Help! :)

Well....today my child made me cry. Not like in the past when she's been sick or getting her blood drawn or whatever, but because of her attitude. While I adore this stage of sweet babbles that mean nothing, intentional affection and the discovery of the world outside......I am not a fan of the new found independence that makes her want to disobey. 

I'm not sure if it's teeth, her age, her temperament or all of them combined but whew.....this week has been one of days FULL of discipline and tantrums. Today she woke up even more on the wrong side of bed apparently and as much as I love carrying my sweet girl around when she first wakes up (she REFUSES to be put down too soon after waking up......and it's a Long, slow transition lol like father like daughter) with my 4 month pregnant self it's been really hurting my back lately. And and as the front of me gets bigger it's hard to figure out where to hold her....anyways! 

It was a "fun" typical-of-this-week morning with lots of crankiness and pure defiance. So off we went for a change of scene to winco and sprouts. I thoroughly enjoyed the soundtrack of her screaming all the way down there ---insert sarcasm here---and once we got there she of course only wants to run run run and NOT sit in a cart. I LOVE watching her tiny legs run but once I let her out of that cart it's over......So the screaming started and really didn't finish till we both left in tears...yes me too. I thought it was hard packing up your groceries with a 1 yr old on your hip, I now know it's even harder when they are kicking and screaming and you're trying to bend down and "reason" with your 1 yr old and meanwhile the line is getting backed up because of you. 

Sprouts was the same the story so off we went home. So much fun! LOL. Sometimes I feel like I need to go to parenting school where they can tell me a step by step process on how to "successfully" tackle each phase of development  OH well! Now she's been sleeping for 3 1/2 hrs........all those tantrums wore her (and me) out! 

I LOVE this girl but WHEW some days are seriously the hardest work I have EVER done in my life. I hope I'm not the only one and I will FOREVER look differently on those people in the store or restaurant with the screaming child, they may likely be doing there best! 

Why I DO love this day!

How clique of me to post about Valentine's Day today....but I can't help it :) 

I love this holiday!

 And for all the cynics out there NO I don't love it because it's the one day a year my hubby brings me flowers or we exchange sweet gifts. I love it because it's ANOTHER day of the year we get to do so! When we got married we fully embraced the advice of others to continually speak words of praise to each other and of course....gifts! Whether it's notes in his lunch or finding my favorite candy in my car, adoring one another doesn't get old! I remember back 7 years ago to our first Valentine's day as a "couple"....I was 17 and I can still remember finding my car full to the top with my favorite flower.........daisies and his sweet note stuck to my window. I have never received a store bought card from J and I LOVE that about him. Everything he does for me takes time and it just makes me want to do sweet things back for him! What a great day to embrace love, and to realize that this love is only made possible for Jer and I through the recognition that we are broken people who both needed Christ and have allowed Him to fully take over our lives. His love is the truest of all and never disappoints.

We enjoyed an amazing evening alone together going out to Fats (mmmmm my fav!!! side note......it's impressive how much I can eat there) and sipping our coffees while talking about our future :) Tonight we are staying home with our little fam...I even got Jules a little present....I used to love waking up to presents my mom had wrapped all in pink and red for me and I am excited to continue the tradition. So as I go to dip Strawberries in yummmmmo chocolate, set the table with candles and lace and work on a fancy dinner for my man I am full of Joy.....not only because God has given me this amazing husband who loves me all year round......but because God has loved me  since the beginning of time. 

I hope you enjoy your day!!!! 

GENDER reveal!!!!!!!

This week, Baby is the size of a: Navel Orange :) 

How far along? 15 weeks 2 days

Due date: August 1st

Total weight gain/loss: 2 lbs gained! 

Maternity clothes? not yet

Sleep: Other than bathroom interruptions sleep has been great :) 

Best moment this week: Having an Ultrasound!!!!! And finding out the gender!!! We are SO EXCITED!

Food cravings: Coke Slurpees sound SO good but the sugar just grosses me out so I  have yet to have one :) 

Symptoms: Nausea, dizziness and stretching belly cramps. 

Gender: OH BOY OH BOY
Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: ENERGY and feeling good :(

What I am looking forward to: Those little kicks.......I can't wait! Best feeling in the world

Milestones: "Looking" pregnant! 

Caution .... Construction Zone

Giving my blog some much needed tuning up! One of those things is a new name and banner since The 3 B's can no longer be.......with a 4th coming :) It's in the beginning stages and I have to take it  little steps at a time due to the fact that staring at the computer screen and adjusting widths and codes is NOT on the top of my list for favorite things to do during my 2 hr break........

(I.E. My 1 yr old's NAPTIME)

And since there is no way I can justify paying someone to design an adorable blog FOR me (for not such a small fee!!!) it is up to myself to figure it all out :) A Blog is a place to share life, experiences and simply write and I don't like when it starts becoming all about money. blah! 

