24 weeks

Not to much to report, I have been feeling pretty good for the most part. I have days that I feel good and other days I simply feel like crap. Lately my back is hurting on a daily basis and the migraines are making a come back, hopefully neither of these stick around to long. Wednesday I started to feel contraction like pain in my back and abdomen, this is not uncommon for me to have this pain but it usually goes away after an hour or so. These, however, stuck around for over 4 hours and were just uncomfortable, but after talking to Roland he wanted me to go and get checked out just in case. Of course everything was fine with me and with baby, they did the routine urine check, checked baby's heart rate and monitored me for 30 mins or so. Our little guy did not like the doppler they use to check the heart rate at all he kept kicking it really hard when she was trying to get his heart rate, make me laugh. The doctor said everything looked fine and being this isn't my first pregnancy that I'm going to have a lot more cramping and pain but since I am also breastfeeding still that is going to intensify it that much more. She also assured me that since I have no history of preterm labor and everything is looking fine and normal this pregnancy that I can continue to nurse Charlotte as long as I would like. Because nursing her is not enough in it's own to cause my body to go into labor before it is ready. I have to say this makes me feel so much better about nursing her still and I am now in no real hurry to wean her as long as she is weaned about a month before the baby comes.

 

 

16 weeks to go

24 weeks and 3 days

Tried to get a nice picture with the girls
 and I end up with this or...

blank stares, I guess it was worth a try.

 

 

Total weight gain: 0lbs

 

Stretch marks: Nothing new

 

Sleep: Having a hard time getting comfortable and falling asleep, also I'm waking up a lot more at night to pee and because of discomfort in my back.

 

Food Cravings: No real cravings but my appetite has suddenly increased

 

Food Aversions: Eggs and some other things depending on the smell

 

Labor signs: Thought I was having contractions but it was just increase cramping because this isn't my first pregnancy and I'm breastfeeding.

 

Mood Swings: Pretty much the same, I feel pretty out of control of my emotions a lot.

 

 

 

Ok people be sure to tune in next week for a special video blog with me and my hubby, we will be revealing our little guy's name!

Pasta at its finest

I love to cook for my family and I love to find new and amazing things that we all enjoy. I have this amazing cookbook that I would recommend to anyone and everyone, The America's Test Kitchen Family Cookbook. Not only is it filled with awesome recipes it has all kinds of tips in it and tells you why you are doing some of the things your doing. It help a person who doesn't know everything there is to know about cooking know just a bit more to make their cooking amazing as well.

 

 

 

So this last week I made Meat Ragu, I wasn't sure if we would like but it didn't call for many ingredients and it seemed pretty easy to make so I was all for trying it. Well to our surprised we loved it all of us even the girls, it was light tasting and very rounded in flavor. Not only was it amazing the first time we ate it but it reheated and tasted just as good if not better! This is a good plus because I love to have meals that make enough for leftovers night or for Roland to take to work and eat for lunch.

 

Well it's time to put up the recipe, and please don't the length of time it takes to make it scare you. It really doesn't take much and it's such a great tasting meal not to take the time to make.

 

 

Long-Cooked Meat Ragu

• 1 1/2 pounds beef short ribs, trimmed
• salt and pepper
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, minced
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1. Pat the ribs dry, then season with salt and pepper. Heat the oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Brown the ribs, about 10 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Pour off all but 1 Tbsp of the fat in the skillet.

2. Add the onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in wine and simmer, scraping up any browned bits, until the wine has reduced to a glaze, about 2 minutes.

3. Return the browned ribs and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Stir in the tomatoes with their juices and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer gently, turning the ribs several times, until the meat is very tender and falling off the bones, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

4. Using a slotted spoon, remove the ribs from the sauce and let cool. Shred the meat, discarding the fat and bones. Return the shredded meat to the sauce and continue to simmer over medium heat, uncovered, until the meat is heated through and the sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

I tossed this sauce with 1lb of penne pasta but rigatoni or ziti can be used as well. If the sauce is to thick use some of the pasta cooking water to loosen the consistency.

Sauce can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Also pork spareribs or country-style ribs can be substituted for the beef short ribs. (I used the beef short ribs, so yummy.)

 

I really hope that anyone who makes this thinks it is just as yummy as my family and I did!

