First Snow!

Minnesota weather is so fickle. Just last Sunday I was miserably hot and wearing capris and sandals.

Today, we got our first snow.

It’s amazing to see the fall colors being covered by a dusting of white.

Reuben obligingly snapped some photos of me with my red brelly.

I slipped in the wet snow.

Inside, I lit a candle and brewed some tea. As I typed this, I spotted a deer outside my window.

It’s a perfect day, in my estimation.

7 Responses to First Snow!

1. Debbie 
   October 4th, 2012 at 11:28 pm Moderate
   You have some beautiful pictures.
2. Emily O. 
   October 5th, 2012 at 9:10 am Moderate
   What! I’m so jealous. :)
3. Annie 
   October 5th, 2012 at 12:38 pm Moderate
   Beautiful pictures, Erica! I love how the first one has both colorful leaves and snow. =) Hope you’re staying warm ‘n cozy!
4. Kathryn Grace 
   October 5th, 2012 at 12:50 pm Moderate
   Wow! We are shivering because this morning it was 42 degrees. :-) The only things falling around here are leaves! I love snow but I’m hoping for at least a month until it hits! Lovely photos though! :-)
5. Michelle 
   October 6th, 2012 at 5:05 pm Moderate
   Oh how lovely! I love snow :) I can’t wait until it snows in Ohio!
6. Anna 
   October 9th, 2012 at 2:25 am Moderate
   Lovely pictures! ( Peter’s been admiring them too :) I wish we will have some snow this year in Denmark too, unfortunately it a sight not too often seen.
7. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com 
   October 9th, 2012 at 7:53 pm Moderate
   Beautiful photos, and you look so radiant! I’m so jealous of all the snow. Send some to FL, please? :D

Birchbox September 2012

This month I got:

Kate Spade New York Twirl | Color Club “Tweet Me” | Jouer Moisture Tint | L.A. Fresh Nail Polish Remover | Vasanti BrightenUp! | Mighty Leaf  Tea |

My total box value this month was around $17. So $10 less than last time. Which is a bit of a disappointment.

See what I thought of this month’s Birchbox:

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2 Responses to Birchbox September 2012

1. Amanda 
   October 1st, 2012 at 1:11 pm Moderate
   I felt the same way about this month! Repeat of August and not very exciting. My box was identical to yours and I completely agree with everything you said — love the tea, the nail polish is ugly, and the perfume wasn’t at all unique. Bummer!
2. Bee 
   October 18th, 2012 at 10:27 am Moderate
   Ahh, the perfume is not nice? I was really intrigued by the design and wanted to smell it, but cant find it anywhere.. Glad you do these videos!

20 Weeks

Okay, so I missed a week. After all, I only said I would try to take a photo about every four weeks. Anyway.

Oh, and I decided to ditch the shirt I was using for my first two preggers photos. I’ll probably do a different one each time. We’ll see.

Weight this week: 122 lb.

I started out at about 112-115 pounds (I’m 5′2″ and a bit), so I’ve gained about 7 pounds already. I’m supposed to gain anywhere from 25-40 pounds, so I should end up anywhere from 140-155 lbs. WOWZERS. But it’s for a good cause.

Measurements around largest part of my tummy:31.5″

Measurements around smallest part of my waist: 29″ — Waaaah! Oh well. It’s for a good cause.

I’ve been doing pretty well with my exercises. My back has been hurting when I wake up in the morning, and I think those exercises have helped to alleviate the pain a bit. The lady CLAIMS that you’ll be all nice and toned if you continue the program regularly, but I’m skeptical.

Life saving tip: The rubber band method of fitting into your pre-pregnancy jeans [Warning: the lady shows a little tummy for the tutorial. :) ]. I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on new maternity jeans (well, I DO, but that wouldn’t be good), so I’m scouring thrift stores and clearance racks (I found some new preggers jeans at Target for $10) and making do with what I have.

I have been obsessed (as Reuben could testify) with DIY projects lately: cloth diapers, tiny hats, sweaters, etc. etc. Perhaps once I complete a few projects I’ll share them with ya’ll.


And there’s my 20 weeks update.

