Labor & Delivery + The Baby Place

We Had Our Tour Of Labor & Delivery And Of The Baby Place Yesterday!

  

Needless to say, we were very pleased with everything at the hospital. The staff was wonderful & the facilities were amazing. They have so much to offer. They're very high on security and the amenities are endless.

 

I think we're both equally excited about delivering Caroline Ann at this hospital.

 

The woman that did the tour with us was very personable. She works in Labor & Delivery so she had first hand knowledge of the details. She walked us through each step of the process. We were explained how things would go from the moment we walked through the door, to the end of our stay after our lovely baby girl is born.

 

Is it January yet?!

 

I'm so ready for our little love to be here. I get more excited by the day. I'm so anxious to meet her and now that it's actually close I'm getting impatient. Fast forward, por favor?

 

Joseph & I are starting to get more of a plan together as to how things are going to go. (Things that have to be talked about and decided). It's funny, we have both been touching on the subject for a little while now, but now that things are closer we're like, HEY- planning time!

 

If you look around my house, you'll find list after list after list of important things to complete. (Different lists for different topics). Putting the skills I learned during my days of Event Planning to use- organization fanatic!

So much to do before she gets here!

 

We made decisions as far as the "birth plan" goes. I'm sorry but I think that concept is silly, you can't plan your birth. You can say little things that you want and don't want, but as for a plan.. Caroline is going to do what she wants, come when she wants and there is nothing I can control about it.

 

Anyway, I made a birth plan with small requests & preferences that Joseph & I decided on. It opened my eyes to see what people really request during birth. Some of which, we absolutely did not want to take part in. Some things, I didn't even realize were an option to request.

 

I'm looking forward to this experience. I'm looking forward to our baby girl being born into this world, to being surrounded by family & friends and to having this new bond with my husband.

 

 



29 Weeks & Karate Choppin'

Our little Caroline... Oh, sweet Caroline. You are getting bigger and the space in mommy's tummy is getting smaller. You're moving constantly it seems. You have got to be a ninja with all your "karate chops & ninja kicks" as your daddy says. It's precious and all but sometimes I will say you hurt a little. #youreworthit I'm amazed by the movement you make in my stomach. Just looking at it these days you can see you bouncing around in there. Sometimes, you can even tell where you are based on my lopsided belly.

I've been having this little debate in my head about her name. Should we keep it short and sweet and call her Caroline or should we keep it southern and call her Caroline Ann? I go back and forth.

This past week I had a meeting with a Healthy Start counselor. Not going to lie, I was a little scared walking into the building, so much that I almost walked out on my meeting (you had to be there). I was in agreement with myself that I wouldn't be missing anything and that everything the counselor and I would have discussed at the meeting, my hospital or my books would tell me about anyway. I don't qualify for any of the things the program is meant to offer but for the information, I'm glad I stayed.

The woman was amazing (first off, she was extremely easy to talk to, baby talk and regular conversation). I learned a lot from that one meeting. I was flooded with all sorts of information. Thank goodness! With all the questions I have running through my mind these days, this meeting was a blessing.

The counselor gave me flyer after flyer & tons of brochures to indulge myself with (very helpful). She 'snuck' me DVDs and told me to hide them when I brought them back to her. (I guess they have a movie room there to watch the DVDs and they're not supposed to be taken home....she said I seemed like a person she already knew and that she knew she could trust me). #myluckyday She even gave me a baby blanket for Caroline! Now I'm looking forward to going back to talk with her.

Over the weekend we ventured over to the other side of the Orlando area to visit with some family for a little while. It was a good time. We shared a wonderful meal together (I've been missing good southern cooking) and we enjoyed the Alabama v Mississippi State Game. #rolltide It was a very pleasant evening. I'm glad it was able to happen. & I know Joseph really enjoyed it. Did I mention Roll Tide?

On another football note, I am extremely proud of my Seminoles. They played an earlier game on Saturday and brought a smack down to Syracuse. 59-3. BOOM

I'm jealous that I haven't got to be at Doak for any of this fantastic season they're having. I know that place is rocking every game day. #seminolenation Keep it up, Noles! (Maybe next year, I'll get back up there.)

I guess I should go ahead and state this for the record, that way there is no confusion when the time comes. For the BCS National Championship, if Alabama & Florida State meet there together, is there really a question of who I will be pulling for in that game? Negative, absolutely not. I've said it once & I'll say it again: Florida State is my number 1, always has been always will. Alabama has been my number 2 for years, yes I married a die hard Alabama fan, but that does not mean I forgot my roots. I pull for both teams, except for in the occasion that they play each other. & in that case, I will be choppin' the whole game, fear the spear baby & go noles!

F-L-O-R-I-D-A S-T-A-T-E! Florida What? Florida State, Florida State, Florida State!

"Be Thankful For What You Have; You'll End Up Having More. If You Concentrate On What You Don't Have, You Will Never, Ever Have Enough" -- Oprah Winfrey

November 13th: Mommy Friends. I am thankful for all the mommy friends that I have. They have been such a blessing during this pregnancy. Whether it is friends that have already had one or two kids, new mommies or pregnant mommy-to-be's like me, they have all been very encouraging and supportive. All my mommy friends have offered advice and guidance for particular situations and made me think about things I haven't thought of yet. I'm thankful for their experiences and for sharing their knowledge with me. I'm grateful that they do not judge me and the choices I am making for my child. I am very thankful for their honesty they offer and for the dirty details they don't sugar coat. I am thankful for the mommy friends I have that have reached out to me.


