This morning we're headed to the doctor for the dreaded glucose test. Wish me luck! However, I also get an ultrasound today so I'm actually really looking forward to the appointment.
How far along: 27 weeks - my last week in second trimester!
Baby Size: A cucumber! And now the measurements change from crown-to-rump to head-to-toe, so baby girl is 15 inches long and 2.2 lbs!
Weight gain: Holding steady at 20 pounds.
Maternity clothes: I actually returned a lot of my winter clothes that I never wore this past weekend and saved up my store credits for some new spring gear. I am so ready for brighter colors and dresses!
Stretch marks: Don't think so, but am definitely using lots of stuff to keep it that way.
Sleep: Sprinkled in between the restless nights and waking up hours before my alarm, I had a few good nights of sleep this week.
Gender: Girl!
Movement: Yes!
Best moment this week: My 75 minute prenatal massage on Saturday and shopping for the nursery!
Looking forward to: My ultrasound this morning, the Clefhangers concert on Friday, having Matt's parents in town this weekend to see our nursery progress and my sister coming up to visit for a few days!
Food cravings: Still enjoying egg sandwiches every day for breakfast, salads for lunch and sweets after dinner.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing.
Labor Signs: Nope!
What I miss: Sleep!
Symptoms: This week I've definitely felt some shooting (round ligament) pains at times when walking.
Nursery: Over the weekend we hung some bookshelves, bought and returned baskets from 6 different places until finding the perfect ones for Caroline's closet and found a dresser! Here's a little inspiration board I've put together so far. Still undecided on the rug...(is it obvious that color scares me?). Going with a pink rug is a step outside of my comfort zone.
Belly Button in or out? In, but getting more shallow each day.
Wedding rings on or off? On!
Mood: A lot less stressed after making nursery progress and getting a massage.
Workouts: After doing a really stupid incline walk on the treadmill early this week, I suffered from the worst lower back pain for days so I had to take a break from the gym. I did make it to my dance class on Friday though. And even though I'm slowing down and can't do all the fun moves with the rest of the girls, I can't/won't give it up!
Prayer for Caroline:
Dear Lord, You gave us sleep as a time for rest and renewal. You showed us by example when You created the world and took the seventh day to rest. Lord, please help me, tonight and from this time forward, to get a deep and rejuvenating sleep. If I wake up in the middle of the night, please help me to go right back to sleep. Lord, please also help Caroline to develop good sleep patterns from the very beginning. I pray for safety while she sleeps. Protect her from SIDS or any other harm. Let your angels watch over her all through the night - and the daytime too. Bless her whether in her crib or by my side, or in the car seat. Anywhere she sleeps, make it relaxing and peaceful. Lord, You promise us in Isaiah 26:3 to keep our minds in perfect peace and trust You. Help me keep my focus and trust in You and cast out all fears. I choose peace of mind. I choose to trust in You because I know you love Caroline and I with an everlasting love. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.
For he grants sleep to those he loves. - Psalm 127:2
Twelve / Thirteen / Fourteen
Fifteen / Sixteen / Seventeen
Eighteen / Nineteen / Twenty
Twenty-One / Twenty-Two / Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four / Twenty-Five / Twenty-Six
After spotting {these} festive sugar-dusted brownies on Pinterest I decided to whip up a batch over the weekend for my new-mommy friend. My goodness, are these easy {and tasty}!
All you have to do is bake your brownies according to the package in a
cupcake tin, cut the tops off, add a cut out heart and dust with sugar
{I recommend using a sifter}! See? Easy, easy!
Oh, and they are pretty too!
I am definitely going to keep this idea in mind for future holidays too. How cute would pumpkins or Christmas trees be? Oh, the possibilities!
At any given point, you can usually find at least a few tupperware containers filled with taco soup in my freezer. We love this meal. It's so easy to make, tastes amazing and freezes/reheats well too. Oh, and I should mention you can also prepare this recipe in a crock pot!
Taco Soup
Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
2 tbsp taco seasoning {recipe}
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 15 oz can black beans, drained
1 15 oz can kidney beans, drained
1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained
1 15 oz can corn
1 10 oz can rotel tomatoes
1 28 oz can diced tomatoes
1 packet ranch dressing
Instructions
In a large pot, brown ground beef. Add in onions, bell peppers and saute for a few minutes. Pour in remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Let simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Garnish with your favorite toppings {cheese, sour cream, green onion, avocado, etc.} and serve with tortilla chips.
To cook in crock pot, follow directions above and cook on low for several hours.