Do you have any tips, tricks or advice you’d like to share? Please leave a comment — I’m a new mama and need all the help I can get. :)


Have a lovely day!

Erica Lea

17 Responses to 20 Weeks

1. Rebecca in NC 
   September 26th, 2012 at 6:18 pm Moderate
   I did the rubber band thing, too. It worked until somewhere around 25-ish weeks for me. It was kind of funny/embarrassing. I was talking to a coworker and all o f a sudden she bent down to pick something off the floor. It was my hair band. :/ I hadn’t even realized it popped off my pants!
2. Diana 
   September 26th, 2012 at 11:01 pm Moderate
   Not pregnant, but I saw this blog and thought it was a cute (and functional) idea:http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2012/07/maternity-diy-make-a-belly-band.html
   It might work better than a rubber band?
   You look super good. In addition to pilates, I’ve heard you can continue pre-pregnancy exercise (such as running) if you do it at much less intense effort. I guess it is really up to your OBGYN though.
   Best of luck and congrats to you and Ruben!
3. Megan 
   September 27th, 2012 at 8:00 am Moderate
   You look so cute! :) Hope you have been feeling well!
4. Erica Lea 
   September 27th, 2012 at 9:32 am Moderate
   Rebecca: Ha! I did the same thing – I was wearing a pink hair tie on my pants…my little sister-in-law found it on the floor and gave it to me. I don’t think anyone was the wiser… :)
5. Erica Lea 
   September 27th, 2012 at 9:34 am Moderate
   Diana: Oh, I love A Beautiful Mess! Yes, I might have to make a belly band once I get bigger. :) Yeah, my midwife said that basically, if I was doing the exercises before pregnancy, I could do them during. I just don’t want to start a super-intense workout. :) Thank you for the tips!
6. Erica Lea 
   September 27th, 2012 at 9:35 am Moderate
   Megan: Daw….thanks! :D I’ve been feeling great, besides having a perpetual stuffy nose at night and some back pain. :)
7. Begoña 
   September 28th, 2012 at 10:24 am Moderate
   I did the rubber band thing for a few weeks, when my usual jeans were too tight but the maternity ones wouldn’t fit either. It was ok for a while but I had to stop at week 24-25 cause I was too big for that and I wasnt comfortable anymore. I work at an office so I spend long hours sitting at my desk, and once your belly starts growing, but like really really really growing, your old jeans are too highwaist, even if they are low waist and you are wearing them unbuttoned, it feels like someone is stabbing you in the stomach. Not good. Besides, eventually, they’ll make you a muffintop… I bought four pair of maternity jeans in different colours in H&M for 20€ each and the feeeeeeeeel so guuuuud. With the right top, nobody would tell they are maternity and I feel so comfortable on them. Best investment ever. You’re about to feel really uncomfortable most of the time so I highly suggest clothes that fit you well, clothes that are soft and flexible. xx from Spain
8. Carissa @ Pretty/Hungry 
   October 1st, 2012 at 4:25 pm Moderate
   My tip is to read Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth and The Everything Breastfeeding book. Both were incredibly helpful to me.
   Continue to enjoy your pregnancy!
   http://www.amazon.com/Ina-Mays-Guide-Childbirth-Gaskin/dp/0553381156/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349126672&sr=1-1&keywords=ina+may%27s+guide+to+childbirth
   http://www.amazon.com/Everything-Breastfeeding-Book-information-comfortable/dp/1440502188/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1349126622&sr=1-2&keywords=the+everything+breastfeeding+book
9. Kristen 
   October 2nd, 2012 at 5:21 pm Moderate
   You look adorable!
10. Heidi L 
    October 4th, 2012 at 4:35 pm Moderate
    I highly recommend a belly band! I was able to wear all but one of my regular pairs of pants using the belly band all the way up to the day I gave birth. I found it a lot easier to keep my pants up too. I did have two pairs of maternity pants, but didn’t like them as well. They were constantly slipping down and I had to keep pulling them up. And it was great for the post pregnancy shrinking too.
    Congratulations!
11. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com 
    October 9th, 2012 at 7:57 pm Moderate
    I am not a mama yet, but i think you are doing great! Radiantly beautiful :)
12. Laura Brown 
    October 17th, 2012 at 6:02 pm Moderate
    Congratulations! After having been there twice, I can tell you the rubber band thing works. You can also just try to find clothes a size up – or blouses with an empire waist, rather than spending money on actual maternity clothes. There are a lot of ways around spending money while pregnant and being a mommy. Go with cloth diapers – it saves a fortune. If you’re not already making your own laundry soap, start. It works wonders on dirty children’s clothes and diapers. Use regular white vinegar to get stains out. It’s safer than bleach and rinses clean. The smell has never been an issue for me either – it dissipates after rinses. Good luck!
13. Annalyn 
    October 18th, 2012 at 8:09 pm Moderate
    I did the rubber band thing for my entire pregnancy. My sister gave me her old jeans that were 1 size up from my normal size and they lasted me the whole nine months. I never could afford to buy myself a pair of maternity pants, lol. You look gorgeous! So much prettier than I did. I was never very radiant. I had pregnancy acne, haha. My tip to you is don’t skip exercising! You’ll regret it later. Exercise during pregnancy makes labor and recovery sooo much easier! It will also give you energy.
14. Marjorie 
    November 6th, 2012 at 4:26 pm Moderate
    I would recommend doing inversions and rebozo sifting (assuming you don’t have an anterior placenta) from spinning babies. Spinning babies techniques helped me in my pregnancy and I have had two spinal surgeries.
    http://spinningbabies.com/techniques/activities-for-fetal-positioning/rebozo-sifting
    http://spinningbabies.com/techniques/the-inversion
    Blessings!

