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| Watching my baby play |
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Dogtopia
Gunyr had his first day of doggie day care. It was so hard to leave him but we needed a place for him to be able to stay for when I go in to labor and need to stay a few days at the hospital.We decided Dogtopia was best since they have a webcam we can watch and be able to play all day instead of the traditional boarding of being in a cage the majority of the time. I could only bear to leave him for half the day but we are slowly going to get him used to the day care so it wont be too big of a deal when he has to stay the night. I think I had a harder time with separation anxiety than he did. Being able to watch him online helped a lot.
Merry Christmas
A few photos of our Christmas.
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| Stockings and Christmas cards from family and friends. |
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| I think he enjoyed his gift. |
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| Picking out some toys at Petco. |
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| This years Christmas card. |
Freezer Cooking
Being in my seventh month of pregnancy, trying to keep up with it all has not been the easiest task. Cooking meals every night has been a drag when I don't feel well or am dog tired. I recently learned about freezer cooking and got pretty excited to do it. I know I will want to do this for when baby boy comes so I wont be in the kitchen slaving away days after delivery. I was so excited to start and thought it would be fun to record how it goes.
I read so many different blogs who all had different methods of freezer cooking planning and prep, so I got the basic idea from them and did my own spin on things. So this is how I did it.
1) Decide what we will eat for the next month. Planned it all out in my meal planner and then looked up recipes for dinners I didn't have a clue on how to make, made recipe cards for them, and set aside all recipe cards that will be added in to this months freezer cooking day.
2) Make a list of all the foods I will need and how much for each to buy.
3) Go through coupons and store ads to see what savings I can get for Shopping day. Spent seven hours shopping just to get all the deals by going multiple stores.
4) Cooking Day! Do all the prep first. Cut up all veggies and things to measure out for each meal later. Saves so much time then doing each prep before the meal. This way you can relax while you wait for pots and pans to become available.
By the end of the day, my feet and back were killing me. And I was still trying to get all the dishes done by the end of the next day. But meals are done and I only really have to worry about breakfast and lunch for the next month. Dinners always take the longest and keep me on my feet since I cook from scratch (most of the time) so its so nice to just thaw and reheat nutritious meals instead of just going for takeout when I don't feel up to cooking. I think I could get used to cooking dinners once a month. I also made waffles and froze them so breakfast can be on the fly too for those busy mornings.
What I made:
Peppered Shrimp Alfredo Sauce (just mix with whole grain Penne noodles and garlic bread)
Spinach Lasagna
Corn and Potato Chowder
Teriyaki Chicken
Cheesy Vegetable Chowder
Vegetable Chili
Chicken noodle soup
Frozen Waffles
..and a few other things that I can't remember since I this is last months meals and I am just now getting around to blogging. Thanks preggie brain.
I read so many different blogs who all had different methods of freezer cooking planning and prep, so I got the basic idea from them and did my own spin on things. So this is how I did it.
1) Decide what we will eat for the next month. Planned it all out in my meal planner and then looked up recipes for dinners I didn't have a clue on how to make, made recipe cards for them, and set aside all recipe cards that will be added in to this months freezer cooking day.
2) Make a list of all the foods I will need and how much for each to buy.
3) Go through coupons and store ads to see what savings I can get for Shopping day. Spent seven hours shopping just to get all the deals by going multiple stores.
4) Cooking Day! Do all the prep first. Cut up all veggies and things to measure out for each meal later. Saves so much time then doing each prep before the meal. This way you can relax while you wait for pots and pans to become available.
By the end of the day, my feet and back were killing me. And I was still trying to get all the dishes done by the end of the next day. But meals are done and I only really have to worry about breakfast and lunch for the next month. Dinners always take the longest and keep me on my feet since I cook from scratch (most of the time) so its so nice to just thaw and reheat nutritious meals instead of just going for takeout when I don't feel up to cooking. I think I could get used to cooking dinners once a month. I also made waffles and froze them so breakfast can be on the fly too for those busy mornings.
What I made:
Peppered Shrimp Alfredo Sauce (just mix with whole grain Penne noodles and garlic bread)
Spinach Lasagna
Corn and Potato Chowder
Teriyaki Chicken
Cheesy Vegetable Chowder
Vegetable Chili
Chicken noodle soup
Frozen Waffles
..and a few other things that I can't remember since I this is last months meals and I am just now getting around to blogging. Thanks preggie brain.
