14 weeks

     Tomorrow I will be 14 weeks pregnant. It's still so very hard to believe. So far, I have been blessed with an easy pregnancy. No morning sickness. Only a bit of fatigue that I manage to battle very well. But this pregnancy has given us deadlines for projects that didn't exist before. For example, when we bought our 2 bed, 1 bathroom house over a year ago, it was with the stipulation that the attached garage be converted into a master bedroom. Later we decided to add a master suite as well. Why not? We live here and plan to for quite some time. My husband and a few of his buddies are helping with the renovations but it was a slow process. We were in no hurry. But now, we need a nursery for the little bundle of joy growing inside my belly. So now it's crunch time. And my husband has been working hard. He poured a new concrete foundation for the bedroom, put up exterior walls, and last night, he started building our new pantry. The old pantry is right next to where our master bathroom is going to be and we wanted to make it just a bit bigger. I am so excited about all the projects but at the same time very nervous. There is so much to do:

Build the master bedroom
Build the master bathroom
Fix the hole in the wall behind the tv
Build the pantry
Fence in a portion of our yard (the dogs need outside space badly!)
Install new flooring and paint the nursery
Purchase and install blinds in the bedrooms to block the morning and evening sunlight
Baby proof everything

    On top of this list, is my worry list about all the things the baby will need. I have been blessed so far with a few free items or cheap items. I have a crib with bedding, a diaper champ, a changing pad, toys, high chair, newborn bottles, calming swing and a few other items. But I still have mounds of diapers to purchase, clothes for baby and for me, and so many other items.

    But today I am grateful for the progress my husband made on the new pantry last night. Here is a sneak peek!

Its been a while, but I promise to make up for the time lost!

Let's start with some amazing recipes.

First: Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy Shrimp Broil


I've made this many ways but have found that the shorter way tastes just as good as the longer way.
Here's what you will need:

10 russet potatoes ( this will be way to many but that's ok because we will use the leftovers to make a great side dish for another meal)
1 lb shrimp
5 ears of corn (halved or cut into thirds, your choice)
Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning (to your taste)
McCormick Perfect Pinch Fiesta Citrus Seasoning (also to your taste)
butter (to your taste)
olive oil (to your taste)

Boil potatoes until soft, boil corn until soft.
In a separate pan sauté shrimp in olive oil.
Drain water off potatoes and corn and leave in pot. Add shrimp to pot. Add seasonings, butter, and olive oil.

It's just that simple, inexpensive, and delicious.

Second: Creole Mashed Potatoes


Here's what you do once you have eaten all of the shrimp and corn and are left with just potatoes.
In a large pot rewarm your potatoes. Transfer to stand mixer. Add 1/2 cup to 1 cup of milk, 4 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of sour cream. Mix until smooth and creamy. Add additional salt and creole seasoning to enhance the flavor

Third: Tortellini Pasta Salad


Here's what you will need:

2 pkg (9oz) refrigerated cheese tortellini
1 lb fresh green beans cut into 1 inch pieces
1 small red onion diced
2 tomatoes diced

dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic minced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add tortellini  and cook for 3 minutes, add green beans and continue to cook 5 minutes or until tortellini is tender. Drain well and cool. Place in a serving bowl with tomato and onions.
In a jar, mix all the ingredients for the dressing. Shake well. Pour over pasta salad and refrigerate at least one hour but preferable 8 hours. This helps the dressing to soak into the veggies and the pasta.

See I told you I would make up for lost time. 3 amazing recipes and all are very easy and rather inexpensive. I hope you enjoy these!

Tuscan Lemon Chicken

Being the mother of a six year old often means that we sacrifice eating the foods we love so that she can eat the foods that she loves. Although she loves things like lettuce, broccoli, and celery, she refuses to eat anything potato except for French fries. So dinner can often be a challenge. On most days, I can make any type of chicken and she will eat it as long as she can dip it in ranch. My husband does the same. They never appreciate the taste of the chicken. They just slather it in ranch dressing.
Well my friends, I got a standing ovation for last nights creation. Not only did my husband love the chicken, but my daughter told me for over an hour how yummy it is. She helped me to make this delicious chicken because that is how simple it truly is. Here's what you will need:

8 chicken breasts
olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tsp rosemary (crushed)
2 lemons to be squeezed
1 Tbsp minced garlic

On a baking dish, cover chicken with olive oil. Add salt, pepper and rosemary. Squeeze two lemons over the chicken breast and add a bit of minced garlic to each chicken breast.
Place in the oven at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked through, transfer each breast to a pan of hot olive oil to brown. And Voila! Family Friendly Chicken.

