Progress Pictures

Weeks 11-14

 

 

Still haven't quick figured out how I should stand to make these work better but as the time goes by the belly will be more pronounced and it won't matter how I stand.  And at this point I better not change things so they can all be the same.  I need to find an App that will make these into a little video and can watch the progress easier

Poppin' Ranch Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

This recipe is definitely  moved into one of top slots, especially since fall is upon us.  Pam, our friend in Colorado, used the crock pot to make the chicken prior to combining for the finished product.  She threw the chicken broth and chick breasts in the crockpot and cooked.  Last night I just used a can of shredded chicken from Costco because I was too lazy/hungry to wait for the chicken to boil, cool and shred.  Turned out great and I would definitely go this route again.  Enjoy everyone :-)

 

Poppin' Ranch Chicken Pot Pie

3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 packet ranch dressing mix, divided
2 10oz cans cream of chicken soup
10oz can cheddar cheese soup (I used the fiesta cheese soup)
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
15oz can mixed vegetables, drained
15oz can corn, drained
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar, divided
1 can Grands biscuits
1 teaspoon garlic salt
salt & pepper

Mix together soups, chicken broth, and milk in a large bowl until well combined. Stir in shredded chicken, corn, mixed vegetables, ranch seasoning (reserve 1/2 tsp for topping), salt and pepper. Spread chicken mixture into a 9x13 pan, or two smaller baking dishes if freezing. Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar over chicken mixture. Cut Grands biscuits into 8 small triangles and place biscuits over cheddar in dish. Top biscuits with reserved ranch seasoning, garlic salt, and remaining 1/2 cup cheddar. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until biscuits are cooked through (check a few in the center to make sure they're done). You may need to put foil over dish towards the last 10 minutes of cooking to prevent over-browning. (was very liquid, tastes delicious just be careful removing it from the oven)

 

Week 14

Goodness, 3.5 inches! So tiny but baby could be 20% of ultimate length already, crazy that it happens so fast now and without me really even knowing.

I entered my second trimester today, 1/3 of the way there, party time :)

Think I will snag some paint samples this weekend to nail down the base for baby room. So many things to think about and then do, I can't wait to get started. I love transforming our home and what a better reason than this.

I am thinking about having the crib bedding made because all the more neutral sets I have seen are zoo animals and green, Brown and cream.  Anyone have that stuff made our know someone who does make them???

This weekend is filled with fun events, Halloween costume making and brunch with pedicures to follow. Oh yeah and no work Monday...hehe

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Sore abs?!?!

So starting on Sunday my ab muscles have felt like I had just completed an intense workout when it fact I had done no such thing. I thought maybe the pushups I had been doing were staying my core but really I haven't been doing that many pushups and never before did pushups make my abs sore.

After a little internet research this evening it turns out it is totally normal. My ab muscles are stretching out to make room for my little peanut. Does that mean I have a bump in my near future?? Sounds like it to me :) all down hill from here...so thought I would document my sore mid section for all those out there that haven't done this before. Makes sense that they as but never would have expected it and hadn't had any of my friends tell me about that part of their experience.

Hopefully the 6pack and wee one will settle down a little and the soreness will subside soon.

I do love the sign there are things happening in my incubator ;) hard to tell otherwise.

The Blog is BACK!!!! Next house project/Baby Announcement

So for all those that aren't Facebookers, I figured I would post here as well.  Also, wanted everyone else who has already seen the FB blast to know the blog is back and I am hopeful about updating it more often now that we have a pretty big life event to track :-)

For those that didn't pick up on the hints, Kyle and I are having a baby in April.  April 9th to be exact (or as exact as we can right now), I am 13.5 weeks right now and feeling great.  I know it puts me in the easy to hate category but if we didn't go to the Dr. every couple weeks and see the ultrasound images I wouldn't even know I was carry around a little one.  Kyle says I'm confusing the nurses with no symptoms, HA!  We are not planning to find out the sex of the baby until on or around April 9th, I have always wanted the surprise and anticipation just seems like it will make the whole experience (and birth) that much more rewarding.  I know I know, it is moving and touching and nothing will ever be able to describe the feeling of having baby but it is just something I want to experience and so that's what we are doing.  Granted, I know the ultrasounds are pretty detailed now a days so baby may give us a show that spoils the surprise but we are aiming for the delivery surprise.

We are thrilled to be past the first trimester and hopefully clear of the danger zone.  We did have a failed attempt before so it makes this time around just that much sweeter (I can delve into that experience on another blog, I would say after I've had a glass of wine or two but guess that won't happen for another half a year or so). 

Anyways, we are thrilled to have this experience ahead of us and can't wait to share the ups, downs, tears and laughs with everyone who reads this blog as we go.  I feel like I've been around the block with babies for all my girlfriends along the way but this is all very new and exciting for me.  I haven't had that many questions for the doctors up to this point and I sometimes feel that is wrong of me, BUT I feel very prepared and informed from everyone's experiences.  So thank you thank you for all you gals out there who have shared your experiences, although sometimes gruesome, with me and helping me feel better prepared for this journey. 

If you have words of wisdoms or can't live without items you want to share, by all means email me (sirgens@gmail.com). I want to try and keep the "crap" to a minimum, yeah yeah everyone says that but how many are successful???, but I have to at least try, right?!?!?, so any input on the best stroller (I DO NOT want a giant monstrosity), bassinet, bjorn, etc. please share. 

Last thing for now, enjoy the obligatory ultrasound picture and the baby announcement.  Don't have a "bump" yet so won't start posting those type pictures until you aren't just seeing my extra 10lbs (don't I wish it was just 10) due to my husband's home brewing tummy. 

Thank you everyone for the well wishes, we are excited and looking forward to this life changing experience.  We are ready for this next step of our journey together...bring on the swim meets, baseball games, band recitals and girls scout camping (no I'm not pulling for one or the other ;-))

Announcement

Baby at 12 weeks 4 days

Colorado visit

Kyle and I made a quick trip to Colorado for a visit. Kyle played golf with the boys and did what guys do at bachelor parties. I hung out with friends and did a little sightseeing. Overall great visit and hope to see everyone again soon.

And the 2013 pumpkin king is....

Dustin takes the title for the second time (first annual and 2013) with pumpkin number 4...the witch running into the tree!  Following close behind was Ariel with the creepy hand pumpkin.  Thank you everyone for participating and great work Dustin!!!

Great pumpkins this year.

Kasia

Sarah

Ariel 

Shalyce

Tiffany, Siobhan & Shalyce

Kyle

Nate

Savannah

 

Stacey & Daniel

Great pumpkins this year and super successful party.  Can't wait until next year!