Menu Plan Monday~ Nov. 30- Dec. 6th

Aww, it's been awhile, eh? Well, last week Corey & I had a delightful time up north in Maryland. We spent the week with our family & friends. We got home late last night & I woke up this morning to an "empty" fridge & cupboard. So, I got on with the menu plan & here it is:

Sunday: Minestrone w/crusty french bread (perfect for today's weather; I might do a different recipe)

Monday: Leftover Minestrone

Tuesday: Steak, Potato Casserole, mixed salad w/vinegarette & feta

Wednesday: Spaghetti w/beef, green beans, garlic bread

Thursday: Chicken Fried Rice w/ mixed veggies

Friday: Homemade Artichoke-Pesto Pizza & salad

Saturday: Sweedish meatballs on rice or noodles, mixed veggies

I'm pretty excited about all the food on this menu. We don't normally have steak, but we somehow we have some in the freezer.

I think we'll do leftovers for lunch this week, as we are sure to have them. For breakfasts, we'll be rotating these:

~Smoothies & PB toast

~Cereal w/fruit on the side

~Oatmeal w/fruit & milk

~Pancakes w/fruit & milk

All of this in an effort to make sure I'm getting the right nutrients for baby Will. The doctor wants me to make sure I gain the recommended weekly weight from now on. I actually need to buy a scale. I guess this is better than gaining too much, right?

Anyways, I'm off to the commissary...

Time in Maryland, so far...

Corey & I are in Maryland! We got here Sunday, in record time may I add.
We've been hanging out with his family & friends. I really love his family, they are so welcoming. I really like his friends, they also are welcoming & super fun/funny.
Today, I spent the first half of the day with my grandma Tutu. That's my dad's mom. I haven't seen her in about 3 years. Besides the distance, she was on a missions trip for her church for 2 years. Anyway, it was really nice being able to spend time together. Corey & I went over early for breakfast (i love breakfast), we talked, went shopping at Annapolis Mall, came back for a big lunch & spent more time talking & looking at photos. It was great. I grew up so far away from my dad's family & I don't know them or their stories. It's nice to be able to start to get to know them for myself.
Tonight, we hung out with Corey's best friend Iosif. We went to his old church (they had a big hoopla) & to a friends house for dinner with a whole bunch of people. Corey & I are very social beings so it's been really nice hanging out with lots of people. (We're still in the process of making lots of friends in Sumter, hehe)
Okay, I'm going to go sleep, I'm exhausted & tomorrow is Thanksgiving, there will be lots to do. hehe
Hope your thanksgiving is wonderful!

Week 24

So here I am at the end of my 2nd trimester.

It actually went by really fast so far & I would be lying if I said I didn't have a little bit of worry that "It" is right around the corner.
I know I still have 3 months... unless he's early, which I think he's going to be, lol.
I just wonder if we will have things ready when he comes. Well, God provides, so c'est la vie.

He's moving a lot. I love it.
I kind of feel silly, because when he makes a big movement I can't hold in my reaction. I don't really remember my pregnant friends freaking out when their little ones moved. Did they just hold in the excitement/awkwardness of having a baby jumping around inside them while they were talking to someone? Will I eventually get used to it & it wont cause a reaction?

Today was the first day of my "3rd Trimester walkathon" (technically I'm not in my 3rd trimester yet, oh well).
I'm making a commitment to walking at least 1 mile a day, everyday until I deliver. I have been going on walks with Corey throughout the pregancy, but now I'm stepping it up. Lots of reasons why,
health of the baby
health/fitness of me
easier labor & delivery
something to do
energy.
Boy, did I have a lot of energy after tonights walk. I actually came home & did some dancing around the house, because I am THAT goofy! lol. Here's a pic to prove it. lol.


Yeah, that's a little embarassing...
Is it just me, or does my belly look a little fake? lol. (btw, we were washing the sheets that's why the bed is a mess. I know you didn't notice, but I'm neurotic & had to make sure you knew,lol.)

Alright, well I'm off to play XBOX with Corey. Apparently he downloaded some new stuff & I have to make myself an avatar. Je ne sais pas.

Myrtle Beach Pictures

Here they are...