This really is a must try recipe! Hannah suggested we make it again today she loved it so much, but I suggested that we wait until maybe next week.

Bon Appetit!

First Ultrasound!

 

Today was a very exciting day. At 10:15, Chris and I saw our baby for the first time. It was amazing to see that a tiny human is growing inside my body. We were able to distinguish the head, torso, arms, legs and the beating heart. Although we haven't yet heard the heart beat, we did get to witness the amazing strength of our baby's heart on the monitor. We could SEE every beat. What an amazing experience. This pregnancy has gone so smoothly over the past 10 weeks that I am sure most days that I am not pregnant. But today was definite confirmation that I am going to be a mom!

First and Last Day of Kindergarten!



Spring Concert at Holy Family School

I can't believe my daughter's first year of school is coming to an end. To think of where she started at the beginning of Kindergarten to where she is now is mind blowing. She has learned so much, made so many friends, become more independent and less shy. I was so proud to see her up on the stage singing her heart out. It amazing me every day that I get to be a part of this little girl's life and she a part of mine. I am so very blessed to have this family. I love my daughter more than words can describe. I am the luckiest mom in the world!

Bingo Tuesday

Let me explain about Bingo Tuesday. Every first Tuesday of the month (or in our case every other month) one of Hannah's parents has to work Bingo at the K.C. Hall in Granite City. Now this probably wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't maditory. However, Hannah's school, Holy Family, requires you to volunteer for Bingo or the Fish Frys in order for your child to attend the school. It's already bad enough that I get nickled and dimed any time Hannah's school has a fund-raiser, or the book fair is in town, or the school carnival is coming, or the school needs a registration fee or materials fee, etc. I have already given a good chunk of my money to this school and on top of that, they require me to work Bingo as a volunteer. I'm concerned about the education of the prinicipal of this school. Webster Dictionary defines volunteer as: one who enters into, or offers for, any service of his own free will. Last I checked, I did not "offer" to work Bingo every other month from 7-10pm on a Tuesday night after a full 8.5 hour work day "of my own free will". If I do not attend a Bingo, I am charged an extra $100. I think I would be more than willing to do Bingo if my choice were a Saturday or Sunday with reasonable hours. As it stands, I leave straight from work and head to Bingo early, thankfully the caller, Clarence, has allowed me to work 5:30-8:30 because I work my butt off when I am there. So I leave work, go straight to Bingo for 3 hours, and come home often too late to kiss my little girl goodnight. It's hard not to be able to hear about Hannah's day, fix her dinner, help her with homework, bathe her, and tuck her into bed. Luckily I got to kiss her goodnight tonight. But for all the other parents who are just now leaving Bingo, I'm sure their babies are sound asleep and they will have to creep into their rooms just to kiss them goodnight. I needed to officially rant about Bingo because it drives me nuts and the one time I ask my husband to go, he doesn't. So I will now be doing a make-up day for the one HE missed. My bedroom had better resemble a palace when it's done because that is the only reason I won't kill him for making me do every... and I mean EVERY Bingo this year so far.


Stay tuned! Hannah's Spring Concert is Thursday and she is singing a variation of Katy Perry's "Fireworks". I don't believe any Katy Perry song should be adapted to a Kindergarten School Concert but Hannah is overly excited and that what matters. But I can't wait for the concert to be over because if I have to her Hannah belt out "Baby you're a fireeeeeworrrrk!" one more time, I'm gonna let my "collooorrs buuurrsttt!"

One truck, two truck, old truck, new truck!

It was time to say good bye to our gas gussling truck with the busted window and the dented bumper and all the other problems we had with our 1997 Dodge Ram 1500.
We are now the proud owners of a 2007 Chevy Silverado 1500. We did lose the extended cab but we went from a V8 to a V6 engine so we hope that will save us on gas! One less thing to worry about before Baby Buckingham arrives. Now if only we could get the car in good running condition and get my bedroom built!

Rain, rain go away!

Nothing like a rainy Friday morning to start the weekend. But this weekend is going to be great no matter what the weather. I'm picking up my baby girl from school and enjoying some family time tonight. Probably a pizza and movie but it doesn't take more than that to make my little girl happy.

So much to do in so little time. School is almost over so we have to figure out summer care for Hannah fast. The truck is about to break down, the car needs an emissions test and new tags. My bedroom has seen NO progress because this rain just won't let up. And the list continues on and on. But tonight I am going to try to relax and enjoy time with my daughter rather than worry about the things that are not in my control.