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| Sort of late on taking a photo so a lot has already been eaten but here is whats left. Its almost time for another day of cooking. |
Monday, December 9, 2013
30 weeks and a snow day!
I sort of feel like we have hit a milestone. 30 weeks! Wow. I still can't picture myself ever being on labor and actually meeting my sweet baby boy but, God willing, it will be in the next seven to ten weeks. I feel so blessed for the baby growing inside me. The love I feel for him, I didn't know existed or was possible. Its so overwhelming. I love him so much and I can't wait to meet him.
I am never bored when he is awake and active. I can push on my tummy and he will start going crazy with those little feet where I pushed. He is getting so big that he can now deform my tummy as he moves. His position is often quite noticeable.
Some Highlights-
This week, we had our first major snow storm. We had a lot of fun introducing Gunyr to snow for the first time. He was going crazy and running around all over. Its now hard to get him to come back inside. He sure has some mountain dog in him. Later in the day, I got a must-have craving for Taco Bell. I talked Steve in to taking Gunyr for a car ride to get him out of the house since we couldn't go to the dog park due to the bad weather, we knew no one would be there.
About a half hour later, I got a call from my husband saying he has not gotten far from home and stuck in traffic because people don't know how to drive in the snow. I talked with him for an hour on the phone (with his ear piece, of course) while he sat in traffic.. and then he had to slow crawl a hill. Somehow the engine died and he got a flat tire. So now he was broke down with a dead battery with our pup in the car. The car wouldn't start and they had no heat. The snow was coming down hard and while still having me on the phone hearing all this, I was losing my mind, looking online for a roadside assistance service, and praying praying praying. I was so worried and trying to come up with some way to get them back home.
Police were out directing traffic since it was so bad and he was finally able to get a squad car out to help him, thank the lord. Even through all that, he still made the trip to Taco Bell. I was just so happy to have them home but baby boy sure enjoyed his taco bell.. if only he knew what his Daddy had to go through to get it for him.
I am never bored when he is awake and active. I can push on my tummy and he will start going crazy with those little feet where I pushed. He is getting so big that he can now deform my tummy as he moves. His position is often quite noticeable.
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| Anatomically correct baby mold at 30 weeks |
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| Trying to imagine how he would look inside. |
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| Centering Pregnancy instructor helped me visualize his position. |
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| 30 Weeks pregnant |
Some Highlights-
- Baby's heart rate is 138 bpm
- I have gained 9 lbs so far
This week, we had our first major snow storm. We had a lot of fun introducing Gunyr to snow for the first time. He was going crazy and running around all over. Its now hard to get him to come back inside. He sure has some mountain dog in him. Later in the day, I got a must-have craving for Taco Bell. I talked Steve in to taking Gunyr for a car ride to get him out of the house since we couldn't go to the dog park due to the bad weather, we knew no one would be there.
About a half hour later, I got a call from my husband saying he has not gotten far from home and stuck in traffic because people don't know how to drive in the snow. I talked with him for an hour on the phone (with his ear piece, of course) while he sat in traffic.. and then he had to slow crawl a hill. Somehow the engine died and he got a flat tire. So now he was broke down with a dead battery with our pup in the car. The car wouldn't start and they had no heat. The snow was coming down hard and while still having me on the phone hearing all this, I was losing my mind, looking online for a roadside assistance service, and praying praying praying. I was so worried and trying to come up with some way to get them back home.
Police were out directing traffic since it was so bad and he was finally able to get a squad car out to help him, thank the lord. Even through all that, he still made the trip to Taco Bell. I was just so happy to have them home but baby boy sure enjoyed his taco bell.. if only he knew what his Daddy had to go through to get it for him.
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| A little collage of Gunyr's first snow day and us playing in the winter wonderland. This is my favorite time of the year. |
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Thanksgiving/Black Friday
This was Bunkers and Gunyrs first Thanksgiving. Of course, they got a big helping of all you can eat organic turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and whatever else they decided they wanted from the feast. I decided to try a few new recipes and made some amazing pumpkin cheesecake, apple pie, and a new version of crock pot mac and cheese. I have really gotten in to being the best Homemaker I can and making our meals from scratch, and as organic as possible, have definitely become more of a priority. I have a vision of the type of Mom and wife I want to be and slowly working towards that so this first Thanksgiving where not everything came from a package or box was such an experience and made our feast so much more enjoyable.
Can you believe this is our last holiday season where we wont be surrounded by family.. our last of just us, our little family. Six more months until we are back on the west coast.
