Numbers and such.

1 day until my weekend is over. Technically.
4 days until I'm off work for an entire week.
6 days until my father-in-law and his wife arrive from Oregon for a few days.
9 days until I find out whether the baby is a he or she!
11 days until shift change at work and I go back to the 'busy' days each week. Yay!
13 days until I'm half way through my pregnancy. WOW!

I've got a pretty exciting two weeks ahead of me! I'm very much looking forward to it. I am so lucky to have a job that literally only has been working half the days of the year. Yes, I work 12 hours at a time. Honestly though, anything less that 10 feels like a waste of a day to me.

Pregnancy weirdness. My milk allergy has lessened. So weird. My tolerance for gluten? Horrible! Even more weird! It's totally miserable. My stomach doesn't handle bread or pasta well at all, and I pretty much hate meat. I sound like a ton of fun, huh? Thankfully I love fruit smoothies, oranges and cold cereal with lots of fresh strawberries sliced on top. I had high blood pressure at appointment #2, but I cut back on my salt and increased my water intake and I'm great. Total weight gain so far is 6lbs. Not doing too bad at all. The belly has lessened my love handles and I love that!

Speaking of gluten intolerance, guess what I'm making for dinner tonight? Pasta. I've gotten myself some digestive enzymes to help with the stomach ache that comes with carbs. But seriously, I can't starve my husband, and I can't pass up this vegetarian pasta to save my life!

{Spaghetti with Olives and Lemon}



Today I'm going to try and motivate myself for greatness. I'm napping with my husband for a bit this morning (he works tonight), I have some overtime today for a few hours this afternoon, I have this crazy delicious looking dinner to cook, some laundry to wash and a house to clean! I can do it! What is everyone else up to this weekend?

17 Weeks: Baby bump

Here's a 17 week photo I took at work today. Sorry about the lame bathroom background, but I don't have a full length mirror at home. I use my husband's most honest opinion for that!


I was told belly and baby are measuring right on track. This is one of the only times I'll ever get away with a gut. I'm taking full advantage!

17 Weeks

17 weeks already. Where does the time go?

I had one of my silver chalkboards up in the kitchen that I'd write important monthly plans on. I took it down in February when my sister was stopping by and quickly hid it in the closet as she didn't know I was pregnant yet. I pulled it out yesterday and realized that was 10 weeks ago! My pregnancy counter said 7 weeks. Too funny.

I can no longer button any of my regular pants. I wear my belly band like an addict so I can still rock my regular attire. The only early purcahses I made were a single pair of maternity pants from F21, two belly bands and a spandex maternity tank for layering. Those have been serving me really well with the majority of my regular wardrobe.

The baby is growing like a champ. I was told I'm probably one of the most boring pregnant women ever. No sickness, no complications, no bad tests, healthy baby... Can't complain, can I? No new picture from the 17 week check up. Baby is too big to take a full body photo now and given the position the little one chose to lay in yesterday, we only got a shot of the head and belly. I honestly couldn't even point out what was what in the picture she sent us home with!

Just two weeks away from our anatomy scan! We're really looking forward to finding out he or she. I have this feeling it's a boy, and a lot of family have guessed boy as well. I only have two fans rooting for a girl. So feel free to leave your guesses! I'd love to hear what other's think :)

Visited our nephew Riley and the family this weekend. Holy cow, that kid is just so neat.  He's so big from the last time we saw him and already so smart. He loves to sit up and look around. He pays very close attention when you talk to him and has to be the cubbiest little thing I've ever held. Perfect little rubberband wrists and ankles. Oh, and do you see those eyes? This picture doesn't do justice to the beautiful blue and full set of eyelashes. They're to die for!

My sister-in-law gave me two big bags of amazing baby stuff during our visit. Riley never fit newborn size onesies, so I came home with at least 10 brand new ones for our baby. She included milk storage bags, a milk organizer, nursing pads, a book, a few receiving blankets and a doppler. She also gave me a whole garbage sack full of maternity clothes collected between her and her sister. It was such a sweet thought from the both of them. I have so much stuff now, there's no need to buy a thing on my own. All I have to worry about is finding the perfect dress for my shower in August. I couldn't be more blessed with a great family!

Hope all of my lovely blog friends are well. Life has just been so busy with work, house work, family and of course, the energy I'm now sharing with the baby! Can't wait to share the gender news. Soon!

Recipes: Turkey Meatball Soup

Another great recipe posted by my dear blog friend Kate. This was one of the first things she made when her appetite returned when she hit the middle portion of her pregnancy. I was at the beginning of mine and nothing but this sounded good. We ate every last bite of this wonderful soup.

Turkey Meatball Soup

via Best Recipes Ever

3 cups (750 mL) sodium-reduced chicken broth

2 green onions, sliced

1 carrot, sliced

1 rib celery, sliced

1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper

1/4 tsp (1 mL) dried thyme

1 sweet red pepper, chopped

1 cup (250 mL) vermicelli egg noodles

1/2 cup (125 mL) frozen peas, thawed

Turkey Meatballs:

1 egg

1/4 cup (50 mL) grated onion

1/4 cup (50 mL) grated parmesan cheese

2 tbsp (25 mL) minced fresh parsley

1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper

1 lb (454 g) lean ground turkey

Turkey Meatballs: In bowl, combine egg, onion, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt and pepper; mix in turkey. Shape by 1 tbsp (15 mL) into balls.

Bake on greased baking sheet in 400°F (200°C) oven until digital thermometer inserted in centre of several reads 165°F (74°C), about 15 minutes.

Soup: Meanwhile, in large saucepan, bring broth and 3 cups (750 mL) water to boil. Add green onions, carrot, celery, pepper and thyme; reduce heat, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add red pepper, egg noodles and meatballs; simmer, covered, until pasta is al dente, about 5 minutes. Add peas and heat through.

* I increased the water and broth to 4 cups each, and omitted red peppers & peas as I didn't have them on hand.