Weekly Eats 3/18/12

Sunday - Poppy seed Chicken / Salmon with Creamy Dijon

               

    Jess suggested a great idea to our bible study group to start doing freezer meal swaps.  I love this idea!  Basically whoever wants to participate makes one freezer meal for each person who is also participating.  This time we had Jess, Sarah, Heather, & myself...so I made 3 meals - one for each of the other girls.  They need to be meals that can be kept in the freezer and come with directions for how to cook.  This is such a great idea, because I probably spent less than an hour on a Sunday to make these three meals (I made Cheeze-it Casserole), but in return I get three free nights from cooking and get to try 3 new favorite meals from other families!  Corey is in LOVE with this idea!  

                  Unfortunately, as I was getting the poppy seed chicken out of the oven (Corey's favorite!) and dishing out a bowl for me, I remembered reading in a pregnancy magazine at the doctor's office a few weeks ago that I should not eat poppy seeds because they contain trace amounts of cocaine...BOOOOOO!  Shear disappointment, it was so so good!  I let myself have about 4 bites then decided I needed to have something else.  So I quickly whipped up the same salmon I made last week since it was so easy and so good!  Corey had the poppyseed chicken, I had the salmon.

Monday - BBQ Grilled Chicken, Twice Baked Potatoes & Broccoli
            so nice out!  I love taking advantage of the beautiful weather to grill out!

Tuesday - Raspberry Chicken Salad w/ Candied Walnuts & Brie Croutons

Wednesday - Crock Pot French Dip Sandwhiches

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - Out - watched the IU game out with friends...unfortunately they lost but it was such a great season!

Saturday - Pesto, Roma Tomato, & Ricotta Pizza (recipe coming soon!)

19 Weeks

Its only Wednesday, and its already been the longest week ever!  I can hardly wait for next week's appointment.  I am having so much trouble focusing on work this week!  I think I've just been calm and let this whole pregnancy go by without doing much of anything baby related yet.  And I've been holding out on everything, waiting for this day!  I can't wait to buy my first baby outfit.  I can't wait to start putting the nursery together.  I can't wait to start registering for baby items.  So much to look forward to!

Oh and the part about when we actually get to see the baby again!  You know its really surreal when you get to see your baby the first time.  Its so small, you aren't showing yet, and you obviously aren't feeling any movement yet.  Its kind of like you believe that baby is really in your belly that you are seeing, but not really.  It will be so neat to see our baby again, and see how much its grown, now that I can actually see & feel that its in there!

I've also noticed I've been incredibly hungry lately.  I feel like I eat more than I normally would but still find my stomach growling multiple times a day.  And I was already a 3 meals and at least 2 snacks a day type of person, I guess I need to bulk up on some of these snacks?
One new thing I've been experiencing in the past couple weeks as I've started to get an actual bump, is an achiness or pressure in my lower abdomen.  I remember feeling a sort of pressure sometime early in my first trimester, never cramping, but just felt like things were "working" down there, haha!  Its sort of like that but different.  I notice it when I get up from sitting sometimes where it just feels heavy down very low under my belly.  I guess that is just things growing!  Also I notice every once in a while I'll feel a semi-sharp pain, nothing too bad at all, when I get out of bed in the morning.  One of my weekly emails from babycenter said this is just round ligament pain.  Just reassuring to get these emails and know the things I feel are normal! 

Like I said above, next week we get to find out what baby is!  I am taking a half day with my sister so we'll be able to do some shopping afterward!  I think both my sister and my mom are going to be able to be there so they'll be the first ones to find out when we get done with the ultrasound.  Corey & I decided we just want it to be the two of us in there when we find out and see our baby again.  I think it just makes things special, just getting to see each other's reactions first!

18 weeks

19 weeks

19 weeks

19 weeks

19 weeks

Weekly Eats 3/11/12

Sunday - Dinner at Corey's parents!
                we had burgers, tater tots, & salad

Monday - Salmon with Creamy Dijon Sauce over rice, with carrots & broccoli

this salmon is one of our favorites! and the sauce is so so easy to make!  It would be really good over chicken too if you aren't a seafood fan!

Tuesday - Spinach Salad w/ Roasted Garlic Quinoa, Sun dried Tomatoes, Feta, & Avocado

Wednesday - Crispy Shrimp Pasta w/ Spinach Pesto Cream Sauce

                 Made something GREEN to celebrate St. Patty's day since Corey would be gone over the weekend.  I also crumbled some bacon & feta over the top this time!  Not a bad idea at all trust me!

Thursday - leftovers

Friday - Cheese Quesadilla & a huge fruit smoothie with yogurt, banana, strawberries, peaches, & spinach
              Corey was out of town and I really didn't feel like cooking for myself!

Saturday - out to dinner to watch the IU game with one of my best friends!

