Holiday Loving // Celebrating The Holiday v. 01

Every hipster-like crafter mom or Martha-Stewart wannabe out there is of course born for the holidays with recipes, crafts and what have you. But did you know that I can see the smirk on your face when I say that I am literally born for the holidays?

[ c/o Seattle Times ]

No, no..its true I tell you. Let's just start with my name: Melanie Leann King or MLK for short. Kind of ironic for the MLK, but get this... I am the Junior of our family. Its kind of a joke / real relation to my immediate families' dynamic. My dad and I are extremely close you see, and we share a lot of things in common: our love for horses, kindred nature to living and loving life, our natural ability to pull pranks, the awareness of how a child should be raised (and this is no joke after I had Zak!), our unwilling ability to never turn down an argument, and the list can go on for days.

I could go on in other realms including Valentine's Day and even Halloween, but I will save that for another time. Just know that I want to spread my joy for the holidays, even if that means pulling a prank on you!

Staying Healthy // Pregnancy v. 01

What a way to introduce Staying Healthy by simply saying the sex of a baby, or well.. the sex of a baby I'd rather have by the end of the year!

Honestly, staying healthy should be a major priority for every woman who is either pregnant or wants to become pregnant. For me, I want to be able to exercise through my next pregnancy and to eat all the right foods, for what? Yes you guessed it, a girl!

[ c/o Johnny In A Dress ]

Ah-ha, now you see where I am getting at with the title. Ever since I made up my mind about wanting a baby girl rather than a wedding in 2013, I knew that I had to make "this" pregnancy different because A) I had a boy and uh-duh, I'm sure you know that, B) my last pregnancy was anything but healthy even though it resulted in a healthy baby, and C) I want a baby girl so that only means eating the "right" foods with enough exercise.

Even though it is understood through my resolutions to become healthier through #11 Stick With Daily Routine and #13 Take Better Care Of Myself, the same requirements will be sought even if I have a baby. Starting in mid-February (when we get our taxes and purchase the treadmill off Jordan's hands), I will want to exercise at least five days a week and even if I have a baby, it will not stop me from wanting to exercise through two hours of treadmill, yoga and weights (as well as with swimming once a week, just because our family consists of mermaids, no joke!) until the precious baby arrives. Fourty pounds will NEED to come off me this year, no matter what!

As far as nutrition is concerned, I will follow a baby-girl only diet even while I am during the conception phase. You never know when you conceive so its better to do it right than never, especially when a baby girl is involved. I will do whatever it takes, even if it means drinking a lot of pomegranate cranberry juice (I used to dislike cranberries up until Thanksgiving when I consumed myself of some cranberry jellies).

Now that I got my plan down, can the baby just hop in my uterus already?! Just saying.