Early Valentine's Surprise!

After working this morning and going to a friend's first birthday party, I finally got home this evening (after being gone for almost 10 hours!) and walked in the kitchen to find these beautiful tulips!  Brad got them for me - and I love the color!  This picture doesn't really do them justice...they are a gorgeous, rich magenta color! Happy early Valentine's Day to me!

Foodie Friday: Sun Dried Tomato Dip

Happy Friday, folks!  I had a slight panic attack because I thought that Blogger wasn't going to be my friend anymore (it said something about not being compatible unless you have Google Chrome as a browser or something like that), so I bit the bullet and downloaded Google Chrome as the browser.  Seeing as I am less than 5 minutes into my experience with it, I have no complaints yet - it is a bit faster than my Internet Explorer!  Sorry for that - I'm just happy that it is letting me post and see comments and see stats!

Today's Foodie Friday is a Pinterest find (of course...what isn't these days?!)!  Man, what would we do without Pinterest!  I wanted to make a fun dip for the Super Bowl party and this sounded pretty easy and delicious.  So I made it.  And lots of it.  It filled a whole 9x13 dish!  If you are interested in seeing the ingredients, here is the link for it! Easy and delicious!  

 And I wanted to throw in a little family pic from the gathering.  Did you love any specific commercials from the Super Bowl (yes, I know, I'm late in the game for asking that...)?  I did - the tan M&M commercial, and the VW one with the St. Bernard dog! So cute :)  I think there was one other one, but I can't think of it right now! 

Have a super weekend! 

Pink or Blue? THAT is the Question...

Today was the big day!  Yes, that's right...the big 20 week ultrasound!  Of course, we were most concerned with making sure we have a healthy baby, but we were eager to learn whether Katie would be getting a baby brother or baby sister!  After much anticipation, we are happy to announce....

Yep, that's right!  We are SO thrilled!  Here is the profile shot (I think that weird shaped thing is the placenta...I can't remember....) at 20 weeks, 5 days!

And the money shot...is this appropriate? Sorry if it isn't :) But it shows that there is indeed a boy wiggling around in there! It is as if he were sitting on a glass coffee table and you are looking up at the bottom of his legs, and his "parts"... 

Everything checked out just where it should be - he weighed in at a whopping 14 ounces and his heartrate was at 132.  And BOY was he wiggly during the ultrasound!  It looked like he was playing soccer with my very full bladder and dancing around.  So neat to see it on the screen and feel it going on at the same time!  We do have a name picked out already - that will come soon :)  Of course, the first thing I said was "Bring on the shopping!"....one of Brad's first comments? "Well at least that is one less wedding we have to pay for!"...I am one proud Mama.... 

Now, I have to get used to having some blue around.  Whew...what an adjustment for Katie.  We are waiting to tell her about having a baby brother when Brad gets home from work.  Can't wait to see her reaction!

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday, guys and gals (well, let's be honest...probably 99% gals)!!  Here's what I'm loving today!

I'm LOVING that I find out if we will be on team blue or team pink for Baby C TOMORROW!!!!! Yep, that's right - I can hardly stand it.  Like I mentioned previously, I'd say 98% of people are thinking boy.  And the other 2% just want to be different :)  I'll try to do a blog post tomorrow afternoon with the good news!

I'm LOVING this essie nail polish - it is #560 and called Peach Daiquiri.  It looks great on!  I think it may be my spring staple this year (so long, Cajun Shrimp!)...

I'm LOVING this newborn pic!  The colors are so fun - and it has a vintage feel too!  I think it'd be cute done flowery and girly with the vintage touch as well...

 I'm LOVING all of the intense colors in the picture I came across on Pinterest!  The flowers are great, I love the vases, and the turquoise in the background is amazing!

I'm LOVING how excited Katie gets when Nemo finds his daddy.  She is loving Finding Nemo these days, and she just shakes and giggles with excitement when Nemo and his daddy are swimming towards eachother!  So sweet!

