34 Week Pregnancy Blog

Written on Monday December 1, 2014

Hello there, December! I cannot believe it's already Christmas time and less than 6 weeks until my due date. Wow, time has flown! I honestly have few complaints about my pregnancy and have really loved being pregnant. I have been blessed with a very smooth and healthy pregnancy and I am so grateful for that. I will miss it in a lot of ways, but the excitement I feel about meeting my baby outweighs any sadness I feel about the pregnancy coming to an end. This week was another good week and another week closer to meeting our Peanut.

How far along? 34 weeks 5 days -- 2.5 weeks until I am considered full-term! (They now consider full-term to be 37 weeks meaning that if I go into labor after that point, they aren't going to stop me!)

Baby: The baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (about the size of a cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. The fat layers — which will help regulate the body temperature once the baby's born — are filling out, making the baby rounder. The skin is also smoother than ever. The central nervous system is maturing and lungs are continuing to mature as well.

Total Weight Gain: Still holding down the 15-16 lb. weight gain! I have still been able to stay active which helps give me more energy.

Maternity Clothes: I've been lucky enough to survive on the maternity clothes that were given to me by a few friends. I've only bought 1 maternity top this pregnancy which was extremely nice for my wallet. The selection of clothes that fit me is a little thin, but at this point I'm not going to buy a bunch of new maternity clothes since I am so close to the end. I'm still wearing maternity tops, maternity pants, leggings and my regular pants with my belly band.

Stretch Marks: Still being consistent with applying lotion once in the morning and once at night and so far, no stretch marks to report!

Sleep: Sleep has been very strange lately. My energy is waning, but I am really struggling with sleep. I'm not uncomfortable and I don't have to pee every 2 seconds, but when I do wake up in the night, I just can't seem to get back to sleep. I am sleeping very lightly and wake up around 5 am most weekends. I think it has to do with having so much on my mind and beginning to nest and want everything done and in its place.

Miss Anything? Getting a good nights sleep!

Best Moment of the Week: Clearing everything out of the baby room and getting everything in it's place! Besides the decorations, the nursery is now complete! I love it so much and find myself going in there just to look at everything and take it all in :) Also, Thanksgiving was great! My brother flew in town Wednesday night and surprised my parents! We had been planning the surprise for a few weeks, and it was so nice to have him home for a few days. We have only seen him once in a whole year, so I loved having us all together for Thanksgiving!

Movement: The baby was very active this week! Now that the baby is bigger, I can definitely tell a difference. The movements are so strong and powerful...they make my whole stomach shake! I can distinctly see and feel the different body parts which is so cool. The movement is my favorite part of pregnancy, so I'm trying to soak it all in while I still can.

Food Cravings: Still loving sweets! Also, I was on a grits kick last week. I ate them every morning for breakfast and they just hit the spot.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No.

Gender: Surprise! But getting more anxious to know the gender!

Symptoms: Having trouble sleeping and also experienced a random leg cramp during the night, nesting, always thirsty, consistent Braxton Hicks and random numbness in my hands and legs.

Happy or moody: My mood is all over the board! Also, lack of sleep never makes me a happy camper, so that definitely doesn't help!

Looking forward to: The hospital tour this week and getting my hospital bag packed! I bought everything for the hospital bag, now I just need to pack it up :)

My brother caught this lovely pose of mine on camera on Thanksgiving! If you needed a good laugh for today, well here it is! Along with the baby bump :)

 

Freezer Meals For The Win!

So as many of you know, I am expecting a baby in 6 weeks! I'm SO excited and my head has been buzzing for months trying to make sure I get everything accomplished for when the baby arrives. If you know me at all, then you probably know that I am a planner and an organizer. I like to think and plan ahead, so that things run more smoothly. So when my sister-in-law told me that she wanted to help me make a bunch of freezer meals for when the baby comes, I was totally on board! She is (in my opinion) an expert on the freezer meal front and wanted to show me the ropes. (Her blog is http://shalahgale.wordpress.com if you want more details!) I was excited to minimize the cooking after our child is born and for the convenience that these freezer meals would provide, but I was also a little overwhelmed at the idea of making so many meals and preparing them for the freezer. Turns out, it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought and dare I say it, I may even repeat the freezer meal process again in the near future!

First, I did a lot of research on the different meals I wanted to make. Turns out, you can freeze almost anything! I found some blogs with freezer recipes and I also found this link to be very helpful (http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/08/50-easy-freezer-meals.html). I am a huge fan of any Six Sisters Stuff recipe, so I was excited to see that they had freezer meal options as well.

Then, I compiled a list of 8 different meals and figured out which ingredients I needed. I already had a lot of it on hand which was very helpful! Always check your own fridge before going grocery shopping and you will be amazed how your shopping list dwindles. I chose to print out a list of the ingredients I needed, so that I could keep it all straight. It helped me to have a list in my hand that I could check off during my shopping trip.

Once I had my list of ingredients, I headed to the store. First, I went to Aldi to buy my produce. Then I went to Kroger for the rest of the ingredients. I took my husband with me and that was very helpful. We knocked out the shopping trip fairly quickly and it was nice to have an extra set of hands. I also picked up gallon size zip lock bags and disposable cooking trays to store the meals in. You will need foil, a sharpie and cling wrap if you don't already have that on hand.

The next day, my sister-in-law visited and we started our freezer meal adventure! We divided the recipes up and got to work. Many of the recipes only require assembly before they are ready for the freezer, while others require you to actually cook the meal first and then freeze it. I took on the cooking portion while Shalah began assembling the uncooked meals. With each meal we completed, we labeled the bag or cooking tray with the date, the name of the meal, and the cooking instructions. This system worked really well for us and we ended up knocking out 8 different recipes in about 4 hours total. I would definitely recommend having a partner help you out unless you want to be in the kitchen all day!

The preparation and time that went into making the freezer meals was definitely worth it! I ended up with almost 20 meals (each meal made at least 2 portions) and I only spent $130 total! At the end of the experience, I couldn't help but think I will be doing this again in the future. It's very cost-effective and will be extremely helpful for a new first-time working mommy.

