Starting to sink in.

I don't know why it's taken five months to really understand that we are going to be parents but it finally sunk in this weekend! I think it was due to me and Dustin really starting to discuss the nursery and start purchasing furniture.  We bought OUR BABY'S crib this weekend.  Just seeing Dustin putting it together brought so much happiness and joy into my heart.  I asked him if he could even believe that he was putting together a crib and he couldn't.  It's been very surreal but as days pass it's more and more real, that this is happening!

Today I am 20 weeks.  I would love to know where these last 20 weeks have gone! They have really gone by fast.  Now if the last 20 weeks will go this fast, that's the question.  They say that your last trimester goes by extremely slow but hopefully with everything we have going on in the next few months will help the time.  I will be busy with holidays, Halloween (already have our costume idea!), Thanksgiving, Christmas and weddings and shopping for baby and preparing nursery for baby...I think that should keep me busy!

Tomorrow is our doctor's appointment to determine gender! They will also do the in-depth ultrasound to check the baby's spine and brain and make sure it's growing normally.  It's definitely a big day for us! I've been looking forward to this milestone in this pregnancy since I found out.  I will definitely post tomorrow and give all the details!

Now, how about some pictures of the furniture!

Dustin putting the crib together.  He was so cute making sure every bolt was extra tight.  He was worried it wouldn't be enough support.  Worried dad already :)



This is it! Sorry for the fuzzy picture quality.  I took this from my cell phone.  Regardless of quality, soon there will be a baby sleeping in this :)

If you would like to see a better quality picture just click here.



I will admit, I have been a little crazy these last few weeks waiting on this 20 week appointment.  To pass time I chose to figure out themes for the nursery and all the furniture.  I spend days looking for the perfect rocking chair and just wasn't having any luck.  I do not want a glider.  I am not a fan of the motion of gliders and really want to rock my baby.  I also don't want a wooden rocking chair because they are uncomfortable and are noisy.  All I could find were gliders, wooden rocking chairs and very expensive rocking recliners.  I was about to give up when I came across a picture on one of my friends Facebook pages.  She recently had a precious little baby girl and in the picture she is sitting in the  coolest rocking chair I've ever seen.  I was able to get all the details of where she found hers and we have officially chose our chair! It's called a Puff Rocking Chair and I may just never want to get out of it.  Just the name alone sounds heavenly.  Thanks Grace for referring me to this chair.  Can't wait until we get it!



Make sure to stay tuned for the results of our ultrasound tomorrow!

19 Weeks, Whoa!

I cannot even believe it.  This pregnancy is half way over.  I remember when I first found out, time was just creeping by and now I can't remember where the weeks have gone.  I only hope the next part of this pregnancy goes as fast.  The sooner we get to meet this little bundle of joy the better.  I told Dustin the other day that I'm on pins and needles to hold a precious onsie covered baby butt and kiss its sweet hands and feet :) I also informed him as soon as this baby starts growing up on us it's going to be time for another! We don't even have the first baby popped out and I'm planning the second already.  Crazy right? We have both always wanted a pretty big family, Dustin more than me actually.  I always said two was my max but now you just never know! I have felt for the longest time that our home was missing something and lonely at times and now I know it's the presence of kids.  The pitter patter of little feet, cuddling with our kids and just the plain joy of raising and watching our children grow.  So here we are half way on our way to adding our first little one and we couldn't be happier.  All the praise and glory goes to the Lord.  This is such an amazing blessing and experience.  I'm so thankful he's protecting this baby and myself.  God is good!

Next Tuesday the 31st we have our 20 week ultrasound.  We will be able to find out what we are having.  I hope this week doesn't drag!

19 weeks!!

Apple Fritter

If you are looking for a yummy dessert for yourself or your family, this is the one.  I'm not a huge fan of apples myself but this recipe is melt in your mouth delicious.  I didn't create the recipe myself of course, I can't take credit for that.  I got it from Barefoot Contessa.  The recipe calls for homemade dough and my first reaction was YEAH RIGHT.  I am pretty good at following directions but actually preparing a dough is a different story.  However, it turned out amazing! I didn't have a food processor like the recipe called for so I used a mixer instead and it worked just fine.  Just follow the easy steps below and you will have a yummy dessert for any event (plus you can tell yourself it's healthy because it has apples!).

Ingredients

For the pastry:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour


• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt


• 1 tablespoon sugar


• 12 tablespoons (11/2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, diced


• 1/2 cup ice water

For the apples:

• 4 Granny Smith apples


• 1/2 cup sugar


• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, small diced


• 1/2 cup apricot jelly or warm sieved apricot jam


• 2 tablespoons Calvados, rum, or water

Directions

For the pastry, place the flour, salt, and sugar in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pulse for a few seconds to combine. Add the butter and pulse 10 to 12 times, until the butter is in small bits the size of peas. With the motor running, pour the ice water down the feed tube and pulse just until the dough starts to come together. Dump onto a floured board and knead quickly into a ball. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

This is how my dough turned out and I was so proud.  It was perfect after it rested in the fridge.  It may seem somewhat difficult to make it but I promise it is so easy.  If I can do it, you can!



Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

After dough has rested, roll the dough slightly larger than 10 by 14-inches. Using a ruler and a small knife, trim the edges. Place the dough on the prepared sheet pan and refrigerate while you prepare the apples.



I did not want my fritter to tart so I chose two Granny Smith and Two Gala which turned out perfect.

Peel the apples and cut them in half through the stem. Remove the stems and cores with a sharp knife and a melon baler. Slice the apples crosswise in 1/4-inch thick slices. Place overlapping slices of apples diagonally down the middle of the tart and continue making diagonal rows on both sides of the first row until the pastry is covered with apple slices. (I tend not to use the apple ends in order to make the arrangement beautiful.) Sprinkle with the full 1/2 cup of sugar and dot with the butter.



Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the pastry is browned and the edges of the apples start to brown. Rotate the pan once during cooking. If the pastry puffs up in one area, cut a little slit with a knife to let the air out. Don't worry! The apple juices will burn in the pan but the tart will be fine!

When the tart's done, heat the apricot jelly together with the water and brush the apples and the pastry completely with the jelly mixture. Loosen the tart with a metal spatula so it doesn't stick to the paper. Allow to cool and serve warm or at room temperature.

Besides a few dark brown edges from the apple juices it was amazing.  I added a little bit of vanilla ice cream to my piece and it was the cherry on top of the cake :)

As my nephew would quote from Yo Gabba Gabba: Try It, You'll Like it!

I think I've found a hobby!

After a very long weekend visiting family and realizing that when you are pregnant, life gets kind of boring.  I knew I needed to come home and really start the search for a hobby.  After getting caught up on my sleep, this overwhelming urge came over me to want to cook and bake.  I have really been obsessed with Food Network for about six months now and as I was sitting here watching an episode of Barefoot Contessa, I realized that I wanted to try cooking.  Since getting married I have really learned a lot about food and seasoning and cooking, but I never really enjoyed doing it, until now! I started my cooking journey out with something easy but fresh and delicious.  Let's see it step by step shall we?

Yummy Steak Fajitas

First step is to cut your steak (I prefer to use Sirloin steak rather than the pre-cut meat, it's more tender that way) into long strips and brown it until it's cooked to your prefered temperature.  I prefer Medium to Medium Well.  When the meat is done add your fajita sauce pack.  Next time we are going to try our own sauce because the packs are way too salty.  *Please regard my messy stove top, I usually clean as I go, but Dustin was actually the one browning the meat*



Next, cut your veggies.  You can use whatever suits your fancy, but we chose a Green Bell Pepper, a Red Bell Pepper and an Onion.  Heat some Olive Oil in a skillet and add your veggies with a little salt and pepper.  Cook those until they are still a little crunchy.



While your veggies and meat are still cooking go ahead and chop your sides.  We like lettuce, tomato and cheese.  It can't be a yummy fajita without sides!



Next, mix together your veggies and meat so that your sauce soaks into those veggies.



A good side option for fajitas is some Mexican rice.  You can find it in any grocery store in the Ethnic food or rice isle.  I haven't quite gotten to everything being homemade but I'm working on it!



And for the finished product...



Dinner time! I promise if you make this super easy yet delicious meal your family will love you forever! Stay tuned for dessert.  I should be posting my Apple Fritter recipe soon!

Baby Room Ideas

This week has been such a great week.  I went to visit two of my dearest friends from high school on Tuesday for dinner.  We talked for hours reminiscing about old times.  I have missed them both so much.  It's crazy how everyone goes their separate ways after high school.  It's so hard to stay in touch but thanks to lovely inventions like a cell phone, texting, Facebook and such it's much easier to keep in contact.  Can't wait to see them both again soon!

In baby news, I have been searching online for baby furniture and bedding.  I'm not much of a theme person, more into solid colors or patterns and so far I've found these two that I love:



I love this one for a boy.



I love this one for a girl.



I also am really thinking about getting a Boppy Body Pillow.  I'm uncomfortable at night since we don't have a firm mattress and I think this would give me some support.  Have any of you used this and if so would you recommend it?

What do ya think about the crib bedding? The one for a girl looks elegant but fun too.  I think the colors would also be great to work with.  The boy bedding is simple but the polka dots make it babyish.  I'm definitely ready to find out what this sweet baby is going to be so I can actually start picking stuff out.  I'm getting anxious! It's hard to believe that in just a few days I will be 18 weeks pregnant.  I honestly don't know where time is going.  It started out very slow in the beginning and now it's flying by.

I will be M.I.A this weekend.  I'm going to Indiana this weekend to visit my sister for her birthday, so I shall update with stories and pictures of my weekend when I return.  I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!