November 14th: Chilly Air. I am thankful for chilly air that blows in central Florida. It's a rare thing down here. I am thankful for chilly mornings (even when they turn into hot afternoons) and I am thankful for chilly nights. I am thankful for, despite living in central Florida, getting to pull out long sleeve pull overs & boots on the random occasion. It reminds me of where I grew up (not quite as cold though). I am thankful that while visiting home in January, we will get to feel the cold for a few days. My wish? Bring on some more cold fronts, please! I am thankful for the, few and far between, chilly days that we have down here.

November 15th: Delivery. I am thankful for restaurants that offer delivery. Simple as that. I love that I can spend the evening with Joseph, doing things we love together and not have to worry about cooking. I love that we can go about our business, watching our shows and movies and just take a small timeout to answer the door and tip the lady or gentleman for bringing us the delightful dinner of our choice. I love how simple it has become to have a good meal arrive at your door and how 'on time' they are here in Lake Mary. (when they tell you a time they'll be at your house, they're there, if not early). I am thankful for the expansion of restaurants that now offer the service. I am thankful for restaurants that deliver.

November 16th: Family Friends. I am thankful for the people that have been friends for so long that we call them family. I am thankful for the time we get to spend with them and for how close they are to us. I am grateful for their company and for their love and support. I am thankful for the simplistic fun that can be had when we are with them. I love the conversations and the laughs that are had together. I am thankful for the new, short distance between all of us and for being able to catch up more easily. I am thankful for the people that are our family outside of our biological family.

November 17th: Sundays. I am thankful for the restful day of Sunday. I love Sundays. They're very relaxed, they're a day of reflection and a day I get to spend with my husband. I am thankful for the time we have together, just us. I am thankful for the things that we get to do together when there is nothing scheduled, nothing that has to be done. I am thankful for the blessings that Sunday's bring. I am thankful that this is a day to spend with our Lord. I am thankful that Sundays come last before the start of a new week. I am thankful for Sunday dinners and the conversations we enjoy. I am thankful for the long Sunday walks Joseph and I get to go on with Ace because we have no timeline for the day. I am so grateful for this day of the week. I am thankful for Sundays.

November 18th: Sleeping in. I am thankful for the mornings I get to sleep in and my body allows for me to. It is a rare occasion. I'm usually up like clock work, same time everyday. This morning however, was a much different case. I slept in later than usual and it felt amazing. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to sleep in. I had nothing I had to do first thing, I could lay in bed for as long as I wanted. I slept. I snoozed. Ace & I cuddled. I am thankful for mornings like this. I am thankful for my husband and his coworker that carpooled to work and I am thankful for a clear schedule. I am thankful for the rest I was given and for the slumber I received. I am thankful for sleeping in.

November 19th: Ace. I am thankful for my handsome 6 year old Doberman Pinscher, Ace. Born on November 19th of 2007, I am happy to say that we are celebrating his 6th birthday today. I am thankful to have had him since he was a baby pup. I am extremely grateful for all the years we have spent together. I am thankful for all the joy he brings to my life. I am thankful for his personality, his goofy & silliness and his huge heart. He is always there for me and is such a wonderful protector. I am blessed to have him in my life. I love that he has shown people what Dobermans really are. I love that when people meet him, their stereotype of the Doberman Pinscher vanishes. He is a true example of the kindness "vicious breeds" offer and he shows us that every dog can be a good dog, with a good owner. He is a true companion. He is this girl's best friend. I love the energy he puts off and how he knows when it's time to play and when he needs to be calm and gentle. I am thankful for his cuddles when I am sad and for the comfort that he brings me. Happy birthday to Ace The Doberman Robb and many more. He is more than a dog, he is a member of our little family, he is soon to be a big brother and new best friend to our Caroline. He has a piece of my heart and always will. I am so thankful that Ace & I found each other.

A friend of mine posted this recipe for "Doggy Birthday Cakes" not too long ago. You can call me The Puppy Chef, I'm thinking about giving it a shot today. I don't think I could mess it up, and if I happen to do so, I don't think Ace will mind or notice for that matter. So, he'll get "cake" on his birthday today!

Puppy Layered Cake
 Ingredients:
      1 pound ground beef, turkey, or chicken
      1 egg; beaten
      1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
      3-4 Milkbone treats; crushed
Directions:
      1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
      2. Mix meat until well incorporated with  ground meat of choice.
      3. Divide meat into two equal parts and shape into patties.
      4. Cover cookie sheet with foil & cook for 30 minutes; then let cool.
      5. Spread half of the greek yogurt onto one of the patties
      6. Sprinkle with half of the crushed milk bone treats.
      7. Stake the second pattie on top of the "dressed" pattie
      8. Spread with remaining yogurt and crushed Milkbones.

