29 weeks

Here is what sweet Caroline looks like in my belly at 29 weeks. A little over 10 weeks to go!! So excited!

I'm a Gleek

I'm a Gleek, and proud of it! This is Mark Salling's (Puck) tribute to his fellow Glee cast.

How cute is this!!!

28 weeks

Third Trimester??? Holy moly!!!! We had our 28 week appointment yesterday, which was pretty uneventful. Caroline's heartrate is 147 (normal) and my blood pressure and weight gain is really good. The OB-GYN measures your belly vertically from top to bottom and I am measuring right on track for 28 weeks. I have been having some Braxton Hicks contractions and normal growth pains, but otherwise feel good!

Last night, the UPS man laughed at me as I met him at the door. We got Caroline's bedding in, and it is just as pretty in person as it is online! Here are a couple of pictures from my phone:

What not to say to a pregnant woman:

1. You are getting so much bigger!
2. How are you feeling? (you really don't want to know the truth, so we just say great)
3. You are ALL baby!
4. You're due in April?? Oh! You've got a long way to go!
5. Oh-you're showing now. (Can anyone guess who said that one? Betcha can!)
6. You are bigger than your sister. (Thanks for that one, Mom!)

The truth is, all things said to a pregnant woman are said with sweet intentions. Pregnant or not, I really hate it when people make "backwards compliments." Such as, "I really like your makeup today. It looks great when you feel good enough to put some on!" (Didn't make that one up!)

So, my best advice to give you when talking to any woman with outrageous amounts of hormones in her body is to say, "You look great!"

I would love to hear some other things that have been said to you either pregnant or not... Please share!
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On a completely unrelated note, I saw that my crib bedding was 40% off, so I bought it! It will be here Tuesday!! I am SO excited!!!

Zach is busy trying to put up some crown in Caroline's room and it's really starting to come together! I'll post pictures when everything's put back in its place.

Awesome.

There is no other more appropriate title for this post than just "Awesome." American Idol is doing their annual try-outs right now and this one wins by a landslide:

Guilty Pleasure

I have never been a reality TV kind of person... I eventually get annoyed by all of the almost-scripted drama and fall off the bandwagon. Well, there's one show that is so ridiculous that I just can't stop watching... The Bachelor. (especially this season!!)

Here are my observations thus far:
1.) Jake is one of the cheesiest guys I have ever seen... I mean, come on! Apparently he used to go to the fitness club Zach and I worked at in Dallas!

2.) There are at least 4 nutjobs, and counting on this show... It still makes me laugh every time a different girl says,"I really thought I was going to marry him!!" Puh-leease!!

3.) Speaking of nutjobs, I am convinced that Michelle was hired (and possibly half of the other girls) secretly as an actress to fuel the drama on the show. Have you seen the "crazy eyes?"

4.) The Rozylyn scandal is straight out of a soap opera. I swear she's just trying out for the latest villainess on All My Children. Her scenes were totally over-acted.

Anyways, I can't believe that I love this show, but it is such a guilty pleasure for me!

Does anyone else want to admit they love it too?
(Tiffany, you are already cracking me up with your tweets every Monday!)

Pregnancy Recipes

As you've probably seen on the left, I haven't had too many weird cravings. However, when I crave something, it's hard to get it out of my head. Unpregnant, I am normally a "salty-tooth" kind of person. I usually don't save room for dessert. I love cheese pizza like no other (pregnant or not!)

Caroline must have a sweet tooth because I really like chocolate ice cream. One of the forms I usually have it in is kind of a like a milk shake- without the shake. Thanks to my Mom, we used to make what we now call "Ice Milk."

