4. Make the most of your time. By the end of the day I was really tired, but I knew this was a fleeting moment and I needed to take full advantage. I stayed late both nights chatting with new people and making more friends.

5. Remember to smile and be nice. People are drawn to happy friendly people and a smile is a great way to start. Just try being grumpy around someone that is smiling. It’s pretty difficult and it makes you feel better too.

6. Set goals before and after the event. There was a great post on the SITS Girls before the event that talked about setting goals. I tried to and, at the least, it got me thinking about the conference strategically. However, I took away so much information from the event that I needed to create new goals so that I could utilize it all effectively. Still working on it, but it’s coming.

7. Get into video. Now, I will be the first to admit that I am not really into putting myself on video, but I know it’s vital for my blogging success. That’s one of the key points I took away from BBC…brands love videos! Hopefully I will be able to add one to my about page soon.

8. Take lots of pictures. I made a resolution once to not live through my pictures and be present in the moment because I used to miss out on things behind the camera. However, now I’ve taken it to the other extreme and need to take more pictures. Also, it’s not best to rely on other people’s pictures (unless you can take their SD card and upload the pictures right away) because you never know when they will post or share them.

Tiffany and I at Day 2 of Bloggy Boot Camp. At least I got one photo to prove I was there!

9. If it’s not a HELL YEAH, it’s a NO! This was the last topic presented at the conference and it really hit home. How many times in our lives do we say yes to things we really do not want to do? For me, it’s more often than I’d like. However, with a little one on the way, I need to say no more often, unless it really excites me. This will keep me more energised and focused on the things that are most important to me. Thanks for giving me permission to say no Tiffany and Danielle!

It was an awesome experience and I feel so lucky to have won my ticket to attend. Otherwise, this pregnant mama probably would have let the opportunity slip by and that would have been a shame. But, now that I’ve been to a blogging conference I cannot wait to go to another one. Of course, I’m grounded for a while with the little one, but I plan to be at a BBC next year. Hopefully I will see you there. You won’t regret it!

The birth class was great and we were able to take it all in one day instead of spreading it out over a few weeks. I’d also love to take a newborn care class as well as a breast feeding class so that we cover our major bases. To be honest, I think the birth class was more to get my husband on board and ready. I’ve been coming to terms with the impending labor every day for over seven months now as I am the one  privileged enough to get to carry her. That, reading birth books and my weekly yoga classes have helped me get mentally ready. However, I can see that it would be hard to know what to expect if you did not have a female body and were not able to feel this little life moving inside of you everyday.

Thankfully, Brett did great. He is such a wonderful partner and I know he is going to be amazing when the big day arrives.

If you can’t read the board, here are the stats:

Alias: Peanut/Skeeziks
Age: 31 weeks
Sex: Girl
Height: ~16.25 in.
Weight: ~3.3 lb.
Notes: Baby can now turn her head from side to side (picture of a baby’s head with arrows going from side to side – just noticed the arrows look a bit like devil horns from this distance)

How far along? 31 weeks
Total weight gain? 32 pounds – uh oh…I jumped up over my one pound per week self-imposed limit. Oh well, I’m not too far off.
Maternity clothes? The weather has been so crazy here that I have been going back and forth between spring and winter clothes daily. I was in warm clothes over the weekend and then it snowed again today. Ugh.
Sleep? Hit or miss. It’s been a bit tricky falling to sleep, but I can usually get several hours at a time once I’m asleep.
Miss anything? Sunny weather. I know that does not really have to do with my pregnancy, but all of this snow makes me a lot more cautious. Brett has even walked me to and from my office when I go downtown on snowy days. (See, I told you he was great!)
Movement? Lots and lots still, but definitely less kicking. More rolls and squirms.
Cravings? I wish. It now takes me forever to figure out what I want to eat.
Aversions? Nope
Gender: Girl
Labor signs? I think I’ve been having some Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing really pronounced yet.
Wedding ring on or off? On
Looking forward to: Our moms are coming into town this week for my baby shower. I am super duper excited to see them both and to talk about babies and their birth stories.

Well, we all know children put everything in their mouths. That’s why my husband and I are really trying to stick to eco-friendly toys. I don’t want to learn about lead paint on the toys purchased from China or harmful chemicals (BPA) in the plastic products our baby’s sucking on until after it’s too late.

That’s also why this treasury is near and dear to my heart. It focuses on green items for children ages newborn to six (and up) while supporting the smaller craftsman. Now if I can just figure out a way to ask for some of these items for our baby shower too. In the end, they might have to be the things we buy on our own.

‘Eco Friendly Children’s Toys’ by deannabe

Sale 10 % off Eco-friendly N… creativeladys $13	Elephant Puzzle Wood Baby El… littlewoodenwo… $12.5	Tiny Tooth Fairy Pillow for … NewMomDesigns $16.98	Hemp Organic Cotton Vegan Bu… earthslings $20
Personalized Teething Toy e… FriendlyToys $18	Felt food Pancake set (banan… CreationByM $13	Personalized Wood Airplane P… manzanitakids $36	Forest Critters- Sleepy Fox … SavageSeeds $34
Barn Toy – Farm Toy – Puzzle… woodieblockhea… $28.5	Bunny – organic, white, soft… pingvini $32	Fishing Game – Eco Friendly … sqrlbee $25	Little Bird Baby Natural Tee… babyrooz $10.5
Phone wooden teether wooden … littlesaplingt… $12	ON SALE Play food Pretend fo… itsthesmallthi… $5.95	Wooden toy, eco-friendly, ba… TheWanderingWo… $40	Handmade wooden toy: educati… thewoodenhorse $26

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

Now I’d love to hear from you. What are you thoughts on all this eco-friendly stuff? Do you think it matters? Have any toys or baby products you recommend? Let me know in the comments below.

I was fortunate enough to get to go to Phoenix this weekend for The SITS Girls Bloggy Boot Camp. It was an amazing experience and I promise to do a write up later this week. This was also my last plane trip scheduled for the indefinite future and I have to admit that I am really excited about that.

I’ve travelled every month of this pregnancy and it’s starting to catch up with me. The first sign of cankles was starting to rear it’s ugly head and I’m hoping it that I’ve stopped it in time.

If you can’t read the board, here are the stats:

Alias: Peanut/Skeeziks
Age: 30 weeks
Sex: Girl
Height: ~15.7 in.
Weight: ~2.75 lb.
Notes: Baby’s already been to 4 countries and 5 states (picture of a globe)

How far along? 30 weeks
Total weight gain? 30 pounds (If you were paying attention, you’ll notice I gained 3 pounds in one week. Glad we’re getting close to the end here.)
Maternity clothes? Of course! My shower is coming up and I’d love to find a cute outfit to wear.
Sleep? Mixed. With travel, I’ve found that my sleep the following week is disrupted a bit. However, that should be over. Yay!
Miss anything? Being able to bend over easily.
Movement? Yep! More rolling than kicking these days.
Cravings? Nope. I’m actually missing the days of my first trimester when I craved something specific to eat.
Aversions? Not really.
Gender: Girl
Labor signs? Not yet.
Wedding ring on or off? On
Looking forward to: Spring time. Did I tell you that we got over a foot of snow in the past 2 days?!? I’m really ready for that to stop. Bring on the sunshine and sundresses.