20 + 21 weeks!

I am so behind on my weekly post. We are now in week 22 but I still have not posted weeks 20 and 21 so I decided to combine those 2 and I will be back in a few days to post week 22. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  We drove to TN to spend time with Sayers family. It was so great to see everyone and we even had our first baby shower while we were there!

How far along: 20 + 21 weeks

Size of baby: 8 inches, approx 1 lb. The size of a spaghetti squash!

Total weight gain: 6-8 lbs

Gender: A sweet little boy :)

Movement: I felt the first real kick on Thursday (Dec 20th) night but could not feel from the outside. This past Saturday morning when we were laying in bed and I felt him kick a few times so Sayer put his hand on my belly and got to feel him kick too. It was so special and the best Christmas gift. He has pretty much been moving non stop since then. When I lay down at night I can really feel him and Sayer usually can as well.

Sleep: ehh. not great. I fall asleep initially and sleep for 3-4 hours but then after that I have a hard time staying asleep for more then 45 minutes at a time. REALLY need to get that pregnancy pillow. Any suggestions for getting good sleep at night while pregnant?

Maternity clothes: Almost everything I am wearing now is maternity but that is more for comfort then necessity. Maternity pants are a must though.

Symptoms: Feeling pretty good! I am exhausted by dinner time but during the day I feel good.

Aversions: none lately.

Cravings: A girl can never have too much chocolate milk. I should probably lay off since I have my glucose test coming up in about 6 weeks.

What I Miss: Endurance. I don't have much these days. I get winded really easy.

Best moment this week: Sayer and I both being able to feel him kick. Best moment of my month, actually.

What I am looking forward to: Our 1st baby shower! (I started this post before we left for TN) We are heading to TN tonight after work for Christmas. Sayers family is throwing us our first shower tomorrow and I am so excited. Can't wait to see all the cute things they get for baby Nixon. (We got our car seat and base and a bunch of cute clothes/things for baby!)


Sorry for the self pic but I forgot to get Sayer to take a picture of me the past 2 weeks. This was last Thursday before my doctors appt. I was 21 weeks that day. I swear my belly is growing daily which is probably why it feels so tight all the time. I ordered some new baby bump lotion that a friend recommended. Hoping this helps with the tight skin feeling.

waiting on baby

19 weeks!

I can't believe we are almost half way through this pregnancy already. Time is flying and I have a feeling the 2nd half will go even faster then the first.


How far along: 19 weeks and 5 days

Size of baby: 6.5-7 inches and about 10oz.

Total weight gain: Not sure. Have not weighed myself at the gym in a week (because I have not been...)

Gender: A sweet little boy :)

Movement: Just flutters when I lay down at night. Hoping for some big kicks soon!

Sleep: Not so great. Having a lot of "strectching" pains this week which makes it hard to get comfortable.

Maternity clothes: A little of both

Symptoms: I thought I was done with morning sickness but it decided to come back this week. I think baby is doing some serious growing!

Aversions: nothing really.

Cravings: chocolate milk. chocolate milk. chocolate milk.

What I Miss: A good nights rest. Sleep does this girl real good so no sleep equals cranky April.

Best moment this week: Getting the cutest little jacket in the mail for our boy. I can't wait to put it on him next fall/winter.

What I am looking forward to: Going to TN next week for Christmas with Sayers family!


I had 3 holiday parties this past weekend. A girls cocktail party Friday night, Sayer's firms party Saturday and then an ornament exchange with my bible study girls on Sunday night. Here is a picture of me and the bump before the party Friday night.

A space for baby boy

I have always heard people talk about wanting to "nest" when they were pregnant and now I know what they mean. It's bad. We are in the process of looking for a house and plan to be in one by the time baby comes so that means I can only dream about the nursery for now (and shop for it, of course). I am still not sure what color I want to paint the walls but here are a few of my favorite nursery inspiration pictures.





































I love pom-pom trim. It would be so adorable added to drapes or a crib skirt.




I have already started collecting prints for a gallery wall. I love the Sharon Montrose baby animal prints. We will definitely be adding a few of these to the nursery.

I love mint & yellow. I think a mint color will more then likely be the wall color and I plan to have a few yellow accents. Nothing too "themey" because thats not my style but I like the colors together.

I have been in love with these drapes that Erika from Urban Grace Interiors had made for her little girls nursery a few years ago ever since she posted them. I want something like this. I also love the bamboo shades.

I also want to do something cool for book storage. We plan to read a lot to this baby boy. I have seen a lot of neat ideas on Pinterest with shelves, hanging crates, etc.

I am working on a DIY for his crib mobile. I found this adorable mobile on Etsy but I just can't see spending that much money on something I think I could make myself. I am going to give it a try!

Lots of ideas going around in this crazy pregnant head of mine so I am sure this wont be the last nursery post.

18 weeks!

How far along: 18 weeks and 4 days

Size of baby: 6 inches and about half a pound. The size of a mango!

Total weight gain: 2-3 pounds.

Gender: A sweet little boy :)

Movement: A few flutters here and there but nothing big. Hoping to feel him soon!

Sleep: Sleeping pretty good this week.

Maternity clothes: I invested in more maternity pants this week from ASOS because I can hardly wear my regular jeans anymore.

Symptoms: Feeling great! I have had a lot more energy the past few days. I actually dried my hair today!

Aversions: Me and food are friends again. Now I just have to be careful not too over eat.

Cravings: sweets! So odd because I have never been a sweets person...

What I Miss: Having motivation to work out. I have none.

Best moment this week: Seeing the baby last Friday at our 18 week anatomy scan. The doctor said he looks healthy and perfect. Music to this Mommas ears :)

What I am looking forward to: Holiday parties this weekend! (not baby related but I will be showing off my bump to a few people for the first time)

Picture Sayer took of me tonight in front our the Christmas tree!

Weekend happenings and a recipe

This weekend was so relaxing and lazy which we both really needed after a stressful and busy week at work. We shopped, cooked, cleaned, wrapped presents and decorated for Christmas. I am almost done with my Christmas shopping. Just have a few more gifts to get. I will actually be able to relax and enjoy the rest of December for once! A few pictures of the Nixon abode all decorated and ready for the holidays...

 

Sunday night I made a really easy and delicious recipe that we both loved. Original recipe found here. I adapted it a little bit.

Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu

Ingredients:

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half (butterfly but cut all the way through)
12 thin slices of deli honey ham
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
12 thin slices of Swiss cheese

Parmesan-Dijon Cream Sauce

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk
1 chicken bouillon cube, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt (I did not add salt until the end and just added to taste, the parmesan adds a lot of salt)
1 1/2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Coat a 9" x 13" baking dish with non-stick cooking spray
In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs and 2 tablespoons melted butter
Lay the chicken breast halves in a single layer in the baking dish
Layer each breast with two slices of ham and 2 slices of Swiss cheese
Sprinkle/pat the bread crumbs over the top of the chicken.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

While the chicken bakes, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a medium sauce pan over medium heat
Whisk in the flour to form a roux, cook for 1 to 2 minutes
Slowly pour in the milk while whisking constantly, make sure there are no clumps
Stir in the bouillon. Whisk constantly until the mixture begins to thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes
Remove from heat and stir in mustard, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and Parmesan cheese
Stir until the cheese is melted. Add salt to taste. Keep the sauce warm.

Remove chicken from oven, plate, and top with sauce and chopped chives or parsley. Enjoy!