Gifts from Friends (and a VLOG)

To carry on the idea of giving, from yesterday's post

{Bracelet giveaway here; be sure to enter!!}

I want to share a few goodies I have received from two 

amazing girls, who happened to be named Alison!!

Alison from Life and Times of Alison & Justin

is a fellow blogger who is just awesome!

I have been following her over a year

 and she shares a passion for life.

She's super positive, motivated, caring, 

and I just love reading about her life happenings.

She and her husband (they are ahhhh-dorable) 

and their dog Cruz make me wish I lived up North!

She shares workouts, recipes, fashion, and an optimistic outlook on life.

Family is so important to her, so I definitely share that quality as well.

She also sent me a fun baby care package full of goodies!
I figured I'd shoot a video of me opening it,

but I get a little nervous/shy opening gifts..especially when they are so meaningful!

But, here I am via VLOG...
{awesome freeze frame btw}

 The onesie she sent is from this website:

Babee Producks

and if you check them out, you'll see that their mission is to spread

the idea of hope, dreaming, and inspiration.

It's so important to teach children to dream, and even more to continue 

carrying that hope and positivity through adult-hood.

She knows that how much we wanted a baby,

and how special it is that we conceived baby Brooke.

How fun is that bib?!

And my other fun gifts I've been opening each day,

are from my 'real life' girlfriend Alison.

I shared my video of her gift box in this post here

and here are days 1-6 so far!!

Day One:

 Oreo cookies dipped in MINT chocolate...

They were gone in a day.

#pregocraving

Probably my favorite gift so far! haha

 Day Two:

A notepad!!

#listmakerforlife

 Day Three:

Who doesn't love holiday soaps?!

 Day Four:

Bagels!

#needisaymore

Day Five:

#wino

Day Six:

Hand towels

#iloveChristmas

  Each morning after breakfast I cannot wait to open up a new gift!!

Thank you so much for making these last few weeks of pregnancy

go by a little quicker, by having something cute and fun to look forward to!

I'm so lucky to have awesome "Alisons" in my life!!

Thank you thank you thank you girls!!!! 

xoxox

Jewelry Giveaway!!!

Happy Wednesday ladies!!
Today I have a special treat for you.

My little blog brings me so much joy;

I cannot express how much it  means to have loyal readers,

random commenters with good advice,

and a place where I can just be me.

I want to thank you...

I recently purchased a few items from Etsy.

I found Jill's Jewels and am so happy that I did!!

Check out her Etsy site here

I found a few adorable bracelets for my step-mom's birthday...

she loves them!

They're so pretty in person.

(The two on the left:

Crystal Sideways Cross Bracelet with Purple Crystals

Leather Wrap Bracelet with Amber Colored Beads - Chan Luu Fall Style

she just got the one on the right before I gave her mine)

In lieu of the holiday season,

Jill offered one lucky reader to choose a bracelet of her choice

{Up to a $20 value!!}

If you still need to do some shopping, you need to check her shop out! 

{She does do custom orders as well, they just take a bit of time!!}

Here are just a few of the gorgeous bracelets she has.

Photos are from her Etsy shop.

 Pretties

 Talk about a perfect stocking stuffer!

 A secret Santa gift:

 Or maybe just a little treat for yourself, 'tis the season!!

 Look at these colors!

 So to re-cap, the shop owner Jill was so sweet

 to offer one of my lovely readers pick

 whatever bracelet they would like to have up to $20.00 in her shop!!

Rules:

Simple.
Please be a current reader of my blog.

Visit Jill's Etsy shop here

Leave a comment below telling which bracelet you like best.

Giveaway will run from today December 5th-Sunday December 9th.

I'll announce the winner Monday December 10th.

Good luck and happy holidays!

What's Cooking in my Kitchen and Why

I don't always remember to photograph my food

{sometimes I turn into an ogre and need to eat ASAP!}
But I really like looking back and seeing what I made.
I also like to see if we enjoyed it or not!!

Here are some fairly easy meals I've made lately...

Let's face it.
I am trying to eat healthy, and yet do as little as possible.

I'm to the point where I don't want to go out to a restaurant much,

and I'd still rather eat a home cooked meal than fast food.

So here are some of my kitchen happenings...

Pretty much daily
minus the bacon, since that is not healthy

This is our typical breakfast.

I heat organic oatmeal up on the stove, add raisins, walnuts & a splash of maple syrup.

For the hubs:

4 eggs over easy and a slice of toast.

We share the fruit.

We have those three fruits every single morning.
Why?