Incase you didn't see the title of this blog.. I am 29 weeks along now!! That means that we are getting closer and closer. Not quite yet, but we are almost to the single digit weeks! Pardon my excitement, I'm just so ready for her to be here and I know Joseph is too! I think even Ace is getting anxious now! #countingdown

According to my BabyBump app, Caroline is now the size of a butternut squash. The app says she is 15.25 inches and weighs 2.5 lbs. WELL, we already know that she, herself is not that size. At 28 weeks she weighed in at 3 lbs. so I wonder how long she really is and how much she has gained since then? Baby girl is above average. So I wonder what fruit/vegetable she really is...

From my understanding, my baby shower invitations are about to go in the mail! Yay! I'm so excited for it. We are doing girls & guys. I'm really looking forward to seeing family & friends all in one spot since our wedding! Minus the few that I already know cannot attend. (I know y'all are going to be there in spirit). I can't wait to see what it's going to look like! Pink, pink, pink EVERYWHERE!! I'm pretty sure it is going to be the same colors as Caroline's room: pale pink, grey & white. I'm really looking forward to it!

Also, I can't wait for tomorrow (Wednesday). I have a tour of our hospital where Miss Caroline Ann will be born. "The Baby Place." (pinch me.) I've read the book on everything they offer and it sounds completely amazing. So many educational classes for Joseph & I, they offer luxury suites for my family & me, and they offer massages for Joseph & I during our stay! I'm ready to go register and see the type of room we will have and get some more info! I keep trying to picture it. Yay, for tomorrow!

How far along? 29 weeks with our little love bug!
Total weight gain/loss: Yikes, considering I got weighed this past week, I know exactly how much. Ugh. 35 lbs. & from what I understand, rapid weight gain is about to start happening within the weeks coming.
Maternity Clothes? I've realized I only like shirts that convey my belly. Shirts that fit loosely, not so much. I feel like I have a large bag over me, which isn't flattering. Tight shirts please (show me the bellyyyyy)
Stretch Marks? Still fighting them off. Not one in sight so far! Still crossing my fingers and rotating through lotions
Sleep: Better! I can sleep through the whole night. I get 8-9 hours of sleep. I still wake up tired but it's good sleep.
Best moment(s) this week: Watching the alien in my belly move chasing the flashlight. It's crazy the waves you can see on the surface.
Miss anything?: My favorite pair of jeans & still laying on my stomach. I've found myself getting creative with ways to lay on my stomach, obviously so that I'm not actually on my stomach though. #feelingcreative
Movement: Karate choppin & ninja kickin'. Very active little girl we have!
Food cravings: I need a shower head that will rain chocolate for me. And then a milk machine. Then I'll be happy.

Labor Signs: No, hopefully holding off on those for as long as possible.

Belly Button in or out? Still an innie but I'm noticing some change. Stay an innie please! (Joseph & I have a bet going for how long it'll be an innie)

What I am looking forward to: My doctor appointment next week & My tour of "The Baby Place" tomorrow!

Weekly Wisdom: Try not to google things too much. Google can be wrong and it can freak you out. Listen to your doctor!

28 weeks & counting!

I can't believe that I have finally reached 28 weeks with our little buddle of joy. Who would've thought the 3rd trimester would get here as fast and as slow as it did? Yay, time is ticking and the days are counting down - Caroline will be here before we know it!

This has been one of the quickest weeks in quite sometime. It seriously flew by. And this was one of the weeks in which I would have loved for time to be slow motion. My mom was here, I had an ultrasound, we went to Tampa/Apollo Beach, and all kinds of other things.

During my moms first visit to Lake Mary, we went to Macaroni Grill (which it has been AT LEAST 15 years since either of us had been there, so good I might add + they let you color on the "table cloth" [table paper] which is perfect for people like us [score]), we shopped, we discovered a new part of the area that I hadn't seen, Park Avenue, where we ate at this super fresh & amazing Mexican restaurant called Cocina 214, and we caught up on some movies that we wanted to see.
 

 

P.S- If you have not seen "Olympus Has Fallen" please do so, it is a must see! So good. Starring Gerard Butler, who is one of my favorites. Check it out!

Her time with us flew by. Luckily, we met her later on in the week over on the west coast of Florida. #tampabay #apollobeach It was such a nice visit. We got to see my Aunt, Uncle and cousins. We shopped, Joseph got to play golf on a new course, I got to have lunch at this beautiful waterside restaurant called Bahia Beach, and we experienced a new church. Also, let me mention my extreme excitement for Saturday's college football. Florida State beat Wake Forest & Alabama beat LSU. It was a good day for us to say the very least!

 

All good things must come to an end, but now we're getting back into the daily swing of things at home. We have a couple weeks of just the two of us (and Ace) in our house and then the visits start again. So that is something to look forward to :)

Let the thankfulness continue in this gorgeous month of November:

November 4th: My Mom. I am thankful for my mother and everything she has ever done for me. I am thankful for the person she has made me. I am thankful for her improving health and how strong she has been throughout the years. I am thankful that even through the distance, through our phone conversations and catch up time that I feel like I'm not missing anything on her daily life. I am thankful for her visiting. I love that when she gets here, it feels like we just pick up where we left off. I love how she still takes care of me and now I take care of her. I'm forever grateful for her and to her. Caroline is so lucky to have her as a GiGi and she doesn't know it yet. She is going to make such a great grandmother. I am so blessed to have a woman like her in my life. If we could choose our moms, I couldn't have chosen a better one for myself. She is more than a mother, she is truly my best friend. I'm so thankful for the wonderful woman I am blessed to call my mom.