After dinner, we started our Black Friday shopping. I seriously had way too much fun if that's possible. I have have been looking forward to black Friday for YEARS! Sure, we were back in the States for last years Black Friday but since Steve had to work, we couldn't go. So this year was the first year I have been able to participate since 2008. Crazy! I was 18 back then and I don't think I even cared for it much so this really is my first Black Friday.
I searched the web all week looking for ad leaks and deals. Then got and scoured the Thanksgiving day paper which had all the Black Friday ads. I even made a list and game plan to how we would do it and where we would go, in which order, and who would get what. Yep, had way too much fun. I loved the craziness of it all and how insane people got. Being pregnant, of course, my poor husband was on over protective mode of anyone who got too close. It was sweet but he was a nervous wreck but didn't want to ruin my fun because he knew how excited I was.
We went to Walmart, Joann Fabrics, AC Moore, Petco, Micheals, and Macys.
We pretty much got a steal on canning jars from AC Moore. Then got a new Pressure Canner from Macys for nearly half off. I can't wait to start canning our fruits and veggies. Such a cheaper alternative to buying overpriced organic canned fruits and veggies from Whole Foods.
From Joann's, we got some fabric at 75% off. Um, STEAL! Sure we had to wait an hour or so to get it cut but we literately paid $10 for $40 worth of merchandise. I also got some super cheap patterns and book on making my own cloth diapers with a pattern. I knew I wanted to cloth diaper but Steve got me into wanting to make my own.. oh boy, what have I got myself into?
A few photos from our day!
As per tradition, after we got home from Black Friday shopping, we set up our Christmas tree and stockings. I also made Gunyr's Christmas stocking. I did a lot better then last year when I made Tubbles' and Bunker's stockings. I think I have definitely improved my skills in the last year. I will post photos of our beautiful tree and stockings soon.
Can you believe this is our last holiday season where we wont be surrounded by family.. our last of just us, our little family. Six more months until we are back on the west coast.
After dinner, we started our Black Friday shopping. I seriously had way too much fun if that's possible. I have have been looking forward to black Friday for YEARS! Sure, we were back in the States for last years Black Friday but since Steve had to work, we couldn't go. So this year was the first year I have been able to participate since 2008. Crazy! I was 18 back then and I don't think I even cared for it much so this really is my first Black Friday.
I searched the web all week looking for ad leaks and deals. Then got and scoured the Thanksgiving day paper which had all the Black Friday ads. I even made a list and game plan to how we would do it and where we would go, in which order, and who would get what. Yep, had way too much fun. I loved the craziness of it all and how insane people got. Being pregnant, of course, my poor husband was on over protective mode of anyone who got too close. It was sweet but he was a nervous wreck but didn't want to ruin my fun because he knew how excited I was.
We went to Walmart, Joann Fabrics, AC Moore, Petco, Micheals, and Macys.
We pretty much got a steal on canning jars from AC Moore. Then got a new Pressure Canner from Macys for nearly half off. I can't wait to start canning our fruits and veggies. Such a cheaper alternative to buying overpriced organic canned fruits and veggies from Whole Foods.
From Joann's, we got some fabric at 75% off. Um, STEAL! Sure we had to wait an hour or so to get it cut but we literately paid $10 for $40 worth of merchandise. I also got some super cheap patterns and book on making my own cloth diapers with a pattern. I knew I wanted to cloth diaper but Steve got me into wanting to make my own.. oh boy, what have I got myself into?
A few photos from our day!
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| The Turkey |
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| Helping make the pie |
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| Man of the house carving the bird |
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| "...Can I have it yet?" |
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| Cart full of jars! I am ready to can! |
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| Craziness at Walmart! Had to snap a photo. |
Sunday, November 24, 2013
28 Weeks
We are finally in the third trimester! Where has the time gone? In centering, we did a tour of Labor and Delivery to see where we will be having our babies and I just can't imagine that day of delivering would ever come. I am still trying to comprehend that there is actually a baby, a real human, in there. The thought of holding this baby and taking him home seems like a dream.. not a reality that will soon come.
One more trimester. Just crazy! He is getting so big. You can see him poking himself out of my tummy and moving all over. He loves when I rub his back, head, and little feet. I will rub my tummy where I can feel he is and he will just stay right there while I do so. He will get real active after I eat but there is no settling down when he gets something sweet in him. He will just kick and kick. We will just sit and watch my tummy bounce and move all over.