18 Weeks

March 12-18

Wait until you see these pictures below, oh hello there belly!  Where did you come from!?  Now I understand when people say one day you just pop.  It really happened for me over the last few days before I took the 18 week pictures (taken Sunday 12/11).  I can't wait to see the difference between 18 & 19 weeks now. 

I bought a "bella band" (or a BeBand) last night at Target for around $17 dollars and am wearing it for the first time today.  I think I'm going to love it!  I was debating whether to buy one or not, but after talking with a few people and finding out they can be used all the way through pregnancy and even after (until you fit back into your pants again), I decided to go for it!  Its basically a band that goes around your waist and is tall enough to go from right under your bust to all the way cover your zipper on your pants.  It looks just like you're wearing a longer tank underneath your shirt and is really comfortable.  I really needed it because I am still wearing all my regular pants, but some I need to keep unbuttoned.  However, I don't have enough long shirts to cover my un-done zipper!  Hopefully I'll get some extended life out of my regular pants for a while longer now.  You can also fold it over if you don't want it all the way up your stomach. 

This week baby is a sweet potato or a bell pepper!  I can't wait to find out how much I've gained at my next appointment.  And I really can't wait to see baby again and find out what he/she is!  I am mostly praying everything looks healthy with baby!!!

I've gone through a little bit of brief up and down emotions this week thinking about baby.  I had a split second of "what have we gotten ourselves into" panic when I started thinking holy cow we are going to have a baby - I can't believe this pregnancy is close to half way over already!  I was thinking about all the fun we have had as a young married couple, just the two of us, and I am really going to miss it being just the two of us!  Although I know it will be so much better!  It makes me very thankful for the man I married.  One of my favorite things about him is he is so good at getting us to go on dates and vacations and just do things together.  I have no doubt in my mind that we won't stop doing those things once baby comes.  I know it will be different, not as easy, and not as often I'm sure, but we will make it work.  Another thing I'm very grateful for is the fact that we live in the same city as both sets of parents.  And we got pretty darn lucky when it comes to them.  They'll make the world's greatest grandparents!

Then the very next day after my mini freak out moment, I had the complete opposite feeling.  I walked into baby's future room to look at the little outfits we've received as gifts and started picturing the nursery and I was completely overcome with joy!  That room that's been pretty much vacant for the 2 1/2 years we've lived in our house, will soon be full of baby stuff, and soon after our actual baby!!!  I just can't wait to find out so we can get planning!  Also another weird thing that happened this week...I've gone from thinking this baby is a girl throughout the whole pregnancy to now thinking its a boy!  I can't believe that actually finding out is just right around the corner.

17 weeks



18 weeks

18 weeks



18 weeks



Weekly Eats 3/4/12

Sunday - Roasted Vegetable Strudel

Monday - Steak Salad w/ Blue Cheese Vinaigrette

Tuesday - Spinach Lasagna Rolls, Roasted Garlic Bread, & Salad w/ Moroccan Vinaigrette
      I had some sorority girl friends over for dinner and fixed the lasagna rolls & garlic bread and another friend brought the salad.  The dressing was so so good!

Wednesday - Cheeze-it Casserole

Thursday - Leftovers

Friday -  Pork Tenderloin stuffed with Goat Cheese, Pesto, Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Summer Squash side, & Salad
      I had my best girl friends over for dinner & a movie and fixed this!  Another friend brought a summer squash side dish which I can't wait to make, and other brought an amazing salad w/ feta, apple, dried cranberries, & walnuts.

Saturday - Breakfast for dinner
      I was really craving pancakes so we made those, bacon, and eggs!

17 weeks

March 5 - 11

A few things I've noticed this week, or in the past few, increased need to pee!  I guess since my uterus is getting bigger there is less room for my already tiny bladder!  I'm better about not drinking too much water late at night though so I'm not constantly up in the middle of the night. 

I'm noticing myself waking up on my back probably at least once a night.  This is weird because I never did before really...who knows!?  My doctor said not to worry too much about it if that happens but maybe I'll start sleeping with a pillow behind me so I don't roll.  I am luckily still able to sleep on my tummy, but its starting to get a little uncomfortable.  It just sort of feels like I'm laying on a ball or something.  She said to stop at 20 weeks, but our bed is pretty cushy so it doesn't bother me too bad so far. 

I went to a baby shower last weekend for my friend Jamie which was really fun!  I loved seeing all the stuff she received for the baby, it just gets me so excited!  I love being able to talk babies with some of my friends and get their advice, because holy cow I would have no idea on any of this stuff without their help! 

Cor & I tried to go maternity clothes shopping this weekend while we were out.  I was hoping Old Navy had some jeans in store to try on, but no such luck.  I had to go ahead and order online and will send back if they don't work.  I am also thinking about investing in a belly band, but not sure if I need one.  We'll see how long I can get by with the hair-tie trick and keeping my jeans unbuttoned with a long shirt.  I only bought one pair of jeans since we are heading into spring.  Hopefully I'll be able to get by with those, a few work pants, and then some shorts later for the summer.  I hate spending money on stuff I can only wear for a few months!

