Wednesday, March 28, 2012

fourteen.


How far along? 14 Weeks
Maternity clothes? Got some hand-me-downs from my Sis-in-Law. Yay free clothes to borrow!
Sleep: Ugh. Not so full of sleep this week. Notice it in my eyes in this pic. I could curl up and take a nap-no problem.

Best moment this week: Working out to a Pregnancy Workout Video. Super creepy voice over, but the workout included 2 moves where you laid on giant pillows. [ MY kinda workout!!]
Miss Anything? Sleeping through the night without getting up to pee. Haha i know "get used to it". But I'm still allowed to miss it right?
Movement: Every so often I feel a flutter. I'm told its too early. But I think our baby is just super advanced...
Food cravings: Cereal and fruit.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling full of blessings this week!
Have you started to show yet: Yes-although most people say I'm not. There's still plenty of time for that.
Gender prediction: Pink, tutus, and ruffles. The hubs won't relent. He calls for snips and snails and puppy dog tails.

Looking forward to: Hearing our little Lemon's heartbeat again next week!

“I have loved you with an everlasting love..." Jeremiah 39:3

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

thirteen.

Happy First day of Spring!

And happy 2nd Trimester!!


How far along? 13 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 5 lbs
Maternity clothes? A work dress and work skirt
Sleep: Sleeping great and having VERY weird dreams. Last night:  God was a woman and was throwing thunder and lightning at our house last night. (And we really did have a Thunderstorm in real life.) Weirdo.

Best moment this week: Happy 2nd Trimester!! 
Have you told family and friends: Yes and work now too!
Miss Anything? I was really craving a margarita this weekend. Sigh. Only 27 more weeks to go! Haha.
Movement: Wishin and hopin.
Food cravings: Mangos and Italian.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling great this week!
Have you started to show yet: A little bump which gets much bigger at the end of the day!
Gender prediction: Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice.
Advice: Don't be ashamed to take naps. Or to eat what seems like ever HOUR. This lil bean is a miracle and it needs a) rest and b) food. So yes, help yourself to that McGriddle sandwich at 10:00am. And don't be ashamed one bit.


"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17




Monday, March 19, 2012

Droolworthy

I needed to share 2 things with you that will change your week.

Possibly even your life. {If you choose to fall in lurve with these foods and make them all the time moving forward.}

It's possible people.

Customizable Breakfast Bread Bowls {from perfecting the pairing]: 


I made mine with red bell pepper, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. And it was YUMMY!

No Bake, Chewy Granola Bars {from back to the cutting board}:

If you have a husband (or children) who are as obsessed with granola bars as my hubs is, you will be A-mazed. These are delicious, no preservatives, and very easy to make! And....they are much cheaper than the Quaker Oats version.

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1

Saturday, March 17, 2012

twelve.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


And Lucky You! You get a 12.5 week update on the bean!



How far along? 12.5 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 5 lbs. Eek. I'm starting to not like this question. 
Maternity clothes? Not yet- but I ordered some for work.
Stretch marks? None (:
Sleep: Yes, if you exclude a) waking up randomly at 4 am the other night and being wide awake, and b) waking up the other night in a cold sweat. Which is w.e.i.r.d.
Best moment this week: Starting to have little spurts of energy (which I've heard the 2nd trimester brings along with it.) Yippie! 
Miss Anything? I had a pretty strong hankerin for a margarita and a bloody mary this week. I made up for it with a virgin bloody mary. Yum!
Movement: Not yet.
Food cravings: Carbs, carbs carbs. I had pickle chips, french fries, and a baked potato for dinner last night. 
Anything making you queasy or sick: seafood, and chicken at dinner time 
Have you started to show yet: I'm beginning to think yes. there is definitely a bump I can't hide esp in work clothes.
Gender prediction: I've had 2 dreams about the baby being a girl (man she's cute). And then one about it being a boy! But I was calling the baby Grant or Ethan which I know two baby's named...so therefore it HAD to have been a dream ab holding someone elses baby...right?? (:
Labor Signs: Too early
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy with teeny tiny bursts of moody. Bless my dear husband.
Looking forward to: Feeling the baby move and seeing another ultrasound!

"Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God." Philippians 1:3

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

mango salsa

Hello 80 degree weather.

Where have you been all winter long?

Please please please don't go. I promise to appreciate you!!!


