Friday, May 28, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
Pregnancy Update: 23 weeks
Can't believe how amazing I am feeling this pregnancy! I have had tons of energy and have not felt very pregnant at all, even though the belly definitely gives me away. :)
The hip pain has gotten better this past week, I am still not getting up at night to pee, and the weight gain is still very slow (but happening). The baby girl moves around when I get around to sitting still, but she is very still during that day as I run around and stay active.
I need to take a pic, but Seth is gone tonight and my attempts at taking one myself are often rather poor.
Just wanted to say that I am so thankful to the Lord that I am feeling so great!
The hip pain has gotten better this past week, I am still not getting up at night to pee, and the weight gain is still very slow (but happening). The baby girl moves around when I get around to sitting still, but she is very still during that day as I run around and stay active.
I need to take a pic, but Seth is gone tonight and my attempts at taking one myself are often rather poor.
Just wanted to say that I am so thankful to the Lord that I am feeling so great!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Pink Overload: Garage Sale Obsession
Thursday, May 20, 2010
25, moods, and whatnot
Last Saturday I turned 25. It was anti-climactic and fun. Seth and I spent the morning going to garage sales in rainy weather and then warmed up with some coffee and breakfast at First Watch.
Some friends of mine had a little dinner get together for me on Monday and we had a good time chatting and catching up without little ones running around.
The past few days my mood has been all over the place. Yesterday, a Wal-mart employee told me to keep my child seated in the grocery cart. My first thought was to say, "Why don't you give it a try?", but I just said, "I'm trying." It was a day of many public tantrums for Aidan and I was super exhausted. Let's just say I wasn't the happiest about the comment.
We found out last night that Seth's car is on the downhill slide and is not the safest to be driving right now, so we are looking at being a one car family for some time until we can afford another vehicle...which may be awhile under the current circumstances.
I find that my strength really truly does come from the Lord these days. I am so blessed to be feeling this good in my pregnancy and to have the energy I need to clean and organize this house after a long day with the boys. I hardly feel pregnant right now which is a surprise considering how uncomfortable I was when I was pregnant with Aidan. I am already in my 23rd week.
Some friends of mine had a little dinner get together for me on Monday and we had a good time chatting and catching up without little ones running around.
The past few days my mood has been all over the place. Yesterday, a Wal-mart employee told me to keep my child seated in the grocery cart. My first thought was to say, "Why don't you give it a try?", but I just said, "I'm trying." It was a day of many public tantrums for Aidan and I was super exhausted. Let's just say I wasn't the happiest about the comment.
We found out last night that Seth's car is on the downhill slide and is not the safest to be driving right now, so we are looking at being a one car family for some time until we can afford another vehicle...which may be awhile under the current circumstances.
I find that my strength really truly does come from the Lord these days. I am so blessed to be feeling this good in my pregnancy and to have the energy I need to clean and organize this house after a long day with the boys. I hardly feel pregnant right now which is a surprise considering how uncomfortable I was when I was pregnant with Aidan. I am already in my 23rd week.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
What's Cookin' at Our House V: Yummy Soup and Homemade Bread!
Zucchini Garden Chowder: Simply in Season
Okay, so my picture isn't super appealing, but this soup is awesome. I have made another garden chowder for awhile, but thought I'd give this a try to compare the two. This one definitely won out!
2 T. butter
Melt in soup pot over medium heat
2 medium zucchini (chopped)
1 medium onion (chopped)
2 T. fresh parsley (chopped)
1 T. fresh basil (chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried)
Add and saute until tender.
1/3 cup flour
3/4 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper
3 cups water
Stir flour and seasonings into vegetables. Gradually stir in water to make a smooth stock.
3 chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes
1 t. lemon juice
Add and mix well. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and cook, stirring often, for 2 min.
2 cups tomoatoes (chopped)
1 1/2 cups evaporated milk
2 cups corn
Add and return to boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 min. until corn is tender.
2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly grated)
Just before serving add and stir until melted.
Side Note: So, I never follow recipes completely because I either don't have all the ingredients or I don't like some of the ingredients. I did not add as much onion, parsley, and basil because I didn't want a strong flavor. I also used chicken broth instead of the 3 cups water and bouillon cubes. Using fresh tomatoes gave this soup an extra special flavor.
Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls (Bread)
This recipe is also from Simply in Season and is absolutely delicious. I don't have a pic of the bread and even though I made two loaves on Monday, it is all almost gone!
2 cups milk (scalded and cooled until warm)
2 T. active dry yeast (1 pkg)
1/2 cup sugar of 1/3 cup honey
Dissolve yeast in the warm milk; add sugar or honey and let stand until bubbly, 5 min.
2 eggs (beaten)
3 T. oil
2 t. salt
Add to yeast mixture.
7-8 cups whole wheat bread flour
Add enough flour to make a soft dough. Knead 8-10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, turn to grease both sides, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down. Divide into 24 pieces for rolls or in half for bread. Let rest 5-10 minutes. Shape into rolls, loaves, or combination. Place in greased pans. Let rise until double, about 45 minutes. Bake rolls in preheated oven at 400F for 10-12 minutes. Bake loaves in preheated oven at 350F for 30-35 minutes. For a soft crust, brush top with milk after removing from oven.
If any of you are experiencing the type of weather we have had lately, this is a great comfort food for those cold, rainy days
Enjoy!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Pregnancy Update
So, I am officially 21 weeks pregnant today.
Wow. It seems weird to think that I am already in the second half of this pregnancy. The 2nd trimester has been pure bliss for me and I am starting to have this naive idea that it will remain this way.
At my 20 week appt. with my midwife everything looked great. We found out that we are having a girl and were absolutely thrilled. Also, found out that I do not have placenta previa after all (huge relief). Baby is head down right now, good heart rate, and I have upped my total weight gain to 3 pounds.
Things I am happy about right now:
Not feeling huge yet
Not getting up to pee in the night at all yet (I do on occasion anyway, but it was a 2-3 times a night deal with Aidan)
Not wearing maternity jeans yet or even my bella band
Having a little girl
Feeling energized to get through my days
Being able to stay up late and get up early
Not feeling sick anymore
Having no major/minor complications at this point
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
One wig please...
...and some tape to hold up my dress.
This day has been full of enough hair pulling that I think I might actually be bald.
Okay, it's not that bad, but close. Aidan's behavior was pretty much over the top ridiculous and my patience was a little on the low end of the spectrum.
WHERE ARE THOSE EARS CHILD? DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE WASTING MY TIME?
I don't even know why I asked those things of my two year old today because all I got was fingers pointing to the ears and a blank stare. Wasting time? What is that? Don't you know it is what toddlers do best?
I was in no mood to be messed with today, but that is what I got. My child forgot how to listen....to ANYTHING.
I threatened, I talked firmly, I looked him in the eye, I drug him off the playground while he screamed and carried on.
He ran away a lot today. Just ran. Apparently, it was opposite day and nobody told me about it. Doesn't "STAY WITH MOMMY" mean to run the other way?
The only advice I have for myself on this one is....DON'T WEAR A STRAPLESS MAXI DRESS WHILE DEALING WITH PROBLEMATIC CHILDREN.
If you are like me, you will find yourself in the Wal-mart parking lot with your dress down below your bra, or have your child help you pull it down in the park and make an announcement about your "boos."
JUST DON'T DO IT. I am so serious.
These type of dresses are not for people who take care of rebellious two year olds and 10 month old babies. Oh, and forget that they are super comfortable for your 5 month pregnant self, just forget about it.
But, if you do wear one of those dresses, and it does fall down, just be too absorbed in dealing with your child to even notice...that pretty much keeps you from feeling any sort of embarrassment about the situation. And once you put that sweet little one in bed, just eat a HUGE bowl of ice cream with fresh strawberries and some chocolate. That should do it.
This day has been full of enough hair pulling that I think I might actually be bald.
Okay, it's not that bad, but close. Aidan's behavior was pretty much over the top ridiculous and my patience was a little on the low end of the spectrum.
WHERE ARE THOSE EARS CHILD? DO YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE WASTING MY TIME?
I don't even know why I asked those things of my two year old today because all I got was fingers pointing to the ears and a blank stare. Wasting time? What is that? Don't you know it is what toddlers do best?
