Lately

Hi!

Lately I've been feeling many different emotions. I of course blame hormones for about 70% of how I feel, but maybe when you add on being pregnant, each day is literally different?  From the totally fine and happy and butterfly and rainbow days feeling perfectly wonderful, to the worried because there was a few pinches in my stomach to a crampy hot mess who cries when they drop a sponge on the kitchen floor days. I think that's the best summary I can give.  But that all should sound about right when you're pregnant, right?  I guesssss.

Here's what's been going on in this crazy brain/life of mine lately:

-I'm currently 16 weeks prego and overall, feeling great!

-Any little pinch or cramp or gassy feeling that occurs, I worry. { doesn't every mom-to be}?

-I'm trying my best not to Google every single little thought or thing. It's hard, friends.

-September is a decently busy month with a great amount of different appointments and commitments. 

  Good Lord! {source}

-October is a lighter month and hopefully the month we find out this kids gender! It's also my wedding anniversary month, birthday month, and Halloween. I love Halloween. And only for the simple fact that we pretend like we aren't home by turning out all lights, and watching Michael Myer's movies stuffing our faces with candy that I only bought for us.  I'm sure that routine will change next year. ;)

-Each new week, we keep forgetting to take a belly pic. I'm not really documenting my belly each week per say, but it's been since about week 11 that we took a photo. We will get back on the wagon soon.  Us slackers.

-I found a pretty good looking prenatal yoga video series online and hope to follow that most nights and mornings.  I'm also walking a lot too. Other than that, I know myself and that's about as hardcore as I'm gonna get with exercise until after the baby arrives. Taking it easy is my main priority right now.

-I'm cooking more, but am currently finding that I don't want to blog about it.  I DO want to and that's the problem.  I think I have writer's block at the moment and hope it's just a phase.  I just cook, eat it and enjoy it, and clean up..  How boring.

-I notice I'm not setting aside some time to cook something awesome, and share it with you and write about it.  I promise I'm on my way with that again really soon. 

-I secretly want it to be 2014 already, and preferably February. I want this baby to be healthy and to meet them already!  Impatient much?  I'm enjoying this time; don't worry. I just think 16 weeks is an awkward stage.

-The feeling of overwhelming has set in lately.  I really don't want to begin much until we know the gender. But in the mean time, we desperately need a new mattress, and a few other things with the house I'd like to make happen before we start with baby things and  before the baby comes. I won't sweat it though.

-I'm trying to relax about the things I cannot control. I've gotten better. A lot better. It could still use some tweaking, though.

-The unsolicited advice has begun. I already find it annoying , I'm all ears!

I must find this shirt.

My latest craving has been this:

 

...with a glass of white wine :(

 

 Classic Blue Cheese Wedge

I'm staying away from moldy cheese, too. Just to be on the safe side. I probably could eat blue cheese crumbles and dressing, as I've already been told that I could and it's "totally fine." But I'm going to pass anyway. Thank you. This is all I've thought about all week.  Ugh.

 

 

This week has been just...weird.  Both Gary and I have felt really tired and blahhh. Monday I took a day off to just sleep in a little bit. This past weekend involved a lot of driving on my part for various things going on, and just a lot of running around.  I was exhausted and thought it would be smart to sleep in. And I DID!  I slept until 10am, then stayed on the couch and watched different Friends seasons and fell asleep again until about 2pm.  It was quite lovely.  Then throw in the awesome August-like 90 degree heatwave again and insane traffic and long work days; exhaustion is inevitable I think.

I cooked us one meal this week and it was totally off the cuff.  It was, however, pretty good and made for a yummy lunch leftover today at work.  I called it, "Chicken Parm Pasta w/o the Chicken" :)

Ingredients:

 

-1 lb/box of spiral pasta; I used cavatappi or penne
-1 large can crushed tomatoes
-1 medium sweet onion; or a large onion only using half of it; diced
-2 garlic cloves; smashed and minced
-1/2 cup milk. I used skim.
-1-2 tbsp. of olive oil
-1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
-1 cup shredded mozzarella. I used reduced-fat.
-salt and pepper to taste

 
Method:

In a large stock pot, allow some salted water to come to a boil and cook the pasta over some medium-high heat. While that's boiling/cooking away, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat and drizzle with olive oil. Cook down the onion and garlic until soft and translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Once this is cooked down enough, add in the tomatoes and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.

Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, drain and pour back into the same pot. Add both cheeses in now and stir well. Add a little more salt and pepper.  Finally, pour the sauce over the pasta and cheese mixture; combine well.  Top with some fresh basil and more Parmesan cheese if you'd like.

It really resembles a chicken parm meal except there's no chicken.  Enjoy. :)

You'll have to excuse me now. I have an attention-whore of a cute dog and he apparently is in need of some lovin'. Did I mention Gary has been asleep on the couch for almost 4 hours.  Told you we were tired. Wait...

See you soon!