Friday, June 28, 2013

Sweet Home Alabama

We have some big changes coming our way, not only do we have a new baby coming this December, but we are also moving to Alabama!

Andrew accepted a position yesterday in Birmingham, AL and now we are in relocation mode. We haven't received the details on when he would need to be there just yet but are assuming (hoping) all that info comes today or the beginning of next week.

I have lived in Murfreesboro for forever (not exaggerating) so I am excited about getting to experience a new place. Colin said last night that he is excited to move to Alabama, although I don't think he really understands what it means to move.

We are meeting with our realtor tomorrow to get our house on the market and get that process started. I am not comfortable with buying a house down there until this one is sold, so prayers that we are able to sell this house in a timely manner. I'd love to be able to be out of an apartment and in a house before this little guy/girl is born, but will just go with the flow and see what happens.

More info to come when we know when we are moving!

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Tummy Tuesday

How Far Along: 17 Weeks 2 Days

How Big is Baby: about 5 inches, the size of an onion

How Momma Feels: Still really tired...and unable to sleep at the same time. It is making for a very exhausting day. And still hungry a lot.

Baby Bump: It's here. It isn't pretty and round yet, but I have a belly. Some days it looks/feels bigger than others. I think it depends on the time of day, what I've eaten, and what I'm wearing. I still feel more chubby than pregnant, but I am starting to think that until my belly sticks our further than my boobs, I will feel this way. =/


What I'm Eating: Whatever sounds good! I don't really have a consistent craving. You know, something I've wanted all the time during this pregnancy. I go through cycles. Like right now I can't get enough of clementines and Cobb salad. Oh, and lemonade. My dad got me this restaurant grade citrus juicer for my birthday. The kind that are tall and metal and you pull the handle down to juice the fruit. We can make the best homemade lemonade and I could drink that all day.

Exercise: Last week I got in 4 days of cardio (walking - one day at the zoo!) and 2 days of weights (body pump and free weights at home). I didn't think I did much last week, but looking back in my journal I realized I kept up with my routine. I did skip my weekly weigh in on Sunday morning. Last week was my b-day, and we celebrated multiple times. I enjoyed my desserts. So I didn't want to see that number until I was back on track with a healthy diet. =)

With me being so tired lately I've wanted to skip exercising. But I keep seeing those arthritis ads where they say "A body at rest tends to stay at rest. A body in motion tends to stay in motion." I know they are referring to joints and arthritis. But I tell myself this when I feel too lazy to do anything. Because I know if I stop for a long period of time, I won't pick it back up.

Maternity Clothes: Yep. All of them. =)

Movement: Everyday. It seems to be that I will get quite a bit of movement one day and then just a subtle swish or flutter the next. Nothing consistent yet.

Boy or Girl? I had a dream last night that it was a boy. It felt so real. So now I'm thinking boy. In the same dream I only labored for 1 hour and baby came out with only one push. So, you know.

Less than 3 weeks and we get to see how baby is developing and if we are lucky, we will be able to tell if its a boy or girl that day also!

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Weekly Meal Plan

Breakfast
  • English Muffins
  • Cinnamon Rolls
  • Oatmeal
  • Cereal Bars
  • Egg and Bacon
  • Yogurt
Lunch
  • Leftovers
  • PB&J
  • Salad
  • Mac n Cheese
Dinner - served with fruit and veggie
Snacks
  • Pretzels
  • Smoothie
  • Cheese & Crackers
  • Fruit

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Tummy Tuesday

How Far Along: 16 Weeks 2 Days

How Big is Baby: 4.5 inches, the same size as an avocado!

How Momma Feels: Tired. I napped a lot last week. It's hard to get motivated to do much because I just want to rest.

Baby Bump: I think I have one now. At least I feel like it's there. I no longer feel as fat because it is looking rounder to me, at least towards the bottom of my belly. Andrew noticed it this past weekend, and before that he said I looked the same. I notice it more when I lay down on my back still (which is actually uncomfortable already). It is like a ball just rises up and floats on my belly. It is kind of freaky.




What I'm Eating: Nothing unusual. It seems like I'm hungry all the time right now, so I snack during the day a lot.

Exercise: I am doing so much better this pregnancy with this area. I got in 4 days of cardio (walking - mix of treadmill and outside) and 3 days of body pump! My weight gain is still on track, but on the higher side of "OK." I'm hoping that not doing much for the first 12 weeks and then adding back in weight training has been why my weight is on the higher side. I can tell I've built back muscle I've lost and I even increased my weights a bit for the back/leg track because it was just too easy. I'm trying not to focus on my weight too much a just be healthy, but it is frustrating to hear people say they only gained 3 pounds the first 16 weeks. I'm doing everything right, so I hope to keep it in check this time!

(For the record, I think I gained 40 pounds with Colin! I am aiming to keep it at or below 35 lbs this time.)

