Baby Kosi's Sprinkle + Cool Modern Mom Newborn Stuff

my sweet sorority sisters threw Kosi & i a Baby Sprinkle (isn't that adorable?!)unisex decor :)i think i had about 36 of those cheese cubes and even took some to-go for my boys. we looooove us some cheese.yes you are, baby Kosi.heeeey, baby Nat! my niece, Natalie is as obsessed with balloons as Dego.lil' bit of everything, please. hard at work making play-doh babies!  i told my hostesses i'm not really a game person, buuuut this one ALWAYS always turns out hilarious.my mom has been referring to baby Kosi as "she" and "her" since we found out we were expecting, haha.  i dunno, Mommy... we shall see ;) my gorgeous, talented, sisters-in-love. grandma Willie!  at my age she was already 9 kids in, y'all.  she had 12 total and doesn't have to worry about me attempting to break her record :Dopening our unisex gifts.love you ladies dearly!! grateful for your presence and love. #SkeeWeei have been eyeing this Skip Hop diaper bag for weeks and snagged it using the Sprinkle gift cards i received!  also, the Ergo Infant Carrier Insert (center) is a great newborn item until baby is plump enough to fill out the car seat solo.

gimmie all the compartments!!!

love everything about this bag, especially the size and and the cuteness factor.

what i'm bringing to the hospital this time around:

• cozy, comfy, cute postpartum lounging clothes (for pictures! hair is already done, woo hoo)

• nursing camisoles (instead of just nursing bras for visitors, guests, etc.)

• socks with the grips underneath

• my toiletries / ID's 

• portable snacks, games, etc. for my 5 & 2-year-old while they wait with family

• car seat & unisex newborn outfit for heading home

• granny panties

• breast pads / Lasinoh nipple cream

• phone & laptop chargers

• Thank You cards/gifts for the nurses & caregivers 

• Sonny's bag cause he always waits till the very, very last second to pack!

then there's this amazing product taking social media by storm: the Milk Snob 2 in 1 infant car seat / nursing cover. i need it in like 5 more patterns!! this one is Milky Stripe.

share your fave, most useful baby item below.

K E E P   U P   W I T H   U S !

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8th month recap

group B-strep test is up next, guys.  HEY FIT FOODIES!  i'm gonna get in as much last minute preggo blogging as i can these last few weeks (or days, that's cool too).  my 8th month has whizzed on by

*bloop*

and i'm knocking on week 36 in like 2 days, praise God!

O_o :P   >:( :'( :| #flipacoin

early AM workout classes & breakfast:

so, getting up at 4:15am to teach my classes is only getting rougher.  but i'm hanging in there! that's my automatic answer for my gym members every time they ask me how baby and i are doing, lol.  that's really all i can say though, seriously.  sure i'd rather get those extra hours of sleep but i feel good after i get on up and most days and the urge to workout is still strong.

mmhmmm, don't forget that. aim to move every single day, even if it's just walking around your hood.

i am asked how i am still doing HIIT training  this late in the game.  modifications! lighter dumbbells, monitoring my heart rate, using my knees instead of toes for pushups...just a few examples. see vid below!  plus i'm doing way more coaching/encouraging/motivating and 'working' the group exercise room more. the classes are NOT about me anyway- it's all about the members!  i'll do a quick demo of a high intensity/plyometric move though, then quickly modify it just so i can keep moving with the members.

[wpvideo lBg6kZRN]

 eating, on the other hand.... i know my appetite is flaky cause baby boy is growing rapidly and fattening up for his grand exit/entrance, but after breakfast and a small lunch (even after working out), i could honestly be done for the day.  the rest of my meals are pretty much forced since i'm still very active,  so WE need those cals and nutrients to keep coming. and they shall.  so i have my pre workout snack (usually banana w/ peanut butter) on the way to the gym, then tackle my real breakfast afterwards as usual.

here are some breakfasts i've been rotating (clockwise starting from the top L):

1. spinach, tomato, and mushroom scramble (1 whole egg, 2 egg whites) with strawberries and blueberries

2.  4 egg whites over a whole wheat english muffin & topped with homemade guacamole w/ blackberries & a halo

3. spinach & mushroom egg scramble taco (La Tortilla Factory 80 cal light low carb, high fiber flour tortilla) w/ shredded part-skim mozzarella & pineapple salsa w/ berries

4. plain greek yogurt with strawberries & blueberries and dribbled with maple syrup (also a great post-workout snack)

individual workouts & lunch/dinner:

i have been enjoying taking classes to the fullest these last few weeks!  why?

