12 Weeks: Sometimes, I Forget

Hello Friends!

Thank you all so much for all of the sweet notes and you left me on the last blog post--I appreciate each and every one of them!!

Well, I'm posting my first "belly" shots of the pregnancy.  I was tempted to take pictures at 4 weeks when we first found out...and then tempted again at 8 week, but I just never did.  I think I pretty much looked normal back then, but I feel like my body's changed a bit over the last few weeks, and I know it will change even more over the next few months.  So, where are a couple of pictures of me at 12 weeks and 2 days.

Remember when I told you about me measuring 8 weeks further than I am (20 weeks instead of 12 weeks)?  Well, we found out that it's because I have a few uterine fibroids, so I probably look further along than I am in the pictures below.  We're praying and have faith that everything will go well with the pregnancy and our baby will continue to grow strong and healthy.  If you think of it, please join us in praying for this.  I'm changing some things up in my diet to help make sure they don't grow any bigger and hopefully even shrink!  I have an appointment for this in a couple of weeks--I'll keep you all updated. 

Scott and I are so excited that our family is growing, but sometimes it's still hard for me to believe that I'm pregnant!  I'm still a bit early in the pregnancy and haven't officially made it into the 2nd trimester.  Since it's still so early, I sometimes forget that I'm pregnant.  Don't worry, I don't forget when I'm in the middle of doing something reckless.  Why?  Because there's NO reckless behavior here!  No need to panic, folks!  There are clearly times when I remember I'm pregnant and even when I don't.  

Here are a few of the times I remember I'm pregnant:

• When I get super tired and want to take a nap.  
• When I sit down for a meal and (more often than not) I decide to make a healthy option (even when I'm craving french fries) because I know I have to provide the best nutrients for our little one. 
• When others are drinking wine and I'm sipping on water or bubbly water (sometimes I want to feel fancy).
• When I take my prenatal vitamins each morning. 
• When someone who heard the news and congratulates me.
• As I chug on my ginormous water bottle to stay hydrated.
• When I wake up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Or the 20 other times I'm in there throughout the day.
• When I look at how strong and healthy my nails are. 
• When Scott says something sweet about the baby growing.
• When I look at my bras and wonder how much longer I'll be able to fit them.
• When I look at a cute outfit in a store window and remind myself I shouldn't buy anything because I won't be able to fit it much longer anyway.
• When I glance at our ultrasound pictures on the refrigerator. 

So, when do I forget I'm pregnant?  

• That split second when I'm changing/getting dressed and catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, look at my stomach, and think "Oh, my goodness....what happened to me??"  Then I remember....yes, I'm making a baby and my stomach will pop even more over the next 6 months!  And then I smile.

Big Update!

Hello Friends,

I have some exciting news to share with you all:

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words, but just in case it didn't work this time....we're expecting our first little one April 2013!!

I'm officially 12 Weeks today.  Last Thursday, we heard the heartbeat for the first time and shared the news with our immediate family members.  Friday, we shared the news with the rest of our family and friends via Facebook.  Today, I got to see our little one kicking and moving on our first ultrasound---pretty amazing!  I wasn't expecting to have our first ultrasound until 20 weeks, but my doctor thought there was a chance I could've either been further along than we thought or pregnant with twins.  Well, it turns out that neither were the case and I got a free early look at our baby!

It's still hard for me to believe that I'm pregnant.  Especially because I'm one of the fortunate few who doesn't have morning sickness.  I've been nauseous once and tired all the time.

Well, my friends, that's all for now, but I'll be posting regular updates on how we're doing :)!

Sharing here: 

Finagle A Foto:  The ArtsyGirl Connection & Happy Jax

Slow Cooked Key West Ribs

A couple of weeks ago, I confessed to a couple of my friends that I just haven't been in the mood to cook much or try new recipes for a few weeks.  One of my friends encouraged me to dust off my slow cooker and get back to some basic recipes.  Well, that's just what I did and it was a breath of fresh air for me.