 And why I am trying to eat more oatmeal

{Above images are from Google}

Dinners:

Pomegranate Chipotle Pork Tenderloin
It was a Tastefully Simple  {Recipe Here}

You could probably substitute any sauce

It was a little dry, but I can't eat anything not cooked 'well' while pregnant...

I'd make it again.

Not an all the time meal.
Not shown:
Salad

Chicken Marsala:
{Recipe here}
and
{Recipe here}
I kinda took from both of those...did my thang.
I love organic baby bellas.
I cut the chicken breasts in half, placed in ziploc bags and pounded them thin.
I think that really makes a difference!!

It was super yummy!

I served it over penne pasta and freshly grated parm cheese.

Swiss Steak:
I went with this you tube tutorial...
I was trying to avoid tomatoes because of my heartburn.

I really liked it, but I grew up "meat and potatoes"

my husband is more pasta and meatballs...
So he ate it, but he didn't love it.

Pasta Bake 

Any type of sauce, pasta, meat...add a few seasonings & toss into oven.

Top with cheese.
You can throw spinach in too for an extra boost of veggies.

Can't get any easier.

Baked Tilapia 
Use this--{Recipe here}
I tried just panko and some seasonings, but I much prefer RR's w/ Parm cheese

Tastefully Simple's Beer Cheese Soup 
{Recipe here}
Joe LOVES this soup.
Served with a side salad and a baked roll.

Don't forget the water (add a washed lemon slice for health benefits!)

Lasagna
 {Recipe here}
I modified it and made it work for me.
You can't really mess up lasagna, unless you slice it too soon out of the oven.
 I did that the first time and the juices run all over the place.
Let it cool a bit and then it slices beautifully.

What I love about this is, it's always better then next day(s)

I serve it on a Friday night and we have lunch/dinner for a few days.

I didn't take a final picture, but this was in the layering process.

WINNER!!

Cheesy Chicken & Bacon Tater-tot in Slow Cooker
{Recipe here}

OK...so jury is still out.

I didn't have a whole bag of tots, so I used half tots & half steak fries.

I loved when they crisped up around the edges, but some were mushy.

The husband said that shredded chicken may have tasted better.

I loved the gooey melted cheese and bacon toppings.
I'd like to modify and try again.
Served with a salad.

Leftover Filet Mignon:
We are trying to be really good about eating all our food, not wasting it.
Joe grilled steaks on a Sunday,
so Monday I just sliced the steaks thin, placed on bread, added Swiss Cheese.
Toasted in the oven at 400 for 10 mins (watched closely)
Served with a salad and peaches.

 Joe cooked!!
Pan Seared Sea Scallops w/ searing flour & a finishing butter--Garlic Cheese
Chicken a l'orange and a side salad.
Not sure what recipe he used...but it was so yummy!
I know it had some honey in it since it glazed over nicely.
I think anything tastes better when you've got your feet up by a fire
and you're being waited on...

Snacks:
I try to have a yogurt of some sorts once a day.
I also eat 6 small meals, which means a lot of snacking.
Here are some of my favorite yummies!

As you can tell, we love our salads!
I saw on Dr. Oz we should be eating our leafy greens TWICE a day.
I have been really trying to make that happen, especially with my labor right around the corner.
We still indulge in our sweets...
I've been requested to make homemade chocolate chip cookies.
But it is SO SO SO important to eat the rainbow!
 What typically goes into our salads and why:
{Following are Google Images}

 I use the fresh herb Cilantro...
so fresh!!

 We typically use a Spring Mix
and I always make sure it includes Spinach!

And of course I toss a few dried cranberries in...

I love reading and watching what other families eat.
It can get so tedious cooking day in and day out,
but the benefits clearly outweigh eating at fast food chains or even most restaurants.
Being pregnant I really try to watch my sodium intake and by cooking at home,
I control it!!
I should really get on top of some freezer meals for when baby arrives...
but I think I'm secretly hoping our  family and friends
{because so many of them are amazing cooks!!}
will come visit baby Brooke and bring a dish!
I'm sure we'll survive either way.
Have a great day!

35 Week Bumpdate

How Far Along:

35 Weeks & 3 days

One month from tomorrow!
January 4th is my due date.

Baby is the size of a:

 Mmmmm coconuts!!

Makes me think of making 7 Layer Magic Bars...

Weight Gain:

Oh yeah...over 50.
I don't really need to disclose actual numbers, do I?

Clothes:
I'm down to one pair of the three maternity jeans that I actually like wearing.

I live in yoga pants, tank tops, and sports bras.
Case in point:

Oh yeah, keepin it real on the blog...
I showered, but no makeup.
No hair done.
No hottness.
You're welcome.
I didn't take any pictures this week of my 'cute outfits.'

