16 weeks

(since Lucy dropped my phone in the toilet, only the inner camera works.......)

How far along: 16 weeks

Total weight gain: So far I'm still down 6 pounds since having the stomach flu at 10 weeks

Best moments this month: Getting bigger and hoping that means good growth for the little one, feeling the first little movements in my tummy and knowing the ultrasound is soon!

Food cravings: Lots of fruit, pop - seems the same every pregnancy :)

Gender: Don't know! Lucy and I are leaning towards hoping for a girl and Noah (?) and Joe towards a boy - although Joe has a strong case for why it'd be good to have a brother....most of the kiddos at church and who come over are all girls.....so maybe a brother would be helpful for Noah :) :)

Belly button in or out: still a little bit in

Labor signs: nope

What I miss: having more energy, not having headaches, being able to lift the kids easier and not feeling sore and sluggish

What I am looking forward to: The ultrasound - praying all looks well, looking forward to spring and summer - to getting closer to full-term and then to the baby making his or her arrival and taking the kids outside and playing at the beach and playground! (although we are enjoying the snow at the moment!)

Milestones: Finally "popping" a bit, being out of the first trimester!

Ina Garten's Roasted Vegetable Soup

This is killing me! Sounds so perfect on a chilly, snowy day like today but I lack the energy and some of the veggies to make it.....hopefully next week :)

Roasted Vegetable Soup (Serves 6 to 8 )

Copyright 2002, Barefoot Contessa Family Style by Ina Garten, Clarkson Potter/Publishers, All Rights Reserved

Photo: Maura McEvoy

In a large saucepan, heat 6 cups of chicken stock. In two batches, coarsely puree the roasted vegetables and the chicken stock in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Pour the soup back into the pot and season to taste. Thin with more chicken stock and reheat. The soup should be thick but not like a vegetable puree, so add more chicken stock and/or water until it’s the consistency you like.6 to 8 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade

1 recipe Roasted Winter Vegetables

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

Brioche Croutons

Good olive oil

For the Roasted Winter Vegetables:

1 pound carrots, peeled

1 pound parsnips, peeled

1 large sweet potato, peeled

1 small butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled and seeded

3 tablespoons good olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 

Serve with brioche croutons and a drizzle of good olive oil.

Roasted Winter Vegetables

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

Cut the carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and butternut squash in 1- to 1 1/4-inch cubes. All the vegetables will shrink while baking, so don’t cut them too small.

Place all the cut vegetables in a single layer on two sheet pans. Drizzle them with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss well. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until all the vegetables are tender, turning once with a metal spatula. 

Acts 2

Such a good read this morning....

36 “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

Also loving reading this each morning

source

Easy creamy chicken slow cooker recipe

So I can't find my mom's recipe anywhere online but here's a similar recipe and photo:


1.5lb chicken cubed and into bottom of crock pot
whisk together 4 oz cream cheese (softened), 1/4 cup Italian dressing (I used Caesar bc I didn't have italian on hand since moving), 1/4 cup dry white wine, 1 can cream of mushroom soup. after combined and smooth, pour on top of chicken and cook on high 2-3 hours or on low for 5-6 hours.

EASY!
Make spaghetti or any noodles and dish onto plates and top with chicken and sauce from crockpot. even my kiddos loved it, which is saying something!

Traditions

LOVED this post from Erstwhile dear on Holiday Traditions

7th Anniversary

So I have been seeing these commercials for Forever Mark rings and about promising Forever....found this refreshing. What if all marriages really were committed to Forever, till death do us part. Everyone says it in their vows, but how many of us keep this promise? The answer is discouraging and disheartening. But it starts with me and you. On my anniversary I recommitted in my heart to being in this marriage forever and ever. And I'm thankful that I know my husband feels that way too. I think our world would change if everyone would really make this commitment.

With that said, no, I didn't get a diamond ring on our anniversary.
This is more what our night looked like. Monday night half-priced ribs, garlic mashed potatoes and coleslaw. And it was PERFECT.

A little news................