 

 Enjoy!

23 weeks

This week has not been much fun, I have had this awful cold since last Friday that is still going strong. I don't ever get colds really, except when I'm pregnant, so I'm not very good at feeling crappy on a daily basis. Our little guy is growing strong he likes to let me know he is there all the time, he is constantly moving around and kicking pretty hard. I'm not sure if that's a sign he's going to hurt me when he's bigger, I always hear other women say how their baby is kicking them in the ribs or kicking so hard it hurts or makes them jump. Well neither one of the girls did these kinds of thing to me but I have a feeling this little guy is going to be that kind of baby. His movements are already so strong that I can only imagine they will get worse with time. Roland is very happy our little guy has such strong movements because he can feel him moving. Last night for the first time Roland was actually still awake when our little guy started moving a bunch so I told him to see if he could feel him and sure enough he could. Roland wasn't able to feel Charlotte move at all because he was deployed and he didn't feel Amelia until around 28 weeks or so.

 

I know I've seen our little guy on ultrasounds and I know I'm really pregnant but up until about a week or so ago it hasn't really set in that we're having another baby. I'm still in shock that we are having another one so close to the other 2. This was certainly not what I had planned when we decided to start having kids that is for sure. I would have much rather waited until our kids were at least 18 months old before trying for another baby and believe me we did try to do this each time. However God had another plan for us and even though life will be crazy for a while I know it will all be worth it.

 

 

17 weeks to go

 

 



23 weeks

 



23 weeks

 

 

Total weight gain: -9lbs

 

Stretch marks: Nothing new

 

Sleep: Sleeping pretty well once I get comfortable

 

Food Cravings: Nothing really, not much of an appetite lately

 

Food aversions: Eggs and fish

 

Labor signs: none

 

Mood swings: Still getting the best of me, working on trying to control them

 

22 Weeks

This last week has been a bit of a roller coaster, all these hormones I have running through my body are making me an emotional mess. I'm either really happy, super angry or just in some kind of strange funk. It doesn't help that my husband always seems to be working and I don't really feel like I'm have much support most of the time. My migraines have been getting worse again but I'm not quite as tired as I had been. My two little ladies are keeping me busy most of the time. Charlotte is not a fan of being whined, she is much more clingy lately and even more attached to her paci. Amelia is officially out of a crib and in a "toddler" bed, she is doing much better about it then I thought she would. We took the side off her crib and put on a side rail so she won't fall out of bed, although she knows she can get out of bed she doesn't. At night she pretty much goes right to sleep but at nap time she jumps and plays in bed for a while, yesterday I went in and told her she needed to lay down and go to sleep. After that she laid down and went to sleep without any issues, much easier then I thought it would be that's for sure. At the beginning of the year we will be getting her a twin bed so we can use the crib for the our little guy.

18 weeks to go

Your baby has stretched to the size of a spaghetti squash,
 nearly 11 inches, and weighs almost a pound. 

Total weight gain: -10 lbs

 

Stretch marks: Nothing new

 

Sleep: Once I'm sleeping it's good

 

Food cravings: Not really any at the moment

 

Food Aversions: Eggs and Fish

 

Labor signs: Nothing other then Braxton Hicks

 

Mood swings: Of course, just getting worse

21 weeks

Our little guy is very active, he is constantly moving around I feel him all the time sometimes I wonder when he sleeps. This last week I have felt pretty good over all just more tired then normal, but Roland has been gone for few days so I'm sure that contributes. Tomorrow I have an appointment to make sure everything is going well with our little guy and me. I'm sure everything is fine, I always have really easy pregnancies for the most part. I have noticed I'm getting contractions a lot more often but that is probably because I'm still nursing Charlotte. This coming month I'm going to work on whining her so I don't cause myself to go into preterm labor or anything, that's the only real concern my OB has about me breastfeeding still.

 

 

 

19 weeks to go

 

Your baby, currently the length of a carrot, weighs about 3/4 of a pound.

Length: 10 1/2 inches, head to heel.

Total weight gain: -15 lbs

 

Stretch marks: Nothing new, thank goodness

 

Sleep: Once I finally fall asleep I sleep well

 

Food cravings: Grilled cheese and super cold water

 

Food aversions: Fish and eggs

 

Labor signs: Just Braxton Hicks contractions

 

Mood swings: Sadly my emotions are getting the best of me most of the time.