 

November 5th: Joseph's Job. I am thankful for Joseph's place of employment. I am thankful for how much he enjoys his workplace down here. I am thankful for all the good people he has met and that have helped him adjust. I am thankful that he enjoys going to work and that he is in a great work environment. I am grateful that he has a job and super grateful that he loves it. I am thankful for how they work with him on needing time to go to my doctor's appointments with me and how when we have emergencies they're understanding. I am so thankful that this career has worked out for him and that he has been able to grow within the company. I am thankful for his advancements and for his drive to succeed. I am thankful for Joseph's job.

November 6th:Ultrasounds. I am thankful for ultrasounds. I love how close they bring me to my daughter. I am thankful that my mom was able to be at this ultrasound and see her Granddaughter for the first time. I am thankful for how clear this ultrasound was and how beautiful my baby girl looked. I am thankful that I could see Caroline play with her feet and have a huge yawn. I am thankful that she cooperated the entire time and even played with the light. I am thankful the tech took so much time with my mom & I and explained every little thing about her to us. I am thankful for everything an Ultrasound allows us to see. This visit was by far the best ultrasound I have had so far. I am in love. I am thankful for Ultrasound appointments.

November 7th: Daily Walks in Nature. I am thankful for the beauty that nature has to offer us. I am grateful that I have a park that I can walk Ace to. I am thankful for the trees and the grass and the fresh air. I am thankful for the ducks that we see on our walks and for the lake we have to look at. I am thankful for the peace that can be found in nature. I love how being outside has a way of clearing the mind. I am thankful for the exercise I get while on our walks. I am thankful that Ace looks forward to them and enjoys them as much as I do. I am thankful for his good behavior while on these walks. I am thankful for the swings I get to swing on and for the clarity I get while at this park. I am thankful for being able to walk my dog through such a beautiful park trail any time I please.

November 8th: Photography. I am thankful for photography & photographers, specifically our wedding photos & White Sands Photography. I love how pictures capture moments and can take you back and make you remember that moment so clearly. I am thankful for photographers who capture real moments and take candid photos. I am thankful for posed pictures that show true feelings. I am thankful for photographers being at the right place at the right time. I am thankful for photographs that show timelines and make you feel like you're there again. I am thankful for Joseph & my wedding pictures. They take me back & make me enjoy the day again and again. I love looking at them. I love remembering the feelings I had on that day. I love seeing how we were looking at each other and how we held each other on the dance floor. I love the memories that I'll forever get to relive because I have these pictures. I am thankful for pictures & good photography.

November 9th: The water. I am thankful for living by the water. I love being able to hop on a boat and go cruising around.. I love how the air smells, I love the feel of a boat drifting atop of water, I love being able to watch the sunset in the middle of a body of water or from the beach and having someone to share it with. I love the ocean, I love the bays, canals, and lakes. I am thankful for the breathtaking sights you can experience on the water. I am thankful for being blessed to live in Florida by the water.

November 10th: Prayer. I am thankful for the strength of prayer. How powerful it can be. I am thankful for all the prayers that are answered & unanswered. I am thankful for understanding and for not understanding God's reasons sometimes. I am thankful for persistence and for group prayer. I am thankful for everyone who has ever put my family and myself in their prayers, I am thankful for their selflessness and their concern. I am thankful to God for listening. Pray daily, pray often. Pray for help, for forgiveness and for thanks. I am thankful for all the good prayer can do.

November 11th: United States Military. Veteran's Day is a day of celebration, remembrance, and pride. I am thankful to all of the men, women, and families who have served this great nation past, present and future and to the fallen soldiers who have given their lives for this great nation. I am thankful for all the military in my family, Air Force & Army & Navy, and am proud to have such a strong military background.  I am thankful for my Grandpa (retired), for my Late Opa (retired), for my Father (retired), for my Brother (active), for my Father-In-Law (retired), for my Uncles (retired), for my cousin (retired) and for the their families and elders. I am so thankful to know such strong people and have them in my life. I am thankful for our United States Military Veterans.

 

November 12th: Technology. I am thankful for technological advancements. Without them, so many questions are left unanswered. Technology has a way of simplifying things and easing the mind. It's amazing the things that can be done these days that used to be considered impossible. Through all the advancing, more things are able to be explained. I am thankful for GPS's for making directions more clear, I am thankful for improved Ultrasound machines that answer questions and concerns, I am thankful for Google for answering my questions and I am thankful for Blogger for making it easier to catch my family up on my life with details I might forget in a phone conversations. I am thankful for everyone who is technologically savvy and able to improve our way of life. I am thankful for all the useful gadgets we have today. I am thankful for technology and the ever improving world.

Joseph & I have been talking more about Thanksgiving since it's getting closer. I think we have a change in plans. I think our first Thanksgiving Holiday together we are going to donate our time to feeding the homeless. We are going to find a shelter in the area and go serve food. Neither of us have ever done it before and we both agree that it would be a wonderful and selfless way to spend our 1st Thanksgiving together. We want to give back for the many things we have been blessed with. I'm so glad we talked about it and this choice was brought up. I'm really looking forward to it.

All of our fall decorations are out now, being displayed around the house. [Even my 'Turner Pumpkins' have arrived!] All I am missing is a nice festive table cloth. Staying on the look out though.

