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Thursday, August 21, 2014

The hormonal ups + downs of a 35-week pregnant working momma

By our glowing guest blogger CarlaValencia de Martinez


BohoJulia asked me to write a post while she’s busy taking care of a newborn. Sadly, if you were thinking you were done with the rantings of a hormonal pregnant lady, you’re not. I’m right behind Julia with just 5 weeks to go before we get to meet our baby girl, Carlota Paz Martinez. (And I think the double girl hormones REALLY jack you up.)


SO rather than share with you how uncomfortable it’s getting combined with the idea of getting one more ultrasound (I’ve had about six) I decided to share some of the things I’m loving from nesting, to cooking (which means eating), to decorating and everything in between.

eat
One word: beans
Yes, the simple, unassuming pinto bean cooked in a slow cooker is one of my favorites and it’s SO easy to make. This basic recipe becomes the base for refried beans, chili, bean soup and so much more.

What you need
A slow cooker
4 cups of pinto beans (picked through and washed with water – no need to presoak, the crock’s going to do that for you)
chicken stock or just plain old water
half a yellow onion
3 (or more) garlic cloves
Tbsp. of salt

Instruction
Put the rinsed beans in the slow cooker and cover with water. I like mine soupy to start so I cover with about 2 inches of water or chicken stock. Throw in the onion and garlic, cover and set on high. As soon as the beans start to cook or you smell them (this takes hours), add the salt and continue to cook. I either set this all up before I go to work or at night before I go to sleep. By the time I get home from work or wake up my beans are close to ready, if not ready.

My favorite way to eat them is in a bowl with whole grain rice, chopped avocado, tomato, Mexican sour cream and homemade hot sauce with warm tortillas.

nest
I’ve been in a mad dash to organize my entire house (don’t worry I won’t show you everything). Here’s a peek of Carlota’s room. I especially love the canopy over her crib which was inspired by a pinterest image I found that reminded me I had this inexpensive IKEA canopy I had used when Pascual was a newborn. I remade it into a girly version with gold glitter feathers and pom poms (which I am obsessed with). I also found www.lwphsews.com on instagram and LOVE the quilts, swaddles, crib sheets and more this mom of two hand makes. And the peace sign given to Carlota by a group of lovely ladies makes me smile daily. www.vintagemarqueelights.com


read
My first birth experience involved pitocin, epidurals, episiotomy and more – oh my! And I really had no idea what was going on. It wasn't a bad experience, but it just wasn’t even like I did anything, if that makes sense. So this time, I wanted to educate myself and just finished reading Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth.  May is probably this country’s best known midwife having delivered thousands of babies along with her partners at their compound in Tennessee called The Farm.  It’s basically a hippie’s guide to natural birth, and it was a great read with true birth stories, explanations for everything I did the first time I gave birth and realistic goals for someone like me who wants to have a natural birth in a hospital.


Image via Gabriella Nissen, Art Director at 002 Magazine
wear
Who am I kidding? I’m not wearing much of anything exciting except my de petra. (Does that count?) I’m basically spending tons of time in my bedroom of late so in essence I’m wearing my room. I am so in love with this mirror I had custom made by Gino Vian www.themerchanthouston.com and I get to stare at it every day for a long time from my bed rest vantage point. Speaking of bed rest, I love the rustic simplicity of my super soft www.parachute.com bedding that only gets better with every wash. 

I’m not going to lie, this bed rest thing is NOT easy!  I like being lazy by choice in most cases, but I’m not very good at it anyway… it has been made so much easier thanks to my girlfriends and family who pick up my co-op on Tuesdays and bring it over; take Paz on playdates; bring me flowers, a hardback book with a handwritten note inside and dinners, or just stop by to sit in my bed with me.  Thank you; you all know who you are.  I love you so much that now I am crying uncontrollably – but I am beyond happy and full of love.

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Pick up a copy of 002 Magazine to see more of Carla's work and our favorite section, her monthly list of favorite things!  Follow her instagram here: http://instagram.com/valencarla 


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