12 weeks!!!

Total weight gained/lost: I am still not weighing.  Could this be a form of denial? I will know more about this at my doctor's appointment next week.

Maternity clothes: I'm still not wearing any maternity clothes, but I am definitely having to un-button my pants from time to time!

Best moment of the week(s):  Listening to all of our friends make their predictions on the gender.  It appears I have only one friend thinking girl!  Everyone else seems convinced we're having a boy.  All of our friends are super excited for us and that makes us so happy :)

Movement: I can't feel the baby moving yet. 

Sleep: I'm actually able to stay up past 9pm lately!  Yay!!  This weekend we went to Nacogdoches for a little reunion with college friends.  I stayed up past midnight both nights...go me!

Food cravings: Still nothing specific, but when I get a thought of something that sounds good, I've gotta have it!~~this is still true.

Food aversions: Shrimp.

Morning sickness: No, thankfully.

Gender: Make your predictions!!!!


What I miss: Still missing my energy.  I bought some new workout clothes this week in hopes it would motivate me to go to the gym!~~~still the same and it seems the gym clothes didn't do the trick!

What I'm looking forward to: Going to the doctor on April 4th and getting to see our baby again!

Weekly wisdom: Don't rush it.  This is an exciting time that may only happen once.


12 weeks!!



9 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gained/lost: I am going to use the weight they took at my doctor appointment on Wednesday and go from there since I don't really know what I weighed when I got pregnant.  So, I will be able to fill this in later. But I will say, I weigh more than I've ever weighted...EVER!!!! 

Maternity clothes: I got my Bella Bands in the mail this week.  I'm not having to wear them yet, but I'm looking forward to it!! Still waiting on my Old Navy maternity shorts that I ordered a couple of weeks ago.  I'm excited to be pregnant during the summer months so hopefully I can wear alot of my dresses that I already have.

Best moment of the week(s):  Justin and I got to go to my first doctor appointment on Wednesday.  We got to see little Butterbean and watched the heart beating. He was kicking his little legs around like crazy!!  I can't wait to be able to feel them.  We also got to hear the heartbeat for the first time.  It was the most amazing thing!!  The doctor said that everything is looking good!  I go back to the doctor on April 4th...then I guess the appointment after that is when we'll find out what we're going to have! 

Movement: I can't feel the baby moving yet. 

Sleep: All I want to do is sleep!!!  The doctor said this is normal and I can expect to get my energy back after the first trimester...so just a few more weeks, hopefully.

Food cravings: Still nothing specific, but when I get a thought of something that sounds good, I've gotta have it!

Food aversions: Shrimp.

Morning sickness: No, thankfully.

Gender: Can't wait to find out in about 6 weeks...I hope!

What I miss: Still missing my energy.  I bought some new workout clothes this week in hopes it would motivate me to go to the gym!

What I'm looking forward to: I'm ready to have a baby bump instead of just a lump!

Weekly wisdom: Sleep when tired, eat when hungry, get stuff done when energetic.  I don't have to be the busy bee I was before.

8 weeks, 2 days

8 weeks, 5 days

This idea came from Anna.  One of her friends did this survey throughout her pregnancy.  I hope I can keep it up.  It'll kinda serve as my e-baby book ;)

Total weight gained: I honestly do not know the answer to this.  I didn't weigh before I got pregnant.  If I had to guess, I would say I've already gained a few pounds.  I have definitely seen an increase in my appetite.  I'm still working out, yet not as vigorous as before.

Maternity clothes: I ordered 2 Bella Bands this week.  These bands are worn around your waist to hold up your regular jeans so you can leave them un-buttoned and wear them longer.  I've heard mixed reviews, so I hope they work for me...my pants feel tight!  I also ordered 3 pair of maternity shorts from Old Navy.com this week!  I got 3 pair for $72 and free shipping.  Can't wait to get them!

Best moment of the week(s): Nothing much went on this week.  I'm looking forward to Wednesday when Justin and I get to go to OB appointment!

Movement: It's too early to feel the baby moving.  I am feeling twinges/light cramps from time to time.  I hear that it could be my muscles stretching and shifting.

Sleep: I'm wanting to sleep all the time!  I have most of my energy in the morning.  By the evening, I am yawning and can only think of how much longer I have to be awake.  I would go to bed around 7 or 8 if I could.  Last night I was in bed at 9 on a Friday night.  I'm still waking up super early though, like 6:30 this morning and 5:45 yesterday (and didn't even have to work)!  I wish I could sleep in and maybe I could stay up a little later...that would make hubby happy.

Food cravings: I don't have one specific craving. But when I start to crave something, GET OUTTA MY WAY!! I'm going to find it!!  Last night it was pizza.  I had already started heating up a casserole that I had frozen, but I couldn't get the thoughts of greasy, melty, yummy pizza out of my head, so I went out and picked up THREE!  So now we have tons of pizza left over AND a casserole :)

Food aversions: Shrimp.  Wondering how this crawfish boil will go today that we're going to...since they're in the same family.

Morning sickness: No, thankfully.

Gender: We don't know yet, but we're so excited to find out.  Hopefully we'll find out in April!!