The 8 recipes I ended up making were:

1. Chicken Pot Pie
2. Spaghetti Sauce
3. Slow Cooker Sweet and Tangy Meatballs
4. Meatloaf
5. Ham and Cheese Potato Casserole
6. Slow Cooker Black Bean and Corn Salsa Chicken
7. Taco Soup
8. Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole

If you are interested in any of these recipes, please let me know and I would love to pass them on!

Here are some pictures from our freezer meal day! We had a blast!

Perspective: It's a Beautiful Thing

Recently, my life has been a roller coaster. Each day there is some new issue or change, completely lacking consistency. I go through about 20 emotions in a day and find myself on different highs and lows throughout the same day. While this could definitely be contributed to pregnancy (third trimester, at that), I've always been one to give in to emotions and let them control me. I get sucked in to how I feel in the moment and forget to hold tight to reality. The older I get, the more I am realizing that life (a joyful one) is all about perspective. Lately, my life has been hectic, but I've also been so very blessed. I've had a few stressful situations arise, but I've also seen God directly answer my prayers. There have been things that haven't gone my way, but my friends and family have stepped up and shown so much love and support. Money has been tight, but God has provided in incredible ways. There has been so much good that it's hard to even acknowledge the bad: that's perspective and it's a beautiful thing.

The Bible says to, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." In the world we live in today, that's not always the easiest task. In the past month alone, the news has been filled with cases of Ebola spreading in the U.S. and the latest ISIS attack and capture. It's a scary and not always so pretty world that we live in. Despite the negative images and conversation that surround us each day and can so easily entangle us, I still think there is so much good left in the world. If you take the time to look for it and meditate on it, you will find it. You will see it in the young cashier helping the sweet older man carry his groceries, in the mother kissing her children as she sends them off to school, and in someone taking the time to bake you some cookies to show their appreciation for all your hard work. You will see it when you remember how quickly life passes and how you are one of the lucky ones that is still alive and given the opportunity to make a difference today. I have been reminded so many times recently that no matter how bad our situation is, someone else always has it worse. So yes, those are simple examples, but hey, some people don't even have that to pull from. For me, each time I feel my baby kick, I am reminded of how good life is and how blessed I am. Having a little miracle growing inside of you quickly puts your life into perspective. The problems seem so insignificant compared to the simple joys we have been given. These are the things are need to remember when life gets tough. We are the lucky ones. Again, perspective.

Some days it's so difficult to find the good. We stress and get so flustered about a particular problem and once that issue is solved, we move right on to the next crisis. We forget to give thanks for the answer to our previous problem and the things that are going right in our lives. For me, it's been medical bills, work, baby preparation, and so many other things that consume my life and sometimes derail me from an attitude of praise. Despite anything difficult I've experienced recently, when I step back and put my life into perspective I can honestly say that I've never been more blessed. Josh and I have had so many people help us in more ways than I can even count. Our family, friends, church members, and co-workers have given their time and energy to us to make us feel so loved and appreciated. They have saved us and supported us when we had so much to get done that we couldn't even see straight. We have felt encouragement from all sides. Our baby hasn't even arrived yet and is already so loved and prayed for. I am lucky enough to carry my baby, have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby which is more than many can say. People have been so incredibly giving and generous to our family that it blows my mind. God has made a way for us when there didn't seem to be one. All that to say, God has been so, so good to us. And we can't forget that when the first hardship hits. We must cling tightly to perspective and an attitude of gratitude.  

Yes, it's easy to get caught up in all the things in life that aren't true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. But putting your life in perspective is one of the best things you could ever do for yourself and your family. That's what I've been learning lately. I'm alive and healthy. I'm loved and cared for. This is all I need. Everything else is just icing on the cake and when I put my life in perspective, I have a lot of icing! :)

Always In A Rush

I don't know about you, but this year has flown by for me. Less than 3 months until 2015...that's crazy! It seems like the days are long, but the years are short. My husband recently reminded me of how important it is to cherish our time and each moment that we are living in instead of rushing from one to the next. It really got me thinking about how I don't always take the time to stop and appreciate where I'm at. I'm always going, going, going and pushing on to the next big thing. When did I stop being satisfied with where I am? When did I stop taking in the day-to-day moments that make up my life? Why am I not cherishing my time instead of wishing it to pass more quickly? These questions fill my mind this morning.

Last week was a particularly rough week for me. A lot of unexpected things happened and I was stuck on the feeling-sorry-for-myself bus. One of those hardships was dealing with a co-worker's death. It was expected, but difficult nonetheless. I (thankfully) haven't had much experience with loved ones passing away and this particular co-worker was someone whom I loved. He was the sweetest man and his passing deeply affected everyone he knew. I went to his memorial service on Thursday evening already down in the dumps about the events of the week. Funny thing was that all my problems immediately seemed insignificant once I walked in the funeral home. Funerals have a way of bringing clarity to situations and reminding us of what's really important. I sat through the service and I felt the overwhelming reminder of how temporary life is and how our time here on earth is quickly fleeting, day-by-day and moment-by-moment.  It occurred to me that I wasn't always as thankful as I should be for the life I've been given. I was too busy rushing around, worrying and doing, to really enjoy living to the fullest. Almost everything in my daily life, all my troubles and quandaries, are so brief. I get so consumed and focused on the little things in my life that I don't appreciate my time as I should and I let it pass without taking it in, without cherishing.

I left the funeral suddenly extremely grateful for my situations and my time. God has given me time that others don't have any more. And I don't always spend it as I should. I rush instead of taking the time to slow down and look around. I wish away time instead of cherishing moments. I complain about imperfections in my life instead of appreciating the things are that going right. I'm already 26 years old, married, and expecting my first child. Time has flown! Most days I realize how much God has blessed me (because He has beyond my wildest dreams), but it's also easy to get caught up rushing through this time period instead of appreciating exactly where I am. At the end of my life, most of the things that consume my mind on a daily basis aren't that important. The things I will remember most will be the moments where I took the time to slow down, put things in perspective, and allowed myself to fully enjoy that moment in time. I don't want to get to the end of this life and finally realize how blessed I was, I want it to be a daily realization. I don't want my vision to get clouded each day by trials and time. I want to see clearly.