My cravings have been pretty normal all pregnancy. No weird ones that I hear from everyone else like Pizza with mustard. But I do have pretty intense cravings for Chinese food and have even drove across state lines to go to Panda Express at the mall in PA. I have also waited for KFC to open just for a large serving of mac and cheese.
I'm not sure of I ever gave the results to my three hour glucose test but it came back normal. I had my third trimester glucose test a few days ago and that came back normal as well, thank the Lord. But, I have become anemic and now have to take Iron and Vitamin C pills twice a day. Since I have a major fear of swallowing pill (never been able to do it), I have been grinding them up in smoothies with our Vita-mix and that has worked out great.
One more trimester. Just crazy! He is getting so big. You can see him poking himself out of my tummy and moving all over. He loves when I rub his back, head, and little feet. I will rub my tummy where I can feel he is and he will just stay right there while I do so. He will get real active after I eat but there is no settling down when he gets something sweet in him. He will just kick and kick. We will just sit and watch my tummy bounce and move all over.
My cravings have been pretty normal all pregnancy. No weird ones that I hear from everyone else like Pizza with mustard. But I do have pretty intense cravings for Chinese food and have even drove across state lines to go to Panda Express at the mall in PA. I have also waited for KFC to open just for a large serving of mac and cheese.
I'm not sure of I ever gave the results to my three hour glucose test but it came back normal. I had my third trimester glucose test a few days ago and that came back normal as well, thank the Lord. But, I have become anemic and now have to take Iron and Vitamin C pills twice a day. Since I have a major fear of swallowing pill (never been able to do it), I have been grinding them up in smoothies with our Vita-mix and that has worked out great.
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| 28 Weeks |
Sunday, November 10, 2013
26 weeks
I can really feel baby boy moving now. Sometimes I have to stop and say "whoa, that was a big kick". Kick counts have been a breeze. Ill start counting during his most active time and it takes anywhere from a minute to five minutes to get ten kicks.
My cravings have included noodle dishes, mac and cheese, chocolate, and strangely enough, candy canes. Good thing they are starting to put them back on the shelves since the Holidays are coming up. But Chinese food has been a big one. Just today we drove to Pennsylvania (again) so I could get Panda Express. YUM! I can't get enough.
I have been feeling great but the exhaustion has officially crept back in. Very few days am I able to go through a day without a nap. Maybe the insomnia has something to do with that as well. Its very hard to sleep at night and I am always waking up to numb hips. Can't lay on my back, can't lay on my front.. and my hips go numb when I lay on either side. Yeah, sleeping these days has been way too much fun. And of course I should mention (since I don't want to forget anything), he is getting much heavier and when he lays low on my bladder, its very uncomfortable. Not to mention when he starts to kicks it. I have to run to the closest bathroom. Hubby loves to laugh at me and cheers baby boy on. And this whole peeing a little every time I sneeze thing is for the birds.
I am not complaining, just trying to record everything. I wanted this.. all of it! I thank God for it. With all the minor discomforts, this is the best experience I have ever had. I fall more in love with this baby with every kick and flip. If God forbids me to have another, I just want to be able to remember my experience in my own words.
I posted a photo of this shirt at a concession stand at the Mall when we first moved to Delaware because I thought it was awesome.. well, Hubby bought it for me! Haha, I love it. I love how its customized to where we live. Proud Homemaker, I am.
My cravings have included noodle dishes, mac and cheese, chocolate, and strangely enough, candy canes. Good thing they are starting to put them back on the shelves since the Holidays are coming up. But Chinese food has been a big one. Just today we drove to Pennsylvania (again) so I could get Panda Express. YUM! I can't get enough.
I have been feeling great but the exhaustion has officially crept back in. Very few days am I able to go through a day without a nap. Maybe the insomnia has something to do with that as well. Its very hard to sleep at night and I am always waking up to numb hips. Can't lay on my back, can't lay on my front.. and my hips go numb when I lay on either side. Yeah, sleeping these days has been way too much fun. And of course I should mention (since I don't want to forget anything), he is getting much heavier and when he lays low on my bladder, its very uncomfortable. Not to mention when he starts to kicks it. I have to run to the closest bathroom. Hubby loves to laugh at me and cheers baby boy on. And this whole peeing a little every time I sneeze thing is for the birds.
I am not complaining, just trying to record everything. I wanted this.. all of it! I thank God for it. With all the minor discomforts, this is the best experience I have ever had. I fall more in love with this baby with every kick and flip. If God forbids me to have another, I just want to be able to remember my experience in my own words.
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| 26 weeks |
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