Maternity Clothes: I moved out almost all of my regular clothes and stocked my closet with maternity stuff. I am still wearing a few of my non-maternity tops that are not clingy, but gave up on my non-maternity pants/bottoms this week. Not going to wear the non-maternity tops too much longer b/c I think they make me look thicker, where as when I wear a maternity cut top, it makes me look like I have more of a belly. And new bra is a must soon!

I got a $15 card from LOFT for my birthday this week and picked up a cute short sleeved cardigan that I can wear over maternity tees and tanks. I am hoping to spend my clothing money on more things I can layer over basic maternity tops so I can still use them long after I've delivered.

My sister got me a super cute blouse for my birthday and I can't wait to wear it when I get big enough. It is sleeveless, but I should be able to pair it with a black or grey cardigan and get some wear out of it through the fall too!

Movement: Yesterday (16w1d) I got lots of movement out of nowhere! And I didn't have to be sitting still to feel it. Happened off and on all during the morning. I had my 16 week appt yesterday too. When he found the heartbeat, you could hear the baby moving around and kicking. He said, "wow, have you felt any of that yet?"

Boy or Girl? Still feel girl most of the time. I'm not sure if I really think it is a girl, so I'm just getting myself used to the idea of something different. I know boy. I got boy down. Girl would be a whole new ball game.

Big Brother: He's been curious about where baby will sleep. He even offered to share his bed. So sweet!

Flash Back: Me at 16 weeks with Colin

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Weekly Meal Plan

Breakfast
  • Multi grain Pancakes
  • Fruit
  • Yogurt
  • English Muffins
  • Oatmeal
  • Cereal Bars
  • Cereal
Lunch
  • Leftovers
  • PB&J
  • Ham & Cheese
  • Salad
  • Mac n' Cheese
Dinner - served with fruit and veggie
  • Spicy Chipotle Bean Burritos
  • Crockpot Ravioli Casserole
  • Greek Chicken Pitas
  • Tamales with 7 layer dip
  • Pizza
  • Pantry Night
  • Dinner Out
Snacks
  • Cheese & Crackers
  • Smoothies
  • Pretzels
  • Popcorn
  • Raisins
  • Fruit

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Tummy Tuesday

How Far Along: 15 Weeks, 2 Days

How Big is Baby: The size of an apple, 4 inches!!

How Momma Feels: Still not feeling great for a couple hours after breakfast but otherwise no issues with feeling badly. I do have trouble sleeping. Either I wake up to pee, or my belly feels like there is pulling or tugging, and then I can't get back to sleep. I told Andrew I have pregnancy induced insomnia.

Baby Bump: Still nothing! I just look thicker. I think I started looking a bit rounder with Colin around 16 weeks, and they say you show a little earlier with subsequent pregnancies. So I'm looking forward to looking pregnant soon and not just like I ate too much. Maybe next week?



What I'm Eating: Nothing out of the ordinary. I'm still having issues with feeling bad only after I eat breakfast. If I skip it, I'm fine, but don't like to do that or I'm starving around 9:30. I think I am going to try and make my smoothies for breakfast and see if  that helps.

I guess the only food that is odd for me that has sounded good are chewy fruity candies like skittles and sour patch kids. I grabbed a bag of the sour patch kids at the grocery today and ate a couple and then was fine. I usually can pass up that type of candy. I prefer chocolate and peanut butter over most else.

Exercise: I did great this week! 4 days of cardio (walking) and 2 days of weights (body pump).

Maternity Clothes: Still wearing my normal clothing except for the 2 pairs of shorts. Getting anxious to have a bump and switch, but trying to be grateful that I haven't gotten big too quickly.

Movement: Pretty sure I felt flutters this week. With Colin I didn't notice anything until that first unmistakable kick. This time I have gotten this flutter sensation when I'm resting and quiet. It has happened only a few times and I am hoping it increases and reassures me that I am, in fact, feeling the baby move.

Boy or Girl? We find out in about 5 weeks! I don't have a feeling one way or another right now, but usually I think girl.

Big Brother: I asked him to talk to the baby since it can hear now. He didn't know what to say so I told him to tell the baby his favorite food. He leaned in close and whispered "Bacon!"

Monday, June 10, 2013

No Bake Cookies

I'm willing to bet everyone has this recipe in their kitchen somewhere. But just in case, here it is. I used a small cookies scoop to dish these out onto the cookie sheet. I can eat a ton of these, and even if they are big it doesn't stop me. Peanut butter and chocolate is one of my favorite combinations. So keeping them small is good for me.

1/2 cup butter
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 Tbsp cocoa powder
1 tsp vanilla
1 heaping cup creamy peanut butter
3 cups oatmeal (not instant)

Melt butter, sugar, milk, and cocoa over stove top in pot over med/high heat stirring constantly. When it comes to a boil, let it boil for 1 minute without stirring.