My belly definitely popped in the past couple days.  Baby is the size of an onion this week.  I was telling him it just feels like I ate a really big meal and am bloated or something, but all the time.  I always wondered what it would feel like to have a pregnant belly, and its funny to finally be feeling that!  I'm excited to actually "look" pregnant in the future! 

I'm still feeling some small flutters this week, but wonder if its really the baby since its not even everyday that I notice it.  You just really have to sit still with no distractions after eating to notice it.  Maybe it will become more apparent in the next few weeks.  Have I said yet that we can't wait to find out????  Less than 3 weeks now at this point!  Gosh this pregnancy is flying by! 



Can I just say how amazing its been so far!?  One of the things I said when I first got pregnant was how I wanted to fully enjoy every step of the way and not rush it along.  Pregnancy is such a miracle and knowing there is a baby growing inside me is just amazing.  I know that I have been incredibly blessed with how easy its all been so far, but I have truly enjoyed it every step of the way.  Even though early on I was a little more worried if something would happen, it was so exciting to have this little secret that no one knew.  And the joy that it brought!  The joy that I felt that during Christmas season knowing next year would be so different.  Then beginning to see a little belly come, proof there really was a baby in there, and wondering when others would notice.  Seeing how excited my husband is for everything.  Getting my energy back, but fully allowing myself to rest when I feel like it.  Telling our friends and co-workers.  Strolling through baby isles, knowing in a month or so we would be registering for these items.  Feeling the first flutters and wondering if that's our baby moving in my belly.  Hearing the heartbeat and the doctor's encouraging words every time I go.  Reading about others pregnancies/babies and tearing up just feeling pure excitement.  And now, anticipating finding out whether this little one is a boy or girl, and more importantly getting to see he/she again.  What an amazing gift God has given us!



16 weeks





17 weeks




17 weeks



Weekly Eats 2/26/12

Sunday - Chili pitch-in with bible study 

We used to be a young married couples group but recently split so that girls meet one week and guys meet the next.  It was becoming difficult as 3 new babies were born within the last 6 months (and 2 more on the way!) for us to meet in the evenings.  Babies apparently have bedtimes before 10:30!  So this was our solution and its working out so great!  Then once a month we come together to do a "family dinner" where we all get to partake, usually earlier in the evening on a Sunday.  This month's was at our house, so I made regular chili, and another couple brought the yummiest cilantro lime chicken chili!  Don't worry, I got the recipe!!!

Monday - Sweet & Spicy Citrus Tilapia over Rice, sauted Zucchini & Red Peppers, Asparagus 

Tuesday - Cobb Salads, Baked Potatoes

I had two leftover from the bag I bought for last week so I baked them in the oven this time.

Wednesday - Chicken, Spinach, Goat Cheese, & Pesto Quesadillas, leftover cobb salad

Thursday - White Chicken Chili - will post soon!

I had planned to make this as well Sunday prior to my sweet friend offering to bring one of the chilis.  Corey & I were still craving it though and decided to add it to the dinner list for this week!

Friday - out to dinner to celebrate my wonderful Momma's birthday!

Saturday - leftovers

16 weeks

February 27 - March 4

Just got back from my appointment!  Everything looked perfect again!  I feel great after talking with her again.  My blood pressure and weight were great, I think my weight gain is around 5 pounds so far.  Corey's mom is a nurse at the same hospital I go to, so she was able to take a quick break and run over for my appointment and listen to the heartbeat.  My doctor was able to find it right away, 152 - around the same as last time.  She was telling me all about the next ultrasound and how we'll get to see all the baby's organs, etc. and or course find out what it is!  We can hardly wait!  I also asked her about childbirth and breastfeeding classes and she said its time to go ahead and enroll in those.  They apparently fill up pretty quickly, so I'm going to look into those in the next week or two. 

I am still feeling great this week.  Baby is the size of an avocado!  I am so thankful to get to hear that healthy heartbeat and get the doc's approval that everything looks perfect so far.  I'm starting to pop out a little bit more now, which is very reassuring.  We were at a friend's house Saturday and I definitely noticed how tight my jeans felt while sitting down.  My doctor also showed me how to feel my uterus which was really neat.  She said it will be all the way up to my belly button by next time. 

Its funny because I would say within the last day or two I have felt a lot of noticeable flutters, especially right after I eat.  I wasn't so sure if they were really the baby or not, but its fun to wait for them and feel them.  Then my doctor asked me today if I was feeling movement.  I described it to her and she said most likely that's the baby!  She said it will be a lot more defined in the next few weeks, and pretty unmistakable.



15 weeks!

 

16 weeks!



16 weeks!