So happy Friday everyone. May you be able to relax, spend time with your family, and find happiness in all that you do!

Crockpot Sunday

I absolutely love crockpots. So much so, that I own 3 crockpots. My husband thinks that 3 are unneccessary but when you are cooking for all of your family at Christmas time, 3 is never enough. The only advantage to a rainy, dreary day like today, is that it inspires me to be lazy and let my crockpot do all the work.

So what's on today's menu? White Chicken Chili.

Here is where I would like to point out that I am not a huge chili fan. Most times, I do my best to avoid chili. I don't care for the taste, it's too spicy or not spicy enough, gives me awful heartburn, and gives my husband awful gas. And I have to share a bed with him, so I try to make him avoid chili as much as I do.

But when it comes to White Chicken Chili, there is no competition. It's not spicy at all. In fact, I would go as far as to say it is sweet and mild. Instead of all the tomato products (which contribute to my awful heart burn) White Chicken Chili is made with whipping cream and chicken broth.

I have to give the credit for this recipe to my mother. Although I don't think she created this recipe herself, I do know that she perfected this recipe and I never make changes to this recipe...unless I add some marjoram. But I add marjoram to just about everything.

White Chicken Chili

1lb chicken breast, cubed
1 tsp. salt
1 medium onion, chopped
1Tbsp vegtable oil (I use olive oil)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
2 cups chicken stock or chicken broth ( I prefer leftover chicken stock made from putting a whole
                                                            chicken in the crockpot with an abundance of spices and herbs)
3 cans of great northern beans, rinsed and drained
2 (4oz) cans green chiles, diced
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large pan, saute chicken, onion, garlic powder and oil until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to crockpot. Add in remaining ingredients and cook for 4 hours or until done.

I like to serve mine with rice. But it is amazing all by itself.

ENJOY!

If it's free... it fits!

This has become my motto over the past year and a half. Being a first time home-owner and our primary income coming from a painter and a nanny, we often find that free is fabulous. For example, last summer while on a routine trip to grandma's house to take a dip in the pool, we noticed some rather nice couches sitting out on the curb. Let me take this moment to clarify. I live in Granite City Illinois. Some people put couches on their front lawns as actual furniture to be used, not something they are simply giving away. However, if said furniture in on the easement property, it is most likely fair game. But you should still check with the home-owner before you up and decide to haul it away. Back to the couches from last summer, we checked them out. No stains, no odors, no cat or dog hair and in perfectly good condition. We politely knocked on the door and after a short conversation with the home-owners we drove off with new (new to us) couches.

 

Today Chris called me at 2 o'clock to tell me he had good news. Chris has been working on this job site for about a year and now knows the owner of the house he does work on very well. When Chris saw today that he was getting rid of an extremely nice (and expensive looking) sectional, Chris asked where it was going. It was going to the dumpster. So Chris very kindly took it off his hands and put it into our living room. It's not in perfect condition. The man's son has drawn on some of the pillows and cushions, but nothing that can't be hidden or turned over. We were just talking about how our couches were beginning to look a little shabby and we turn around to find ourselves being given a new couch. Can't say that God wasn't looking out for us. So now we have a nice, LARGE sectional and we all enjoyed snuggling on it tonight while watching Rise of the Guardians.

 

Today's lesson. If it is free, it fits. We can't afford all the luxuries that some people have, but we are not about to turn down a free couch, rug, lamp, etc. We are proud to provide a good life for our daughter and for ourselves. And if that means going to the thrift shop to buy clothes and doll houses, or finding a couch on the side of the road, we are not to proud to say that we live on a modest budget. Because it's much easier to live on the modest budget when you spend it wisely



Monday Madness and Tuesday Truth

We are proud to be announcing that as of Monday April 22nd we were officially informed that we would be the parents of a baby due December 25th 2013. Our road has not been a long one but one filled with many great life experiences and challenges. I met my husband in 2011. Just 2 short years ago. In that time, we have gotten married, bought a house, adpoted 2 more dogs, and have just discovered our latest bundle of good news. I am a proud step-mother to my daughter Hannah. So much so, that I never refer to myself as her step mother unless we are in a medical emergency and they need to know her biological mother's health records or if necessary in another situation. So it is safe to say that I am going to be a mother again. Although this is definitely my first preganany and there is so little that I know. I am waist deep through 3 different pregnancy books and still feel that there is so much I have to learn.

