24 weeks belly

Sorry for my absence, life has thrown us a curve ball and I have needed a few weeks to grasp all the changes that will be taking place. No worries, this loop-de-loo brings both joy and sadness...and much needed planning and coordinating. All of which I will go into further detail in a later post. For now I want to be thankful for what God has given and provided for us, my growing family. While I cannot control things of this life that are out of my hands, I can control and choose joy....and I most definitely find joy in the belly that is growing by the second.

We have reached a new milestone, one where I can no longer glide out of bed...but more like roll/slither my way out. My husband spends some of his nights in our guest bed while I toss and turn, adjusting pillows this way and that. If he has any hope of getting a good nights sleep in the midst of big belly ruckus, the guest bed is usually his best option. :( He usually gives me a kiss and wishes me good night as he sneaks out. Smart hubby, but I do miss him when he is gone.

I feel huge. But have been told I'm not, and after looking at this weeks belly picture I appear smaller than I feel. But let's not confuse feeling huge with "not enjoying being pregnant".  I actually LOVE this stage of pregnancy, I'm finally getting adequate sleep (despite the tossing), my baby boy is moving and squirming and kicking like crazy! My morning sickness that plagued me at 20 weeks seems to tapering off, but I can still get away with downing my beloved orange Sanpellegrino sodas (YUM).  With that being said, here is the official 24 week update:

How far along? 24 weeks, and 4 days
Total weight gain/loss: about 18 lbs.
 Maternity clothes? Not really, other than a couple tops....still living in dresses, and rotate through about 3 tops with my capri jeans...although they are starting to get a wee bit tight!
Stretch marks? No, praying that this one will be as nice to me as Cole was.
Sleep: Oh sweet, sweet sleep..finally I seem to be able to drift off and get anywhere between 6-8 hours a night! Praise the Lord!
Best moment this week: My baby boy had the hiccups for the first time! I just love feeling him in my belly.
Have you told family and friends: Of course.
Miss Anything? having more clothing options, I'm trying to be practical and not go crazy buying new things...so that means getting creative and wearing the same things over and over and over.....
Movement: He is definitely more active than Cole was...should I be worried?
Food cravings: Oh man, so many! Sanpellegrino (my sweet hubby took me to costco and we stocked up, a huge thanks to all those that told me Costco was the best deal around!), seaweed salad, salad rolls--this has been my biggest food craving momentarily. So I finally buckled down and made my own, and then I used the remaining rice noodles to make my favorite spring roll salad for the following 2 days! Oh and organic frozen bean and cheese burritos (I'm eating one right now as I type this).
Anything making you queasy or sick: Actually, no.
Have you started to show yet: Yes!
Gender prediction: Girl....but as you all know I was so wrong!
Labor Signs:  I still get braxton hicks often, but that is about it.
Belly Button in or out?  in
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm on cloud nine now that I know I am having a boy!
Weekly Wisdom: Ponder the many gifts that God gives daily.

Craving Satisfied

Ok, so I debated whether to jump into a food post right after my heart felt post to my baby boy. However, after taking my first bite of dinner last night I decided it needed to be done. I have been craving something with noodles, something with loads of flavor, and something a little off the beaten path. This dish delivered on every level and made me sneak back for bite after bite this morning. The best part is that it can be eaten cold, so it is perfect for a leftover meal to take to the office.....although, the texture changes just a bit due to the noodles soaking in the sauce overnight. But the flavors? They are still there and will blow your taste buds off! Enough chit-chat, lets get down to business...here is my rendition on the cold Asian Noodle Chicken Salad.

Asian Chicken Noodle Salad with a Ginger Peanut Sauce:
Adapted from: Serious Eats

• For the chicken:
• 3-4 chicken tenders or two chicken breast
•  
• For the salad:
• 10 ounces soba noodles (I used high fiber spaghetti--cooked al dente)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced into bite-sized pieces
• 4 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cucumber , quartered and sliced
• 1-2 carrots, shredded
• 1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
•  
• For the dressing:
• 5 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon of fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons seasoned rice wine vinega
• 1-2 tablespoon Asian sesame oil
• 1-1/2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• 2 small garlic cloves, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger or I used 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon sugar

Procedures

1. Poach chicken: in large sauce pan bring water to boil, drop chicken in water and boil 15-20 minutes until fully cooked.

