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!

First Time for Everything

Sunday evening, Jake and I were laying in bed, watching football, and I decided to initiate a game. I like to call it "Wake Up the Baby". It's not one you play after a child is born, but rather when it is still in the womb. Up to this point I haven't felt any real "kicks" yet. I've felt fluttery movement, but nothing that Jake would be able to feel.

I propped my  back up with my pillow and start massaging my belly in different places, hoping I can generate some movement that Jake could feel. For a few minutes, nothing. I wasn't really expecting anything just yet, but was hoping because I'm far enough along to feel kicks.

AND THEN SUDDENLY....it kicks!

I started freaking out and grabbed Jake's hand. It kicked a few more times, but they were so subtle, he couldn't feel them. I pressed his hand a little harder into my belly and he felt it! The look on his face was priceless. I could see that it was all the more real for him, and it also was for myself.


Ever since then, I've felt nothing BUT kicks. It's pretty constant. It's the first thing I feel when I wake up and the last thing I feel when I fall asleep. And you can even see them too! It's a subtle pulse, but it's a big deal.

One funny thing is, at times when I'm feeling discouraged or stressed, the baby starts kicking a lot, almost as if to say "It's all going to be ok, mom. Don't worry."



It's all going to be ok.

"You're not drunk, are you?!"

Sorry I've been slacking on posting, but I have some good stories to share!!

Last Wednesday, I had just gotten off work and was driving home. I stopped at the gas station, put a couple gallons in the tank, and drove home. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary to me. I wasn't speeding or driving recklessly, but all of a sudden, a cop car with flashing lights came speeding up behind me. I figured they were after someone, so I pulled over to get out of the way, and he pulled over behind me. My heart dropped and I started to panic. I wanted to cry because I wasn't doing anything wrong, or so I thought.

The officer came up to my window, asked for my driver's license, registration, and insurance. Then quickly said, "I need you to step out of the car". I'm sure the look on my face was priceless, because then he asked "do you know why I pulled you over?"

"I have no idea, officer. It'd be nice to know!" I said as I got out of the car.

"Wait..." he said, "You're not drunk, are you?"

"No! I'm 5 months pregnant!" I said

I've never been laughed at by someone like I was just then. I didn't understand what was so funny and I was frustrated he was making fun of me.

"Doesn't it look a little dark to you?" He smirked.

I smacked my palm on my forehead. I can't believe drove all the way home from work without my lights on, and didn't even notice. And he pulled me over because he thought I was drunk. Good grief, I would be busting a gut too!

I asked him if we can blame it on my situation being the worst of all combinations: blonde and pregnant. He agreed, and we talked for a good 30 minutes before he handed my stuff back to me and let me go home.



Disclaimer: I have never EVER been able to talk myself out of a ticket. This was simply pure luck and the fact that the officer had a good sense of humor.

New belly picture!

It's been a while since I've posted a belly picture, so for your viewing pleasure:



19 weeks, 4 days. Just about half way!


XO


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