Today, being Tuesday April 23rd, we are now out of our initial shock and now on to plan how we are going to be able to make all of this work. How will my pregnancy work with my current job? How will we afford to make our mortgage payment and still be able to buy diapers? How will this affect our relationship as a husband and wife...as partners? I know that this journey is going to be incredible. Incredibly hard at times. And incredibly wonderful at other times.

So please stay tuned. This blog just got a little more interesting!

Day with the In-Laws and Family

It was a fantastic day. I was so glad to see Hannah with her family. We all sat and ate at the same table, shared laughter together, and spent time together as a family. Family is so imortant to Chris and myself. We are very family oriented people.

Chris, Hannah, Great Great Grandma Abrams, and myself.

Julie, Dave, and Great Great Grandma Abrams

Grandma and Grandpa Holt with Great Great Grandma Abrams

 

What an amazing day, with great food, great conversations, and great company. Hannah is exhausted and already sleeping with piggie and her puppy Missy. I am not far behind her. I am exhausted and ready to lay down. I have never been more anxious about a Monday than I am about tomorrow. Only time will tell.

 

 

 

 

Memorable Sunday

Chris, Hannah, and I will all be going to my mother-in-law's house this afternoon for a party. But this is no ordinary party. Christopher's Grandma Holt was diagnosed with cancer last November and she has fought and battled her way to the end. Hannah and I have not seen her since November and today we are all going to celebrate her health and amazing recovery. Hannah is so thrilled to be going to see her. So often people disappear from her life without a reason and that is very diffucult for her. She understood that grandma was sick but could understand why she couldn't see her. Hannah's mind, like most children's, assumed that she has had a cold and still got to see her friends, so why can't grandma? It is very hard to explain to a child the differences between a cold and cancer without revealing too much information. She is only 6 years old and already too aware of the horrors in this world. I'm not about to start explaining deadly diseases, murder, war, famine, etc. But today is a day of happiness. We will all be able to spend some quality time together and Hannah will once again be surrounded by family.

Here are just a few, and I mean few, of Hannah's family that we will be excited to spend time with today.

Hannah's Great Grandma and Grandpa Holt

Hannah's Great Great Grandma Abrams

Hannah's Grandma "Juju" and Grandpa "Papa"

And, of course, Mom and Dad will be there!

 

 

Friday April 19th

Nothing makes me happier today getting my daughter. I missed her so much all week and I can't wait to see her. We are also going to visit with Chris's grandma who was diagnosed with cancer last November and is stronger now that she ever was. I am so proud of her and I'm so ready for Hannah's to see her great grandma. They haven't seen each other over 5 months and Hannah misses her terribly. This weekend is going to be a very memorable weekend.

 

I haven't had the chance to cook these past few days because I worked later than usual. My goal is to cook tonight but the only recipe I will be using is a marinated steak recipe.

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and a wonderful weekend.

We were both very tired when this picture was taken. But that didn't stop us from smiling!

Doggie Days

I always knew that owning a dog would be a responisibility. You have to walk them, feed them, bathe them, care for them, love them, pick up their poop, potty train them, teach them commands, etc. So I thought that four dogs would be simple. I am living proof it is not. I love all of my dogs as my children. I scold them, reward them, and when daddy yells at them, I make the excuse that they are just too little to understand. But I've had my fair share of moments when I thought life without my dogs would be easier. For example, yesterday while Chris and I were at work, Kali managed to escape the kennel ( for the 100th time) and continued to poop 3 times in our basement and chew up the dogs nail clippers, some of Hannah's toys, part of Chris's tool box, a part that goes to my iron, a box of baking soda, and my personal favorite... SUPER GLUE! How does a dog eat super glue and not get her lips stuck together? Beats me, but she makes the impossible seem very possible most days. And on to my dog Duke, if he was given the chance, he would run away and never come back. He is defiant, stubborn, bull headed, and above all annoying. No matter how many times you tell him no, his head is constantly in the toilet, trash can, or kitchen sink. Gigi drives us nuts because she always wants the toy that is out of reach and will bark, whine and beg until another dog or one of us comes to free the toy from the deep dark place behind the couch. And lastly Missy, oh Missy. If that dog peed in my house anymore than she already does, we would have to turn all of the flooring into a giant toilet bowl. Most days you can't pet her for fear that she will get too excited and pee. I've been told that this goes away in time. But I thought they meant in a few months to a year... not 3 years and counting.

But at the end of the day, when I get home from work, it's so nice to see those faces looking up at me. They remind me that I need them as much as they need me. Luckily I have 4 amazing dogs who know how to give love and most importantly, know how to comfort my little girl. It's not mom or dad she wants at night in her room, its a puppy to cuddle with her. And that is a great feeling.