2. In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles according to package instructions, stirring occasionally so they don't stick. Drain and rinse well under cold water.

 

3.  Make the dressing by combining all ingredients in a small food processor or blender. Blitz until mixture is smooth. (Alternatively, you can whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl; just be sure to mince the garlic and stir until peanut butter is completely dissolved.

 

4. Shred chicken into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, toss shredded chicken with noodles, dressing, bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, peanuts, scallions, cilantro and sesame seeds. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately.

 

Enjoy!

My promise....

My sweet boy. Gah, I love you.

Seriously, you couldn't have me more wrapped around your finger than you do right now. I love how you are learning new things each and every day. I can see that light bulb go off in your head, and then you just blossom. For example, you figured out that it is possible to not only walk forwards but backwards as well. You make your dad and I laugh ourselves silly watching you and your "moonwalk" endeavor. You are priceless.

This past week I have seen several sweet tastes of what you will be like as an older brother. The way you crawled up on your belly next to our friend's baby girl. You propped your head up in both hands and just stared at that little girls hands, face, and small little body. You let her grab and scratch your lips without even a flinch, and just sat entranced. The tenderness you displayed made my heart proud, and I knew then and there that you are going to make the BEST big brother in a few months. Those thoughts were further solidified when you, again, became so engrossed by sweet baby Piper at church.  You wanted to touch her nose (and then went for the eyes....intervention happened) and then you tried multiple times to put her binky in her mouth, as if you just new that is what she needed. I know you will be such a helper when your baby brother comes into our lives. It makes my excitement bubble up inside just thinking about it! 

I love how you love me. I love how you seem to embrace life and live it to the fullest, already. You are quick to listen and slow to anger (most of the time). Your smile is contagious, and your eyes can melt the hardest of hearts. I often fall to my knees in prayer that God will never take you from me. The very thought of that ever happening is unbearable. So my promise to you, my boy, is that I will be present in your every day life as long as God chooses. Whether that means making your stuffed lion dance to your music, crawling on my knees to "get you", splashing in the pool, or pulling you up next to me so that we can read story after story of your choosing. I promise to be present when you decide to play soccer, baseball, basketball....or band, yes I will be present and I will be in the front row cheering like a crazy mom....or clapping my hands when you take a bow. I will be present when you fall for your first crush...and when you feel the break of the heart. I will be present when you walk across the stage to accept your diploma, and when you drive off to the college of your choosing.

 I will be present in the big and the small, I promise.

I promise, I will be present...if that means, turning off the TV, ignoring my cell phone, cancelling plans with friends, putting down the broom, and just snuggling you up and embracing you where you are in the moment.

That's my promise, because I don't want to miss a moment.

Just because it's one of those kinds of days....

Picture compliments from: cookies and cups

Some days you just need something sweet, sweet, sweet.  This treat does not disappoint. In fact, I think from now on I should only be allowed to make this when I know others will be devouring it as well...otherwise, well....you might just find me, with a smile, a fork, an empty pan, and crumbs all over my expanding belly. While these are great just as they are, I think next time I would add more peanut butter, perhaps some chopped peanuts, and would skip the mini chips all together....because lets face it, more chocolate never hurt anybody. It just needed a little more salty with the sweet....but that's just a personal preference, do as you please.

Go ahead, make a batch....did I mention it takes like two seconds to whip up? Oh yeah baby.

Avalanche Bars
(Source: Cookies and Cups)

Ingredients

• 12 oz bag of White Chocolate Chips
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 3 cups Rice Krispies
• 1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips + 2 Tbsp for garnish.
• Lightly grease a 9x9 pan

How to Make

1. In microwave-safe bowl pour in white chips and heat on 50% power for 1 minute. Stir and continue in 30 second increments until chips are melted.
2. Combine the peanut butter with the melted chips and add the krispies.
3. Let cool approx 15 – 20 minutes stirring every 5 minutes or so to help cool.
4. Add the marshmallows and the mini chocolate chips and stir to combine.
5. Pour mixture into the prepared pan and spread evenly, pressing lightly with the back of your spoon, but do not compact too much, otherwise they will get hard.
6. Press the remaining chocolate chips into the top for garnish.
7. When the bars are completely cooled cut into squares and eat your heart out.

 

20 weeks and it's a.....

BOY!!!!