Momma Rob's Ice Milk:
Put some chocolate (Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate is the best) ice cream into a glass and cover the ice cream with milk. Give it a few seconds, and the milk starts to freeze. The ice cream and milk make a sort of milkshake-like concoction. It's pretty good. No blender required. You can add as little or as much milk as you like to make it thin or thick. A spoon is all you need. Yum!
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One morning I had a craving for Eggs Benedict. There is this place in Chicago in the Roscoe Village/Lakeview area called Frasca. We had brunch there one time and it was TO DIE FOR. Seriously. Check out the brunch menu and see if you don't drool. I digress--So, I must have been thinking about the amazing Eggs Florentine I had there (same as Benedict, but with turkey instead of ham) and decided that I needed to find a way to make it at home. I do not have a gourmet cooking bone in my body, so I knew the Hollandaise sauce was going to have to be nixed. Laugh it up, but it's good!! Here is what I came up with:

Eggs Caroline:
Eggs
Ham or turkey slices
Swiss Cheese (or cheese of your choice)
Bread (I prefer sourdough or Buttermilk, but go with what you like)

Preheat a skillet on medium and spray with Olive Oil cooking spray or Pam. Fry an egg on both sides to your liking (over-easy or over-medium). (**Or, if you prefer, you could poach them instead). In a toaster oven or in your regular oven, place a slice of bread, plus 2 slices of ham/turkey, and then the cheese on top. I like to break the cheese into smaller pieces and place them where they will cover the most area melted, but you can just slap the slice on there if you want. Toast/Broil until the cheese is melted on top.

On your plate, place the bread with meat and melted cheese face up. Place the egg on top. Using a knife, cut bite-sized pieces like you are cutting a steak. The yolk will run all over the bread and plate. Then eat with a fork. Voila! Eggs Caroline.

Both of these recipes are favorites of Zach's now, though I probably shouldn't brag since he'll eat anything! If you choose to partake, hope you enjoy!

The year that changed my life...

January 6, 2009 was a day that changed my life. Centex Homes had their 7th and final layoff, of which Zach was a casualty. Little did I know amidst my panic that I would look back and be forever grateful for that day. 2009 might have been a horrible year in the eyes of many, but I look at it as the year I gained true, real perspective on what matters most.

When adversity stares you in the face, do you run from it, or do you face it head on? Zach and I learned not only to accept the challenges that life throws at us, but embrace them as a part of God's plan. We have an even stronger faith in God, a stronger bond in our marriage, and a grasp of the things that really matter in life...

Moving from Dallas and facing challenges head on forced us to get real. Zach got a great job with a great company, and also made the decision to follow his dream and start his own business on the side. Magnolia Landscape Development is thriving, thanks to Zach's drive and work ethic. I began a teaching position under some of the toughest circumstances I have experienced thus far. When I got pregnant with Caroline, God taught me not to take anything for granted. I have changed my perspective on so many things--because I get to stay home and teach and take care of her.

The video below is probably one you have seen. It speaks to what I feel matters the most in life and I thought it was relevant for the post. Thank you for reading this blog and keeping in touch with us. It means more than I can say... God Bless you and your family in 2010.

26 week bump

Gosh, she's getting big!!! If you were to look at my bare belly, it seriously looks like a basketball is protruding from my body- it's so WEIRD!!!

26 week appointment

We had our 26 week appointment yesterday and all is well. Caroline's heart rate is 147 and my belly is measuring right on for 26 weeks. I am just a couple of weeks away from my 3rd trimester and I am already starting to feel really uncomfortable. Yes, I hear you saying under your breath, "Just wait... it's only going to get worse." I do know this. :)

I described some pelvic pain/pressure to my doctor and she said she wanted to check to make sure my cervix was still closed and not dilating prematurely. It definitely put me at ease when she said it's still closed and no sign of softening or dilation. A friend of a friend just delivered a 23 wk 5 day old baby in December and was actually due April 20th... so that was on my mind. I feel so thankful and blessed that everything is going smoothly with this pregnancy. We always appreciate prayers for Caroline.

Other than that, I'm doing really well! I am getting adjusted to going back to school after my 2 week break and counting down the days until we get to meet this little firecracker!

I hope everyone's Christmas and New Year Celebrations were great and I am looking forward to a great 2010!