- the beautiful sunshine we've had the past few days. Although the temps are still cold, the sunshine does wonders to lift every one's spirits.
- that the other night when my stomach was ridiculously tight, Mike could feel the baby's head, bottom, and arms through my stomach.
- the sound of the birds outside my window.
- today being Opening Day!! Baseball means spring and summer are coming!!
- all the crazy kicks, jabs, and head butts from Baby. Although they can be painful and uncomfortable at times, I love knowing there is a miracle growing inside me.
Today I'm thankful for...
Weekly update!
How far along?: 25 weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: not sure but afraid to find out. I have a feeling it isn't going to be pretty
Symptoms: lots of Braxton Hicks, Kicks, and a bout or two of Heartburn especially when I don't eat for long periods of time
Gender: Team Green
Sleep?: Slept pretty crappy most of this week
Best moment this week?: Mike, Colin and I had a family night last night - shopping and went out for dinner.
Movement: lots and lots of kicks
Food cravings/aversions: Still no real cravings
What I miss?: Oberon is coming and I'm dying to have one!
What I am looking forward to?: Spring coming and more importantly STAYING!
Size of Baby: According to BabyCenter - an average rutabaga - 13 1/2" and 1.5lbs which we've heard our baby has already surpassed that weight mark
How far along?: 25 weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: not sure but afraid to find out. I have a feeling it isn't going to be pretty
Symptoms: lots of Braxton Hicks, Kicks, and a bout or two of Heartburn especially when I don't eat for long periods of time
Gender: Team Green
Sleep?: Slept pretty crappy most of this week
Best moment this week?: Mike, Colin and I had a family night last night - shopping and went out for dinner.
Movement: lots and lots of kicks
Food cravings/aversions: Still no real cravings
What I miss?: Oberon is coming and I'm dying to have one!
What I am looking forward to?: Spring coming and more importantly STAYING!
Size of Baby: According to BabyCenter - an average rutabaga - 13 1/2" and 1.5lbs which we've heard our baby has already surpassed that weight mark
Tried *gasp* TWO new recipes this week and both were big hits! Thank goodness for elastic pants!!! Neither are remotely healthy and leave quite a bit in leftovers, so they shouldn't be used nearly as often as I'd like to make them.
Bacon Parmesan Pasta
1 pound bacon
1 package of penne pasta
1 c. heavy cream
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
2 eggs
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, start the sauce.
Add a cup of heavy cream and the package of cream cheese to a saucepan and heat on low. Once the cream cheese is nice and smooth, remove from heat.
Add two eggs and 1/2 cup of the shredded parmesan. Mix well. The eggs will cook from the heat of the sauce and pasta.
Cook and chop up bacon with sprinkled crushed red pepper flakes.
Drain pasta and return to pot. Now add the sauce mix and chopped bacon. Mix well to coat.
*Next time I think we will add chicken stripes to it, although it was frickin-fantastic without it*
-----------------
Two-Cheese Spaghetti Bake
6 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into thirds
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce
2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup water
4 ounces Velveeta, cubed, divided
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add spaghetti sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Drain spaghetti; stir into beef mixture. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and salt; gradually stir in milk and water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add 1/2 cup process cheese and Parmesan cheese; stir until melted.
Spread half of the spaghetti mixture into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Cover with cheese sauce; top with remaining spaghetti mixture and process cheese.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
Bacon Parmesan Pasta
1 pound bacon
1 package of penne pasta
1 c. heavy cream
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded parmesan
2 eggs
Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, start the sauce.
Add a cup of heavy cream and the package of cream cheese to a saucepan and heat on low. Once the cream cheese is nice and smooth, remove from heat.
Add two eggs and 1/2 cup of the shredded parmesan. Mix well. The eggs will cook from the heat of the sauce and pasta.
Cook and chop up bacon with sprinkled crushed red pepper flakes.
Drain pasta and return to pot. Now add the sauce mix and chopped bacon. Mix well to coat.
*Next time I think we will add chicken stripes to it, although it was frickin-fantastic without it*
-----------------
Two-Cheese Spaghetti Bake
6 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken into thirds
1 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 jar (14 ounces) spaghetti sauce
2 tablespoons butter
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1/3 cup water
4 ounces Velveeta, cubed, divided
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add spaghetti sauce; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Drain spaghetti; stir into beef mixture. Set aside.
In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour and salt; gradually stir in milk and water. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Add 1/2 cup process cheese and Parmesan cheese; stir until melted.
Spread half of the spaghetti mixture into a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Cover with cheese sauce; top with remaining spaghetti mixture and process cheese.
Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.
Weekly update!
How far along?: 24 Weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: according to Dr, nothing. according to how I feel, up a few (or perhaps not even few!) pounds
Symptoms: lots of Braxton Hicks and Kicks!