1. i'm not up there teaching so i can stop at any time :P
2.  i get ideas and inspiration for new moves i can use later in my own classes and just experiencing another instructor's style, music, and motivational sayings
3.  group fitness is FUN and keeps me motivated!  i look forward to it. period.

i do a combo of the following every week:

• TKB - turbo kickboxing
• Zumba
• Barbell Strength (Lifetime Fitness signature formatted class)
• Step (don't knock it lol! keeps my heart rate nice and steady... great cardio workout vs. the boring treadmill and elliptical)
• Weights - since i'm not lifting crazy heavy, i'll do a full body workout in one day most times using basic exercises for each muscle group. 3-4 sets of 12 does the trick. looking forward to getting back to my postpartum 6 Pack USA workouts though.

lunches and dinners (starting clockwise from top L):

1. homemade Chipotle inspired salad (i cut the chicken into chunks and marinated it in Weber Kick n' Chicken seasoning blend)
2. Kick n' Chicken pan seared chicken breast with pan roasted brussels sprouts and grilled pineapple
3. pan seared whiting (cheaper than tilapia at Walmart right now so i gave it a try) grilled squash, and fresh coleslaw
4. salmon & avocado deviled eggs sprinkled with sweet & smokey paprika and black pepper with raw sugar snap peas and sliced roma tomatoes on the side.

the bump and i will be walking down the aisle in my brother's wedding this weekend! can't wait to party and celebrate gaining another sister. fun times ahead. and cake.

-----> if you are preggo and need help with staying on track (or starting) a healthier workout and nutrition regiment for you and your little bundle-to-be, please check out www.pregnantnotpowerless.com and sign up!  even if you're not preggo but know a woman who is, please tell her about this awesome program created by one of my inspirations and fellow fit mom @babyfatboss on IG. follow herrrrrr! <------

Esprit de She Katy 5/10K - Fit Foodie Finishers

snapping pics at the stop light and headed to meet the ladies who signed up to brave the Esprit de She 5 & 10K races with me last night! great times.  it did NOT rain on our parade either, thank God.

no sunshine, but it wasn't unbearably humid either as this SOLD OUT crowd of  gorgeous, fit, ladies gathered in anticipation and excitement. just look at that turn out! there was plenty to do, too. Zumba, healthy snack samples, Yoga, and chair massages & manicures were provided by Lifetime Fitness Lifespa.  this event totally catered to the She.

i arrived early, headed to packet pickup, and ran smack into my friend Alexia and her hubby (he came for support, how sweet!). she is 1 week ahead of me @ 36 weeks preggo and was down to pound the pavement regardless. LOVES IT!  the shirts were a gorgeous purple color this year; it's definitely one of my fave race tanks (racerback always rules in my world) that i will be hitting the gym in for sure.  also, because i registered early (big surprise there :o ), i was able to personalize my bib. coolness.

the Esprit de She ambassadors got a group email going a few days before the race and decided to meet up for a pre-race photo under the Athleta tent.  did it happen? i couldn't tell ya lol, but i was there and looking around for the other ladies. Landi found me, and then we somehow found Jennifer.  nice meeting you gals <3

my friend Eshé (top L) has been taking my gym classes since i started teaching at 24 HF eons ago! she is now a Lifetime member and is training for another triathlon later this year.  she showed the 10k who was boss last night!!! so proud of her and she looks fantastic.   Alexia and i (top R) received SO MUCH bump love!! i was truly proud to represent for the fit preggo moms out there with her, you already know.  way to GO, Alexia.  we ran into my crazy-sock wearing fitness buddies Ros (Zumba instructor extraordinaire)and Karen on the way to the start line (bottom L pic) :) lastly, i finally got a pic with my Soror, Ayesha!  she's a fellow Coog, blogger, and Esprit de She Ambassador as well.

before and after!

as Alexia and i wrapped up our final mile, a woman who was driving by in her truck slowed down (and shouted over a/her child in the passenger seat) 'you're pregnant? and running? why??' and sped off! my response? why NOT!? :?: i should have shouted to her to follow me on Instagram. lol. if she only knew :P

i know a lot of mommies-to-be that aren't able to run at this stage of the game as the weight and pressure of the fetus is pretty high.  however, we used common sense, checked on each other constantly, and alternated between jogging (when we felt like it) and power-walking to get through the 5k.  mission accomplished!

post-race, you KNOW what i was lookin' for and where i can always be found- by the fuel!  believe it or not, the line on the right was for the free bubbly LOL!  i was so happy to just walk right up and get my southwest chicken wrap(S) and salad that were provided by the always healthy and delicious Lifetime Cafe.

i had a rockin' time and hope to return next year. with or without a baby bump ;)

HAPPY EARLY MOTHERS' DAY <3

le