So yeah, last week was pretty rough. And yes, it's easy to want to rush through this time period to get to the next (especially when you have a baby on the way!). It's easy to not cherish each moment as it happens, but that's where the joy is. And I want to experience that joy. None of us know exactly how long we have left on this earth, so let's make the most of each day we have been given instead of wishing it was tomorrow. Time doesn't have to be a bad thing, in fact, it can be beautiful.

25 Week Pregnancy Blog

Good morning!

It's been a while since I have posted a pregnancy update, so I thought I would today. I am officially 6.5 months pregnant which is crazy and only 2 weeks away from my 3rd trimester! This pregnancy has flown and I'm so thankful for our healthy, quickly growing baby. Everything has been going very well and I'm loving being pregnant. If you want all the update details, keep reading! :)


Written on Tuesday September 30, 2014

How far along? 25 weeks 5 days (2 weeks away from the 3rd trimester!)

Baby: Head to heel, Peanut now measures about 13.5 inches and weighs a pound and a half (the size of an eggplant or an ear of corn!). Right now the baby is long and lean, but is starting to gain some baby fat (half a pound will be put on this week alone). The wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and the lungs are continuing to develop. Baby is also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture -- so cool!

Total Weight Gain: My thyroid levels are finally in the "normal" range! This has been a battle my entire pregnancy (they were crazy off in the beginning), so I'm very grateful that they have finally leveled out and are healthy. I'm continuing to get my thyroid levels checked each month.  If you didn't know, hypothyroidism dramatically affects your weight, so it was hard to tell what my true weight gain was. That being said, my weight gain should be fairly accurate now and so far I've gained 11 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: I'm going back and forth between bigger regular clothes and maternity clothes. My belly had grown a little more, so the maternity clothes are now looking cute! Still wearing the baby band for most pants. The belly band has been a life saver throughout my pregnancy because it allows me to still wear all my regular pants and shorts!

Stretch Marks: Still trying to be disciplined with the stretch mark cream and doing fairly well at it. No stretch marks as of yet, so I am hoping what I am doing is working and keeping my skin moisturized (at least for now!).

Sleep: I'm still super sleepy which is similar to weeks past. I'm just lacking energy all the time. I had a long weekend and was able to catch up on sleep which was so nice! I seem to drag all day, but if I take a nap then I can't sleep at night. I am waking up a little more often during the night, but nothing that bad. I've started using a little pillow to support my belly while sleeping some nights, but I don't need it as of yet. It does make sleeping more comfy :)

Miss Anything? Still missing regular coffee! And wanting it more and more. Why do we always want what we can't have?! I also miss having energy! But besides those small things, I love being pregnant! I've had such a smooth pregnancy so far that it's hard to have any complaints.

Best Moment of the Week: Registering for Peanut and picking out some furniture for the nursery! Also, yesterday Josh and I were able to spend an entire day together free of work, school and phone calls. It was wonderful! We are trying to enjoy this time when it's just the two of us.

Movement: Still feeling a good bit of movement. Sometimes the movements aren't as strong and I only really notice them if I am paying attention or sitting still. Sometimes they are big! The baby moves the most when I am relaxed and laying down. I was able to see some movement under my skin this week which is the coolest thing! Also, the baby got hiccups twice this week -- it's the funniest thing to watch!

Food Cravings: Sweets! Although I'm trying to tone it down because I have my glucose test next week. Hoping to pass the first time around!

Anything making you queasy or sick? Thankfully, no.

Gender: Surprise!

Symptoms: I was experiencing achy hips and back, but that has gone away for now. I'm still tired and still dealing with hormonal acne off and on. The biggest symptom I'm experiencing is Braxton Hicks contractions! So crazy they can happen this early. My uterus just tightens and hardens like a rock and you can distinctly see where the baby is. It's very weird! I asked my doctor about it and apparently as long as they aren't frequent (like 6 times in an hour), then it's just fine. So crazy my body is already gearing up for labor!

Happy or moody: Happier!

Looking forward to: Finishing up registering and working on the nursery...there is still a lot to be done! Less than 15 weeks to go! We can't wait to meet our baby! :) 

Getting Out Of Your Comfort Zone

We all dread it, maybe some more than others, but know it's a necessary part of life: the nerve-racking experience of getting out of your comfort zone that is! If you are like me, it's usually awkward and filled with nervous moments. There's that little bit of fear in the pit of your stomach knowing that you aren't quite sure what's coming next, but you really wish you had a clue. As my 26th birthday rapidly approaches (less than 2 days!), I can say that getting out of your comfort zone is such an important part of life and allows us to be challenged. It's really one of the only ways we can experience growth. I have always been very hesitant at trying new things, afraid of what could possibly happen. I think about being judged, failing, what others will think, and how I won't know exactly what to do as I embark on the unknown path. These things usually hold me back from experiencing more. As I close out this year of my life and begin a new one, getting out of my comfort zone is at the top of my list for my 26th year on this earth. Since this year will also include having a baby, I'm sure this will be an easy goal to accomplish ;) I want to not be afraid to try everything and anything. Life is so short, ya'll. Like ridiculously short. It's already flying by for me. I don't want to get to the end of my life and realize I was too fearful of getting out of my comfort zone that I missed out on the most exciting things in life, which usually start out by taking a shaky step into the unknown.

Recently, my Sunday school class started a study on prayer. You might be wondering how this all ties in? Well, I have always been a little fearful of prayer. Prayer requires intimacy with God. It requires discipline. Prayer requires getting out of your comfort zone. I've never been the best with prayer. I've always wanted to be better, but then other things catch my attention and I soon forgot my goal. I can't sit still long enough to focus on God and always feel a little awkward when I do. I thought, there's no way I could ever develop a prayer life like these other awesome Christians that I know. They pray for hours on end, I couldn't possibly do that! I was intimidated and almost too afraid to even try.