All my t-shirts ride up and show my belly.

If I do leave the house, I'll try to wear a cardi/scarf,

but as soon as I'm home I am back in comfy clothes.
I really don't care about being that cute as much as before...

The only shoes that fit currently are Uggs -short, not tall. 
I actually wore them with

 my black ON maternity dress
Grey long drapey cardi from my mom
and a pop of pink scarf.
I got a lot of compliments...
I was going to get a massage=messy bun

  Other than those, I have a pair of sneakers,
which, I need my dear husband to tie for me.

I wear a lot of fuzzy socks around the house...

Stretch Marks:

Still no!!!

{Still crossing fingers?!}

Sleep:

I have had trouble falling asleep,

but I do sleep.

I get up 3-5 times a night.

Best moment of the week:

Pre-natal massage.

Heavenly and much enjoyed.
I'm loving that 

Baby girl squirms a lot!

Still kicks/punches with a lot of force.

My husband had Sat-Monday off

We ordered Netflix and began watching

How I met Your Mother.

We stayed in our pjs all day Saturday, had a fire going,

and just relaxed.

 We are really soaking in these last few quiet weeks just the two of us.

Cravings:

Literally had one for chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.

Good thing I had all the ingredients!

Still loving my whole milk.

Steak.

Salads.

Smoothies.

Oatmeal.

I think my heartburn isn't as bad as before; I had pizza this weekend too!

Symptoms:

I still have bad hip pain, but I really try to just take a lot of breaks.

If I'm standing for awhile,

I'll be sure to sit..

then lay on my left side.

I just listen to my body.

I've been getting very hungry this week.

VERY thirsty--I am constantly asking Joe to bring me more water.

Rings:

Still on!!

Even my feet/ankles aren't bad at all.

I am really watching my salt...

and really trying to watch my sugar--easier said than done.

Mood:
Very happy...and very in love with my husband.
Being pregnant isn't easy,
and it requires a lot of communication and support.
Joe really helped out a lot yesterday when we had family over,
and I could not be more thankful.
I watched our mini wedding videos and balled.
I cannot believe that we're about to top the happiest day of our lives....

 I'm getting really excited!

I  have thoughts of worry from time to time,

as to be expected.

I've never given birth before!!
But I remind myself that women are made to do this,

and they've been doing this for a very, very long time!
I just cannot wait to hold our little girl.

So, yes, I am getting really really ready!
Belly Button:

That sucker is slowly making its way out!
It's kinda creepy.

Joe and I really didn't think it'd become an outtie,

but now I'm not so sure. 

I'm still sticking with the turkey popper theory.

Looking Foward to:

Girls' Night at my house Wednesday

Getting our tree maybe next weekend..

we just needed a chill these last few days.
In a little over a month,
my life will change for the better,
forever.
I am so blessed.

Friday Randoms

TGIF!

Today is a chill day...

Hubs has to work since it's the last day of the month,

BUT

he gets the whole weekend off + Monday.

YAY!!

I had a fabulous pre-natal massage yesterday.
Lunch with my mother-in-law 

{and buffalo chicken didn't bother my heartburn; score!}

Ran my husband Chipotle for lunch

#hesmorethanobsessed

My 35 week checkup at the Dr's went fabulous.

I made a yummy chicken marsala for dinner last night

and we caught up on Revenge.

Do you watch that show??
Now I understand why Victoria is so evil.

I have a small girl crush on Ems when she is dressed all pretty and acting all bad ass.

I need that outfit she had on; the white and the fur.

Gorge.

So for today, I am just cleaning up a bit; 

Ya know, daily dishwasher load, unload, re-load, wash, unload...

Do you run your dishwasher every single day?
Sometimes twice a day?
Do I cook too much?
Or just use too many dishes? 

What is my deal?!?

They never end.

Plus,

I'm already starting to get the thumb cracks

{From cold weather and washing dishes}

#housewifeproblems

Pick up after the doggies.

I need to wrap presents since my family is coming over Sunday for my

step-mom's birthday

{and our dining room table is full of Christmas goodies that they cannot see!!}

Do you know how tricky it is to wrap gifts with a big ole' belly??
I think I'll be using a lot of gift bags.

#gogreen

Oh and....

If you're in the mood for shopping for some pretty necklaces,

but realize that you probably shouldn't spend money on yourself this time of year,

head over to Steph's blog and enter her fun giveaway!!

That is What She Said 24

OK, that's about all.

Happy Friday lovies!!