I've never realized how much people dislike the month of January. 

I personally enjoy this month usually because Aaron is at his slowest pace of the year (not completely true this year) and I appreciated the early dark evenings spent snuggled up with the girls. Also this month we will hopefully welcome our newest family member so that is something exciting to look forward too along with painting the nursery and washing tons of tiny baby things. 

Here are a few of my current favorite things that are brightening this cold but fresh new month of the year.

In the kitchen:

Tomato Basil Soup

2- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes

1 tbsp crushed garlic

2 cups can chicken broth 

2 tbsp sugar

1/3 cup butter

1 cup heavy cream

15 basil leaves, chopped

No Knead Dutch Oven Crusty Bread

{recipe link above}

I haven't done one of these at all this pregnancy so I figured that I probably should or I'll have a little girl one day that wonders why her sisters progress was recorded more than hers..

How far along? 21 weeks + 1 day

Total weight gain/loss: Total of 6 pounds so far, just waiting for the bigger leap on the scale that I know is approaching.. 

Maternity clothes? A little bit of everything. I can still pull off a pair of non maternity with a rubber band and that is exciting to me! Lots of comfy, stretchy clothes this time. 

Stretch marks? Oh yes, Charlotte did a number on me with stretch marks and no it doesn't matter that I slathered myself with lotion..they still appeared postpartum.   

Sleep: Can't find the right position to lay and i know i'm probably driving Aaron insane with all of the tossing and turning. I need to invest in a body pillow. 

Best moment this week: Hearing how excited Ava is to be having another sister, hopefully she doesn't ignore her like she did Charlotte when we brought her home from the hospital. 

Movement: yes like clockwork - 5 am - 8 am - 12 pm - 5 pm - 8 pm - midnght (hopefully this is the start of a really good wake sleep schedule when she arrives, one can only hope..)

Food cravings: Reese Puffs cereal, cookies & cream ice cream and BBQ waffle chips w. french onion dip 

Anything making you queasy or sick: nope

Have you started to show yet: oh yes, those stretched out ab muscles took no time letting it show!

Gender: Another beautiful baby girl!

Labor Signs: Noooo. Wayyy too early!

Belly Button in or out? In.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy 

Milestones: Half way! About 132 days until we meet baby (no name)..give or take..

It's been a while since I last wrote a blog entry and this morning I finally woke up with energy, more energy than I've had over the past 13 weeks, my kids slept in and I was able to complete a load of laundry and grab a shower before they woke. Stay at home mom lottery won!

There are a  few things that I have a been loving lately and thought I would share them with you!

First of all, I made a Cheesy Zucchini & Sweet Corn Pie last night and it was amazing! Aaron mostly works outside all day and with this crazy heat we have been experiencing he's worn out by the end of the day so a heavy, hot meal doesn't always seem appetizing. Monday is usually 'meatless monday' at our house so I tried something that I thought would be light and summery yet filling. You can make it crustless but I choose to do add a buttery crust because well.. I'm pregnant and I can't refuse carbs, like ever. I should also add that Ava loved it so thats ALWAYS an added bonus.

Also, I have yet to perfect a homemade pie crust and don't always have the extra time so I cheat and stock up on frozen pie crust from the store.


Directions:
-Prepare crust according to directions
-preheat oven to 375 degrees
-heat butter in a large skillet and sauté onions, zucchini, and corn over medium-high heat (5-8 mins)
-remove from heat and cool for a few mins
-add 6 oz of shredded mozzarella to bottom of the pie crust
- top cheese with veggie mixture, arranging zucchini to lay as flat as possible
-slowly pour egg mixture over and let soak in
- top with remaining cheese
-bake for 20-30 mins until middle is set
-let stand for 10 mins before cutting
{It may bubble up while it bakes so I usually place pie on a baking sheet in oven}

I served it with homemade peach tea & watermelon and it was perfect after a 107 degree day!

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Secondly, I've been making smoothie bowls for breakfast because I'm not a big breakfast eater and my iron has been low so i'm able to sneak some extra spinach into my diet.

Smoothie Bowl
-1 cup frozen pineapple
- 1 frozen banana
- 1/2 cup spinach
-1/2 cup OJ or milk
-2 TBSP flax seeds, nut butter or greek yogurt
-blend
- top with fresh fruit, granola, pumpkin seeds, honey or whatever else your heart desires!

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Thirdly, I've been drooling over this LetterFolk letter board for almost a year now and for my birthday my mother in law gifted me with one.
I LOVE IT.
I am very excited to come up with saying, quotes, ect. It will also be the perfect prop for documenting special moments with the girls and with the new baby!



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{Don't read the following if easily offended..}


Lastly,  if you follow me of snapchat you know that i'm reading a new humorous parenting book. It is written a mom blogger that I follow, BabySideburns. It is hilarious..but if you take parenting too seriously and can't find humor in the crazy things kids do and things that parents actually think when they do it then this not a book for you. There is also some naughty jar words used.

Parenting is tough and it feels good to know that there are other moms and dads out there that GET IT and are not afraid to say it.

Excerpt: "If you want to hear all the good s**t about kids, go to Facebook or Pinterest where 99.9999999% of the stuff you see is all hunky-dory and smiling kiddos and unicorns and rainbows and perfect s**t like that. If you want to hear some hilarious stories about the honest, messy, scary, shocking and brutal side of parenting, I'll give you a no-holds-barred."