Which is crazy because I thought for sure I was having a girl. In fact, there were several times I almost buckled and bought some crazy cute frilly dresses. Thankfully I have a common sense side (it does kick in once in awhile). I would hang those precious ruffled butts back up and walk away thinking I would be back in the near future to stock up.

While I along with many of you thought I would be crushed with the news...that couldn't be further from the truth. If you would have asked me a month, a week, even a few days before we found out if we saw blue instead of pink.....I probably would have answered with an eye-glistening "yes". As I woke up yesterday morning giddy with anticipation I suddenly felt an urge to spend some time in prayer. During that time I prayed for our baby, that "it" would be healthy first and foremost and that we would be at complete peace with whatever gender was revealed. I felt refreshed and went to the appointment knowing that God knew best, and He had given us this precious child to enhance our family.

But I have to say that I was still convinced we were having a baby girl, even when I first saw the front shot of his face. I looked at the lips and nose and thought to myself, "those are the most beautiful lips I have ever seen." His nose is exactly like his brothers (from what I could tell)...but those lips, I couldn't get over those lips. So when the words, "Cole, your going to have a baby brother" came out of the techs mouth, it took a moment for me to realize what had just been said. And then came the tears, and the unexplainable joy as I suddenly saw two little boys wrestling around on the living room floor, two little boys in baseball caps swinging their bats and running from base to base, two best buds watching out for each other and shielding each other from meaningless hurt and pain. My heart swelled as I realized I was going to have two boys that could have the potential to become big, strong men of God, who could be the rocks of their families, and could bring so much good to the world that they had been brought into.

Yes, I was full of pure joy and excitement. Not sadness in the least bit. God is so so good, He knows best...and for that, I am grateful.

And here I am at 20 weeks exactly!

How far along? 20 weeks, and 5 days
Total weight gain/loss: about 13 lbs
Maternity clothes? Not really, other than a couple tops....I'm really excited I found a pair of capri jeans (pre pregnancy) that I can still button! Yip-yip-yeah! Last week we spent some time in Arizona so I was able to bust out all of my dresses that I love so much during the summer.
Stretch marks? No, praying that this one will be as nice to me as Cole was.
Sleep: I still have my moments of insomnia, but for the most part I have been feeling really well rested and full of energy. Praise the Lord!
Best moment this week: We found out we are having another baby BOY, seriously there could not be a better moment than that.
Have you told family and friends: Of course.
Miss Anything? Ahi Tuna....I have seen it on several menu's and I start salivating just thinking about it...unfortunately it is always cooked rare, and is high in mercury :(
Movement: Oh my word, this little guy loves to move, and punch, and twirl around.
Food cravings: Still grape anything, and pasta with red sauce.
Anything making you queasy or sick: I have been having bouts of morning sickness again, so sometimes just the thought of anything other than a popsicle makes my insides hate me.
Have you started to show yet: Yes!
Gender prediction: Girl....but obviously I have no maternal instinct! ;)
Labor Signs:  I still have been getting braxton hicks quite often, my dr. is running tests to make sure they are not being brought on by anything else.
Belly Button in or out?  in
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: I'm on cloud nine now that I know I am having a boy!
Weekly Wisdom: Eat Mexican food everyday.

Dear Baby-

Today is a special day for us, today we get to find out whether you are a boy or a girl. Today we get to know you even deeper and more intimately that we do right now. We can finally put a name to your sweet kicks and twirls. We can start praying for you in a way that is uniquely special to you and who you are.  And we can start dreaming about the relationship that you will have with your big brother Cole. Either way you are a blessing, and I never want you to forget that. God has been knitting you into our lives in a way no one else can. He knew you before you were even conceived, and he knows that you are exactly what this family needs.

While I cannot wait to hold you in my arms and kiss your face, and I am happily enjoying my quiet moments with you right here, right now. I love the way you squirm when I am restless at night, the way you seem to dance when I wake up, and the tender kicks you give me to remind me that you are still there, thriving and growing each day.....as if you can tell that I am fretting over whether or not I am providing you a safe enough place to stay for the next few months. Please be patient with your mama, I am a worrier. But one thing I am not worried about is the love that we will have for you regardless if you will be decked out in ruffles or sporting jerseys.

Either way little one, know that we will be elated with joy, and I'm sure there will be tears streaming down my face as I get to wrap my heart around you a little deeper.

Your dad and I will love you always and forever.

.....counting down the minutes to see your face