18 Week Bumpdate & Doctor Checkup

>>How far along? 18 weeks, 1 day
>>How big? about the size of a bell pepper, up to 7 ounces!
>>Total weight gain/loss? +4/5 lbs
>>Maternity clothes? Got an Old Navy order in the mail late last week, not too happy with the dresses I chose so I'll be sending those back. Once Spring officially hits, I don't expect to be wearing pants...like ever!
>>Sleep? Still fine!
>>Best moment this week? Our appointment yesterday! (See below for update.)
>>Symptoms? Have been starting to feel nauseous a lot lately which stinks because I thought that was sooo first trimester.
>>Food cravings? We have been eating kebabs A TON lately. They really are hitting the spot!
>>Food aversions? Woke up Easter morning not feeling too hot...turns out I either had food poisoning or a bad case of the flu. Felt better by Monday afternoon though.
>>Labor signs? None.
>>Belly button in or out? In!
>>What I miss? CORNDOGS! oh my gosh, who knows why but I want one slathered in mustard unbelievably bad!
>>What I'm looking forward to? London for my birthday! Time to introduce the babe to my mistress, Chipotle!
>>Milestones? This past weekend Dustin and I made a trip to IKEA and bought a dresser and rocking chair! It's one of the most anxious feelings walking past the nursery knowing a tiny human will be sleeping in there in just 5 short months!

Originally this was supposed to be our 16 week checkup but since we were in Germany for Dustin's LASIK Surgery, it got pushed back. This appointment was simply to check in and get a little face time with a professional and to ask any questions/monitor my blood pressure, etc. However, since I work at the hospital and knew the nurse technician, we got to have a little impromptu ultrasound; I was so relieved when she offered to pull the monitor into the room! We got to hear baby's heartbeat, it's going strong at 148bpm, then got to see the nugget. It was so crazy to see how much more of the screen he/she filled vs. the 12 week ultrasound and to see the little limbs wiggling around. Since we are overseas, we don't have our official ultrasound to find out the gender until 20 weeks. We are so excited (me more anxious than anything) and honestly have no preference, one gender over the other!

(Its hard to tell at first, but you can see the babe's skull on the right, he/she is looking straight at us, both hemispheres of the brain visible. Then there is the ribcage and the heart pocket on the left.)

We can't wait to meet you little nugget!

Bucket List Update

During my absence from the blogging world, I managed to cross off two items from the Bucket List!

19. Visit the Coliseum

Over the Christmas holiday, my mom and step-father came to visit us. They arrived a few days before Christmas then we parted ways on New Years Eve. In between, we managed to travel to a bunch of really neat places, the best being Rome! While there, we saw all the major sites (our feet paid for that) and also took a tour of the Coliseum! It was one of the most bone chilling experiences I have ever witnessed. Hearing about the events that took place in that very arena so long ago and being able to see so much of it preserved was too surreal. Luckily it was an absolutely stunning day when we went, but even that doesn't allow the pictures to do the real site justice!

49. Ride a Gondola in Venice

Back in September while Dustin was still deployed, my dad, my best friend and her parents came to visit Europe. I ended up meeting them at the train station in Venice and we spent the day walking around to all the best sites. After lunch, we decided to ride a gondola! It's a total tourist trap and semi expensive but totally worth the experience. Getting to see the canals by water is unlike anything you can imagine, absolutely breathtaking and beautiful!

Erin and me with the Gondolier

Janette with a view of the canals

Can't wait to see what items will be crossed off next from the list!

Pecan Colby Cheese Ball

I've made this cheese ball quite a few times for events and even for an appeteaser on Christmas... every time it has been a huge hit! It's so simple, only takes 4 ingredients and the best part, you can prepare it the night before then pull it out before showtime! When I serve it, I like to pair it with Ritz and some generic ranch flavored crackers. It was a perfect amount for about 15 people.

PECAN COLBY CHEESE BALL

Ingredients:

2 blocks Cream Cheese

1 bag Colby Jack Shredded Cheese

1 Ranch packet

1 bag of chopped Pecans

(Don't forget the crackers to serve with it!)

Directions:

Using a fork, mash up both blocks of cream cheese; cream cheese will need to be left out of the refrigerator for a while in order to easily mash. Add Ranch packet and Colby Jack Shredded Cheese and mix well. Spread chopped pecans evenly across a plate before proceeding to the next step. Using your hands, combine cream cheese mixture and pack together into desired size/shape of cheese ball. Once this is done, roll cheese ball in pecans, completely covering top portion. Either put into tupperware to serve later or serve immediately. If storing in refrigerator until event, make sure you remove roughly an hour before serving so it is soft enough for crackers to scoop from.

As mentioned, this is always a huge hit and unbelievably easy to whip up! Hope you enjoy!

17 Week Bumpdate

>>How far along? 17 weeks, 2 days

>>How big is the peanut? about 5 inches from head to rump and roughly 5 ounces
>>Total weight gain/loss? +4/5 lbs
>>Maternity clothes? I'm still squeezing into some normal jeans and work pants with minor alterations on the buttons. As far as tops, I'm mixing some in. I'm excited to convert over 100%!
>>Sleep? I've been sleeping fine, getting about 9 hours a night and feeling well rested throughout the day. I absolutely miss laying on my back though. Currently contemplating whether the infamous pregnancy pillow will make a debut. I've somehow convinced myself I won't need it...?
>>Best moment this week? I swore I saw the baby moving around when I was in the shower! Dustin thinks I was just breathing because he didn't witness it. Hoping that milestone comes soon!
>>Symptoms? I don't feel nauseous anymore like I did in the first trimester, which I am so beyond thankful for. I have been having crazy dreams! The other night, I was Lenny Kravitz walking around Fremont Street in Vegas. And not just any Lenny Kravitz, gold eyeliner and leather wearing Lenny Kravitz (from The Hunger Games).
>>Food cravings? No major cravings yet, occasionally a Sprite or some Sour Punch Straws.
>>Food aversions? The past few weeks I have had a hard time eating meat. Only thing that would make me nauseous. I'm slowly working that back into my diet though.
>>Labor signs? None.
>>Belly button in or out? Still in there.
>>What I miss? Wine...oh sweet wine. Especially now that the weather is warming up and sitting on our porch is our favorite pastime.
>>What I'm looking forward to? Seeing the peanut next week at our belated 16-week appointment! & then our 20-week to find out gender!
>>Milestones? House is getting majorly organized to help make room for baby stuff!

Baby Bowling Announcement!

I haven't been around these parts of the Internet in quite sometime, I guess life got in the way! A lot has happened but our biggest news... Dustin and I are expecting a little bundle of joy! My official-unofficial due date is August 31, 2016.

We decided to take our pregnancy announcement picture similar to our favorite engagement photo. We are thinking it will be a neat traditional to do throughout the important moments in our lives and keep frames of them side by side. That's the plan at least... ;)

We are so ecstatic for the coming months of planning and preparing for this little peanut! Time seems to be going by so slowly lately but I know in the blink of an eye, our lives will change from being a married couple to a family a three!