Apple Pie Parfait

Last week, we were blessed to see our little bean blossom from a teeny little blob on a 6 week ultrasound into a kicking, wriggling baby at our 18 week ultrasound!

It was more than beautiful. 

It makes the entire pregnancy seem more real and tangible. 

Little feet kicking away and a little face nuzzling up against me. Precious doesn't even begin to describe it.

And it makes me completely sympathetic when I   baby finds itself craving things like apple pies.

I mean, why would baby NOT crave a warm and crunchy, cinnamon-y apple pie?

I have completely underestimated the magnificence of the creation of the apple pie. 

Until now.

Ever since the little bean has graced my womb, I had never longingly drooled at the thought of crunchy and crispy pie crust and warm apples dancing in my mouth. 

Longingly... as in morning, noon, and night.

And I will admit, pregnant or not, it is completely inappropriate to have an apple pie as an afternoon snack. 

So baby and I made a compromise.

Because, at 2 in the afternoon, it is completely, 100% appropriate to have an apple pie parfait. 

So far, we make a pretty great team.

Pregnant or not, you will not be disappointed. It is creamy and crunchy and full of all of the important things you or baby need in your life [like dairy and fruit and maybe even a little butter]. 

Apple Pie Parfait

1 apple, sliced into 1/2" cubes

1 tbsp butter

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tbsp brown sugar

2/3 cup vanilla yogurt (I used Greek)

1/4 cup granola

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, and saute apples, cinnamon, and sugar until apples have a slight cinnamon-sugar glaze on the outside and have lost a little bit of their bite. (I left mine slightly firm but soft on the outside.) 

Layer yogurt, granola, apples. Repeat. Eat.

Makes 2 small or one large parfait.

"All beautiful you are, my darling; there is no flaw in you." Song of Soloman 4:7

eighteen.

How far along? 18.5 weeks

Sleep: Yes, sleep is my friend. It is however, not my husband's friend. I have begun sleep-kicking him, and sleep-smacking-him-in-the-face. Oopsie. It makes me giggle every time I think about it! 
Best moment this week: Seeing our baby move around on the ultrasound! And getting 2- 3D pics for free-thank you amazing Ultrasound Tech!!
Miss Anything? sleeping through the night & sleeping in on the weekend. I think it's God's way of preparing me for our little bundle-of-joy-to-be! 
Movement: Very soft, still very questionable movement. But I learned my placenta is on the anterior side (facing my stomach) so it will take me a little longer to feel legitimate movement.
Food cravings: Apple pie 
Have you started to show yet: Yes the belly has popped! I've had several people ask about my growing belly.
Gender prediction: To be revealed next week....
Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: No

Looking forward to: Sharing the news of our baby's sex!

" Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." John 13:34

Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

With baby on the brain, it should come as no surprise to you that I love teeny, itsy-bitsy little miniature things. 

Little baby versions of life.

And these little baby bites of heaven will make your heart swoon.

Just like my heart swoons every time I hear the little lub-lub-lub of our sweet mini McWonderful every time we visit the doctor. 

And this little bean of ours has done something magical. Above and beyond all the warm and mooshy things this little bean has brought to our life already, I think that this very random thing must be mentioned.

This evening...this very evening, me and my husband simultaneously had a craving for domino's pepperoni pizza. 

Normally I would not get giddy over domino's pizza for dinner. Domino's pizza for a late night snack? 

Yes. Always and forever.

But for dinner? No way. 

This little bean has found a way to make our cravings unite. 

Unite so much that last night, when we stopped to enjoy these savory and adorable stuffed mini bell peppers, my husband doused them in hot sauce. Just like dinner every night. 

And I, too, went for it. And it was delish. 

Thank you little bean, for spicing up our dinners. We love you already.

Stuffed Mini Bell peppers

adapted from Cooking Light

4 mini bell peppers, halved lengthwise and seeds removed

1/3 cup cream cheese

2 Tbsp sour cream

3 Tbsp diced shallot

3 Tbsp diced green onion

2 Tbsp lime juice

2 Tbsp Cilantro

Dash, hot sauce to taste (not shown)

Combine cream cheese, sour cream, shallot, green onion, lime juice, and cilantro in a small bowl. Fill mini bell peppers with cheese and place on a baking sheet. 

Broil on HIGH for 3-5 minutes until cheese starts to brown on top.

Serve with dash of hot sauce, if desired. 

"Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, all you who remain in Israel. I have cared for you since you were born. Yes I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime..." Isaiah 46:3-4

seventeen.