We have already started making Christmas décor purchases & decisions. Our tree will be up the day after Thanksgiving as well as our Christmas lights! Yay for the Holidays!

Caroline's nursery is still underway. We did add a new addition to it though, thanks to my mommy. She worked very hard and the results show it. She redid a rocking chair for us and had it done in the nursery colors with a super cute fabric and all. We absolutely love it & so does everyone that has seen it. I was rather impressed, since I saw the rocking chair before the remodel started. Such a great transformation! I am so happy with it! Thank you, Mom!

Oh! & I've been steadily ordering things online that I just love, love, love for Caroline & one of the layettes finally arrived! I love it. It's monogrammed with her name. I love the words and I love the colors. It's adorable & I know both sets of her grandparents will love it too! "Grandpa's girl, Grandma's world"

After having Caroline's ultrasound this past week, we learned that she is a rather big baby. She is already weighing in at 3 lbs. (which is how much a baby at 30 weeks should weigh). Also, she has long bones. So we are expecting a long baby. In her ultrasound you could see the fuzz on her head, lots of it. We are predicting a full head of hair at birth. And she had super long eyelashes, thanks to her mommy & daddy. Her lips were full, they were perfect. (See above Ultrasound for more pictures). I can't wait to see her in 3D/4D and then meet her.

You learn something new every day. Did you know that during your 1st and 2nd trimester you can have a regular visit at the dentist's office. You can have x-rays and get your teeth cleaned as usual. BUT once you get to your 3rd trimester, no more dentist for you. You have to have approval from your doc then. Who would've thought. GOOGLE WAS WRONG!

How far along? 28 weeks! We're in the 3rd Trimester!!
Total weight gain/loss: 25 lbs. (I guess I hadn't been weighed in a while, because that jumped quite a bit!..Now to start gaining weight on the reg)
Maternity Clothes? Every day mixing it up. Maternity pants & regular shirts. My size small shirts don't fit me anymore but the mediums are still hanging in there!
Stretch Marks? None that are noticeable yet, fingers crossed for the remainder.
Sleep: One potty break most nights, besides that, I'm using Joseph as my pregnancy pillow since we don't believe in them- he loves it.
Best moment(s) this week: The ultrasound my mom & I got to see together. Caroline was so playful and exciting to watch. Her huge yawn was adorable. She's extra precious and I'm so happy my mom and I got to experience it together.
Miss anything?: Laying on my stomach. It was probably my favorite way to lay pre-pregnancy. Now I can't.
Movement: She is extremely busy in my belly. Her rest periods are shorter by day it seems.
Food cravings: Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate! PB & J and some fresh yummy salads!

Labor Signs: no, no, no. NEGATIVE.

Belly Button in or out? Still an innie.

What I am looking forward to: My Healthy start meeting tomorrow to learn about some Mommy & Daddy classes to prep and then our hospital tour on the 20th. We get to pick out our room and hear all about what "The Baby Place" has to offer.

Weekly Wisdom: Don't forget to pee before you go somewhere or do something, you never know when the next bathroom is going to come around.

Welcome to November!

The "it's officially Fall" month is finally here! (It's been fall for a little while, but it really feels like it this month with all the oranges, yellows and reds around). November is always such a beautiful month. Living in northern Florida for most of the falls I remember, this is a season for bonfires and leaf changing, hot coffee and scarves, jeans and boots.. and raking yards. One of the best times of the year. It's perfect for me when it is chilly but not freezing. I've always looked forward to it.

Joseph and I have moved south just in time for this season. We are not experiencing bonfires or chilly weather for that matter. The lows around here can be found at 64 degrees and that's at 1 o'clock in the morning. Some days are cooler than others. We experienced a low of 72 this last week! Woohoo! But, it was 90 yesterday. So if you want shorts all year round, move it down on south people!

From what I've been told, for "chilly-like weather," I better wait for December. So I'll be patiently awaiting the cold front however short-lived it may be.

November is a month to think of all you're thankful for, to cherish those around you and the ones at a distance and to appreciate the little things we have. A little November challenge? Each day choose something that I'm thankful for, however big or small.

November 1st: Teamwork. Joseph & I work so well together and I'm very thankful for that. Whether it is something small like double teaming dinner, him on the grill and me with the oven and stove, or its something larger like formulating a plan for things we need to take care of, we do it together. I couldn't imagine a better life partner. I love having him as my rock and me as his. We help each other and support each other and we accomplish goals together.  I'm very thankful for the team we are.

 

 November 2nd: College Game Day. I am thankful for Saturday College Football. I'm thankful for how happy my husband is when he wakes up on Saturday mornings #guesswhatdayitis #gameday. I'm thankful for Florida State and the amazing season they've had so far. I'm thankful for ESPN, Jameis Winston, Osceola and Renegade. I'm thankful for Alabama football and for their continuing victories. I love that football is something Joseph and I enjoy so much together. Saturday's are always fun around our house. Football, food and family makes our Saturdays complete. I'm thankful to spend Saturday's with my husband doing something we both enjoy.

November 3rd: My 2 Boys. I am thankful for Joseph & Ace. They bring such joy and happiness to my life. They always make me smile and laugh. They play and are silly and make it hard not to enjoy being around them. I am thankful that they love each other and that we are one little happy family. I love that they BOTH love Caroline already. I am thankful for the comfort that they bring to me and how safe I feel with them around. I am thankful that I have these 2 beauties to share life with.

