Sunday, December 30, 2012

Lean in 2013

Ok we all know that will not hold true for me, at least not until after March.  I think my nesting is starting to kick in.  Maybe just in the kitchen.  I love a good meal these days and thankfully I’ve gotten my appetite back for a few healthy options. 
I’ve steered clear of Salmon during this pregnancy, mainly because it’s a favorite fish of mine and I didn’t want it to become a food I could never look at again.  They also tell you not to eat a lot of it because of the mercury. However, John requested lemon and herb salmon packets for dinner Friday.  My mom makes them at home a lot and they are so healthy and tasty!  I altered the recipe just a little, cooking them in the oven instead of on the grill and adding a few ingredients.salmonIngredients:
2 cups uncooked instant rice
1 can fat free or low sodium chicken broth
1 cup matchstick-cut carrots
4 salmon filets
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
1/3 cup chopped chives
1 medium lemon {sliced}
1/2 cup cubed mushrooms {added}
1 cup fresh spinach leaves {added}
 
Directions:
Heal coals or oven to 400 degrees.  Spray four sheets of aluminum foil. 
Mix rice and broth.  Let stand for about 5 minutes or until broth is mostly absorbed.  Stir in carrots.
Place salmon on center of foil and sprinkle with lemon pepper and top with chives.  Arrange lemon slices over salmon then spoon rice mixture around the filets.  Top with mushroom and spinach.  Seal foil and cook for 11-14 minutes on grill or 40 minutes in oven. salmon2

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Christmas Day

Growing up, my sisters and I would spend Christmas Eve sleeping in the same room, watching movies and falling asleep to the curiosity of what Santa would bring us!  As we’ve grown and started families of our own, we’ve been forced to one by one end this tradition.  With the arrival of Anderson next year, John and I spent our last Christmas Eve at my parents this year!  I couldn’t help but be a little sad but I look forward to starting traditions with Anderson and future kids to come.

Christmas Morning, we woke up at our respective houses and headed to mom and dads to start the day. Santa has never wrapped presents but a few years back my mom {with the help of Amy} starting using these adorable Santa sacks to hold all our gifts.  This year we added 4 more sacks- John, Alex, Anna West and Mak!  {Mom also snuck and showed me the one Amy already made for Anderson too!!}IMG_5453IMG_5454We enjoyed breakfast casserole, bacon and coffee while waiting for The Duprees and The Kubas’Christmas 20128One baby couldn’t stay awake while the other was wide awake!  IMG_5457IMG_5458The kids start opening first- they are always too excited to wait!IMG_5461Christmas 20129IMG_5464IMG_5459IMG_5465IMG_5469IMG_5474IMG_5475IMG_5476IMG_5482IMG_5484IMG_5483Mom and Dad spoiled us all as well as each other as usual!  We packed up and made our way to Camden to see Grandma and Granddaddy Sheheen before going our different ways to celebrate with in-laws!  Christmas night we met back up again at mom and dad’s to eat and visit with my dads side!  It was a wonderful Christmas and we were so blessed to share it with all our family!

Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve

It’s no secret- Christmas is and has always been a big ta-do for our family!  Through the years, we’ve created traditions for Holidays that we look forward to each and every year.  Christmas Eve has become the night I look forward to the most! 

We attend the 4:15 children’s mass then head to Amy and Aaron’s house for dinner (this year we switched to cooking from pick up), drink/dessert and presents with our god babies.  A fun night with just our family.  This year was extra special of course with the addition of Anna West & Mak and I couldn’t help but think of the excitement of having Anderson in the mix next year!  

{I think I made up for the lack of picture taking lately with the overload below!}

There is no denying these babies are spoiled!  IMG_5362IMG_5363John’s dad joined us this year… we are hoping after the craziness he will come back!1Christmas 20123Kubas FamilyIMG_5374IMG_5377Dupree FamilyIMG_5395Watson FamilyIMG_5384Thompson FamilyIMG_5381Me with JTII, III and IV!  IMG_5383mom and dadIMG_5387being silly with granddaddy!2The original 6IMG_5399Present time…IMG_5406Christmas 20125IMG_5420Christmas 20124IMG_5417Christmas 20126my sisters surprised us with a Christmas basket full of goodies for Anderson- so sweet!IMG_54225th Christmas with my god baby!IMG_5423Aunt Jo gave Boland big boy underwear and he was determined to try all 8 pairs out.  IMG_5425singing Happy Birthday to baby JesusIMG_5427the newbies and their mamasChristmas 20127annual family photo shoot in our {matching} Christmas pajamas…IMG_5435IMG_5438IMG_5439IMG_5441IMG_5442the {soon to be} three best friends!  Christmas 20122We were all exhausted by the end of the night and headed home to get some sleep before Santa came to visit! 

Sunday, December 23, 2012

27 weeks!

I can’t get over the fact that it’s the last week of my 2nd Trimester! The excitement is really setting in and I am more than ready to meet our son!!  IMG_5361

How far along? 27 weeks

Size of Baby T? head of cauliflower, weighing around 2 pounds and measuring at 14 1/2 inches long

Maternity Clothes? All maternity with the exception of a few pair of work pants (with the assistance of the belly band of course) and a handful of tops. 

Weight Gain? 18 lbs.  the scale is really calling me out on all my holiday eating!!

Stretch Marks? Thankfully, NO!  I did have a slight freak out the other day when I noticed red lines on my stomach when changing clothes.  After a good rub down of Cocoa butter and a change into comfy pants, I realized it was from where the seam of my pants had made a mark.  

Gender?  BOY!

Sleep? Not much new to report in this department- still tossing and turning all night.

Movement? He slowed down a bit this week but I attribute that to being on the go all week.  

Cravings? Anything. And. Everything.  I have noticed that I can not eat as much per sitting these days and get full much easier.

What I miss? As we’re rounding out the second trimester, I am starting to feel more and more exhausted by the end of the day.  I’m missing my energy to get anything done around the house once I get home.  

Symptoms? Exhaustion and a good amount of cramping.  My hormones seem to be a bit off still as too- just ask my husband! : ) 

Best moment of the week? Preparing to celebrate our first and last Christmas as a little family of 2!  I can’t believe we’ll have a little set of eyes to see Christmas through next year!