16 weeks

How far along: 16 weeks

Gender: Appointment on 2.13.14 - we are going to get them to write the pink or blue verdict in a sealed envelope.  I'm going to take the envelope to my favorite gluten-free bakery and let them make us a small gender reveal cake for me and Brandon to cut into over our Valentine's dinner. I cannot wait!

 

Weight gain: +7 lbs as of a week ago.

 

Maternity clothes: Not yet. I'm having serious trouble finding maternity pants that don't make me look like MC Hammer.  Not sure why they make the thigh and butt area so GINORMOUS in maternity pants.  I did get some great Jessica Simpson skinny jeans, some tops for work, and a couple dresses from Loft and Motherhood Maternity.  Still on the hunt for work pants.

 

Stretch marks: None yet

 

Belly button in or out: In

 

Sleep: Sleeping great!

Symptoms: No real new symptoms to note. My belly is really starting to grow which is exciting to watch. 
  

Best moment this week: Celebrating my 31st birthday - had a wonderful weekend that I will post about soon :)

 

Miss anything: I need sushi.

 

Movement: Still feeling little flutters and ready for some kicks!

 

Cravings: Fruit, seafood, sweets

 

Workouts:  Still running and going to barre regularly. I tire much easier right now but so far my weekly mileage is same as pre-pregnancy. 

 

Looking forward to: A 4 day work week!

 

15 weeks

How far along: 15 weeks

 

Gender: Will find just before Valentine's Day. Thinking of sharing that special moment with the hubs over our valentine's day dinner - can't imagine anything sweeter! 

 

Weight gain: +7 lbs (went to the doctor today)

 

Maternity clothes: Not yet. I did go to Motherhood Maternity last night and ordered some things from Gap.

 

Stretch marks: None yet

 

Belly button in or out: In

 

Sleep: Sleeping well except when Hadster yells "Mommmmyyy, I need to go POTTTTYYYY" in the middle of the night :)

Symptoms: Feeling really good in the second trimester thus far. My, uhummm, "girls" finally got the memo I am pregnant :)
 

Best moment this week: Taking Hadley to her first TN basketball game. She had so much fun singing Rocky Top (the man next to us really enjoyed her rendition!) and clapping along with the crowd. She had so much more fun that I thought she would!

 

Miss anything: Would not mind a nice glass of vino right now, or sushi. Or both.

 

Movement: Still feeling little flutters and ready for some kicks!

 

Cravings: Fruit and eggs. Anything ethnic but that's pretty norm for me.

 

Workouts:  Still running and going to barre regularly. I ordered the Gabrialla Support Belt for running, excited to try it out when my bump gets bigger.

 

Looking forward to: Brandon coming back home as he's been working out of town this week.  My birthday this weekend - Brandon has planned something special for us - is it Friday yet?

 

A few new recipes

Here are a few dishes I've made recently that are definitely going to stay in the rotation. All are gluten free and made with real ingredients.  I'm especially looking forward to the buffalo chicken wraps soon!

Easy Baked Tilapia 

 

Really simple but really good!

Ingredients

• 4 tilapia fillets
• Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon steak seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon paprika
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Dash garlic powder

Directions

1. Place fillets in a greased large baking dish. Spritz with olive oil (I used my Misto). In a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; sprinkle over fillets.
2. Bake at 425° for 10-15 minutes uncovered or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Notes: This was really flavorful for such a simple recipe. Great for busy weeknight meal.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

 

via skinnytaste.com

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 24 oz boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 celery stalks
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 clove garlic
• 16 oz fat free low sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup hot cayenne pepper sauce (I used Frank's)

For the wraps:

• 6 large lettuce leaves (I used Iceberg)
• 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
• 3 large celery stalks, cut into 2 inch matchsticks

Directions

1. In a crock pot, combine chicken, onions, celery stalks, garlic and broth (enough to cover your chicken, use water if the can of broth isn't enough). Cover and cook on high 4 hours.
2. Remove the chicken from pot, reserve 1/2 cup broth and discard the rest. Shred the chicken with two forks, return to the slow cooker with the 1/2 cup broth and the hot sauce and set to on high for an additional 30 minutes.
3. To prepare lettuce cups, place buffalo chicken mixture in each leaf, top with shredded carrots, celery and dressing of your choice. Wrap and enjoy! I served with a little steamed brown rice on the side.