 I'm LOVING this idea for Easter eggs!  I feel like I have put this on WILW before, but if so, it totally deserves another feature.  It is just adhesive dots on the eggs and then roll it in the colored glitter! Amazingly easy...and mess-free (as long as you don't spill glitter everywhere)!!

 And, of course, I'm LOVING my sweet girl!  This was us at a friend's house watching the Super Bowl!  I love my girl :)  I'm also loving how Katie has been dancing and twirling and singing so much lately - so cute!

What are YOU loving today?? Wanna link up? Go {here}!

Current Katie-isms

• She calls the doorbell a "ringbell".
• "Chicken Away" = Chick Fil A
• One day she pooped in the potty, turned around to look at it (as usual), and told me it looks like my ice cream...um, YUCK!
• I was getting ready the other day and put a pink Auburn tshirt on.  She told me to go get a pretty shirt.
• Whenever I have put my makeup on, she tells me I look "pitty" (pretty).
• Last Thursday, she woke up saying she wanted to go to Target.  She is DEFINITELY my child!
• Lately, she has been saying she wants to go somewhere.  She doesn't usually have anywhere specific in mind (except the Target request), just somewhere!
• I have been working with Katie on lowercase letters lately - we were looking at the card that has the big "L" and little "l" and she proclaimed the little "l" looks like an "I" and the "L" looks like a sidewalk.
• Katie is starting to have an opinion about the clothes she wears; however, she has an intense opinion about what panties she wears!  Lately she has been only wanting her Yo Gabba Gabba panties, so I have to explain that she can wear them once they are clean again.  I then give her a choice of what is in her drawers (Dora, Elmo, Hello Kitty, or Minnie Mouse)!

Lazy Monday Morning

We love a lazy, pajama-wearing morning.  And that's just what we are having!  I went in when I heard Katie up and going potty - look at that hair!! She must have had some wild dreams last night!  Of course she wouldn't cooperate for a picture, so this one will have to do!

 I am glad a lazy morning was in order for Katie too - I woke up with congestion...and I swear the gland on the left side of my neck has never hurt this bad (and it is like a goose egg)!  I am feeling a little bit better now that I am up and at em thank goodness!  I love this of Katie and Sadie watching some Sesame Street!

 And this one didn't turn out so well, but they were both looking out the window at the birds flying around!  So cute.

We just finished eating breakfast - well, I guess it is technically brunch at this time of day.  I may do a little work and Katie wants to color.  Sounds pretty nice to me!  Happy Monday!

A Few Randoms...

• I went to look back at my 20 week picture with Katie and didn't have one!! There is a 19w4d picture and then a 21 week picture.  I couldn't believe it!  I guess I will have to take another one next weekend so I do a "compare the belly pics" post!
• Do not buy candy at the store in the mall - I wanted some Sour Patch Kids (yum!) and payed almost $3 for the equivalent of what I could've gotten for a dollar at Walgreens.
• I am a sucker for BOGO - I went to Motherhood Maternity to buy some new maternity jeans (BY MYSELF - pure bliss!), and the clearance section was BOGO, so I got 4 tops! But hey!  I only payed for 2! :)  And I get tired of wearing the same things over and over when I already don't feel terribly attractive - yay for new options!
• A pregnant woman in a grocery store is dangerous.  Even if she has a list.  I went for milk and some items for a recipe for what I'm taking to a Super Bowl Party and ended up spending $91.  What extras were included? Cheese-Its, Lemon Perrier, Chex Mix, and Raspberry Tea.  I also got some things for Katie (popcorn, donuts, bananas, "brownie cookies"...).  Oh my.
• I am almost finished reading my second book of the year - Water for Elephants!  Not too bad for this early in February!  I am debating what to read next - maybe start the Hunger Games? Or Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? Do you have any suggestions?
• I love hearing Brad and Katie playing - I just got home from the store and they are playing upstairs.  I think it is supposed to be "quiet time", but I hear lots of giggling!
• I don't care who wins the Super Bowl.  I am more excited about the commercials and the food that people are bringing.  Oh and our friends too :)

Bump Watch: 20 Weeks

How far along: 20 weeks

Size of baby: A banana is what the email this morning said!  It also said about 10 inches in length - that is one big banana!