I think it's the most adorable thing when Ace rests his head on my stomach. He tries to be as close as possible to his little sister. I can already tell how much he loves her and how protective of her he is going to be. It's the sweetest thing to see. Any and every chance he gets he lays his head on my stomach. I know he can hear her in there.

November, it's the month of Thanksgiving, which means family, friends and food, food, food. As I have mentioned, Joseph and I will be celebrating Thanksgiving just the two of us this year, and although it will be different, I am excited for it. It means that we get to start new traditions together, as a family.

I've got our menu set up already and most of the fall decorations are out. I've just recently ordered our newest fall addition and I cannot wait for it to arrive. #picturestocome

On news of our little love bug, I am 27 weeks pregnant! Princess Caroline is getting so strong. I think she dances in my belly or she is going to be a gymnast like her mom was with all that flipping around she keeps doing! She moves twice as much when Joseph rubs my stomach, it makes my heart melt. He brags about it (which makes me smile).

 I don't know if he knows it yet, but his heart is already hers, you can tell. She'll definitely be a daddy's girl.

 

How far along? 27 week! (13 to go!)
Total weight gain/loss: 18 lbs
Maternity Clothes? Still wearing them. I got really creative recently though with pre-pregnancy clothes. Yay, for more options!
Stretch Marks? Still doing good. Putting on lotion in the morning and at night before bed is like a ritual these days. Sometimes its annoying, but I know I'll be extremely grateful for it later on.
Sleep: The dreams are getting more strange. I'm still getting up once in the middle of the night for a potty break, but it's OK.. I get the best sleep ever afterwards!
Best moment(s) this week: Watching Joseph (and Ace) paint the nursery. I'm completely in love with Caroline's nursery already. I find myself spending more and more time in there now.
Miss anything?: How good does a Mich Ultra sound? Or a Sweetwater Blue? My goodness, delish. & I'm missing my body. Old photos make me jealous. Ready to get the pre-baby body back and take it to the next level.
Movement: More & more frequent. She plays up high at night and down low during the day. Still getting stronger, I can't help but stare at my belly when she's moving, its amazing to watch.
Food cravings: This week I've been wanting lots and lots of yogurt. Strawberry Banana, Raspberry, Blueberry and Blackberry are the winning favorites.

Labor Signs: no, no, no.

Belly Button in or out? Still an innie.

What I am looking forward to: My mom getting here on Monday & my ultrasound on Wednesday. I wonder what my mom's reaction is going to be? (it's the first Grandchild, so I'm not sure what to expect). I know she's really excited which makes me even more anxious for this appointment! Then Friday Joseph & I take a little vacay to Apollo Beach. Yay for shopping & golf!

Weekly Wisdom: "Feeling fat lasts 9 months, but the joy of becoming a mom lasts forever"




Progress in The World of Caroline

Caroline, Caroline, Caroline. My sweet little girl is getting closer and closer to being here. It's hard to believe that in "95 days" our little love bug should have arrived. We have been beyond excited, now, I feel like I'm behind! According to all the books and articles that we have read, we are right on track with timing and the things that need to be done, but I still have the anxious feeling that she is going to get here and we are going to be running around like crazy people trying to finalize everything. (I hear this is a normal feeling)

My sweet mother-in-law has started an addiction in me, which I am not complaining about. I am obsessed and I can't help it. While Joseph's parents were visiting this past weekend, us girls made a trip to the TJ Maxx Home Goods Store. I was a first timer. I have never seen so many things that I've wanted to purchase and with such wonderfully reasonable prices.

This week I made a trip back there and spent much more money than I should have. (oops) I'm reasoning with myself, "we needed all of this eventually." Some things were for Ace (his toy basket was overflowing, meaning one thing: he needed a bigger basket), some things were for this season's fall home decorations (it's our first house to decorate together, we must be festive), and of course, some things for little Caroline's nursery (we have to have it completely done in the next 3 months anyway, might as well make little purchases here and there now). I'm excited about the things I bought for her. I'm ready to start making larger purchases that start filling out her room!!!

Ready for some more exciting news? My baby shower invitations came in! (Yay! [Super Happy Voice]) I'm so blessed to have such a wonderful mother who is throwing me a shower. I'm overjoyed. It's months away but I am so ready to be back in Niceville for those couple days, seeing everyone, enjoying family time and celebrating Caroline's  arrival. #countingdown .. I know my mom has great ideas so I can't wait to see what she has planned!

We were blessed with Joseph having a day off... During The Week.!! For most people that's not a big deal and most people prefer to have all their off days fall on a weekend, so I guess this makes us rare. We were stoked that it was midweek! Having a completely open day during the week gives the opportunity to get things done that you can't do on the weekends: appointments, banking and other things of that nature. We were able to get appointments done early enough in the day to have the rest of it to do whatever it is we pleased! It was grand.

