Week 9 and Calleigh at the Pumpkin Fest

Your little embryo has now officially graduated to fetus-hood. Adding to the excitement, a Doppler ultrasound device might be able to pick up the beating heart. With basic physical structures in place and increasingly distinct facial features, baby is kind of starting to look like... well... a baby!

Last weekend we went to the annual Pumpkin Fest at my husband's aunt and uncle's house. Here are a few pictures from many of the things that we did that day: Painted Pumpkins, went on a hay ride, had a marshmallow fight, and ate some really good food!!!

We had a lot of fun that day! Calleigh has been sick with a cold for about a week and she just can't seem to shake it! We have been pumping her full of good healthy foods and some meds to take away the congested feeling. Andrew has been busy hunting deer and gets started this week with basketball practice. We are looking at a couple of busy months ahead! I am working like crazy, getting things caught up, and feeling pretty well. I am glad that so far with this pregnancy I have been nothing more than a little tired. Here's to a busy week and hope for a good week!

Week 8

So here are some of the stats on the baby:

Your baby is growing like mad, putting on about a millimeter every day and continuing to straighten out in the trunk. Though you can't feel it yet, baby is moving those little arms, legs and (now only slightly) webbed fingers and toes like crazy.

I am feeling well and things are going smooth so far! Keep us all in your prayers!

My best friend is also being induced in the morning with her second child so keep her in your prayers also!

Giveaway

Lindsey over at A Work in Progress is having an awesome giveaway, just in time for cookin' some chili! Go check it out!

Tuesday's List-Crock Pot Meals

Our family has little time to prepare meals so out Crock Pot gets used a lot! I am always looking for new recipes, so I decided to share a few of our favorites and I got some new ideas!

(1) Crock Pot Meatloaf

Andrew LOVES meatloaf and I am not the biggest fan. However, I decided to try this just for him, and it was actually pretty good. Below is the recipe.

What you need:

2 lbs of ground chuck

2 eggs

2/3 quick cooking oats

1 pkg dry french onion soup

1 cup of ketchup(reserve 1/2 c. for topping)

What you do:

Combine and mix ingredients in a bowl. Spray your crock pot with Pam. Form your mixture into a loaf and place in crock pot. Top with remaining ketchup. Cover and cook on low for 6 1/2 hours. Let cool somewhat before removing from crock pot. Enjoy!

(2) Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna is a new favorite in our home! It is so easy to make and so yummy! Enjoy!

What you need:

2-4 boneless chicken breast

1 box of traditional lasagna noodles

1 jar of prepared pasta sauce

1 c. buffalo wing sauce

1 yellow pepper

1 red pepper

1 green pepper

1 15 oz. Ricotta cheese

2 c. shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheese blend

1/4 c water

What you do:

The night before, we need to put your chicken in a crock pot and let it cook overnight.The next morning, drain all the water off and chop the chicken into small pieces. This recipe is designed for a 5 qt. crock pot, if you are not using one, cut back on your ingredients.In a large bowl, combine cooked and chopped chicken breast, pasta sauce, and 1 c buffalo wing sauce. Ladle a big spoonful of the sauce into the bottom of your crock pot, cover with a layer of uncooked lasagna noodles. You'll have to break them to get a proper fit. Add a smear(a spoonful or 2) on top of the noodles. Add a layer of the bell peppers. Sprinkle on a handful of shredded of cheese. Repeat layers until you run our of ingredients. Put 1/4 c of water into your empty pasta sauce and shake the jar, then pour the mixture over the entire lasagna. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. When cooking time is complete, unplug and take off the lid of the crock pot. Let is sit for 20 minutes before cutting into it or it will fall apart.

If you do not have time to cook this in a crock pot, you can cook the chicken and when you get home in the evening, follow the same directions and using the same ingredients except exchange traditional lasagna noodles for over ready ones and bake it on 350 degrees for 1.5-2.5 hours. Let it set for 10 minutes out of the oven before cutting to prevent it falling apart.

There you go......such a fast and easy way to make a good meal! Go check out the others......it's well worth your time! Enjoy!

Pregnancy News

So, here is the scoop on our very welcomed surprise!

We have wanted and have been trying to have a baby for about 10 months. I finally decided that when God was ready he would give us a baby. Was I disappointed......of course. But I know that in God's perfect time he would give us another child, whether it was naturally or through adoption. Andrew and I had a talk on the Friday before and we decided that maybe God was holding out for several different reasons. Then on Sunday I had a talk with my mom and she reassured me that it was ok if we were only able to have one baby. And I was ok with that. I had accepted that. I have a WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL little girl who has already blessed my life in so many ways. I had let Go.

Then on Sunday night I was trying to figure out when things should start happening. And I was over.....way over my days. On my way to work on Monday I decided to stop and buy a test. I took that test in the very same stall I took the test with Calleigh. And I could not believe what was right in front of me. I called Andrew right away and he was in total shock also. We decided to wait a week so that we could tell our close family and friends. We told everyone that week and that weekend we had a big scare.

****This part is a little graphic so don't read the next paragraph is you have a weak stomach***

I woke up on Sunday morning around 4 to use the bathroom and when I did so there was blood. Not gushing or anything just like that, just evidence of it. Andrew got up, took me to the ER. They took some blood and did a pelvic exam. The doctor we had seemed to think everything was going to be alright. He said if I was having a miscarriage there would be more blood and when he did my exam he said there was something that would be open and when he checked it was closed. I was not having any cramping, which is a good thing. They said they think it was just something that happen and not to be too worried. My doctor was contacted by the ER doctor and said for me to do more blood work today so I went Tuesday morning and had them done.They schedueled appointment for last Thursday for an ultrasound and Dr. Beckman said we would go over my blood results then. If things go as planned, my blood work should show an increase in numbers and the ultrasound should show our sweet little baby. I know that no matter what happens things will be ok and I do feel like things are fine. I have not had any more bleeding since that morning and I have not had any cramps. The ER doc also told us that 50% of women have random bleeding during pregnancy.

I went to church that morning when we got home, and somehow God knew just what I needed. I was listening to the sermon and started thumbing through my Bible and stopped here:

2 Kings 4:26

“Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child all right?”

“Everything is all right,” she said.

It’s nice to know that I have God on my side. And I do feel like it’s all going to be all right.

I got a call on Tuesday evening that my blood work had come in and my numbers went up, they actually almost doubled! I went to the doctor on Thursday and we got to see our sweet little baby. Things are fine. I am still not completely out of the woods, but things are looking so much better. Dr. Beckman told me that when something like this happens 95% of people go on to have healthy babies.

I have an appointment this Thursday again, so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. I know that God has big plans and he is walking with me thorough this whole journey.

As of right now:

Baby stats:

I will add pictures next week. I am feeling super blessed right now. It's still hard to believe.

Calleigh's News

In May, Calleigh will be a big sister! She just wanted to share her news with everyone! We are all super excited! God is SOOO good!