All these doubts filled my head: What would I talk about for that long? I'll probably sound awkward. My prayers won't sound eloquent enough. I won't sound smart enough or "Christian" enough. What if I don't feel how I'm supposed to feel while being in God's presence? What if I just sound selfish? God doesn't care about my petty problems. I'll feel guilty for not coming to Him enough. Wow, I'm a horrible person for not praying more especially because there are so many people in my life that need prayer.

Needless to say, I knew when we started this book on prayer that I would be pushed out of my comfort zone. I knew I would need to practice praying more and knew it was something I seriously slacked on. I usually avoided it because I didn't want to deal with the unknown. We are a few weeks into the study and I am slowly breaking down these prayer barriers I have built. I've been trying to push myself during those moments I know God is calling me to pray. I've been carving out time to be with Him. I've been making lists of people in my life who need prayer and been actively trying to pray for them. I've even sat in silence and prayed. And you know what? It wasn't that bad, in fact, it's been really great! Yeah, it usually starts off a little rocky, but by the end I'm more comfortable than ever.

Today, I went on a walk during my lunch break. I've been trying to get out and go walking more lately while the weather is so beautiful. I typically listen to worship music on my walks and find myself spending time with God in that way. While that is great, I could feel God tugging at my heart to turn off the music and just talk to Him. I usually don't listen to that tugging and continue on with my music, convincing myself that worship music is plenty pleasing to God. While it definitely is, I know God wanted more from me and He also wanted me to experience more. So today, I decided to turn off my music and step outside of my comfort zone which included walking in silence while praying to God. Yes, I've done this before, but I wanted to really push myself and make it more than just a few minutes of prayer. I started praying and soon couldn't stop. When I finished my walk, I realized I had prayed without ceasing for a whole 20 minutes...quite an accomplishment for me. :)

Getting out of my comfort zone paid off today because I got to experience a special time with God that I wouldn't have if I had just stuck with what was easy and known to me. This is one specific example in my life, but trust me, there are so many more areas where I need to step out of my comfort zone. It's scary, yet so rewarding. Life is short and fleeting, so why not take risks and push ourselves even when it's uncomfortable? What do we have to lose? There are so many times playing it safe is the best option, but not always. The older I get I realize that the best things in life usually start off a little scary and take risk. You may feel silly or awkward giving them a try. You may have no idea what people will think or what will come out of taking that chance. But the experience that comes with trying and succeeding at something new because you found the courage to get out of your comfort zone is so much sweeter than playing it safe ever could be.

Saving Money on Food

Hello Readers,

Hopefully you are still with me! I haven't posted anything in a while as my life has been quite hectic. Between work, church, my husband starting his fall semester, and baby planning on the forefront of my mind, writing has taken a back seat. I did, however, want to get out a small blog post about something else that has been a priority of mine lately and that's saving money. Saving money on food that is. 

My husband and I are in our mid-twenties. We both work and work hard, but at this age I feel like most of us are still in that money saving, majorly budgeting stage of life. This only gets more complicated when you are expecting a baby exactly 4 months from today (crazy!). I'm constantly trying to figure out the best way to budget our money and where we can save. Like most people, one of our biggest expenses is food, definitely not very exciting, but it is where a huge chunk of our money goes. Lately, I have found a few successful ways to save money on food. I thought I would share them today in hopes that maybe some of you are in the same "Where-Can-We-Save-Money?" battle. Here are a few tips I've learned so far!

1.  Don't go grocery shopping in-between weekly trips. I don't know what you do, but I tend to go to the grocery store once a week. I'm pretty good at sticking to this, but there are usually things I forget or things that pop up during the week that I need but don't have. Lately, instead of going to the store mid-week to get those few random things that I could probably live without, I have been waiting until my weekly shop to go back to the grocery store. Only going during my specified times really helps cutting down on food cost because I'm not spending money there multiple times a week. I only go once a week. Obviously if there is something you really need, go get it. I just know I could go every day if I really wanted (we always need something), but I would end up spending much more money that way.

2. Use up what you already have. This goes off my first point. Instead of constantly buying new things once you run out, use up what you have first. This is something I've been doing more recently and it's shocking how long we can last on the food we already have without having to buy more. Lately, I've been trying to make my weekly shop very minimal and instead use up the food I already have on hand or use what I already have as the base of a recipe rather than buying all new things for a new recipe. If I run out of a particular ingredient, I see what I have on hand that would make a good substitute instead of running to the store to buy something new. This is a great way to save money and you will be surprised how much food you have built up in your pantry and freezer.

3. Only get what you NEED instead of buying ahead of time. This one all depends on sales and how much you like to plan ahead. Personally, I struggle with this one because I am a planner. If I see we are low on something, I like to go ahead and buy the replacement item immediately, so we don't run out. The problem is I find myself buying things a little too far in advance when I could wait another week to replace that item, therefore spending money before I have to. If you see something on sale or you know you will run out of it before your next shopping trip, buy it. I have just found that I can last longer without replacing items than I thought I could. I also limit what I buy to what we actually need instead of what would be nice to have. We could have 3 different kinds of chips, 4 different cereal boxes, 2 kinds of lunch meat, 3 different types of desserts and 5 pounds of ground beef, but we don't need that. I want to have choices, but only having limited choices is okay too.