Gender: Still Team Green!
Sleep?: Still getting up for frequent bathroom breaks but I'm feeling a little more rested lately
Best moment this week?: Seeing my squishy cheeked baby at our ultrasound on Monday
Movement: Lots of kicking
Food cravings/aversions: Nothing really although I'd live on Rice Chex and strawberries if I could.
What I miss?: Nothing yet
What I am looking forward to?: finally deciding on a girl's name
Size of Baby: according to the Baby Center, the length of an ear of corn and weighing a little over a pound. According to our ultrasound, (s)he already weighs 1 pound 12 ounces!!!!
How far along?: 24 Weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: according to Dr, nothing. according to how I feel, up a few (or perhaps not even few!) pounds
Symptoms: lots of Braxton Hicks and Kicks!
Gender: Still Team Green!
Sleep?: Still getting up for frequent bathroom breaks but I'm feeling a little more rested lately
Best moment this week?: Seeing my squishy cheeked baby at our ultrasound on Monday
Movement: Lots of kicking
Food cravings/aversions: Nothing really although I'd live on Rice Chex and strawberries if I could.
What I miss?: Nothing yet
What I am looking forward to?: finally deciding on a girl's name
Size of Baby: according to the Baby Center, the length of an ear of corn and weighing a little over a pound. According to our ultrasound, (s)he already weighs 1 pound 12 ounces!!!!
For breakfast at 8:30am, he ate 1 banana, cinnamon raisin bagel, and two cups of milk...
but he was still hungry
For lunch at 11:30am, he ate 1 hot dog with ketchup, corn, a piece of cheese, mango pieces, and a cup of water and milk...
but he was still hungry
After naptime around 3:45pm, he had a snack of "silly yogurt" ...
but he was still hungry
For dinner at 6pm, he had turkey meatballs, green beans, homemade applesauce, biscuit, and 3 (yes 3!) cups of milk...
but he was still hungry
For a special St. Patrick's Day bedtime treat, he had a small brownie with mint frosting...
after that he wasn't hungry anymore.
It's been awhile since I've done this but here is Colin's classroom's lesson plan for the day!
Teacher(s): Ms. Amanda and Ms. Liz
Monthly Theme: Marching into Spring
Weekly Theme: Birds & Butterflies
Monthly Concepts: Jesus seeks us
Author: Dr. Seuss
Book: Wacky Weather
Baby Sign: n/a
Colors: Green
Character Trait: Self Control
Woodland Focus Friend: Pedal & Pratt
Am Circle: Calendar/Story Time/ Zoo-phonics:
Discussing birds & butterflies and singing
Art:
making hand print butterflies
Small Group:
Handwriting without Tears
Science/Sensory:
birdseed
Music/Movement:
flitting and flying like butterflies
Manipulative:
building colorful structure
PM Circle: Character Traits:
God cares for us as a Shepard for his sheep
Language/Cognitive:
reading in a large "bird nest"
Weekly update!
How far along?: 23 weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: 0! yup, that's right - still nothing - making my goal weight gain more attainable.
Symptoms: starting to feel a uncomfortable at times especially at bedtime.
Gender: Team Green!
Sleep?: between my hip hurting and frequent bathroom trips, I don't sleep for long periods of time
Best moment this week?: stepping on the scale at the Dr's office and of course hearing the heart beat
Movement: kicking constantly!
Food cravings/aversions: still nothing major
What I miss?: a cold beer
What I am looking forward to?: our next ultrasound - can't wait to see the baby again and get another confirmation that everything is A-Ok
Size of Baby: large mango - 11" long and weighing a little more than 1 pound
How far along?: 23 weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: 0! yup, that's right - still nothing - making my goal weight gain more attainable.
Symptoms: starting to feel a uncomfortable at times especially at bedtime.
Gender: Team Green!
Sleep?: between my hip hurting and frequent bathroom trips, I don't sleep for long periods of time
Best moment this week?: stepping on the scale at the Dr's office and of course hearing the heart beat
Movement: kicking constantly!
Food cravings/aversions: still nothing major
What I miss?: a cold beer
What I am looking forward to?: our next ultrasound - can't wait to see the baby again and get another confirmation that everything is A-Ok
Size of Baby: large mango - 11" long and weighing a little more than 1 pound
Weekly update!
How far along?: 22 weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: not sure. my appt is on Monday. I'm up 1 lbs from my home scale from last week which isn't too surprising. I've ate like crap this week!
Symptoms: pregnancy-wise: sore hips and back by the end of the day but I've been working ALOT of desk shifts lately, so I'm on my feet more. non-pregnancy: battling a terrible cold :(
Gender: Team Green
Sleep?: I'm sleeping alright. Again the sore hips and frequent bathroom breaks take away from some of it.