We’re Expecting!

Hey, everyone! We’re expecting! :)

I’m almost 19 weeks along and due February 14, 2013.

I’ve been trying to take a “bump” photo every 4 weeks. At 11 weeks I wasn’t really showing at all, and there wasn’t much of a difference at 15 weeks. It’s only been in the last couple of weeks that my belly has “popped.”

It’s been a bit weird adjusting, both mentally and physically. Realizing we’re going to be parents. Accepting that I’m going to get HUGE. Having to use the bathroom about 10 times per day. Sorry, TMI. ;)

Over the past week I’ve also experienced something amazing: feeling my baby move. It feels strange to have someoneliving squirming around inside of me.

We’re excited about the adventure ahead!

Have an awesome day.

Erica Lea

24 Responses to We’re Expecting!

1. Rebecca in NC 
   September 17th, 2012 at 10:04 am Moderate
   Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you two!
2. Melissa // the faux martha 
   September 17th, 2012 at 10:40 am Moderate
   Congrats! You’ll be one beautiful momma!
3. Megan 
   September 17th, 2012 at 10:46 am Moderate
   Aw, Congrats that’s so exciting!!!
4. Kristen 
   September 17th, 2012 at 12:22 pm Moderate
   Kevin and I are so very happy for you!
5. Macu 
   September 17th, 2012 at 1:35 pm Moderate
   Conbgratulations. Enjoy every bit of the journey. It will not probably be perfect all the time, but it will be worth every moment.
6. Emily O. 
   September 17th, 2012 at 2:06 pm Moderate
   Congratulations! So happy for you. Your due date is exactly one year from when I had my little girl :)
7. Sara 
   September 17th, 2012 at 2:42 pm Moderate
   Congratulations! That’s wonderful. :)
8. Kathryn Grace 
   September 17th, 2012 at 5:58 pm Moderate
   CONGRATULATIONS!! So exciting! I love babies. :-)
9. Diane 
   September 17th, 2012 at 6:08 pm Moderate
   How exciting! Congratulations to you both. May you have a safe and healthy pregnancy and birth.
10. Rachel 
    September 17th, 2012 at 8:31 pm Moderate
    Yay! :) Congratulations!! Blessings to you and baby. :)
11. Marilyn 
    September 17th, 2012 at 9:22 pm Moderate
    Congratulations! What wonderful news! Your announcement photos are just lovely.
12. Moriah Mari 
    September 18th, 2012 at 7:48 am Moderate
    Congratulations to you both!! I can’t wait to see pictures of your little one! :)
13. Erica C 
    September 18th, 2012 at 8:31 am Moderate
    Congrats!!
14. Elizabeth 
    September 18th, 2012 at 8:35 am Moderate
    I’m thrilled for you and looking forward to hearing about your jounrey to motherhood!!
15. Anna 
    September 18th, 2012 at 11:01 am Moderate
    Aww! Congratulations to the two of you!
    Becoming a family is amazing, I loved being pregnant with Malva.
    I wish you all the best!
16. Begoña 
    September 18th, 2012 at 11:18 am Moderate
    I’ve been reading Cooking for seven for a while now and dont know why but I kind of knew you were pregnant. Congratulations!
    I’m pregnant with my first too, and there was no bump, not even a tiny one, until week 18-19. The first time I could feel her was at week 20 and now, that i’m on my 26 I feel huge! In the last couple of weeks it has grown a lot! It’s an amazing experience, isnt it? I know I’m not the first pregnant woman in the world but I kind of feel unique… I bet you know what i’m talking about. Anyway, congratulations!!!