4. When going out to eat -- share a plate or take a box of leftovers home with you. Josh and I rarely go out to eat, like almost never. But on the rare occasion that we do eat out, I have found a few ways to save money. Eating out can kill your wallet, I would know. Before Josh and I were married, we ate out all the time and it was such a waste of our hard earned cash. When we go out to eat now, I like to do one of two things: either share a plate of food or take half my food home and eat it as another meal. Obviously these two choices aren't always possible, but it's nice to do it when you can. We all know most restaurants give you a huge amount of food, so it's easy to share a plate with your partner or a friend. Sharing a plate means getting two meals for the price of one -- score! Another way to get two meals for the price of one is only eating half the meal and taking the rest home with you. I do this all the time. Josh and I don't really have the same food interests -- he loves pizza and I love salad, so we prefer to order separately. I am usually given much more food than I could ever finish in one sitting though. I used to let them throw away all the extra food at the end of the meal, but I have started always getting a to-go box if I have any extras. I can usually make a whole second meal out of it, therefore saving money and eating good food twice!

These are my "Saving Money on Food" tips and tricks. Sticking to these rules has allowed us to save and been very helpful for our family. These tips may seem like no-brainers to a lot of you money saving pros, but to me they are new found lessons that I felt were important enough to share. Let me know how you save money when it comes to food. I would love to hear your tips and tricks!

20 Week Pregnancy Blog

Written on Monday August 25, 2014

Can't believe I am half-way there! I'm trying really hard to enjoy the pregnancy, but I'm not going to lie, I'm constantly counting down to the due date. I can't wait to meet our sweet baby face-to-face! Josh and I are so happy and thankful. We feel very blessed by this wonderful gift.

How far along? 20 weeks 4 days

Baby: The baby weighs about 10.5 ounces and measures 6.5 inches head to bottom -- the size of a small cantaloupe or mango. The baby is also 10 inches from head to heel -- the length of a banana. Until 20 weeks of pregnancy, babies are measured from the top of their head to their "rump." That's because their legs are curled up against their torso during the first half of pregnancy, so they're hard to measure. Baby is swallowing more these days, which is good practice for the digestive system. Peanut's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in the bowels, and I'll see it in his/her first soiled diaper.

Total Weight Gain: This week I am fluctuating between a 8-9 lb. weight gain, which is similar to last week. I was more disciplined this week with the food and it paid off. I've also been trying to walk more and do something active every day. The baby is measuring right on time, so I plan on continuing with this food/exercise routine because it seems to be working well! I also feel better the more active I am and when I don't eat as much junk food. I got my thyroid level results back last week and they were still measuring too high (low-hypo), so they upped my dosage to 200 mcg. We will see if this has any impact!

Maternity Clothes: This week I was showing a little more...exciting! I'm still fitting into my regular shorts and pants with my belly band. I fit into most shirts, but the longer ones work best because they accommodate my little bump.

Stretch Marks: I'm still applying my stretch mark cream at least once a day, if not each morning and night. I'm in a good routine with it and so far, no stretch marks have appeared. Fingers crossed! My belly and boobs are getting bigger, so I'm really trying to apply the creams as often as possible...it takes a lot of discipline!

Sleep: I had more energy this past week and didn't require as many naps. I'm also waking up more in the middle of the night and am starting to have trouble getting comfortable. Nothing major yet, but my belly is growing which complicates sleep.

Miss Anything? Still missing regular coffee! I'm drinking one cup of half caff a day which definitely helps. I also miss having clear skin -- hormonal acne stinks!

Best Moment of the Week: There were so many! We went to Peanut's anatomy scan and everything went perfectly! They were able to keep the gender a secret (YAY!) and Peanut is developing right on track. The doctor checked all the vital organs and everything was there and functioning...so cool! The baby's heartbeat is 146 BPM and he/she is measuring right on time (technically Peanut was measuring one day ahead)! I was worried about how small I am, so it was a relief to hear the baby is developing perfectly and growing right on track. We also have a post-baby plan set, as far as, jobs and finances go. Again, a big relief! AND yesterday while shopping at Wal-Mart, I stumbled upon the baby bedding that I LOVE! It matches the room color scheme perfectly (teal and yellow) and also has owls and trees on it which is the theme I wanted. I was so excited we found something that matches so perfectly! Last but not least, I went to a baby consignment sale with my mom this weekend and we got a few baby things for her house. So fun to start shopping!

Movement: YES! FINALLY! After seeing the healthy baby on Tuesday, I started feeling much more confident about the movements I thought I was feeling. The flutters are getting stronger and stronger and I'm starting to recognize them. I felt the first big "kick" yesterday as I was falling asleep and it was so cool. The baby is getting more and more active and I can finally feel it! To me, it feels like someone is flicking me or like a little "pop" in my tummy. This baby is definitely a kicker...Daddy is hoping for a little soccer star in the making! ;) The baby also kicked last night while hearing Josh sing at church...so sweet :) I was told at my appointment this week that I have an anterior placenta which means my placenta attached in the front on my uterus rather than the back. It's a little less common, but nothing to worry about. They did say I wouldn't feel movement quite as often or as soon as other pregnant women.

Food Cravings: Still loving sweets! I've been giving in more to sweets lately, but am trying to maintain a healthy balance. We had brownies at the house this weekend and it was so hard not to eat the whole box! I honestly don't know if its the baby who loves sweets or just me...

Anything making you queasy or sick? No, but when my body needs to eat, it NEEDS to eat. Definitely can't push myself as much as I used to in that department.

Gender: I had a dream it was a boy the other day (I've had multiple dreams it was a girl and a boy). I'm trying to keep an open mind because it really could go both ways :)

Symptoms: This week I noticed more pressure on my stomach, kind of feels like someone is sitting on it sometimes! This pressure has also caused me to feel like I have to pee more often. Still dealing with the thrush in my mouth, but it's getting better. Acne has been awful.

Happy or moody: Happy!

Looking forward to: Registering for baby items and getting more done with the nursery! Also looking forward to feeling Peanut move more and getting a bigger bump!

Pregnancy Blog: Old Wives' Tales Gender Prediction

I get so many questions about Baby Gale's gender, so I thought I would clarify. Josh and I have decided not to find out the gender and keep it a surprise until birth! We are really excited about doing it this way and can't wait to find out what we are having when Peanut arrives. With that being said, who doesn't love to guess the baby's gender?! I know I do! I thought it would be fun to test out the Old Wives' Tales and see what they had to say about it. So, according to the Old Wives' Tales, will Baby Gale be a GIRL or a BOY? Let's see!

