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.

14 Weeks

This post is late, I was 14 weeks on Friday.


At Kate's request, a bump photo! And, um, I look huge. Holy crap. I have a bump, but this photo exaggerates I think. People have started to notice though, even under loose clothing, and I've gotten lots of sweet comments about it's cuteness.


The gender ultrasound was scheduled for May 2nd, can't wait!

Blog Love: The Way We Are

I'm starting a new feature here on understated, sharing my most loved daily reads. Here's the first installment, enjoy!

I don't remember how Leah and I crossed paths here in the blog world, but I'm so glad we did. She shares the same eclectic style that I love for my own home and posts really wonderful inspirational photos of things she's found and of her fabulous house! Leah is so sweet and bubbly and shares her time with her readers, keeping up with their blogs too!

Her 'Monday at my Home' posts are some of my favorites! I love watching her home evolve.

{all images via The Way We Are}

Please stop over and see Leah, say hi and soak up all of her dreamy inspiration for your own home!

Recipes: Beef Stew with Beer & Paprika

Another trusty PW recipe here today. I will always love her. My husband raved over this stew. I think it was a tad too bitter for my taste, but it didn't mean I didn't eat it until it was gone. Good and gone.

If you're a beer lover like we are, go ahead and experiment. We used Deschutes Red Chair NWPA for this, and that is exactly why it was on the bitter side. IPA's are hoppy bitterness. Love IPA's, just not in stew I guess.

Beef Stew with Beer & Paprika

via The Pioneer Woman



3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

1 Tablespoon Butter

2 pounds Stew Meat

1 whole Medium Onion, Diced

3 cloves Garlic, Minced

1 can Beer, 12 Ounce Can

4 cups Beef Stock (or 4 Cups Water + 4 Beef Bouillon Cubes)

2 cups Water (additional, If Needed)

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce

2 Tablespoons Tomato Paste

½ teaspoons Paprika

½ teaspoons Kosher Salt

Freshly Ground Black Pepper

1-½ teaspoon Sugar

4 whole Carrots, Washed, Unpeeled, And Roughly Sliced

4 whole New Potatoes, Quartered

Minced Parsley (optional)

Preparation Instructions

Heat oil and butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Brown meat in two batches, setting aside on a plate when brown. Cut pieces in half. Set aside.

Add diced onions to the pot. Stir and cook for two or three minutes until softened, then add garlic for another minute. Pour in beer and beef stock, then add Worcestershire, tomato paste, paprika, salt, pepper, and sugar. Add beef back into the pot. Stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

The liquid should cook down to a thicker state. If it gets too thick/reduces too much, add additional water as needed.

Add carrots and potatoes, then cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes. (If stew gets dry, just add a cup of hot water at a time to replenish the liquid.) Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Serve in bowls next to crusty French bread. Sprinkle with minced parsley, if desired.