Remove from heat and add vanilla, peanut butter and oats and mix together.

Spoon onto wax paper and let sit about 30 minutes or until firm (I usually set in fridge).

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Weekly Meal Plan

Breakfast
  • Cereal
  • Cereal Bars
  • Oatmeal
  • Granola
  • Smoothies
  • Yogurt
  • Eggs
  • English Muffins
Lunch
  • Leftovers
  • PB Sandwiches
  • Turkey Sandwiches
  • Burritos
  • Salads
Dinner - serves with fruit & veggie
  • Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
  • Fried Rice & Eggs Rolls
  • Bean & Cornbread
  • Paula Dean Tacos
  • Breakfast for Dinner: pancakes, bacon, eggs, etc
  • Veggie Tacos
  • Birthday Dinner
Snacks
  • Fruit Smoothies
  • Baked Hummus Spinach Dip
  • Raisins
  • Cheese and Crackers
  • Fruit
  • Pretzels
Sweet Treat - No Bake Cookies

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Tummy Tuesday

How Far Along: 14 weeks, 2 days

How Big is Baby: It varies on what I read. I've seen lemon, nectarine, and my clenched fist. Either way, about 3.5 inches.

How Momma Feels: About the same as last week. I have started wanting a nap again in the afternoons and have found that I only feel sick if I eat carb heavy/sugary things for breakfast (thank you food journal!).

I also can't believe every week that I make it a little further. Sundays are my favorite day right now since that is when I progress to a new week.

Baby Bump: I can see it, but others probably still think I'm just gaining weight. When I lay flat on my back, you can see a big (to me...I know it gets bigger!) round ball at the bottom of my belly because my uterus has popped out from behind the bone.

I wore this dress to church Sunday, and then at Target after caught a glimpse of myself in a full length mirror. I know I'm not showing, but the dress just fit differently. It think I am going to retire it, along with a few other things. Hopefully I will see it again next spring.


What I'm Eating: A lot of fruit. I make at least one fruit smoothie a day to make sure I get that in and make it with almond milk so I get lots of calcium. If I don't make a smoothie it is because I munched on whole fruit most of the day. Like I said previously, if I eat something really carb heavy for breakfast I start to feel bad. So eating a bagel or donut or pancakes (sad face!) is not really what I'm doing. I tried cereal today and I'm hoping it helps. Oatmeal seems to be OK right now though. I did eat a donut with Colin, but waited until around 10 and I was fine. So I can still indulge every so often.

Exercise: Going strong! I did 2 days of weights (at home and body pump) and 2 or 3 days of cardio (walking) last week. I use my heart rate monitor but kind of dislike having to watch it. I want to know, how old is the 140 bpm rule? B/c that is nothing. I mean, I stick to it b/c Dr. Chesney said so, but I don't like it.

Maternity Clothes: I am still wearing a couple pairs of normal pants mixed with my maternity shorts. I have been wearing a maternity swim suit since it is a tankini and my other choices are my two piece (not doin' it) or my one pieces that make me look fat. Just fat. I got a couple at Old Navy and really like them. I also bought a new dress I can't wait to be able to wear AND got a couple bags of clothes to borrow from some sweet friends! I've just glanced though them and I am so excited that I will have so make long sleeved tops for when it gets cold toward the end of my pregnancy. I only have maybe two winter type things in my own personal stash.

Movement: I thought I felt flutters last week...but decided it was way to early and it was probably gas. Wishful thinking!

Boy or Girl? I have been feeling girl this week. Strongly. So it's probably a boy. =)

Big Brother: One morning he came into my room and first thing he asked was "How does the baby come out of your tummy?" That was fun to answer. I think I gave a good explanation without using words that would be inappropriate for a 3 year old to say in public. I wasn't going to lie to him. He seemed happy with the answer and went on his way.

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Weekly Meal Plan

Breakfast
  • English Muffins
  • Eggs
  • Oatmeal
  • Cereal
  • Cinnamon Rolls
  • Fruit
  • Yogurt
Lunch
  • Left overs
  • Salad
  • Wraps
  • Peanut Butter Sandwiches
Dinner - served with fruit and veggies
  • Veggie Stir fry, Rice, & Chicken Egg rolls
  • Grilled Hot dogs & Mac n' Cheese
  • Grilled Chicken salad topped with Roasted Corn, Black Beans, Cucumbers, Cheese, and Olive Oil
  • Demos'
  • BBQ sandwiches, Baked Beans, Roasted Corn on the Cob
  • Spaghetti or Pizza
  • Pantry Night or Breakfast for Supper
Snacks
  • Fruit Salad
  • Cheese & Crackers
  • Fruit Smoothie
  • Yogurt
  • Pretzels
  • Baked Hummus Spinach Dip with carrots and crackers
  • Popcorn
Sweet Treat - Nothing is really calling my name, so I might not make anything.