1. Morning Sickness -- Yes or No

2. Cravings -- Sweet or Salty

3. Mommy's Intuition -- Girl or Boy

4. Skin -- Clear or Breaking Out

5. Headaches -- Yes or No

6. Heartbeat -- Above 140 or Below 140

7. Chinese Gender Prediction -- Boy or Girl

8. Carrying -- High or Low

9. Daddy's Weight -- Gaining or Maintaining

10. Mood -- Happy or Moody

11. Mayan Gender Chart -- Boy or Girl

12. Disposition -- Graceful or Clumsy

13. Feet -- Warm or Cold

14. Dream of Sex of Baby -- Boy or Girl (I've had dreams about both!)

15. Side You Most Rest On --  Right or Left

16. Weight Distribution -- Up Front or All Over

Girl -- 8

Boy -- 9 (WINNER!)

So, will it be bowties or bows? If these predictions hold true, we should be expecting a baby BOY come January! The numbers were extremely close and these are just predictions after all, but it's fun to try to figure it out! Less than 5 more months until we meet our baby face-to-face and know for sure...we can't wait! :) Did you find any of these gender predictions true for your kids? Think all the Old Wives' Tales are just a big hoax? What do you look for when guessing the gender? Let me know what you think!

Being Still Before God: A Look Behind My Chaotic Life

We all have mess. We all have issues. We all have lots of stuff going on. Everyone has things in their lives that don't quite look like they had planned. Some days it seems like everything is under control despite the laundry list of tasks to get accomplished we all have in the back of our minds. Other days, the chaos of life takes control and it all becomes a little too overwhelming. That is how last week went for me.

Right now, I have a lot going on. I work 40 plus hours a week, commute, clean, cook, and keep our household organized. I am active in my church and with our youth group. I spend time with friends and family. I pay bills, budget our limited income and resources, grocery shop, take care of our dog and meal plan. I'm expecting, a new mom-to-be, and trying to have a healthy pregnancy. I'm planning for the next 5 months before the baby arrives and the 5 months after the baby is here. I'm preparing for motherhood and still working on being a better spouse to my husband. Like I said, I have a lot going on. My mind is always busy thinking about what I need to get done and scheming about how to best accomplish it all. The problem is that I'm a multi-tasker, a controller, a fixer, and a perfectionist. I'm also hormonal! These qualities put together can be a toss-up of the key to my success or my ultimate downfall.

I started off last week with a lot on my plate which is pretty typical, but each day the weight on my shoulders just got heavier. There were a lot of unexpected expenses that came up and my to-do list wasn't getting checked off quick enough before another set of tasks were piled on. I was extremely stressed and had way too much going on. My mind was racing trying to figure out exactly how I was going to get it all accomplished and I soon became irritable, tense, and on the verge of a breakdown. I took all of these burdens on as my own and felt like I needed to be the one to fix all of them. Instead of relying on God, I let my circumstances and emotions get the best of me. Finally, something small happened and it was the straw that broke the camel's back. The flood gates opened and I was an emotional wreck. This buildup I had been experiencing and holding in all week finally came out. I felt defeated and scared. I was overwhelmed and there was no quick fix solution to make it all go away. The stress I had put on myself was creating stress and tension in other relationships in my life and I'm sure most people were steering clear of me by the end of the week because I was just a wreck and not very fun to be around. Life had beaten me down and I couldn't quite figure out how to get back up.

This week, I'm putting last week behind me and starting fresh. After I finally broke down, I realized how much of this I had been holding on to and holding inside. I was holding on for dear life unwilling to relinquish control. I hadn't been praying about it and I hadn't even tried to give my burdens to God. I was trying to do it all myself and let's face it, it wasn't working out so well. God spoke to me a lot this weekend and reminded me that each day presents challenges of its own. I need to come to Him every day and lay my burdens at His feet. It isn't a one-time thing, but a continual process. If I don't do this daily, I am missing out on the full and abundant life that God intends for me. I hadn't been resting in Him and I could tell because I felt emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. The constant battle I was fighting had taken all the energy I had. I hadn't been still before God, in fact I hadn't sat still all week. I was too busy running around like a crazy lady checking off a to-do list and worrying about problems that can't be resolved in one day. This week, I'm practicing giving up all my troubles to God and allowing Him to fill me with peace, knowing He has it under control. I am going to wipe my hands clean of the things I can't control or fix and accept that I can only do so much with the things I do have the ability to control. The Lord will fight for me; all I have to do is be still.

God can make something beautiful out of a mess. He can restore hurting relationships and rejuvenate our tired souls. He can accomplish things beyond our wildest dreams. God offers us rest, hope, peace and restoration. He will fill us up and allow us to keep going when we feel like we don't have the strength to go on...if we would only just let Him. If any of this resonates with you, I challenge you to lay all of your troubles at God's feet and just be still before Him. Relinquish that control.You might be amazed at what He can do once we finally let go. Like I said, we all have messes in our lives, but how we deal with it is really what defines us.

Meal Planning 101

So a bunch of you have requested that I write a blog about meal planning. Little do you know that I am far from an expert and am still learning myself, but I will share some tips and tricks that have worked for me along the way.

As ya'll probably know, in January of this year I made the resolution to cook more and cook better. I was a complete newbie in the kitchen and was really starting from scratch. Now that the year is about half way over (I can't believe it!), I can say I have seen major improvements in myself and my cooking abilities. I have been consistent in cooking, trying new recipes and using different ingredients and kitchen tools that I wasn't always familiar with. But, so far cooking for my family has been a success! I contribute a lot of that success to meal planning.

By nature I am a very organized person, but I had never carried that over to my cooking world. It didn't take me long to realize that if I was going to do this cooking thing the right way, I needed create a method to my madness. If I wanted my meals to actually be something I was proud of, then I needed to take the time to invest in cooking instead of just throwing it together last minute. If that works for you, then great! I'm the kind of person who thrives on organization and lists, so this is what works for me.