Vodka Pasta and Spinach Salad

So the pasta recipe is titled "You Won't Be Single For Long Vodka Cream Pasta" but seeing as I am happily married and I made additional changes, I shall now call this recipe "How to Stay Married Vodka Cream Pasta.

 

What you will need:

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp butter

2 garlic cloves minced

2 shallots minced

1 cup vodka

1 cup chicken broth

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes

coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning

1 Tbsp. Thyme

12 oz penne rigate pasta

 

Put a large pot of water on to boil. Heat a large skillet over moderate heat. Add oil, butter, garlic, and shallots. Gently saute garlic and shallots, 3 to 5 minutes. Add vodka and reduce by half, 2-3 minutes. Add chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring sauce to a boil. Add cream, italian seasoning, and thyme. Drain cooked pasta and pour vodka cream sauce over the top. Serve with french bread!

  

 

Baby Spinach Salad

What you will need

8 oz baby spinach ( I got a mix of spinach and arugala)

1 cup mandarin oranges

1/2 cup chopped red onions

2 Tbsp red wine vinegar

1/3 cup olive oil

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

 

In a bowl, combine spinach, mandarin oranges, and onions. In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, oil, salt, and pepper. Pour over spinach! Bon Apetit!

Honey Teriyaki Chicken and Mushroom Risotto

Sunday April 14th

Honey Teriyaki Chicken
What you will need:
6 boneless skinless chicken breat
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. ginger
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup teriyaki sauce or marinade
1 Tbsp sesame seeds
4 green onions, chopped
1 ripe pinapple cubed

Cut chicken into strips and saute in a pan with olive oil until cooked.

While the chicken is cooking, make the teriyaki glaze. In a sauce pot, bring chicken broth to a boil, add honey, ginger, and teriyaki sauce.

In another sauce pan, combine pinapple with a splash of teriyaki sauce and a teaspoon of honey. Warm until pinapple is tender.

Once chicken is cooked, transfer to a serving dish. Pour the honey teriyaki sauce and pinapple over the chicken. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions. Enjoy!

Now for the Mushroom Risotto
I must confess that I cheated and bought pre-packaged mushroom risotto. But I did add button mushrooms, olive oil, parmesan cheese, green onions, and butter to jazz it up.

And Voila! Dinner for 2!

The blog around the world!

Thanks to Andrea Mongler I am being viewed in Malaysia! So cool!!!!

Entry	Pageviews
United States	106
Japan	5
Germany	4
Malaysia	3

Beautiful Sunday Morning

The sun is just peeking out from behind some clouds. The birds are singing as they flutter past my window. The air feels so crisp and clean. I believe Spring has finally arrived. And I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm starting my morning relaxing on the couch after my rough day yesterday. I'm so glad that I got to spend some time with my daughter. She was in such a great mood. It seems like such a long time until Friday. But right now, I am going to enjoy the day with my husband who slept on the couch last night so that I could sleep with all 4 of my dogs curled up in my bed. Little did he know that at 3am, Duke would look out the window and start barking. So all the dogs were sent to their kennels and Chris was allowed to sleep in his own bed. Time to make some coffee and breakfast. Good Morning!

I got to pick up my baby girl for a few hours to take her to a birthday party! I'm so glad to see her smiling face!!!!!

Semi Accomplished

Well I am definitely not shaving my dog tonight. I am way too exhausted. But I did get my yard cut. Found someone to come and cut and trim my yard and I couldn't be more thrilled. Our yard is such a pain. It is very deceptive. It doesn't look like much, but it took the man close to 2 hours to cut, trim, and clean up our yard. I felt bad because it was so cold but I think he was very appreciative of the extra business. I plan to spend the rest of my evening curled up on the couch watching The Hunger Games. Good night to all!

Friday Morning Blues

I'll be dropping Hannah off at school shortly and won't see her again for a week. These Fridays are always the hardest. But it gives me a week to get my chores done so that when I see her again, I spend less time working and more time playing with her. Chores this weekend include shaving my dog Missy which is a 4 hour process and cutting my yard which is equally a long process due to the fact that we live on a corner lot and I cut more easement property than my own property. Chores begin in t-minus 10 hours. Operation Shave Missy is due to be completed tonight.

Living the life of a wife and mother

I am a 22 year old wife and mother. I'm a proud homeowner and a food lover. If I'm not running around trying to keep up with my 6 year old, I am busy updating my home and trying to new recipes.