Best moment this week?: Not the best but loved leaving work at 7pm and seeing a glimpse of not only the sun but also pavement instead of snow!
Movement: Getting more and more frequent. I swear yesterday (s)he had the hiccups.
Food cravings/aversions: No real aversions or real cravings but overall just hungry all the time.
What I miss?: Being able to sleep in comfort
What I am looking forward to?: My appt on Monday
Size of Baby: according to Baby Center: length of a spaghetti squash - 11" and about a pound.
What I’m nervous about: this cold getting worse
How far along?: 22 weeks, 2 days
Weight gain/loss: not sure. my appt is on Monday. I'm up 1 lbs from my home scale from last week which isn't too surprising. I've ate like crap this week!
Symptoms: pregnancy-wise: sore hips and back by the end of the day but I've been working ALOT of desk shifts lately, so I'm on my feet more. non-pregnancy: battling a terrible cold :(
Gender: Team Green
Sleep?: I'm sleeping alright. Again the sore hips and frequent bathroom breaks take away from some of it.
Best moment this week?: Not the best but loved leaving work at 7pm and seeing a glimpse of not only the sun but also pavement instead of snow!
Movement: Getting more and more frequent. I swear yesterday (s)he had the hiccups.
Food cravings/aversions: No real aversions or real cravings but overall just hungry all the time.
What I miss?: Being able to sleep in comfort
What I am looking forward to?: My appt on Monday
Size of Baby: according to Baby Center: length of a spaghetti squash - 11" and about a pound.
What I’m nervous about: this cold getting worse
I'm sitting in a modestly comfortable chair wishing I had chosen to wear my regular jeans instead of putting on a pair of maternity pants that clearly still don't fit me. I'm wondering if everyone can see that everything is hanging out as much I as feel it. Mike joins me with a hot cup of coffee and two donut holes (I love that man!).
The band starts and the room is filled with guitars, drums, piano, a saxophone and even a trumpet player. As the energy in the room grows, I begin to forget about my mid section not being tightly contained in my pants. The music is even more wonderful than usual and I begin to think this is exactly where I want to be even if it isn't in these pants.
Then he starts to speak and its almost as if he read my blog post from earlier this week as he was writing.
"In our pain, our tough times, God is making us stronger, more complete."
"God is bigger than our pain, our struggles." (see? seriously I think he read it!)
The sermon was about Not Giving Up. People quit trying in life because they feel powerless to change their situation. How unbelievably true. We quit on marriages, jobs, friendships, weight loss, because we feel the situation can't be improved. We feel we can't make the change, so we give up.
I know it's true for my life. I'm giving up on relationships because I don't know how to fix them or save them. I don't think the other side cares; so I give up. Why bother if they don't. I'm not giving 100% at my job because I don't receive the respect or credit I deserve. I feel key people will never change, so I continue to give less and less of my best. I worry if our house will be able to put on the market and sell before the baby is here. I become so doubtful that instead of putting the work into it, we sit on the couch and watch TV. Better to not try than to try and fail, right?
Wrong. Dead frickin wrong.
The reality is (and always has been, just needed to big fat reminder) that it's God's Battle. I just have to show up. If I don't show up, I'll miss the miracle.
So guess what world, I'm going to show up, potentially with ill fitting maternity pants, but I'm going to show up. Lord knows I could use a few little miracles in my life. And maybe a few additional donut holes.
"This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15b, 17
The band starts and the room is filled with guitars, drums, piano, a saxophone and even a trumpet player. As the energy in the room grows, I begin to forget about my mid section not being tightly contained in my pants. The music is even more wonderful than usual and I begin to think this is exactly where I want to be even if it isn't in these pants.
Then he starts to speak and its almost as if he read my blog post from earlier this week as he was writing.
"In our pain, our tough times, God is making us stronger, more complete."
"God is bigger than our pain, our struggles." (see? seriously I think he read it!)
I know it's true for my life. I'm giving up on relationships because I don't know how to fix them or save them. I don't think the other side cares; so I give up. Why bother if they don't. I'm not giving 100% at my job because I don't receive the respect or credit I deserve. I feel key people will never change, so I continue to give less and less of my best. I worry if our house will be able to put on the market and sell before the baby is here. I become so doubtful that instead of putting the work into it, we sit on the couch and watch TV. Better to not try than to try and fail, right?
Wrong. Dead frickin wrong.
The reality is (and always has been, just needed to big fat reminder) that it's God's Battle. I just have to show up. If I don't show up, I'll miss the miracle.
So guess what world, I'm going to show up, potentially with ill fitting maternity pants, but I'm going to show up. Lord knows I could use a few little miracles in my life. And maybe a few additional donut holes.
"This is what the LORD says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.... You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’” 2 Chronicles 20:15b, 17
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