19 Weeks

Well in two days I will be 20 weeks-so much for being on top of things. Please excuse how horrible I look. This picture was taken after a long day. Instead take a look at the baby bump that is beginning to grow. I have not been taking weekly pictures until this point because not much was changing-I guess Baby Box was ready for more room.

Pregnancy Higlights:

How far along: 19 weeks(in the picture)
Size of Baby: The baby is about the size of a large tomatoe. Roughly 8 1/2 oz. and 6 inches long.

Maternity Clothing: I went shopping this past weekend and everything is short sleeves or sleeveless. I purchased one pair of pants, a skirt, and 3 t-shirts. I still fit in my jeans but with dress pants I must wear the belly ban. Dress clothes have been the hardest.

Gender: WE FIND OUT APRIL 11th!!!! I am so excited.

Movement: I am starting to feel more than just little flutters. This baby is going to be a little mover and shaker I can already tell. I can feel the baby most when I am sitting or laying down, but I do feel little kicks when I am standing too. The baby also seems to enjoy listening to the band play because during the concert Monday night I believe the baby was dancing. Patrick has been able to feel the baby kick about 2 times so far.

Sleep: I enjoy sleeping- I wish I was not up and down so much.

What I miss: Sleeping on my stomach or back. I get so paranoid when I wake up to go to the bathroom and I am on my back or stomach. Caffenine- Most days I do not have any but every once in awhile I will have some chocolate or a small soft drink.

Cravings: So far I have not had many cravings but when I want something I want it immediately. I really like orange juice and lemonade.

Symptoms: I am mostly good. I do get really tired at times and I get dizzy sometimes.

Things People Say: I haven't had many comments yet. I'm sure they will start coming soon.

Words of Wisdom: None at this time.

Best Moment this Week: Patrick and I went to Omaha and purchased our nursery furniture this past Saturday. Not baby related we also got to see Rob and Jill and get caught up with them over dinner.

What I have been making and things I have been pondering

For a boy's room I would like to do something very similar. I like the stuff on the bed and the little lamp, but for curtains I would like for them to be long to help block out the sun. We have prints of fighter planes from WWII that will go on the wall. I have no idea what color to paint the walls though. I am open to suggestions. I really want the room to be cute no matter if it is a boy or a girl I just want it to be something they can grow with. For a girl I can not choose from anything online. I either want to do something really girly or I would like to do something from the Wizard of Oz. If I go the Wizard of Oz way I would like to do a crib skirt in blue in white checks with touches of red bows (same for curtains), a cute little country quilt (maybe have a picture of ruby red slippers in the center), and have a print or two on the wall from the movie. Any cute cheap ideas for the walls would be much appreciated. Again what color for the walls? With both a boy or girl room I know I would like to put their initials on the wall.

I just couldn't wait until April 11th to start making something for my little one. I decided this little blanket could be for either a boy or girl. This blanket will be mint green and white. Once I find out what we are having I know I will make some gender specific blankets. I also have a goal of knitting a fancy blanket for the baby. I will need help from the local knit shop ladies for that though. I also need to learn to make little baby hats. I just love homemade things they are just so special.

Another Yummy Meal

Famous Butter Chicken

From allrecipes.com submitted by Haulbur

Prep-15 min

Cook Time-40 min

Ingredients

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup crushed Ritz crackers

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

ground pepper to taste

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1/2 cup butter, cut into pieces

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
2. Place eggs and cracker crumbs in two separate shallow bowls. Mix cracker crumbs with garlic salt and pepper. Dip chicken in the eggs, then dredge in the crumb mixture to coat.
3. Arrange coated chicken in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Place pieces of butter around the chicken.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

I really enjoyed this chicken. I think some great sides would be Lima beans, mac and cheese, and pineapple casserole. Thanks again allrecipes.com for another great main dish. If you have never checked out the site I highly recommend it.

Dodgeball

Okay so this Friday the Student Senate is hosting a Dodgeball Tournament for Relay for Life. This past weekend Patrick and I spent time organizing brackets for the high school and middle school teams. Boy some of the names cracked us up like Lyquified Spiders to name one. Each team entry is 10 dollars to Relay for Life. Yesterday it seemed like I was on the phone for 5 hours getting businesses to donate prizes for our winners. We needed 40 prizes because each team has 10 members and we have 4 teams that win something. At the tournament we award prizes to the following teams: best sportsmanship, best uniform (t-shirt), high school champion team, and middle school champion team. I would like to thank the following business for donating-Sam's Sodas and Sandwiches, Subway, Carroll Bowl, Pizza Ranch, Burger King, and Graphic Edge. Patrick is helping out at the tournament Friday night so at some point this week to get us in the complete dodgeball mindset we plan on watching the movie Dodgeball a True underdog story with Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn. I hope the tournament goes well and that I have some good stories to share. Until then have a great day.

One Good Meal

The following recipe is really easy, yummy, and doesn't make a big mess-which is great if you don't have a dishwasher.

Cheese Ravioli Lasagna

Ingredients:

1 pound of ground beef

1/2 (25 oz) package of frozen cheese ravoli

1 (26oz) jar spaghetti sauce

1 (14.5 oz) can of diced tomatoes, drained

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 small package of ricotta cheese

sliced mushrooms (optional)

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

9x13 dish (no need to grease pan)

aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F
2. Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until no longer pink. Drain grease, then stir in the spaghetti sauce and well drained can of tomatoes.
3. Spread 1/3 of the sauce on the bottom of your 9x13 dish. Arrange 1/2 of the ravioli over the sauce. Sprinkle 1/2 the mossarella cheese and 1/2 Monterey Jack. Place small dollops of ricotta over the entire pan. (Add in mushrooms if you wish). Repeat layers, ending with the last of the sauce on top. Cover with aluminum foil.
4. Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top before serving.

Serve with garlic bread and salad if you wish. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

18 Weeks

This book is humorous and informative. I highly recommend it to others out there that are expecting. If you read this please let me know what you think.

Pictures so far...

12 weeks 18 weeks

I pretty much look the same and I am still having to tell people that I am expecting. I know that one day soon I will long for being this size. I am still in my regular clothes. I only have to use the belly band with the grey pants you see on the 12 weeks picture. I have been told that I am already taking up most of the bed. I am at the point that I am supposed to be sleeping on my left side so I have 3 pillows. I position one pillow in front of me, one at my back, and the other for my head. I joke and tell Patrick "just wait I am still little now".

Today at the Doctor's office I found out we will find out if we are having a boy or girl on April 11th if the baby cooperates.