17. Samantha Angela 
    September 18th, 2012 at 12:01 pm Moderate
    WOW! Congratulations!
18. Carissa @ Pretty/Hungry 
    September 18th, 2012 at 9:01 pm Moderate
    I remember feeling those same sensations of baby moving inside me (just a few months ago!) It is such a wonderful time… enjoy pregnancy and your new baby Erica! Congratulations to you both! Are you going to find out the gender or be surprised?
19. Kristina 
    September 18th, 2012 at 9:17 pm Moderate
    Totally thrilled for you, Erica! You look adorable.
    That first picture of all three of you is so beautiful.
20. Leanne Mc 
    September 18th, 2012 at 11:36 pm Moderate
    Yay! Exciting! Can’t be much other than a cute as cobbler baby in there! ;)
21. Jelli 
    September 19th, 2012 at 4:51 pm Moderate
    Congrats! Great photos. My belly didn’t show until about 5 months either. Enjoy that. It’ll probably mean that you’ll have a healthy pregnancy with a healthy weight gain. Don’t count on the millions of potty visits either, you may be one of those mamas who never notice that much. Cheers to a very very blessed pregnancy!
22. Erica Lea 
    September 19th, 2012 at 6:35 pm Moderate
    Thanks, everyone! :D
    Begoña: I know what you mean! It’s so exciting to me, but I’m sure everyone else this it’s just normal. :)
    Carissa: We’re not planning on finding out the gender unless we need to have an ultrasound, which isn’t likely. :)
23. Sereina Charise 
    September 19th, 2012 at 9:27 pm Moderate
    How exciting! Congratulations!
24. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com 
    October 9th, 2012 at 7:55 pm Moderate
    Congrats you two!! This is soooo exciting!!!!

Easy Elegant Updo or Half Updo Tutorial

Time for another hair tutorial! It’s been a little while, hasn’t it.

Inspired by a photo on Pinterest (which I can no longer find), I decided to recreate this elegant updo.

Watch the video below for the directions:

August Birchbox 2012

I’m super excited to finally be subscribed to Birchbox!

I received my first box last week. Here’s what I got:

DDF Brightening Cleanser | LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst | Dr. Jart + Waterfuse BB Cream | Larabar uber Apple Turnover | Viva la Juicy la Fleur perfume

My total box value is around $27. That’s pretty good considering I only paid $10, shipping included.

I can’t wait to see what comes in my next box!

Watch the video below for more info.

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Baby Susan Update

It’s hard to believe that little Susan is almost three months old already. The rate at which babies grow and mature is just amazing.

This little doll just started smiling in the last few weeks. I can’t wait to see how her personality develops.

“For You, O Lord, have made me glad by what You have done,
I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands.”

~ Psalm 92:4

3 Responses to Baby Susan Update

1. Kathryn Grace 
   August 1st, 2012 at 12:38 pm Moderate
   What an adorable, chubby little girlie!
2. Emily O. 
   August 1st, 2012 at 2:20 pm Moderate
   She is so sweet! Absolutely adorable!
3. Moriah Mari 
   August 1st, 2012 at 7:59 pm Moderate
   Sweetness!