9 Weeks! Flying by!

Baby G is working on some important things this week!  Go baby go!

Tuga is upset Baby G is getting so much attention already...

The ultrasound technician put the EKG (graph of the heart beating) up on the screen for us to see.  A strong 176 beats per minute (very good, I'm told)!  Keep up the hard work, Baby G =)  Mom and Dad are proud!

Our Little Blueberry

7 weeks and mama isn't sleeping well at all (can you tell it's Monday morning?!)

If Baby G is a blueberry, why is my stomach the size of a basketball by the end of the work day?

How far along? 7 weeks 6 days

Total weight gain/loss: None

Maternity clothes? Just a belly band...that my belly does not hold up yet.  What do I do when my pant's don't button?!

Stretch marks? Nope ;)

Sleep: Is awful.  I am not a napper.  I try to sleep 9-10 hours at night now, but even that is interrupted!  Bring on week 13!

Have you told family and friends: Some of our friends know, a few coworkers and immediate family.  Secrets kill me, and I still have 3 more weeks till my doctor says I'm in the clear!

Miss Anything? Sushi and real food!  I'm getting sick of pop-tarts and bagels.  Can't wait until my real appetite is back!

Food cravings: WATER!

Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of feet (comes with the job...), coffee, any type of leftovers, strong food smells.

Have you started to show yet: I can tell my 6 pack is gone...but I definitely see people checking out my [bloated] belly by the end of the day!

Gender prediction: I say girl...Jose is unsure now (at first he thought it was a girl) and Chinese gender prediction says boy!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time:  About half and half...the exhaustion is so tiring!

Looking forward to: Finally showing [for real] and not having to lie about NOT being pregnant!

Heartbeat!

We went in for our first ultrasound on Thursday, April 12th.  The ultrasound tech said she'd be checking out some other structures before searching for the baby.  All of a sudden we heard this whooshing sound, and as it got clearer the tech let us in on the secret!  We could hear the heartbeat at a mere 6 and a half weeks old!  We even saw the flickering on the screen.  We felt amazed and relieved that everything seems to be going as planned!

6 Weeks!

Baby G is six weeks old today...and the size of a sweet pea!  He or she is working on some vital organs this week...while momma feels SO tired!!

Even Happier!

April 4, 2012:  Alex is born!

We got to meet our favorite nephew on April 5th!  He is my sister, Samantha, and her husband John's, first baby =)  He is the light of our Spring - the absolute best gift!

I like to chew on my hands, so we have to put mittens/mittened onesies on =)

Oh, I chew on blankets when I can't get to my hands...

He is the sweetest little thing.  Doesn't fuss, doesn't cry (okay, maybe when he's not swaddled or getting changed....but his cry is even precious)!!  

So while my sister and brother in law have other things on their minds...It gives me a chance to try out some recipes I found through Pinterest. No one wants to have to think about making meals the first week home with a new baby!

You take regular Crock Pot recipes, prepare them at one time (I have ingredients for 4 meals), and freeze them in gallon-sized freezer bags or tupperware containers until you're in need of a quick, easy and healthy meal!

Don't forget to take into consideration the amount of room you have in the freezer.  Like my sister's fridge, we also have a much smaller freezer compartment to allow for more fresh, refrigerated items and to cut back on the frozen items we buy.  Hence only making four at a time =)

Four Easy Meals:

...via Ring Around the Rosies

Teriyaki Chicken

1 lb. bag of carrots

Red Onion into Large Chunks
2 large cans pineapple (undrained)
4 Garlic Cloves
4 Chicken Breasts
1 cup teriyaki sauce

Split everything into two gallon freezer bags. shake it up, seal, label and put in the freezer. Instructions for Bag: Add 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce to crock pot, Cook on low 8 hours or high 4 hours. Serve over hot rice.

...via Picky Palate


Ranch Pork Chops
1 lb. Pork Chops
1 Packet Ranch Dressing
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 Can of Water


Mix ranch packet, cream of chicken soup and water, making a marinade.  Immerse pork chops.  Write cooking instructions on bag (and date it!)  with: Cook on Low for 4-6.  Place all ingredients in a freezer bag.  Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.




One of our favorites, via McCormick


BBQ Pulled Chicken
2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 package McCormick® Slow Cookers BBQ Pulled Pork Seasoning
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup water


Mix Seasoning Mix, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar and water until blended. Immerse chicken in sauce.  Directions to write on freezer bag:  Cook 5 hours on LOW.  Shred chicken using 2 forks. Return chicken to slow cooker; mix and heat with sauce before serving.  Add to bag and freeze.

...via Crockpot 365


Baked Potato Soup
5 pounds russet potatoes, washed but NOT peeled. Diced into 1/2 inch(ish) cubes
1 medium/large yellow onion, diced
10 cloves of garlic, minced
64 ounces (8 cups) chicken stock or broth
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon seasoned salt
optional garnishes: crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, green onions


Add potatoes, onion, garlic, seasoning, and chicken stock to a bowl and mix.  Instructions for bag:  Cook on low for 5 hours or high for 10 hours.  Add the softened cream cheese and puree soup with an immersion blender until the cheese is incorporated and about half the soup is blended. (Alternately you could remove half the soup and the cream cheese to an upright blender, then re-incorporate).  Serve in bowls and garnish with your favorite toppings!

Happy!

March 23, 2012: We're pregnant! Little Baby G will make his or her arrival around December 2, 2012! We are beyond thrilled and feel so blessed with our little miracle.  We hope to keep family and friends near and far up to date on all the happenings for the next 8 months!

If you know me, you know I'm going to DIY and craft my way to the cutest nursery and baby stuff to fill up the little room...I'll be posting progression pictures and instructions to all I do for the little one!

We're happy to be able to share our joy with you all!

*Sarah