We spent our afternoon:

• eating lunch together at Longhorn Steakhouse (I'm in love with their amazingly fresh tasting salads)
• doing a little bit of shopping
• buying & selling on Ebay
• prepping Caroline's room for painting

And then, my wonderful Joseph painted her nursery.
He's adorable. Brush in hand, Earphones in, Standing on Caroline's dresser, singing loudly along with Imagine Dragons & Dave Matthews. That is what I'm going to remember from this. Not to mention, Ace running back and forth between the nursery to me seeming extremely concerned for his daddy. It was cute and so funny at the same time. Such sweet boys that I have.

 

Grey walls, Pink & White dresser/changing table & hamper. Ready to start putting things in her room now and organizing her drawers! So much to do. #nestingtime Caroline is going to love her pretty nursery.

We're getting things done, one day at a time.

Recipes Galore For The Slow Cooking Kind

As I've mentioned previously, I am becoming a pro at the whole slow cooker meal making strategy. & I love that it doesn't take much effort. This contraption amazes me. It's among the Gods of kitchen appliances without a doubt.

Joseph asks everyday what's for dinner and I'm loving that I have a new response everyday. Everyday is a new experiment. A new journey for me to take. I try new recipes on the reg.. if we like them, I file them in my "Turner Recipes" box, if we don't (which has yet to happen) then I'll move on and forget it happened.

During this pregnancy, I've loved Chicken (I always have but I feel like I eat it more often than I did pre-pregnancy.) So most of the meals I've been cooking have been of the poultry kind.

In the past 2 weeks, the slow cooker has been used more often than not I think. We are still huge fans of grilling out but, the slow cooker is getting good use lately.

All the recipes are QUICK, EASY and DON'T require much time for prepping or a number of ingredients. You can leave the cooker on while you're at work or while you're doing other things around the house throughout the day. My cooker says "Stay or Go, Stay or Go." Kind of gives me a laugh.

Some of the chicken recipes that I have done in the slow cooker so far have turned out to be phenomenal. If it sounds good to you, give it a shot!

1) Cheesy Chicken on Rice --  (4 servings)
     Ingredients:     6 Chicken Breast Halves
                             2 (11 oz) Cans Cream of Cheddar Soup    
                             1/2 Cup Milk
                             1 TSP Garlic Powder
                             Salt & Pepper (to taste)
                            White Rice
     Directions:     1) Spray slow cooker with cooking spray, add chicken
                            2) Mix soup & milk and pour over the chicken
                            3) Add salt + pepper and garlic powder
                            4) Cook on high for 6 hours-all day, covered
                            5) Make rice as directions say when you're ready to eat
                            6) Serve cheesy chicken on top of rice

2) Chicken & Dumplings -- (4 servings)
     Ingredients:     2 Chicken Breasts
                             1 TBS Butter
                             1 Can Cream Of Chicken
                             1/2 Onion, Finely Diced
                             1 (10 oz) Package Biscuit Dough, Torn
                             Optional: Sprinkles of Cumin & Parsley (These are the
                             spices I added, original recipe does not include them)
     Directions:      1) Place the chicken, butter, soup and onion in slow
                                 cooker
                             2) Fill cooker with enough water to cover ingredients
                             3) Cover & cook on high for 5-6 hours
                             (around 5 hours is when I sprinkled in the spices that I
                             added)
                            4) 30 minutes before serving, place the torn dough on
                             top & cook until the dough is no longer raw

3) Delicious Italian Chicken Pasta -- (5-6 Servings)
     Ingredients:     4 Chicken Breasts
                             1 Package Dry Zesty Italian (You can use any dry Italian,
                              I chose Zesty)
                             1 (8 oz) Package Cream Cheese
                             1-2 Cans Cream of Chicken (I only used 1, it depends
                             on how thick you want it)
                             Bowtie Pasta
     Directions:     1) Place chicken in crock pot & pour dry Italian
                                 powder over it
                            2) Combine cream cheese & soup in small pot
                                 on low heat then pour over chicken
                            3) Cook on low for 4 hours-all day
                            4) Leave chicken whole, cube it or shred it and then stir
                                 into the sauce (I cubed it)
                                (if sauce is too thick, add milk)
                            5) Cook pasta as usual according to box
                            6) Serve chicken over pasta

                                                [Delicious Italian Chicken Pasta]

4) BBQ Pulled Pork
     Ingredients:     6 Chicken Breasts
                             1 (12 oz) Bottle of BBQ Sauce (Of your choice,
                                I used a sweet BBQ)
                             1/2 Cup Italian Dressing (I used Olive Garden's
                               Italian Dressing)
                             1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
                            2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce
     Directions:     1) Place chicken in slow cooker
                            2) Mix BBQ sauce, Italian dressing, brown sugar and
                                 Worcestershire sauce until smooth in mixing bowl and
                                  pour over chicken
                            3) Cook for 3-4 Hours on High or 6-8 Hours on Low

                                       [BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches]

The best feeling? Watching Joseph get up to get 2nd's and then eating all the leftovers. It means I'm doing something right. That's how I feel anyway. I think I got the most response from the Delicious Italian Chicken Pasta. You could tell he really enjoyed that one. (Shhh! I think he might have gone back for 3rds)

I'm not a huge fan of BBQ but it is one of Joseph's favorites. Every now and then I give it a shot and I have found some BBQ dishes that I actually really like. Pulled BBQ Pork Sandwiches is definitely one of them. So I gave that recipe a shot! YUM! We ate our sandwiches with baked beans, potato salad and green beans. I think that might have been my favorite meal this week!