Pictures from Myrtle Beach

Thanksgiving Plans

About how thrilled I am!!!
It is official, we will be going up to Maryland for Thanksgiving week!
We are leaving South Carolina this Sunday morning!!
We feel like little kids before Christmas!
I'm not quite sure why we are so excited...
Well...
1)I LOVE Corey's family. They are probably the best family someone can marry into, ever. We always have so much fun with them even if we are just hanging out.
2)I'm going to spend some good quality time with my grandma for the first time in 3 years.
3)It's a vacation! Maryland is so beautiful this time of year
4)It's Thanksgiving! Yummy food & for the first time in... forever we'll be family!
5)Plus, this is such an exciting time in our life (being pregnant with our first) & I love the thought of sharing it with family.

Molly is coming with us too, because we are driving up there & gas prices, oh sweet gas prices! lol. They are so low (at least here, it's about $1.90!!) so we will only need about $100 roundtrip for gas! (2 months ago, driving across the country we spent about $400 for the same distance).
Anyways, we are getting Miss Molly groomed today (we have to get her checked up so might as well groom her & buy her a cute Thanksgiving outfit, lol)

I made more oatmeal chocolate chip cookies today. They are soo yummy! Corey asked to take some to work. I was torn because I know I shouldn't be eating all of them (which I might just do), but I wanted to eat them all myself. lol. I ended up giving him a dozen & we have a dozen still. They are small & don't worry I'm not eating them all... just one more...

It's too early to pack right?... So excited. Well, sorry today's blog may be boring & that I still haven't added pictures to the Myrtle Beach Blog (camera is still in the car & DH has the car), but thanks for reading anyways! I feel loved!

Myrtle Beach Weekend

My camera is in the car & it's too cold & I'm too lazy to go get it, so check back for pictures tomorrow.
We went to Myrtle Beach this weekend to celebrate my birthday & to have a little babymoon! yaye!
It was so nice. It was a little chilly when we got there, but still beautiful & the sand was unbelievable soft. We cuddled on the beach while the sun set. I am so in love with Corey.
Then it started to sprinkle, so we went in & I took a little nap while Corey watched a movie.
We went out & explored the town, did a little shopping while we were at it. Ate dinner & went back to the hotel to cuddle. It was great.
The next morning we woke up had a great breakfast & starbucks. It was a lot nicer outside, so we took our coffees to the beach did some more cuddling. aww, it is so nice just thinking about it.
I'm not normally a cuddle-er, but for whatever reason I have been extraordinarily cuddly the last several months. The great thing is, Corey IS a cuddle-er.
Anywho... We had fun hanging out (he's such a great friend!) & then we went for the big treat!
A couples massage!! I got a lovely prenatal massage & he got a deep tissue/hot stone massage. Fantastic!
We headed home shortly after that.
It wasn't a long weekend, but it was really nice. It was even more nice that Corey planned the whole thing & I didn't look at a receipt the whole time.
He's really my best friend & I am so thankful that God has blessed me with him.

Productivity & Organization

Aww, I love today. I slept in after an especially long yesterday. But when I woke up, I was more than productive. I actually kept up with the household work this week, but in a non-stressful way.
Today, it's raining really hard & thundering, I love it. The only way it could be better was if it was snowing instead. I'm praying that this winter there will be several freak snowstorms here in SC. I don't care what anyone else wants, I want snow. hehe.
So, tonight we have some new friends coming over for dinner, but this is not the sole reason I organized.
I cleaned up the whole office (which was a tad bit of a disaster area, because we dump everything in this room). It's not my dream office, but I didn't have time or money to buy paint, paint, & build a bigger desk. lol
I rearranged the living room & cleaned everything. I couldn't move one thing (too heavy) so when DH gets home we'll do that & hang up the art work. I was waiting to hang it up until we paint, but it seems that paint will be a little further in the future than originally anticipated.
I deep-cleaned the kitchen & made Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, yummy! They are very good actually.
Yesterday,
I reupholstered the ottoman that goes with the glider we have. I have fallen in love with the staple gun too. I chose a cream twill to reupholster it in. I haven't done the actual glider yet, because... well that requires the sewing machine & I have never used one before. I don't think it'll be hard & I plan on practicing with some old fabric, but just in case I have a neighbor who has offered to help me. lol.
I made lists.
Oh how I love lists.
I made a list of things we need for baby. One of the "big stuff" & another for the "Layette stuff". (DH still doesn't know what layette means. lol) The thing I realized yesterday, the things for the layette need to be for 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months, & 9-12 months! lol. Yeah I made one list & thought "Wow, we're almost done with this". When I had my lightbulb moment... yeah we still need a lot. I know God provides, so I'm not worried. Plus I have no qualms with the thrift stores or any hand-me-downs any one wants to throw our way.
I made a list of future home projects.
I made a list of who I am sending, what for Christmas.
I just love having things organized.
Hmm... Where is the DH, he's normally home by now... Hope work wasn't too stressful today.
Well, I'm off to induldge in some of my cookies & then on to making dinner.
Have a great weekend!

My Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday! Because I am soo important it's also a national federal holiday! (okay, so maybe it was Veteren's Day too).

Anyway, Corey had the day off, We relaxed, ate yummy food, went shopping, watched some of the Office, & just had fun together. It was nice.

Apparently, Corey has made some plans for this weekend, but I'm not sure at all what they are, because it's a suprise! I love suprises, btw. So, I'll probably be posting some really awesome photos next week. But to hold you over... here are some pics of yesterday, including the new belly picture!!

This is kind of a bad picture, but this is my birthday cake, we got it from a local bakery, Baker's Sweets. It's yummy!

Driving to Columbia to do some shopping & starbucks!

This is my hot husband driving. He always does the driving, sweetie!

Here's the belly, getting big!

Menu Plan for Nov. 9-15

I'm early, I know.
I was kind of anxious to make our menu for 2 reasons;
1)The Commissary (base grocery store) is closed Monday & the meat is reduced price Sundays &
2)I just read how much weight I should have gained to-date being pregnant & I am WAY behind. I checked out a personalized food pyramid plan (for your own, go here) & apparently I'm not eating enough in general, let alone of the right veggies.

SO, this week I'm going to make a real effort. I'm not trying to make up for lost time, just trying to start gaining weight, slowly & healthfully.

*Of course there are somethings we didn't get to last week

Sunday: Layered Enchiladas w/peppers & corn

Monday: Salisbury Steak w/potatoes, corn, & cresent rolls (Corey's FAV)

Tuesday: "Panera" Broccoli Cheese Soup & Chicken Ceasar Salad (My Birthday, *the last broccoli cheese soup did not turn out)

Wednesday: Chicken, Black Bean, Rice Bake

Thursday: Beef Stir-fry w/rice

Friday: Pesto Chicken & Cheese Ravioli w/green beans (easy-peasy one)

Saturday: Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese (we love this one too!)


*I know it looks like I get all my recipes online, but I actually have to Better Home & Garden Bridal Cookbook & the also have their recipes online. I just put the links for you guys. I'm nice like that, hehe jk.

If you want help menu planning, or need meal ideas check out the Organized Junkie's site & the Menu Plan Monday section.

23 weeks today!

So this week has been pretty uneventful, but it passed by really fast. Corey & I both keep forgetting it's Friday! Today we went on a walk to the park with Molly, so here's some of those pictures!










Corey update:
He switched this week from graves (10pm-7am) to day shift (6am-3pm), which is such a blessing. Before he'd be switching all the time, which was hard on his body. It's also good because now we wont have issues being able to visit churches anymore. Yaye!

William update:
He is doing good, as far as I can tell. He moves a lot more than before. He's growing or at least it feels like it, because it is getting harder to breathe! (not in a scary way, in a i'm-full way).

Other updates:
It's official, I am going to begin painting our room THIS coming week!!! Yaye! I had to put it off because we had to wait for all the moving finances to settle out & because my family was here.

Speaking of which, they should be moving out tomorrow or Sunday! They will be living in Sumter, SC, which is the town outside of base. Brandon & Katie have been out of school for 3 weeks! So they need to go back pronto!

So, Can I just say I LOVE this time of year!! It kind of starts with Halloween, but it really kicks off with my birthday!! Right after my birthday is Thanksgiving (hopefully we will be going to MD to be with Corey's family & visit my grandma), then it'll be the Christmas Season!!! The shopping!
The colors!
The smells!
The music!
The baking!
Remembering Jesus being born!
Spending time with friends & family!
AHH, it's just so wonderful! I love thinking of what to buy, or make, for the people I love. I'm such a gift person, it's definitely a love language of mine. (Have you read the 5 Love Languages? If not you should! It's great!)

Well, all that to say, I'm baking up a storm lately! I'm testing out cookie & bread recipes that I am going to be sending out to loved ones! This is the first year that I'm going to be able to do that! I'm going to write out reviews, on here, of the things I bake. If it's a good batch I'll post the recipe too! Stay tuned!