1. I tend to meal plan by month (keep in mind that I am only cooking for 2, which is much different than cooking for 5 plus). Meal planning each month allows me more free time. I don't have to scramble each night to find a recipe then hope I have everything on hand. When I don't know exactly what to make, I refer back to my monthly list which gives me plenty of ideas.

2. I start by doing a lot of research on different meals and things I want to make. I go to all different websites, Pinterest, cook books, etc. and I create a solid list of meals for the upcoming month. I find a few crockpot meals, a few meals I feel comfortable with and a few meals that make me a little uncomfortable. If I always stuck with my comfort zone when it came to cooking, then it would be cereal all the way, so I force myself to go outside my box. The key is to plan a variety of meals, so that you aren't sick of eating the same type of stuff by the end of the month. The websites that I love to find recipes on are www.sixsistersstuff.com, thefrugalgirls.com, and Pinterest. I also have a few cookbooks that I really like. You have to find what type of recipes work for you. I personally stick to fairly simple recipes with fewer ingredients that can be made in a short amount of time due to my busy schedule which is why those particular cooking websites work best for me. If you dedicate time once a month to researching meals, you won't have to think about finding new meals to make again until the next month. It's a lot better than having to do that research each night or even each week in my opinion.

3. Once you have your list of meals established, you go shopping! I do a weekly shop, so I get what I need for the meals I am planning on cooking that particular week. I don't cook a full dinner every night though, so my shopping cart isn't overflowing. Since there are only 2 of us, I usually make a regular sized meal and easily have left-overs. Although a lot of people don't love leftovers (I used to be one of them), it's an easy way to save money and make sure food isn't going to waste. So each week I go shopping for the meals I will be cooking that week and I am armed with a list. Again, I put a lot of time into staying organized and it keeps me on track and focused at the grocery store. If I need ingredients for 3-4 meals and I don't have an organized list, it will be a disaster. I check everything off my list and I go home with everything I need instead of forgetting half of it and having to go back.

4. The next step is cooking! I have found that when I already have everything on hand and ready to go that cooking is so much easier. I'm not stressed running around the kitchen trying to find out if I even have what I need to pull this meal together. I know what I need and I know I have it. I pull it all out at once and get to cooking. I also buy meat in bulk and freeze it which helps with meal planning. Just make sure to defrost the meat beforehand, so that you can easily pop it in the oven instead of having to get it defrosted. (Again, it takes time to plan to defrost it ahead of time, but it will save you time in the end!)

5. The last step is timing. One of the biggest keys to successfully meal planning is to know your schedule and know what meals work best for your family on different days. My husband and I know our schedules somewhat in advance and I try to plan meals around that. On the weekends, I usually cook crockpot meals because I am at home for longer periods during the day and actually have time to make a 6 hr. crockpot dish whereas during the week I am gone for almost 12 hours each day which would make a crockpot meal hard to manage. On days where I know I have to work late, I usually cook a big meal the night before. That way there are leftovers for when I am working late and I don't have to run home and stress about cooking. On nights where we have nothing going on after work, I have time to cook the meal that takes 30 minutes to prepare and involves a lot of chopping. On nights where we have church almost an hour after I get home from work, I opt for a quick and easy dinner. This is why having a variety of recipes on hand is helpful! Know yourself and figure out what meals work best for you depending on the situation...this will be a lifesaver.

So there you have it, my mini Meal Planning 101 class! Meal Planning is a lot of work, but for me it's been the thing that keeps me sane while preparing and cooking meals for my family. Organization really does make cooking for your family much easier and less stressful. I have started to really enjoy researching meals and it's become fun to challenge myself with new dishes to make. This is just what works for me and my family and is by no means a perfected guide, but hopefully you learned something new and we can all continue on this journey of cooking together. I would love to hear what works for you and if you have any tips for me!

I'm going to include some delicious recipes that I have tried recently if you are looking for new ideas!

 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/07/oven-baked-beef-tacos-recipe.html

 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2014/03/easy-chicken-and-noodle-casserole.html

 
http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/09/crockpot-buffalo-chicken-recipe.html
 

http://myrecipemagic.com/recipe/recipedetail/poppy-seed-chicken-casserole
 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/07/cornbread-sloppy-joe-casserole-recipe.html

 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2012/08/sausage-breakfast-casserole-recipe.html


http://thefrugalgirls.com/2013/09/crockpot-stove-top-chicken.html

 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2014/06/grilled-sweet-and-sour-chicken-kabobs-recipe.html

 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2014/02/buffalo-chicken-quesadillas-recipe.html

 

http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2014/04/chili-mac-skillet-recipe.html

 

15 Week Pregnancy Blog

July 21, 2014

Good morning! At the beginning of my pregnancy, I made a commitment to do "Pregnancy Blogs" logging my pregnancy journey and I promised to share them with you all. I can't say I will share them each week (unless you care for the weekly updates) because there are not a crazy amount of changes from week to week, but I will share them on a monthly basis. I have a little question series that I found to document where I am in my pregnancy and give a good idea of how things are going for me and Baby Gale. So if you are like me and love reading about other people's pregnancies, enjoy! If not, I will have other non-pregnancy related topics on my blog as well. Happy Monday!

How far along? 15 weeks 4 days

Baby: The baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (the size of an apple or naval orange). Baby Gale is busy moving amniotic fluid through the nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in the lungs begin to develop. Baby's legs are growing longer than the arms now, and baby can move all of it's joints and limbs. Although the eyelids are still fused shut, Peanut can sense light. If I were to shine a flashlight at my tummy, for instance, the baby will likely to move away from the beam.

Total Weight Gain:  I'm getting my thyroid levels tested again today, so we will see how my levels are (which majorly affects my weight). I gained a pound this week and am now up to a 5 lb. weight gain so far. I have been trying really hard to eat healthy and get all the vitamins and nutrients that the baby needs, but I also have days where I don't eat so healthy.