So! 

If bloggers out there want to share how they make there "pages tabs" at the top of the page so cute just leave me a comment :) 

Thanks friends! Stop by soon to see the finished product!!! Until then I will continue to blog in the construction phase :) 

Weekly Preggers Update!

This week, Baby is the size of a: Peach :) Yum that makes me want a peach!

How far along? 13w2days

Due date: July something :) Don't really know yet! Late July!

Total weight gain/loss: None gained yet.....but definitely getting a pooch....

Maternity clothes? not yet

Sleep: Other than bathroom interruptions sleep has been great :) 

Best moment this week: Had a WHOLE day with no sickness. Still just one but being thankful! 

Food cravings: chips and salsa, and Thai Food still

Symptoms: Nausea, Nausea Nausea. Unfortunately at the end of my last pregnancy I got really bad varicose veins on one side of my body. Buldging and very painful :( I assumed I would get them again once I had a big belly that was pressing down but I already have them again :( Hoping they stay under control cause they can get so swollen :( 

Gender: Don't know!!!!!! So curious!!!!!!

Belly Button in or out? In

What I miss: ENERGY. So tired of spending her whole nap time napping myself..........that's when I used to accomplish things!

What I am looking forward to: Ultrasound :)

Milestones: Definitely showing.....and being ok with it haha :) Even though this was the size I was at 19 weeks last time! Everything must be pre-stretched and ready to go lol

Roasting a Chicken......just try it, you'll never go back!

For whatever reason I've always been so scared to roast a chicken.......I'm not sure why! It's not hard but for some reason I had placed it up there with making duck confit or souffle in skill. (and by the way I have yet to try the last 2........but will soon!)

This may sound dumb.....but I realized I kept making the same dishes just with minor differences because I was scared of trying new or hard things! How stupid! Food is supposed to be fun and a learning process and delicious! I was worried about wasting time and money on ingredients just to end up running to Taco Tree in frustration. And while that has happened (at least a few times :) it is worth trying out new things!

You probably already know how to roast a whole chicken........but I didn't so I found Ina Garden's (btw......my favorite food network star/show host) recipe very helpful. She is very straight forward and basic. 

I tried to make you a video.......but I kept laughing and messing up and there was a fly buzzing around my head so I finally told the hubs to just turn it off and I took pictures! 

Step 1. 

Rinse off the whole chicken and pat dry with paper towels

You want it to be dry on the outside so that your oil/butter and seasonings with stick. you also want to check and make sure to pull off any left over feathers or stuff off the bird

Step 2. 

Stand the bird up and sprinkle salt and pepper inside the bird....make sure you've removed all the giblets from inside. Yes I have cooked them inside, no one likes a little plastic baggie of cooked innards on their plate. 

Step 3. 

Slice a lemon in half as well as a whole garlic clove and stuff into the inside along with fresh sprigs of thyme and rosemary or whatever! 

Step 4.

Lay the bird down (confession..........I had to watch her video 3 times to make sure I didn't have it upside down!) and brush melted butter over the entire top of the bird. If you have a dairy intolerance like me then you can certainly use olive oil but butter is actually the best for this because the milk and fat solids in it make the outside brown perfectly :) 

Step 5. 

Sprinkle salt and pepper over the outside and tie the legs together. You do this so that your bird won't dry out, it helps keep the juices inside :) I also like to tuck the wings under the body as well.

Step 6. 

Place over vegetables! I love traditional sliced carrots, onions, etc. The veggies soak up all the juices and are AMAZING as well as aiding in the roasting process by lifting the chicken up off the pan. 

Step 7. 

Place in a 425 degree oven until cooked through, usually about an hour plus depending on how big it is! Enjoy!!!

Goodbye 1st Trimester!!!!

How far along: 

12 weeks!

Baby's Size:
Fresh Plum!!! Why is it when the baby is the size of a plum it looks like the size of an apple. Then when it's the size of an apple you look like the size of a cantelope. Someone tell me!!!

Total weight gain: 

0

Maternity Clothes: 

nope

Sleep: 

Horrible. My 1 yr old must be teething cause she has been waking up every few hrs screaming! SOooooo tired!!

Best moment this week:

Realizing I'm 12 weeks!!!! yea!!!!

 Miss Anything? 

Repetitive I know......but energy and feeling good. 

Food cravings: 

Any kind of Asian or Thai food........noodles noodles noodles! Yum!

Anything making you queasy or sick: 

Still everyday from about 3 pm on........ :( Praying this goes away soon!

Belly Button in or out?

In.

Wedding rings on or off?

 On. 

Happy or Moody most of the time: 

Happy Happy! :) 

Looking forward to:

 Ahhhhhhh the SECOND TRIMESTER!