A little of this a little of that.

I'm happy to say that our house is completely unpacked and has been for a while now. I still have some little touches here and there to get it how I want it. Once I have things like I want them then I'm going to do a video tour of it so everyone can see our new home for at least 2 years. For those of you who keep asking, Roland is not able to do a re-enlistment at this time because of all the new regulations and what not so he is going to get an extension on his contract through his 10 year mark. At that time if he is able to pick up SSgt then he will re-enlist for at least 2 years if he is not able to pick up then he will not be able to re-enlist and we will be moving back to Ohio near our families.

The girls and I have been back in Cali for about 3 months now. I thought it would be easier to be this far from my family and friends since we had already been here once and I knew a few people here this time around. Well I was wrong, I almost think living with my family and friends in Ohio for a year made leaving that much harder. I find that I'm even more homesick then before and even lonelier then I was the last time we were here. I'm trying really hard to get through this feeling and not let it over take me but I think being pregnant and so emotional is making it that much harder. I hate that we can't just go and visit Ohio whenever we want or my family come and visit us because it's so expensive.
Of course I'm sure it doesn't help that my husband is working so much and in the field all the time we hardly have time together. Since the girls and I have been here he has been working until 5 or later nightly and then he has gone to the field a bunch and has a whole month of field training coming up. I feel like I'm holding my breath daily just waiting for him to come home and tell me they are deploying again. I'm really trying to enjoy this time we have together for now and just not think about when he might deploy again but that is easier said then done.

20 weeks, The half way mark!

Happy to be at the half way point of this pregnancy without any major issues. This last week has been a little more up and down. I'll have a burst of energy and then out of no where I'll feel drained and exhausted. I'm not sure if it's just because I'm pregnant with a boy or if because I just had a baby but this pregnancy just seems to be kicking my butt.

 

Even though I have 2 kids already and I know that 3 this close together is going to be just plan crazy I still can not wait to have this baby. People keep asking if this is going to be our last since we got our boy now. Roland and I have agreed since before we got married that we would both like to have 4 to 6 kids. This little one is going to be the last for at least 2 years, but if Roland is not able to make SSgt and re-enlist then we probably won't be having another for more like 4 to 5 years. Since there will be such a large gap between these 3 and another one we're thinking probably 2 more and then we will be done. Ultimately Roland and I are leaving it up to God on how many blessings He thinks we should have, so who knows what the final number will be.

 

Today I had my 20 week anatomy scan done and was happy to have it confirmed again that we are indeed getting our boy. The ultrasound ladies were very nice and after they got everything they needed they let Roland and the girls come in and see the baby. Amelia seemed to enjoy it was saying, "Baby, baby brother," it was very cute. They gave us quite a few pics of the little guys goods and no really good ones of him, because he did not want to cooperate and give us a good profile view.



This is his foot



This is his butt and the goods



Another view of the good, his legs and butt



The little arrow pointing at the goods



This is his 2 feet



This is the only one for all of him
his head is on the left and body is the right

 

 

 

 

20 WEEKS TO GO

 

 

 

 

Total weight gain: -14lbs

 

Stretch marks: Nothing new thank goodness

 

Sleep: I'm having a hard time falling asleep, but once I'm asleep I sleep well

 

Food cravings: grilled cheese, beef and super cold ice water

 

Food aversions: Eggs, fish, and chicken

 

Labor signs: I have had a few nights of contractions but they seem to go away after a hour or so.

 

Mood Swings: I have felt like crying at the drop of a hat

 



Some serious yumminess

While on Pinterest one night I saw this recipe for Mini Chicken Pot Pies and thought it looked delicious and decided to pin it to try out sometime. Well Roland and I made them tonight for dinner and they are seriously yummy, definitely a recipe I will be making again and again I am sure. Although my inspiration came from pinterest it did not have a very detailed instructional for them so I decided after making it I would put up the recipe I used so if others wanted to make it they could also.

The yummy finished product.

This recipe will make about 24 mini pot pies, serving size of 3 each, makes 8 servings.

Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Filling
2lbs of chicken diced
4 med carrots sliced
3-4 ribs of celery sliced
1 med onion chopped
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp rosemary
1Tbsp dried parsley (2 Tbsp fresh)
1 C frozen peas
1 C shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
2-3 packets of McCormick chicken gravy

Batter
1 C milk
1 C heart healthy Bisquick mix
4 eggs

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray 12 regular sized muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. In a large skillet or dutch oven melt butter over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onions, bay leaves and salt cook until softened about 7-10 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic, thyme, rosemary and parsley and cook another minute. Then add chicken and cook until done about 10 minutes.
4. While chicken is cooking mix up all ingredients for the batter and add 1 Tbsp in each muffin cup.
5. Drain chicken and vegetable mixture and remove bay leaves, transfer to a bowl. Add peas and mix.
6. Add 1/4 C of filling and a pinch of cheese to each muffin cup and then put 1 Tbsp of batter over each one. Cook for 30 minutes.
7. When there is about 10 minutes left of cooking time mix up 2-3 packets of chicken gravy. (I just use the McCormick gravy packets because it's easy and quick. Of course you could always make your own gravy if you feel like it.)
8. Take out of the oven and let cool for 5 minutes and then using a thin knife go around the edges and loosen muffins and put on a cooling rack for another 5 minutes or so.
9. Then just put 3 on a plate and cover with gravy.
10. The best part now is to ENJOY!



The chicken and veggie mixture when it's all done.

Muffin cups with 1 Tbsp of batter in them

Muffin cups with filling and cheese.

Adding the last 1 Tbsp of batter on top.

Ready for the oven.

The yummy finished product.

The hubby is very excited about eating these.

Tomato Basil Soup, yummo!

Tomato Basil Soup

3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 tablespoons of olive oil

2 - 14 oz. cans of crushed tomatoes

1 - 14 oz. can of whole tomatoes

2 cups of stock (chicken or vegetable)

1 tsp of sea salt

1 tsp of sugar

1/2 tsp of fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup of heavy cream

3 tablespoons of fresh basil, julienned

parmesan cheese

In a saucepan, saute garlic in olive oil on medium heat for 1 minute - being careful not to burn the garlic. Add the crushed tomatoes. Add the whole tomatoes one at a time, squeezing them into the pan to break them up. Add the juice from the whole tomatoes, as well. Add chicken stock, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook the soup on medium at a simmer for 10 minutes.

To finish, reduce the heat to low and stir in heavy cream and basil. Serve topped with parmesan cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich.

Original recipe found at http://jennysteffens.blogspot.com/2011/01/recipes-tomato-basil-soup-best-grilled.html

19 weeks

I'm feeling so much better finally, it is such a relief to not feel like I'm going to be sick every day. I am still having migraines but they are back to what is "normal" for me, which is actually a bit of a relief. I am so happy that God has blessed us with our little guy finally but I can not wait to not be pregnant for a longer then 8-10 months, lol.

Our little guy is moving around a lot more and I can feel it much more then before. It use to feel like little fluttering now it actually feels like a baby moving around. Roland is very impatient to feel him moving around as well, he's always asking me if he would be able to feel him yet. I can't wait for Roland to feel our little guy moving around, he wasn't able to with Charlotte and he loved feeling Amelia move around. I'm so happy that he is actually home with me to share in this experience, I just keep praying that nothing comes up to take him away from us before this little guy makes his debute.

Roland and I have been discussing baby names since we found out we were having a boy. I pretty much left it up to Roland what he would like to name this little one since he is our first boy. Finally after leaving me in suspense for a week or so he decided on an official name. But like we have said before, if I can manage it, we will not be sharing his name until he is here.

21 weeks to go



Your baby equals a large heirloom tomato in size and weighs about 8 1/2 ounces.
Length: 6 inches, head to bottom.



Total weight gain: -15lbs

Stretch marks: nothing new

Sleep: I have actually been sleeping good once I finally fall asleep

Food cravings: beef, chocolate chip mint ice cream, super ice cold water

Food aversions: Chicken, fish and eggs

Labor signs: nothing yet, just the braxton hicks contractions

Mood swings: I think I'm doing better with this, I don't feel like I'm all over the place quite as much as I had been.