Notes: These were so good!  Totally satisfied my craving for wings.  Loved the lettuce wrap idea for this recipe.

Turkey Quinoa Meatloaf

 

 

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup quinoa
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 large clove garlic, chopped
• 2 lbs ground turkey (I used half 93% and half 99% ground turkey)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce + a few splashes
• 1 egg + 1 egg white
• 1-2 grated carrots
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup tablespoons brown sugar
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp mustard

 

Directions

1. Bring the quinoa and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender, and the water has been absorbed, about 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside to cool.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
3. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute; remove from heat to cool.
4. Stir the turkey, cooked quinoa, onions, tomato paste, grated carrots, 3 tablespoons Worcestershire, egg + egg white, salt, and pepper in a large bowl until well combined. The mixture will be very moist. Shape into 2 loaves on a foil lined cookie sheet. Combine the brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, and a few splashed of Worcestershire in a small bowl. Rub the paste over the top of the meatloaves.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center, about 55 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 160 degrees.

Notes: This was very good - I made 2 loaves so I could freeze one, could easily half this though. Next time I will also dice up a green pepper and sauté with onion for extra veggies. Hadley and Brandon gobbled this up.

Christmas 2013

The Christmas season was so special for us this year, celebrating with Hadley at this fun and tender age and so filled with joy with #2 on the way.  Here are the last couple day of December for us....

 

Reindeer Chow and No Bake Cookies - take that broken oven!



First gingerbread house!



World's sweetest husband surprised me with this :)



Getting ready for our North Pole Breakfast - Reindeer and Snowman donuts!

 

North Pole Breakfast - menu below so I don't forget next year!



 

 

 



In her big girl room - Santa did good!

North Pole Breakfast
This was so fun to put together and the girls loved it. Can't wait to add another to our table for this next Christmas! Here is the menu:

• Bacon and ham
• Crockpot grits via (so delish and they cooked themselves overnight)
• Reindeer and snowman donuts
• Baked oatmeal casserole via
• Santa pancakes (just add strawberries for his hat and whip cream for his beard)
• Hot chocolate with candy cane stirrers

Baby Skeen #2!

We are BEYOND EXCITED to announce that we are expecting another precious little one July 7, 2014! Skeen, party of four!



The pregnancy has gone well my first trimester and very much like my first. I am back on the daily blood thinner injections for my clotting disorders while I am pregnant. My belly already looks like a pin cushion, but this baby is worth every stick!

 

How far along: 14 weeks

 

Gender: Will find out in a few weeks I can not wait! So far, both of us are guessing that it's another girl!

 

Weight gain: Will find out at next appointment on 1.15.14. At my 11ish week appointment I was +1 lb, but then Christmas happened. 

 

Maternity clothes: Not yet, been wearing out my leggings though!

 

Stretch marks: Hoping for none again this round!

 

Belly button in or out: In

 

Sleep: Good...I was exhausted from weeks 6-12 but finally getting my energy back.

 

Best moment this week: Hearing Hadley talk about being a big sis. She keeps asking if it's a boy or a girl and I told her it's too early to know yet. She told me we could ask God....love her.

 

Miss anything: Endurance when running, sushi, and coffee. I'm allowing myself one large cup of joe every morning, mainly for the sake of those around me ;)

 

Movement: Started to feel flutters this week!

 

Cravings: No real cravings, just eating anything I can get my hands on!

 

Queasy or sick: I have had just a little nausea during the 1st trimester, but that is completely gone. 

 

Workouts:  I've still been keeping up with my workouts the first 14 weeks. I usually run 4ish days a week (16ish miles total) and have been trying to do barre 2-3 days a week, schedule permitting. There are so many girls expecting at barre (and instructors!) and I feel like I'll be going to barre more and running less the further along I get.

 

Looking forward to: Finding out the gender soon and getting a real "bump" rather than looking like I've eaten too much! :)

 

Here's a pic of what the bump looks like at 14 weeks...

 

 

 

God is so good!