Cute Moments and a Bump

It's been a few weeks since I've posted a belly pic, so, here you go!

I believe this was 22 weeks. I'm 24 weeks right now.

Anyways, now that things are more visual, things are feeling more and more real for Jake. Anytime Caige starts kicking and wiggling around, I try to have Jake feel it. Every time he feels him, the look on his face is priceless. He is definitely a proud daddy, and can't wait to meet his little man (I can't wait either!) 

(And at this exact moment, Caige is thrashing around, so I'm sure he is just as excited too!)

There have been a few cute moments I definitely need to make note of. They were conversations that took place between Jake and I, so I will narrate for you.

A few weeks ago, Jake and I were at the Knitting Factory for "Art in the Bar", and art show he was invited to participate in, that was a lot of fun and very intriguing. I stayed with Jake for the majority of the time because he had to stay with his display, and I wanted to keep him company. At one point, I started to get hungry so I decided to walk to Pie Hole. It was about 8:30 at night, but I felt comfortable walking by myself.

Jake (grabs my belly and says:) "Keep my baby safe!"

Me: "I will! Don't worry!"

Jake: "...I was talking to Caige..."

(Cute, huh?)

Cute Moment Number 2:

I was laying on the couch because I wasn't feeling great. Jake was carrying the rest of the groceries in from the car. He came over, knelt by the couch, laid his head on my stomach and said:

"I love this so much. I don't care if someday he hates me at one point, I still love him so much."

(That one made me cry a little. Happy tears anyways!)

Modern Day Betty Crocker (Volume 1)

Alright folks! I've had quite a few people (mostly girlfriends) ask that I teach them how to cook. Granted, I don't think I would have time to set aside for everyone, so I decided to start a cooking portion to my blog in hopes it might help those who've asked for it! Or even inspire some others to try new recipes!

NOTE: My cooking techniques vary. My recipes are generally not very difficult (to myself), but could feel difficult to others. Just stick with it. It's not hard, just follow the directions! I'm pretty adventurous when it comes to cooking. I enjoy challenges, and trying new things. I love flavor. Bold flavors, spicy flavors, intense flavors. So some recipes I post, you may think "huh?", but trust me. It will taste amazing!

Meal Number One:


I was feeling a little inspired today. The weather is FINALLY feeling like fall, so I wanted to make a meal tonight that made you feel warm inside when it's wet and rainy outside. Here are the courses: (and the links will lead you to those recipes)

Whole Pumpkin Pie Soup
Parmesan Crusted Chicken
Baked Potatoes


Don't be afraid of the Pumpkin Pie soup. It is not what you expect! Here are a few pictures I took while I was cooking:

All the ingredients needed for Pumpkin Soup!

All the ingredients go inside the hollowed out pumpkin.
Which is a great idea because it also is EASY clean up!

My pumpkin is a little too big, but it sure does look yummy!

After the soup was finished, I don't own an immersion blender to puree all of the diced ingredients, so I strained them out, blended them in my "Magic Bullet" blender, then put them back in the soup. (HINT HINT: Jake, I'd love an immersion blender! Christmas is coming up! :))

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The Baked Potatoes I start while the soup is still in it's first baking phase. The soup is to bake for 1 1/2 hours for the first phase. Get your potatoes ready and put them in the over when there is still 1 hour left of the first phase. Here is a look at my prepared potatoes:

With my potatoes, I pierce them with a fork on all sides, spread a thin layer of butter over the whole potato, season with salt and pepper, then top with minced garlic. Wrap in aluminum foil and stick in the oven.

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The Parmesan Crusted Chicken is really easy to do. All the ingredients you will need:

-Chicken Breasts (4-6)

-1/2 c Mayonnaise (I used Light Mayo)

-1/4 c Parmesan Cheese

-4 tbsp Bread Crumbs

(I added about 1 tbsp Parsley, about 1/2 tsp onion powder. You can add any other seasoning you think might give good flavor)

Mix all ingredients, and coat chicken breasts.

I put the chicken breasts in the oven when the soup had only
10 minutes left of baking time. After the soup is finished, turn up the heat
to 425 degrees and bake an additional 13 minutes. (Leave potatoes in oven as well)

After everything is finished, enjoy this delicious dinner! You can also add in a salad if you like! Jake and I were entirely too full to have salad :)

Enjoy!

XO

Me from A-Z

I stole this from my good friend Taylor's blog. Just something fun and new. Sorry if this is boring.


A. Age: 22
B. Bed size: Queen!
C. Chore that you hate: I'd probably say dishes. Even though it takes less then 10-15 minutes to do.
D. Dogs: Jake has Maggie (boston terrier), but she's still at his mom's house. Once we have a backyard, she'll be ours!
E. Essential start to your day: Brushing my teeth. I love to brush!
F. Favorite color: Lately I've been into neutrals and earth tones.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver.
H. Height: 5’2'
I. Instruments you play: I play the radio. Or my iPod. Jake is the musical one!
J. Job title: Front Desk. 
K. Kids: I have a little boy on the way! (Obviously, you all know this already.)
L. Live: Kuna, Idaho
M. Mother’s name: Robin
N. Nicknames: Ape has always been a consistent one.
O. Overnight hospital stays: They've never been for myself. Only other people.
P. Pet peeves: People who overreact, people who don't take responsibility for their actions, judgmental people, oh I could go on...
Q. Quote from a movie: Oh don't put me on the spot like that. I can't think of anything...
R. Right or left handed: Right.
S. Siblings: 3 sisters, 5 brothers. No, I am not having that many children.
U. Underwear: I wear clean ones.
V. Vegetable you hate: Lima Beans.
W. What makes you run late: The fact I usually have to try on about 7 different outfits before I decide on one. It's even worse now that I'm pregnant and showing.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Teeth, Back, Neck, Left Arm,
Y. Yummy food that you make: If you ask Jake, he'd say just about everything. I really enjoy cooking,  I don't make anything BUT yummy :)
Z. Zoo animal: Penguins.

Drum Roll, Please!

The announcement has already been made on Facebook, Twitter, and by mass text, but our little bundle of joy is a BOY! And we are SO SO SO excited! We would have been just as thrilled about a girl, but we're just excited to know!

We have a name picked out! Our little man will be known as:

Caige Daniel Smith

And we cannot wait to meet him!

Our gender reveal party was such a success! Our close friends and family members were there to share this awesome experience with us! Jake and I didn't know what baby was until we cut the cake with everyone gathered around. The inside of the cake was to either be pink or blue, depending on baby's gender. When we had the ultrasound done, we had the tech seal the gender results in an envelope and we gave it to a baker who made our cake, so our reaction was just as genuine as everyone else's.

Here's a few pictures of what went down!