I have so many recipes to try. A long list is ahead of me. There are even cookbooks that I haven't gotten to open yet, but you best believe I'm getting there! I'm looking forward to it, Joseph & I (and Caroline too, trust me...she has a strong opinion in all of this) are discovering new favorite foods together.

Next on my list? I'm about to start practicing dishes for our Thanksgiving meal together. This is Our 1st Thanksgiving together and both of our 1st Thanksgiving's away from our families. It'll be just the two of us. So I'm going to combine some of my family Thanksgiving traditional dishes with some of his family's traditional dishes and we will start our own tradition together.

Life and It's Changes

 

It's amazing how life changes. One minute you're graduating high school with dreams of college and future careers and the next you've graduated college, gotten married and are setting life up to have a baby! I did say it's AMAZING how life changes, right? Completely.

I've started a new adventure into the married life just recently, loving every minute of it. Joseph is fantastic, every girl's dream as she's growing up. He's motivated, intelligent, hilarious and I must say, rather handsome. A couple weeks after the wedding we moved from Montgomery, Alabama and are now completely settled down in Lake Mary, Florida. I'm a Florida girl so I'm loving the new surroundings.

Life down here is good. A complete switch from Alabama. Everything is so close to us, and when I say everything, I mean everything: restaurants, shopping, doctors, all the interstates, etc. Before, if we wanted to make a little run to Walmart for a change in our dinner plans or a forgotten ingredient, we had to drive 30 minutes. Or, if we decided to go out to eat and treat ourselves, we better be in the mood for Mexican because that is the only thing close to us! Above all, Joseph no longer works 45 minutes away from home, subtract about 40 minutes and you arrive! It's a blessing.

We have met some of our neighbors and they have all been welcoming. I love that our neighbors directly next door are Florida State fans, I'M NOT ALONE ANYMORE surrounded by Alabama fans! (Don't get me wrong, Alabama is my #2, but I'm a Noles girl first and foremost!) There are a lot of families around us, so I'm really excited to be able to pass out candy for Halloween for the first time, I don't know why but I have always wanted to! (my roommates in college made fun of me for mentioning that and didn't allow it to happen #grownupstuff)

Besides settling in our home, getting our new furniture set up and decorating our first home together, Joseph and I have begun the set up of our little girl's nursery. That's right we are starting our family by making 2 become 3. Caroline Ann Turner will be here at the end of January! I'm currently 26 weeks pregnant! (wow, time has kind of flown by.) We are very excited for our new addition, even Ace is looking forward to meeting his "new sister." I know they'll be besties -- he lays with her now every chance he gets. #precious

I just met my new doctor for the first time this last week. I absolutely LOVE him. I think it's going to be a great experience. He makes me feel comfortable and really informed. He doesn't wait for me to ask questions, it's like he knows what I want to know. #perfection Especially compared to my last doctor who basically ran out of the room to avoid questions.

More changes? I've been working on my cooking skills. I've recently mastered the art of the slow cooker. Talk about the best invention ever made. It makes delicious meals for us and is really easy on me! I've got a long list of recipes to try from the cookbooks that we got for wedding presents, so dinner is planned ahead for a long time! I'm enjoying cooking and my creativity with the recipes are increasing. I'm rather impressed with myself if I might add.

I'm actually trying a new crock pot recipe tonight,. "Delicious Italian Chicken." It sure smells good I can tell you that. If Joseph approves of this one (like he has the last 3 food adventures) then I'll be sure to post some recipes!

Also, with this free time that I have (that won't last long) I've been browsing Pinterest and finding projects for me to do. I've done a BOO sign for Halloween and I'm about to start working on a couple for Thanksgiving, Caroline's nursery and then for Christmas. The list is long and I think the people at Michael's might know me by name within the next couple weeks with my frequent trips to them. Fine by me, I'm becoming a crafty momma! I'm excited to watch the creativity flow.

Oh! & I'm pretty excited that I finally sent out our baby announcements. Better late than never! So people should actually start receiving them any day now. Plus the baby shower date has been set!

How far along? 26 weeks (14 to go!)
Total weight gain/loss: 18 lbs
Maternity Clothes? Mostly! Some shirts are, some shirts are pre-pregnancy. I can still wear my Nike Tempo shorts (that's a plus, right?!)
Stretch Marks? Not yet, so far so good! Lather up with lotions everyday
Sleep: I sleep really well, solid. I have crazy, extreme dreams EVERY night though.
Best moment(s) this week: Feeling Caroline's kicks get stronger, watching my belly move and seeing how active she gets when Joseph plays with her
Miss anything?: I've been craving Ahi Tuna and it seems like it's everywhere: on menu's in conversations, every every everywhere! & wine of course
Movement: she gets stronger by the day it seems. She is really active after Ice cream and when Joseph and I watch Scandal. (I guess she loves it as much as we do)
Food cravings: I could eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a big glass of milk all day. Or cheeto's or string cheese.

Labor Signs: no, no, no

Belly Button in or out? Innie

What I am looking forward to: my next appointment, I get an ultrasound with my new doctor AND my mom gets to see Caroline for the first time. I'm so happy that she gets to share the experience with me!

Weekly Wisdom: Say yes to coffee, it helps you to get through the day