Last week I made a slow cooker lasagna for the first time--amazing!  My sister-in-law, Sara, would be proud.  We had a group coming over for dinner last week and I made slow cooked pulled pork.  Last night, I decided to pull a recipe out of one of those little magazines at the front of the grocery store that caught my eye a couple of years ago.  So glad I picked that up!  The Key West Ribs sounded so delicious and I decided to go for it--I'm really glad I did.  It took about 15 minutes to prepare; I'm all about time-savers!

 Scott and I both really enjoyed this dish and all of the flavor that came with it!

One thing I love about making meat in the slow cooker is that it comes out extra juicy and tender.  So much so that the nice looking rib fell apart as I was pulling it out to put on the plate. 

To accompany the dish I made coconut brown rice, and prepared plantains and black beans.  Last night was the first time I've ever tried to do anything with plantains--aside from just eating them.  I love to eat them, but I guess I've always been a little intimidated to cook them.  While looking up recipes, I learned a few things.  One thing I learned is that I was craving the taste of an overripe plantain (sweet), but I picked up an unripe plantain (starchy like a potato).  Because the one I had was unripe, I lightly fried the plantain slices and seasoned them with garlic salt.  They turned out to be pretty tasty. 

Really, it wasn't until I pulled the pictures up on my computer today that I realized we had nothing green on our plates last night.  As Scott will attest, that rarely happens! 

Key West Ribs Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2.5lb country-style pork loin ribs
• 1 small onion, finely chopped (1/4 cup)
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1 teaspoon grated lime peel
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons lime juice

 Directions

1. Spray 3.5-4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.  Place ribs in slow cooker. 
2. In small bowl mix remaining ingredients.  Pour over ribs.
3. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 7-9 hours.  Spoon sauce over ribs when serving

Recipe Courtesy of Casseroles & Slow Cooker Pillsbury Magazine

Top 5: Fall is Coming!

Hello Friends!  How are you all doing?  Things are going well in this neck of the woods.  It's really hard for me to believe it's already September, but I'm excited it is because that means Fall is almost here.  I don't know about anyone else, but this Summer's heat was pretty treacherous, and I'm excited for a break in the weather.  Yesterday and today are definite signs that the heat is pulling up--such beautiful weather!!

Here are the top 5 things I'm looking forward to this Fall: 

5.  The Leaves

Source

I absolutely love the changing colors of leaves when Fall arrives.  Every October growing up, my parents would take me and my siblings to the Shenandoah Valley.  The leaves were spectacular and I'll never forget our rides on Skyline Drive.  I'm hoping to get Scott up there one of these days so he can witness it--although, he grew up with some pretty amazing views in New England!

Source

4. Fall Fashion

Three words:  layers, scarves, boots.  I've been waiting so patiently all summer to pull these items out of storage and sport some Fall Fashion.  Don't get me wrong, I enjoy shedding layers when Spring and Summer are here, but I'm ready to dust off my boots and wear a scarf without sweating!

3. Cuddling  

I like to cuddle with my man whenever I get the chance, and I'm so thankful he's a cuddler too...actually, probably more of a cuddler than me (our little secret).  But when the temperature drops, my propensity to cuddle increases significantly.  Yep, looking forward to that!

Source

2. Food

Source

The definition of Fall Food =  comfort food.  At least in my mind.  There's no way I want to eat stews and chili when it's 100+ degrees outside.  But after a nice brisk walk in 50 degree weather, that stew or chili hits the sweet spot of my tummy.  Oh yes, I will be trying some new recipes this Fall.  No worries, I'll share!

 

1. Family Time

My most favorite thing about Fall is that it seems to be the perfect time to visit, catch up with, and spend time with family.  In my heart and mind, nothing beats this! 

What are your favorite things about Fall?  Or are you grieving the end of Summer?