I was in no mood to be messed with today, but that is what I got. My child forgot how to listen....to ANYTHING.
I threatened, I talked firmly, I looked him in the eye, I drug him off the playground while he screamed and carried on.
He ran away a lot today. Just ran. Apparently, it was opposite day and nobody told me about it. Doesn't "STAY WITH MOMMY" mean to run the other way?
The only advice I have for myself on this one is....DON'T WEAR A STRAPLESS MAXI DRESS WHILE DEALING WITH PROBLEMATIC CHILDREN.
If you are like me, you will find yourself in the Wal-mart parking lot with your dress down below your bra, or have your child help you pull it down in the park and make an announcement about your "boos."
JUST DON'T DO IT. I am so serious.
These type of dresses are not for people who take care of rebellious two year olds and 10 month old babies. Oh, and forget that they are super comfortable for your 5 month pregnant self, just forget about it.
But, if you do wear one of those dresses, and it does fall down, just be too absorbed in dealing with your child to even notice...that pretty much keeps you from feeling any sort of embarrassment about the situation. And once you put that sweet little one in bed, just eat a HUGE bowl of ice cream with fresh strawberries and some chocolate. That should do it.
April 2010: In review
This past month started off with a bang when Aidan turned 2 on Easter Sunday. It was a small celebration with family, but it was very fun.
We also had some major sickness in our household this past month with Aidan catching his first stomach bug and being really really sick for almost a week. He has managed to also spend most of the month with a cough and runny nose and his molars are still working through. Ugh...
Seth started a trial period for a new position at work this month and is currently in his 4th week of transition. He is enjoying it so far and we are still taking time to make the best decision about the new job and how it will affect our family. Basically, Seth has been in school for the past 3 months to obtain some certifications for computer programming so that he might acquire a better paying job and I might be able to stay home with our 2 kids without having the burden of making anything on the side. I have been watching Oakley for almost 9 months now and it has been quite interesting at times. I am grateful that I've had the experience, but really don't want to have 3 kids under 2 come September. So, meanwhile, Seth has a new job practically dumped in his lap at work and it really catches us by surprise. It is a great promotion for us financially, but it requires a relocation to South Carolina. It has been quite the upheaval in our house as we are thinking it all through. We still have a month or two to make a final decision and then we will not have to move until after the baby is born so that is good. We are still considering all our options as this is a major decision. We have been living close to both of our families for over 3 years now and it would be quite different not having that close support system.
I spent some time this month working on a music video with a photographer friend of mine. He was asked to create the video for the band Leeland. It is a song about a girl trying to decide whether or not to keep her baby. It has been really fun shooting the video and I am excited about the finished product. I am the "girl" walking through that specific decision and it has been interesting to act the part as I am expecting my own child in the next few months. I was very privileged to be asked to be a part of this project.
We have had a lot of fun spending time with my brother and his family as they have been in this area for the entire month of April. Aidan is having a great time with his cousin Xan and it is great to watch that relationship grow. They will be leaving in a week for Canada and we will not see them for quite some time.
Pregnancy this past month has been going really well. I finally stopped feeling sick this month and started having a lot more energy. I feel like a completely new person. I started to really feel a lot more movement too and it has been lot of fun. Sometimes I even forget that I am pregnant because I feel so great. :)
We are looking forward to the busy month ahead and can't wait to hopefully find out the gender of our little one tomorrow morning!
We also had some major sickness in our household this past month with Aidan catching his first stomach bug and being really really sick for almost a week. He has managed to also spend most of the month with a cough and runny nose and his molars are still working through. Ugh...
Seth started a trial period for a new position at work this month and is currently in his 4th week of transition. He is enjoying it so far and we are still taking time to make the best decision about the new job and how it will affect our family. Basically, Seth has been in school for the past 3 months to obtain some certifications for computer programming so that he might acquire a better paying job and I might be able to stay home with our 2 kids without having the burden of making anything on the side. I have been watching Oakley for almost 9 months now and it has been quite interesting at times. I am grateful that I've had the experience, but really don't want to have 3 kids under 2 come September. So, meanwhile, Seth has a new job practically dumped in his lap at work and it really catches us by surprise. It is a great promotion for us financially, but it requires a relocation to South Carolina. It has been quite the upheaval in our house as we are thinking it all through. We still have a month or two to make a final decision and then we will not have to move until after the baby is born so that is good. We are still considering all our options as this is a major decision. We have been living close to both of our families for over 3 years now and it would be quite different not having that close support system.
