Homemade Deodorant

We ran out of deodorant and each time I went to the store I forgot to restock our shelves. I blame it on the pregnancy brain. After commenting several times on smelling "something funky" every time my husband walked into the room I decided to try and  make my own pronto. We have been using it for a couple weeks now and I am impressed it works so well! It was better than any store bought natural deodorant. I have to reapply Tom's several times a day during the summer and at least twice in the cooler months if I want to combat body odor. I feel fresh all day with this deodorant!

After looking up several ways to make deodorant, I created one using only what I had in my cupboards.

Ingredients:

• Corn starch
• Baking soda
• Coconut oil
• Essential oils (I used lavender for smell and its antimicrobial and antifungal properties, Oregano for its antibacterial properties)
• An empty container to be filled with your new deodorant (preferably glass because essential oils can break down plastic)

Directions

1. Combine equal parts corn starch and baking soda. I used 3/4 cup of each to fill up the jar.
2. Add essential oils. I used 8 drops lavender and 4 drops of oregano.
3. Add 4 tablespoons of coconut oil. My oil was already liquid and easy to mix with dry ingredients, but it will set to the consistency of deodorant after a day.
4. Mix or mush all of the ingredients together to form a silky paste. 
5. Place in container (if you didn't mix ingredients in it) and let it set for a day. * I actually used mine right away but after a day its the texture of deodorant from the store.

21 Weeks & Ultrasound Update

Jacob was craving some soul food so Friday we headed on over to Lo-Lo's Chicken and Waffles for their soul food platter. It was the best southern fried chicken we had ever had. The Cooke's really know great food and always are awesome company. 

 I am pretty sure my child was competing for space with a food baby.

The staff was excellent and were more than happy to take a picture with me.

Today's Update

 Today, we had the fetal echo and level 2 ultrasound to make sure baby was healthy. Everything looks good so far but because of her positioning and movement we need have a follow up in 2 weeks to get pictures of everything they didn't get today. A little bummed the 4D didn't work out this trip since she wouldn't cooperate, but it was still nice to see what we did.

There was so much going on at appointment today. She likes to have her hands by her face.She stays low and curls up even though she has the room to stretch. I love the picture of her foot! It was so cute to see her legs crossed. I am pretty sure she's going to be super active with all the squirming she's does. And she's a whopping pound. No more being just ounces in weight.

We are getting more and more done on the nursery but its not quite ready for the big reveal. I will post pictures as soon as its looking more fantastic than it already does. :)

Crazy Pregnancy Dreams

I have been having trouble sleeping. I get a few hours of night and then do the one thing I shouldn’t to get through the next day. I need at least one (preferably large) caffeinated beverage to help not be a total crank. I am not sure if it even helps manage that. The reasons for the sleeplessness are the pregnancy, racing thoughts of what I want to do in near and far future, and lastly the weird pregnancy dreams.

I believe the baby is super active all the time. It’s worse at night! I dream that she is kicking me. Also, I am a back and stomach sleeper. I am still sleeping on my stomach most of the night. I always start on my side but manage to flip myself over. It is getting slightly uncomfortable and that’s when I dream/feel the baby’s kicks the most.

Jacob’s birthday is coming up and I am trying to think of ways to surprise him. I think I have the perfect gift in mind and at night the details are replayed over and over in mind. It feels like a broken record. I am hoping once I share my ideas with another person than it won’t keep me awake. I am also constantly thinking of what I need and want to do. Usually I am so tired during the day that I find it hard to accomplish some of the simplest tasks which are frustrating to say the least.

Lastly, my newest reoccurring (did I mention crazy) pregnancy dream is of Jacob cheating on me (HA, like he has the time). I read that dreams that involve cheating during pregnancy are related to the feeling or experience of being cheated out of something. I really really feel cheated that I can’t eat my favorite sushi rolls so maybe that’s where the dream manifests itself from. Jacob and I got a few cooked rolls the other week for date night and I really wished that we could have ordered something not cooked. But I was still grateful we could order what we did. I couldn’t imagine not eating any sushi for a whole nine months.

This particular dream also conjures up other stuff for me and I have been hearing that little voice slyly ask, “What’s wrong with you? ” a little too loudly. I know that is the anxiety talking of not being in control of the future and the significant new changes coming our way. I know what the voice is implying is wrong. Still it has the power to bring me to a dark place that I haven’t visited in a long time where I feel hopeless, confused, and not worthy. Although, when I get there I am reminded how far I have come and how much trust I have put in God for the things I can’t control. It brings me back to feeling joy about the new things Jacob and I will be experiencing and I forget about the voice for a while.

On the hand, Jacob’s dreams are of the protective nature. He dreamt that he punched a guy for touching my shoulder. I know who to call if you’re in a bar fight. On a serious note, I find his protectiveness enduring and know that I may have competition as a protective parent.

Happy Dreaming!

What is your craziest dream? 

Easy Tomato Soup

After watching a cooking show, I was craving grilled cheese.The winner had melted the cheese to perfection.  Tomato soup is a perfect compliment to gooey cheese and toasted bread. Being on a budget I wanted to make a tomato soup that was delicious and already had ingredients in the pantry. After browsing several recipes, I decide to come up with one of my own.

Tomato Soup

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 celery stalk finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons whole wheat white flour
• 8 oz can of Tomato Sauce
• Can of Water
• Seasonings (I used a pinch of salt, pepper, sugar, basil, paprika, and garlic powder)

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and celery cook till onion is translucent. Add flour; stir to form a smooth paste. Gradually add tomato sauce and water, stirring constantly; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Add seasonings. 

19 Weeks

At 19 weeks its pretty hard to hide the belly. Me and Jacob are doing more around the house. I believe we are both nesting. :) I am craving fruit especially of the tropical variety. The baby is now the size of a mango so mangoes are the mind and could be the reason for the cravings. I am grateful for the extra energy these days especially when hanging around a super active three old more often. 

 Raleigh wanted to be in the picture, too. How can I say "no" to that cute face?

 She is always talking about growing up and having a baby in her belly.

Oh snap! This is definitely an indication that this little miss needs a nap.

16 Weeks

 Jacob has been very good to me and baby. He makes sure we eat well and massages all my aches and pains away. He couldn't be more excited to have a little one.

Baby Paskett can hear now! Tiny ear bones are in place as of this week. This is Daddy Paskett talking to his little princess. I am laughing because in the process he is tickling me.

I have been craving sweet and sour candies, mangoes, and strawberries. Jessica brought me Zours to ease the sweet and sour craving and I went and loaded our fridge with yummy fruit. Jacob and I made fresh juice the other day and it was perfect. Fresh juice does not compare to anything bought at the store. 

My rings are barely fitting since my hands, feet, and face are already swelling. My mom tells me "Just wait!" whenever I tell her of this fact. 

15 Weeks

I had a specialist appointment and was surprised that they did an ultrasound at the consultation. I was lucky to find out the gender of our baby girl so early on in the pregnancy. My friend at Ashley Elaine Photography agreed to take my 15 week baby bump pictures. Jacob and I were so excited that we immediately narrowed down her name.