Did anyone else notice all the mango's at the grocery store this week? No? Just the crazy pregnant lady? Well, they called hollered my name.

So I brought one home. And named it. [Ok, so I didn't name it, I ate it].

Into a fresh, tangy springy salsa!


Grab a whole grain tortilla and join me. We can eat it outside while we are fanning ourselves and drinking lemonade.


mango salsa
1 ripe mango, diced
1/4 cup diced tomato
1/4 cup diced red onion
1 tbsp diced jalepeno
1/4 cup diced red pepper
1 lime, juiced
3 tsp sugar
2 tsp salt
dash pepper
1 garlic clove, minced

Add all ingredients in a bowl, mix and let the flavors marinate. Serve and enjoy!

"make every effort to add to your faith goodness..." 2 Peter 1:5

Monday, March 12, 2012

sausage kale orecchiette

With St. Patty's day quickly approaching, I want to make a shout out to greens.

#collards, #mustard greens, #turnip greens, #kale, #broccoli rabe

As a glorified country gal, I ain't scared of no greens.

And as a now glorified pregnant gal, greens combine the perfect source of nutrients and yumminess to feed hungry growing lil baby beans.

One of my favorites, kale, in fact, is a great source of calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamins A & C and fiber.


Which I why I have introduced it to my good friends, pasta and sausage.

They get along just dandy.

And you won't feel ashamed of making yourself another heaping bowlful...because you're probably low in Vitamin A...of course.

This pasta is rich and delicious with crispy pieces of sausage immersed in a garlic white wine sauce which has been kissed with the flavor of kale.


sausage kale orecchiette
1/2 lb orecchiette pasta, cooked and drained according to package directions
3 cups chopped and rinsed kale
16 oz. italian sausage
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 cup chicken broth + 1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup white wine
1 tbsp. cornstarch
Salt and pepper, to taste
Dash nutmeg
Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Slice sausage into 1'' pieces, and sauté for 6-7 minutes on medium heat until browned and crispy. Remove sausage, and drain most of grease. Add onions to the pan, and sauté until translucent.

Immerse minced garlic in 2 tbsp of evoo and let sit while kale is cooking.

In a separate pan, add 1/4 cup chicken broth and 1/4 cup water, and kale, bring to a boil. Cook until kale is tender and wilted, about 7 minutes.

Add evoo and garlic mixture to the sausage pan, cooking 1-2 minutes until garlic has browned. Add kale (with any reserved juices), remaining chicken broth and wine. Turn heat up to high and reduce liquid to half over 3-4 minutes. Add red pepper flakes, nutmeg, and salt & pepper. Remove 1 cup liquid and add 1 tbsp cornstarch in a small bowl. Mix until creamy, and return to sauce. This should make the sauce light brown and creamy. If it is still too liquidy, continue cooking to reduce, or repeat cornstarch method.

Add pasta to sauce, serve with parmesan cheese for garnish.

“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises..." 2 Peter 1:4





Saturday, March 10, 2012

Eleven.

Where have I BEEN all your life?

Ok, well the past week or so.

Let's just say I've been napping. A lot.

That's what happens when you're 11 weeks pregnant.

So I borrowed this idea from littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com. Because its cute. And fun. And I think know some of you are curious.



How far along? 11 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 3.5 lbs 
Maternity clothes? Not yet- but I ain't scared.
Stretch marks? No-Praise the Lord
Sleep: Yes, all the time.
Best moment this week: hearing our sweet little bean's heartbeat!
Have you told family and friends: Yes-it has been so fun sharing the news with the people we love!
Miss Anything? Eating Feta cheese without nary a worry. I can still eat it, but only if I know if it's pasteurized or not. So...when my catered lunches show up I just stare longingly at the salads covered in feta.
Movement: Don't think so yet.
Food cravings: Everything bagel + egg + Scallion cream cheese + bacon. Yes i know. Weird but delicious.
Anything making you queasy or sick: seafood
Have you started to show yet: Its either a) yes or b) I just look like I've eaten too many french fries. Which I have.
Gender prediction: I say Girl. Hubs says Boy.
Labor Signs: Nada-Praise the Lord.
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy but sleepy.
Looking forward to: Feeling the baby move and seeing another ultrasound!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

Don't worry, I'll be back to cooking and DIY'ing in no time. When I'm done napping, of course.