I spent some time this month working on a music video with a photographer friend of mine. He was asked to create the video for the band Leeland. It is a song about a girl trying to decide whether or not to keep her baby. It has been really fun shooting the video and I am excited about the finished product. I am the "girl" walking through that specific decision and it has been interesting to act the part as I am expecting my own child in the next few months. I was very privileged to be asked to be a part of this project.
We have had a lot of fun spending time with my brother and his family as they have been in this area for the entire month of April. Aidan is having a great time with his cousin Xan and it is great to watch that relationship grow. They will be leaving in a week for Canada and we will not see them for quite some time.
Pregnancy this past month has been going really well. I finally stopped feeling sick this month and started having a lot more energy. I feel like a completely new person. I started to really feel a lot more movement too and it has been lot of fun. Sometimes I even forget that I am pregnant because I feel so great. :)
We are looking forward to the busy month ahead and can't wait to hopefully find out the gender of our little one tomorrow morning!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Starting Off Right
I feel like lately I've heard enough discouraging news about failing marriages, that if I wasn't already married, I might be scared to make such a commitment.
Marriage is hard.
Marriage can also be joyous, sweet, close, and beautiful.
Seth and I have been married almost 3 1/2 years now. It is hard to believe how much has happened since we said "I do" and I don't think I would have ever imagined we'd be well on our way to having our second child. Wow! What a interesting ride it has been so far. While we've definitely had our share of ups and downs, I've really been thankful for what a great partner I have in Seth. He irritates me more than anyone, but he can also make me the most proud, the most happy, and the most blessed.
My heart is THANKFUL.
I don't want to take this relationship for granted and I want the Lord to work in us in a mighty way as a unit, a partnership. I think we are strongest when we join together and ask Him to make us a better couple: more loving, more wise, more sincere, more discerning, and more faithful.
So, this morning we awoke earlier than normal to meet with the Lord together as the day began. This pregnant tired mama was not too excited about dragging myself out of bed, but it was worth it, even if our time was limited to a quick Psalm and prayer together. It was meaningful. It was rich. And it stayed with me the rest of the day.
I know that even though things are GOOD, I need to take the extra steps to make them GREAT. I want this marriage relationship to be a dance, a wonderful rhythm that our children can sense and know.
Funny thing is, I didn't even mean to blog about this, but I guess it was on my heart. I had a bunch of random tidbits of daily life and a little pregnancy update planned. Instead....this is what I've got.
In this house we are aiming to start off right. I pray that we will be successful.
Marriage is hard.
Marriage can also be joyous, sweet, close, and beautiful.
Seth and I have been married almost 3 1/2 years now. It is hard to believe how much has happened since we said "I do" and I don't think I would have ever imagined we'd be well on our way to having our second child. Wow! What a interesting ride it has been so far. While we've definitely had our share of ups and downs, I've really been thankful for what a great partner I have in Seth. He irritates me more than anyone, but he can also make me the most proud, the most happy, and the most blessed.
My heart is THANKFUL.
I don't want to take this relationship for granted and I want the Lord to work in us in a mighty way as a unit, a partnership. I think we are strongest when we join together and ask Him to make us a better couple: more loving, more wise, more sincere, more discerning, and more faithful.
So, this morning we awoke earlier than normal to meet with the Lord together as the day began. This pregnant tired mama was not too excited about dragging myself out of bed, but it was worth it, even if our time was limited to a quick Psalm and prayer together. It was meaningful. It was rich. And it stayed with me the rest of the day.
I know that even though things are GOOD, I need to take the extra steps to make them GREAT. I want this marriage relationship to be a dance, a wonderful rhythm that our children can sense and know.
Funny thing is, I didn't even mean to blog about this, but I guess it was on my heart. I had a bunch of random tidbits of daily life and a little pregnancy update planned. Instead....this is what I've got.
In this house we are aiming to start off right. I pray that we will be successful.
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