How far along? 17 weeks

Sleep: Still loving my sleep!
Best moment this week: Finding out the baby can hear loud noises! How fast our lil bean is growing already!
Miss Anything? Not this week-enjoying every second with my turnip.
Movement: Maaaybe a little kick. But I still can't be sure. It feels like tugging on the inside...
Food cravings: Salt & Vinegar potato chips.
Have you started to show yet: I have officially had 2 people while I was working ask if I was expecting. So I do believe so!
Gender prediction: Still team pink! We will know in a week (: .
Belly Button: In

Stretch Marks: No

Looking forward to: Finding out if our lil bean is pink or blue!!

"Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone." Psalm 33:22

Remember when I said I DIY'ed my own pants? Here is the tutorial I followed that was simple and I didn't ruin a pair of pants! They actually turned out adorable.

Maternity Pants Tutorial

sixteen.

How far along? 16.5 Weeks

Maternity clothes? I DIY'ed 2 things this week! [Thank you pinterest]. The maxi skirt shown above and some dress pants (will reveal later.)
Sleep: I <3 sleep. In fact, I almost took a nap in the middle of my workout this week.
Best moment this week: Getting a surprise gift in the mail from a friend for our sweet little bean. We have gotten so many sweet gifts and it never gets old to me!! Everything is so teeny and adorable.
Miss Anything? Being able to pull my pants up all the way. And zip them. Haha!!
Movement: A little flutter which feels something close to a butterfly flapping its wings or a fish swimming around.
Food cravings: Cereal and fruit.
Have you started to show yet: Yes- in most outfits. I have noticed people I pass by at work glance down at my belly too. But they don't ask and it makes me giggle. I feel like I should wear a sign that says "Yes I'm pregnant."
Gender prediction: Although the winds have shifted, I'm still thinking girl.

Pregnancy advice this week: Don't be afraid to DIY your own maternity wear! There are great posts on pinterest that will take you through each and every step. 

"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20

DIY'ed Maxi Skirt

Tutorial: DIY Maternity

fifteen.

How far along? 15.5 Weeks

Maternity clothes? A top and a bathing suit. I love shopping-just give me a reason!
Sleep: Yes. Sleep is the only thing that makes my back/hips stop hurting.
Best moment this week: Hearing our baby's heartbeat LOUD and clear this week. Such a sweet sweet sound. 
And then a nice checkout man at Trader Joe's asked what the highlight of my day was, and I shared that I heard our baby's heartbeat that day, and he was so thrilled for me he gave me a free orchid! 2nd best moment=kindness from strangers.
Miss Anything? Having a glass of wine on the weekend!
Movement: Maybe a flutter here and there, still undetermined if I'm feeling the baby or not.
Food cravings: Cheese fries and cereal.
Anything making you queasy or sick: No.
Have you started to show yet: In some outfits yes! 
Gender prediction: I have now talked to 3 people who thought they KNEW the sex of their baby and were wrong. So I'm feeling the winds shift a little. Could be pink OR blue!

Looking forward to: Feeling legit movement!

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

I thought I would also share some bloopers from this weeks photo shoot. The husband + a camera + me hollering directions at him= camera chaos. 

a little higher...

to the left..

Needless to say it takes many outtakes before we get our favorite shot. Thanks hubs!

cravings

I used to be easily swayed by food I saw on television.

I would watch Cupcake Wars, I wanted a cupcake.

I would watch someone on The Chew make a roast, I wanted to make a roast.

It usually had an incubation period of about 2 days. I'd plan it out. I'd see something yummy and I'd go for it. Or I'd move on and the craving would disappear.

Well, you've probably heard, but pregnancy brings cravings to a whole.nother.level.

I was watching a cooking show yesterday where they were making an apple pie. At that very moment, I  wanted needed an apple pie. 

Dear sweet Mr. McWonderful offered to run out and get one from McDonalds. But it was 10pm. And I was sure the craving would go away.

Today I passed McDonalds and once again was salivating over the thought of an apple pie. 

And for some crazy reason, yet again, I said, "I don't need that. The craving will go away."

Well, it doesn't. Go away. It continues to toot like a broken trumpet in your ear. Until you fix it.

Until you eat it.

So indulge my friend. Pregnant or not. Life is full of little berry pie gifts that you can't live without.

Berry Pie Pockets
1 pre-made refrigerated pre-made pie crust
1 cup frozen or fresh berries: raspberries, strawberries and blueberries
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cut out 2-3 rectangle tops and bottoms, each measuring about 4'' x 3''. (You may have to re-roll out the dough since a pie crust comes in a circle.)

 In a bowl, combine fruit, sugars, and vanilla. Spoon fruit into center of rectangle bottoms. Place tops on pockets and press edges together with a fork to form a seam.

Melt butter and brush over tops of pie pockets.

Place pie pockets on a greased baking sheet for 25-30 minutes until brown and flaky! Serve with whipped cream and indulge.

"we wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20