What I miss: My energy. It's like the loss of it hits me with a ton of bricks.  I will be going full force, then it's just zapped out of nowhere.

What I'm looking forward to: OB appointment Wednesday!

Weekly wisdom: Everyone's got their opinions, stories, advice.  Remember that not every pregnancy is the same...don't compare everyone else's experience to my own.  I'm making my own personal experience!! ;)



This is 8 weeks, 4days.  Justin said, "I don't know why you're doing this.  You're going to be eating ice cream and crying over this picture in 6 months!!"  Ha! I love him.



Baby Made in East Texas

I haven't blogged in far too long!  My husband has been working out of town on and off for a while, so my [cooking] inspiration has been absent.  However, I have a new topic to bring to my blog now...A BABY!! After 7 months of wishing, hoping, praying, and ummm you know...we are expecting our first in October...that makes me 8 weeks.  We could not be more excited!! Justin has a 9 year old from a previous marriage and he is super excited to be a big brother.  I am happy to have this blog to document all of my pregnancy pictures, updates, cravings, stories, rants, etc (thanks to my friend Anna from We The Gingers for suggesting).  I am on Facebook, but I don't really feel like forcing everyone to see my "baby bump" or my sonogram pictures of what looks like a blob right now.  My mom has named my little blob "butterbean" simply because she says it's shaped like a butterbean.  My husband is not keen on the nickname...I think he's afraid it will stick around!  So far, I have not had any major symptoms.  I'm super tired in the evenings and I have grown to love a nap!  My husband's biggest complaint is my snappiness.  And yes, I have become a major snapper!  He can say one thing and I could go off on a tangent for hours!  I hope this subsides because I want him to be able to enjoy this wonderful experience as much as I am.  We had our first ultrasound on February 20th.  I was able to see our little baby's heart beating at 125 beats per minute and it was the most wonderful sight!!  I can only imagine what's to come!!  My next appointment is actually with the doctor on March 7th.  I'm not sure what will happen at that appointment, but I sure hope we get to see that little nugget again!


Our little bitty baby at 7 weeks on February 20, 2012



Parmesan French Fries

I am now a Pinterest addict!!!  I found a recipe for Parmesan French Fries, but I  hardly had any of the seasonings it called for.....so, I made up my own.  Justin and I devoured them!  So let's cut to the chase...

• 3 medium russet potatoes
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp Tony's
• 2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese

Wash and cut the potatoes in long strips.  Mix the garlic powder, Tony's, black pepper, salt, and parmesan cheese in a small bowl.  In a gallon freezer bag, add potatoes, olive oil, and the seasonings mixture.  Shake, shake, shake!! Line a cookie sheet with foil, spray with Pam, and lay the pototoes on foil in a single layer. Bake at 425 degrees for about 40 minutes. Ta Daaaa!!  Easy and totally awesome!

PW's Cajun Chicken Pasta

I'm so glad my dear friend, Anna from We the Gingers, introduced me to The Pioneer Woman a year ago!  I have found so many recipes that my husband and I love to chow down on.  Here is the newest recipe that I've tried and was a complete hit here at the Smith house!!!  Try it out, I'm sure you'll love it!

Pioneer Woman's Cajun Chicken Pasta

The finished product.

If you know me, you know I never follow a recipe exactly (got that from Mamie)....I added 1 zucchini and fresh mushrooms.  I think they added to the deliciousness!  I can't wait to try this recipe with shrimp and crawfish!

Puerto Vallarta came to Texas...Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp topped with Pineapple and Cheese

My husband and I were so lucky to be able to accompany our friends on an awesome vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  We stayed at a house on the beach that came with a cook, a maid, and 2 houseboys!!  We were so spoiled while we were there!  We went to a little local restaurant just down from our house that was outstanding.  The food was fresh, seasoned just right, and CHEAP!  We couldn't get over the fact that we could have a shrimp dinner for $12!  And, it came with FREE dessert!  So, of course, I find my favorite meal there and I have to go talk to the chef about the recipe.  There was a slight language barrier, but I got the jist of it.  I made the dish Saturday night for my family and they loved it just as much.  Here's whatcha do:

I used about 50 large (large is important because they shrink when cooking) shrimp...this just depends on how many you are cooking for.  Wrap 1/2 slice of bacon (thin bacon) around each shrimp.  Sprinkle with Tony's and grill until the bacon is done.  While that's grilling, take a fresh pineapple and cube it.  Put the cubes in a food processor and turn it to mush!  Put the mushy, fresh pineapple in the skillet, add about 1/2 cup Brandy, and sprinkle the top with cinnamon.  Simmer for about 10 minutes. While that's simmering, shred 16 oz block of Colby-Jack cheese. Place the cooked bacon-wrapped shrimp in a casserole dish.  Spread the pineapple mixture over the shrimp.  Sprinkle cheese over mixture.  Place in 400 decree oven for about 7 minutes.  Serve and enjoy all the smiles and praise you will receive!


The pineapple/brandy/cinnamon mixture

The final product.  Sorry it's hard to see for all the yummy cheese!!!

FYI: This dish can be a lengthy process.  I would suggest prepping in advance.