17 weeks 3 days!

Convo with the hubby.

Last night, laying in bed, as Dustin is telling the baby goodnight.

Me: Why in creation would God make pregnancy 40 weeks out of 52? I know he has his reasons for everything but it just seems cruel.  I want to meet this baby!

Dustin: Well he could have made it 52, but what if he made you pregnant like 60 weeks!?

Me: Because he loves us and would never do that to us!

Dustin: Actually, God loves a woman to bear children so why wouldn't he have made pregnancy like THREE DAYS! (as he laughs an evil laugh and tells me how funny he is) That way you could have lots and lots of babies.

Me: Because that's not physically possible and he loves us.  He knew what he was doing I guess...

After that conversation, I'm totally cool with 40 weeks! haha

Why I love Sundays.

I could probably write a book on why I love Sundays.  It is probably my favorite day of the week.  In bullet point fashion here are my reasons why:

• We found the most amazing church ever and I can't wait for Sunday mornings to arrive.  Looking forward to what the future in this church holds for us.  I really could stay there all day on Sundays.


• Sunday lunch! Whether it's a home cooked meal or sitting down at a restaurant, nothing is better than a great Sunday lunch.


• Nap time...Oh what is better than getting home from church and lunch, turning on some TV and snoozing the day away.


• Cleaning (sounds crazy right?).  I am quite a cleaner anyway so Sunday cleaning is actually very therapeutic and relaxing for me.  It's a great way to start the new week fresh and clean! Today I even went as far as cleaning out boxes, photo albums and yard sale items.  That could maybe be super early nesting setting in because that much in-depth cleaning isn't really like me.


• Nascar racing and NFL.  I am tickled pink that football is back.  Fall is definitely my favorite time of the year.  One reason being football.  Go TITANS!


• Spending quality time with my sweet husband.  Nine times out of ten he doesn't work on Sundays so we get to spend all day together.  Definitely cannot beat that.


• Also, Sundays always mean one more week down in this pregnancy, Woot Woot! Which means 17 weeks pregnant, 3 weeks until we find out whether this precious baby is a boy or girl and 23 weeks to go! I've gotten to the point where every time I see a baby in public it melts me and I'm almost tempted to steal it!

So there you have it people...the reasons why Sundays are so darn amazing! I mean do you not agree? Sundays are the most fabulous day of the week.  If you disagree, just try my list and I promise you will be a fan soon enough! I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend.  Happy Monday tomorrow.

Oh Baby!

After almost five years of marriage we are finally expecting our first baby! We thought for the longest time it just wasn't going to happen for us but God had other plans.  He was making sure to give us this wonderful blessing at the perfect time in our lives.  What an awesome God! We had stopped trying and decided if it was going to happen we couldn't keep the attitude we had and after putting it in the Lords hands we are going to have a baby.  We are overjoyed!

So far so good! At 16 weeks 4 days I am feeling great, besides the scorching heat outside and some extreme fatigue and mood swings in the first trimester.  I have been very fortunate to not have ANY morning sickness this entire pregnancy.  I did experience the repercussions of dehydration from a stomach virus recently.  It wasn't a fun experience.  I ended up at the doctor and had to have an IV drip of Phenergan, Zantac and fluids.  I do not do well with needles so when the lady couldn't find a good vein due to the dehydration, I started getting dizzy and fainted.  I have never fainted before and I don't wish it on anyone.  It was terrifying to wake up and forget where you are, with strangers standing over you.  They eventually got me hooked up to the IV and all was well from then on.  I was there for about seven hours and slept the entire time.  After a week of rest I am back to my same old self, thank goodness!

On August 31st we will find out the sex of the baby.  I just don't know if I can wait that long.  Patience is one virtue I need to learn before this baby arrives.  I can't wait to call this baby by name instead of just calling he or she baby! I will be happy with a boy or girl.  I just want a healthy baby.  My family is determined it's a girl but several friends and myself are leaning towards boy.  We will just have to wait and see! Three and a half weeks until we will know.  Hoping time flies by!



16 weeks 2 days

Only 24 more weeks to go!

Welcome To Our Story

It has been a little over a year since I quit my last blog.  After a crazy year I've decided it's time to start writing again.  I'm so excited to share my story again.  I hope to use this blog more often than my last one.  I think I was writing for all the wrong reasons last time.  I looked more forward to the people reading and leaving comments than actually writing the words.  It became a chore rather than something I enjoyed.  Over the past year I have definitely grown as a person, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend and soon to be parent.  I've learned many life lessons in a year and fell in love with the man of my dreams all over again.  I'm excited to share my faith, my love for life, my love for my family and excitement for a new baby with the world and I hope that whomever reads this blog, if anybody even does, that they enjoy it and learn something from it.  I'm writing this time for myself and that is all that matters.  I hope that people who read this will laugh with me, give advice and encouragement, cry with me whether happy or sad and just plain enjoy what I write.