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but I have so many cute maternity clothes to choose from when I start wearing them! I had 2 women give me maternity clothes and I can't wait to wear some of them because they are actually really cute. I'm going to get a belly band soon because my pants are getting tighter and tighter, but I can still wear all my regular clothes as of now.

Stretch Marks: Nope, but I bought stretch mark cream and I need to start using it ASAP.

Sleep: I've been exhausted lately. I took a lot of naps last week to try to get some energy, but I was just dragging all last week. I rested over the weekend and feel better going into this week. Between my thyroid being off and being 15 weeks pregnant, my body is just tired all the time. Hoping to get some energy soon! I sleep well for the most part, but I do wake up more in the middle of the night than I used to. I'm not sleeping as hard and am a little more restless.

Miss Anything? I miss not being in pain from round ligament pain and I miss having energy.

Best Moment of the Week: Josh and I are making more decisions about the nursery and the baby gear we want. Also, I got back in the gym this week after a 3 week hiatus and it felt great!

Movement: Not until 18-24 weeks, getting closer and I can't wait!

Food Cravings: For a while there, I wasn't as interested in sweets (if you know me, you know this is strange!). My sweet tooth is definitely back. I ate a lot of sugar last week and was really craving it. I'm still liking savory foods as well and find them very satisfying, much more than I ever used to.

Anything making you queasy or sick? No.

Gender: Dunno! Josh and I have decided to keep the gender a surprise until January! Hoping the doctors can continue to keep it a secret at the anatomy scan in a month.

Symptoms: The biggest symptoms I have are lots of pressure in my stomach and ovaries randomly hurting/round ligament pain and exhaustion. I have still been battling constipation and acne. My thyroid is still off, but today I will see if my new medicine is helping my body adjust to pregnancy.

Happy or moody: Moody...sorry Josh!

Looking forward to: The anatomy scan in a month and having a good week with lots of rest, healthy eating and staying active.

Sonogram at 14 weeks!

14 & 15 Week Baby Bump

Our Story

Today marks 3 years since Josh and I began dating! It's been a whirlwind and I wouldn't change it for anything. In light of today, I am feeling quite nostalgic and started thinking back on our story from the beginning. We get questions all the time about how we met and started dating, so I thought I would share a little bit of our story.

Most people don't know that Josh and I were actually friends for a year before we ever began dating. We met in May of 2010 through a mutual friend. My best friend, Caylyn, and Josh both went to the same college and were already good friends. I went to visit Caylyn the weekend after my junior year of college ended to kick off the summer. While I was there, I met Josh. He came over late one night after getting off work at Papa John's. He was in his uniform and covered with dough, but I instantly knew there was something different about him. It's funny because I remember being interested in him immediately. I knew he was a good, Christian guy and he was fun to be around. I also knew I needed more people like this in my life. I left GCSU that weekend thinking that he was a nice guy who I wanted to get to know more. I then asked to be his Facebook friend, so technically I originally initiated it ;)

We talked over Facebook chat for over a year and got to know each other a lot that way. We both enjoyed talking to each other and would stay up late into the night getting to know each other more. It slowly developed into a solid friendship. Although there was always a spark between us, the fact that we lived almost 3 hours away from each other (I lived in Carrollton and he lived in Irwinton), discouraged anything more from ever developing between us...until the next summer.

I went on a mission trip to South Korea in May of 2011 and because Josh had also gone on many international mission trips, we began talking much more frequently. Little did I know that he was actually starting to pursue me. We talked more after I got back from my trip and one day he decided to call me. We talked for hours. Calling turned into Skyping and soon enough we were spending a lot of time in communication with each other through calls, texts, Facebook chat, Skyping, etc. I was completely blind to the entire thing though! I was in a place where I really wasn't looking for a relationship. I had told God that I needed a break from guys and wasn't going to be looking for a boyfriend any time soon. Well, God and Josh had a different plan. At that point, I thought of Josh as a really good friend and loved his company. I was content being single, so I wasn't pushing for anything more. I do remember thinking, there's no way my future husband is someone I already know (not realizing that he was actually right under my nose the entire time). After heavily pursing me without my knowledge, Josh finally asked me out on a date. (Apparently everyone was aware this was going to happen except me). I thought; why not give him a shot? And the rest is history.

We only went on two dates before he asked me to be his girlfriend and I happily said yes. It all happened so fast, yet it had been building up for a year. Starting a relationship with Josh was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Our relationship was different than anything I had ever experienced and I was immediately smitten. I knew this guy was different than anyone else. He was my best friend and we had so much fun together. We could talk for hours and the conversation never got dull. Josh is such a wonderful, Godly man and a perfect match for me! Since July of 2011, our life together has been far from boring. We started off driving 3 hours to see each other every weekend and visiting each other as much as possible. Josh was finishing his last semester of college, accepting the call to seminary, and transitioning into post-college life while trying to find a "real" job. I had just graduated college and moved back home. I was bouncing around from job to job and was really trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. We came into each other's lives at the perfect time, but it was far from simple.

We have been through a long distance relationship, college, seminary, moving, new churches, new jobs, engagement, marriage, buying our first house, and now expecting our first child. Transition is a word I would use to describe the past 3 years. We have been constantly transitioning from one thing to the next with little stability. The one thing that has remained solid throughout everything has been our relationship. We are far from perfect as is our relationship, but we are genuinely so happy together. We bring out the best in each other and challenge each other to be better. We have worked hard for our relationship, but at the same time, it's always come easily and been very natural. I have never laughed so hard or had so much fun as I have in the past 3 years. I'm so thankful to have Josh by my side through thick and thin to encourage me, love me, and continuously pursue me. God blessed me with a man and a marriage that far exceeded my expectations for myself and I couldn't be more grateful.

So, that's our story. Here's to all the blank pages still left to be filled with amazing memories and adventures. I can't wait for our future together because I know the best is yet to come!