6 and go time

This was such a bittersweet weekend. I had to say goodbye to my sweet friend Mandy as she moves to Baton Rouge to go on staff with Young Life. I'm thrilled for her, but at the same time I hate to see her leave! We then went on a very quick trip to Dallas, probably our last long car ride without a baby for a while, and got to visit with Linnae, Rebekah, and Ross. It was great for us to get some time with each of them. I may have almost melted, but totally worth it! Aaron and I are so excited that tomorrow we'll get to see Jewel for the first time since May. We have less than 6 weeks to go till we see her in person, but it's still going to be exciting to see her sweet face in the ultrasound.

Aaron got this for me this weekend... love, love, love. I may have helped pick out, but he made the purchase! Thanks Aaron, I love!

alright... less than 6 weeks!

making headway

We are making some headway. I'm looking forward to everything being done, but that might not be till next month. As much as I like being a planner I'm realizing that everything I think "needs" to be done, are really just things that I "want" done! I'm sure no female can relate to that. Here are a couple of fun finished things that are up in the room.

This is hanging above her changing table. I just had a vision of really wanting something over it that was multipurposeful (is that a word?). Right now the baskets have disposable diapers & wipes till we switch over to cloth ones. I love the sweet letters that Madeline bought us, it's exactly what I wanted!

These 2 guys are hanging over the crib. Both were made with lots of love from the fabric that we picked out for her bedding. The banner was made by Martha for one of my showers, and the mobile was made by Patti. I have no idea how both of them got in my head, and created 2 things that I just love, but I guess they just knew! I know Jewel will love it too.

In the doctors office I found this recipe for a Mango smoothie, and thought, "I'm going to need to have this". However, I made it, and it totally grossed me out. For some reason I couldn't taste the Mango, but Aaron told me it was amazing. So, I'm blaming my taste buds , or lack of, on pregnancy and a sinus infection. So take his word for it, he drank 2!

Mango Smoothie

1c cubbed, peeled Mango chunks

3/4 c sliced Banana

2/3c  Skim Milk

1 tsp. Honey

1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Handful of Ice

Blend ingredients & Enjoy!

32 done.

Well I will be 33 weeks tomorrow, but we took these when I was 32. I came down with a lovely sinus infection in the middle of July, so I'm a little delayed! So, here she is at 32 weeks. This week she discovered the right side of my stomach. About half of my day there is a foot poking out of my side. At least she doesn't do that when I'm running, because that would be painful! Can't wait to show some pictures of what we've done so far to the nursery...stay tuned.

make my day

These 3 things just made my day. This little girl in the left loves me, I mean seriously she loves me. I tell Aaron that often, and he usually replies that she loves him too. (But guess who feeds and walks her? That's right, automatic win in dog love language.) This just may have been the best turkey burger I've ever made. And for those of you that aren't Ole Miss fans, courtesy of my dear friend Martha, that Colonel Reb onesie will be on her this fall! Isn't she talented?!

Black Bean Turkey Burger

Ingredients:

• 1 cup black beans, rinsed and slightly crushed
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup Japanese-style bread crumbs (panko) or GF bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
• Laughing Cow Swiss Cheese (3 wedges)

Directions:

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
2. Mix black beans, ground turkey, Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, egg, and onion soup mix with your hands in a large bowl. Divide into 6 portions and shape into balls stuff center with cheese (use how much you would like). Then lay out as patties. 
3. Cook on preheated grill until no longer pink in the middle, 5 to 6 minutes per side. 
4. I dressed mine with Spring Mix, fresh Tomato, & Avocado.

etsy finds

I have to admit. I love Etsy. I love everything about it. Here are a couple of things that make me smile, think I "need", or for real... I have to purchase.

Seriously hilarious, I just pictured myself sitting drinking tea from one of these. 

From Wandersketch $30 for both

I love letterpress prints. They have some really great prints, that aren't just states.

From 1canoe2 $15

I'm for sure a hair accessory person. Love this, want this, do I need this?

From ThreeBirdNest $18.50

And Jewel, you can have this.

From Ava Bowtigue $7.95

Seriously? I need you. In addition to our diaper genie, I need a wet bag to put our cloth diapers in. So cute love the VW Vans. I will take you.

From Petunias $34

9 to go

Believe it or not... we are just 9 weeks away from this girls debut. I kind of can't believe it, but I think I'm starting to hit the nesting zone. I can no longer just walk by the work in progress nursery, and not do something. It's all starting to come together, and hopefully some pictures will show that soon. Until then, I will rest the rest of the day with a peach icee. yummm.

yay to 31 weeks!

mango season

Bon Appetite! 

 BBQ Mango Tilapia for 2 (courtesy of Hungry Girl)

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup canned tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp. (1 oz.) mango nectar
• 2 tbsp. ketchup
• 2 tsp. brown sugar (loosely packed)
• 2 tsp. cider vinegar
• 1 tsp. molasses
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup diced mango
• Two 4.5-oz. fillets raw tilapia
• 1 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Directions:

In a medium bowl, combine tomato sauce, mango nectar, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, molasses, and garlic powder. Whisk thoroughly, and then stir in diced tomatoes and mango. This is your marinade.

Place fish and marinade in a container and toss to coat. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat on the stove. Add fish and marinade. Once marinade begins to simmer, cover and cook until the fish is tender and cooked through, about 5 minutes.

Plate the tilapia and top with any excess marinade from the skillet. Garnish with cilantro. 

Quinoa, Mango & Black Bean Salad (courtesy of Eating Well)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup quinoa
• 1 cup water
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 1 small mango, diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

Directions: 

Toast quinoa in a small dry saucepan over medium heat, stirring often, until it crackles and becomes aromatic, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly. Return the quinoa to the pot and add water. Bring to a simmer; reduce heat to maintain a simmer. Cover and cook until the quinoa is tender and the liquid has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk orange juice, cilantro, vinegar, oil, ginger, salt and cayenne in a medium bowl. Add mango, bell pepper, beans and scallions; toss to coat.

When the quinoa is finished cooking, add to the mango mixture and toss to combine.

vision for her future

We are now in the 30 something week zone. It's hard to believe that the little nugget will be here in 10 weeks. I can either look at it as much to do or much to enjoy before she comes. Hopefully I can be somewhere in the middle. 

This morning at 4am I was woken up by her hiccups and boxing. So, I decided today would be a good day to pray about her future/dreams. 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11