Total weight gained: I haven't gotten on my scales at home recently, but as far as I can tell, I am still in the negative (yay!)...at my last appointment (17 weeks), I had gained 2 pounds, but I was still down 1 pound with their scales...I have a feeling I am close to breaking even, and I am a-okay with that considering I am halfway there!

Maternity clothes: Most definitely.  And I need some new maternity jeans - my others were so worn out that I threw them away.  I went back to the store and bought the same exact size - and they squeeze the life out of me!  I think they are made out of different fabrics now, so they don't have quite as much stretch - so, time to shop!

Gender: I find out THURSDAY! What do you think? Pink or blue?  I can't wait!

Movement: Yes!  And I love it!  I feel the baby most at night when I am laying down, but there are plenty of times where there are movements throughout the day.  And I can tell that the baby is growing because the movements are getting stronger and stronger by the day!  Brad was able to feel the baby from the outside about 2 weeks ago - so neat!

What I Miss: A glass of wine after a long day, sleeping on my stomach, sleeping the whole night, being able to go right back to sleep after waking up (although, like last night, I was awake enjoying feeling this sweet baby jump around), a painfree back, etc.... but I am enjoying every day of this pregnancy!

Cravings: I feel rather European with my Nutella sandwiches and Perrier for a meal.  I also have been really wanting the guacamole from a local restaurant.  I did get some last weekend, and I plan to go back on Monday when it is half-price!  It is made tableside and SO yummy!

Aversions: Nothing really.  Sometimes if Brad makes breakfast, the smell of the scrambled egg beaters and bacon cooking makes me want to hurl.  I can't think of much though!

Symptoms: Huge boobs (sorry - it is true), sore back, SO tired (especially in the afternoon), headaches, getting starving (as in, feeling like I need a second dinner at bedtime), growing belly

Best moment of the week: Katie has been asking a lot about the baby in my belly.  She thinks the baby is just inside my belly button.  And she loves to get lotion and rub it on my belly and the baby.  So sweet!  I also love that Brad was able to feel the baby wiggle around.

 I also wanted to discuss the fact that Brad took literally sixteen belly pics for me because I didn't like them - my shirt was wrinkled, I looked washed out, there was a glare on the sticker, the jeans made my belly look strange (see how in the first and second one, it kinda cuts into my belly?)...ugh!  So here are a few of the outtakes.  I did end up using a non-sticker picture as the big one, but if I had to pick one with the sticker, it'd be the last one in this collage.  I didn't like it because my shirt was wrinkled.  Oh dear.  What am I going to do with myself. 

Foodie Friday: Crockpot Pork Tenderloin & Parmesan Roasted Potatoes

I am really excited to share these recipes because the meal was FABULOUS (if I do say so myself)!  I highly recommend this meal - very easy (it involves a crockpot, for goodness sakes!) and potatoes!  We also had a spinach salad that was tasty as well.

Our friends that came over brought some pretty flowers and some sparkling grape juice! How thoughtful of them - I need to crack open those bottles soon and pretend it is wine!  Maybe I can even use the wine glass (or whine glass) that I posted the picture of yesterday!

The main dish was a Crockpot Pork Tenderloin.  I know this picture does not really do it justice - after cooking and soaking, it is so tender and delicious!

And here is the recipe!  My neighbor Jill made it for us not too long ago and it was delicious - so I wanted to give it a go as well!

We also had Parmesan Roasted Potatoes!  I found the recipe on my fave spot - Pinterest.  And it sounded relatively easy - and it turned out amazing! I'd definitely make them again!  You can find the recipe HERE!

This would be a great after-work dinner to have.  The only thing is that the potatoes have to bake for about 45 minutes, so if you don't mind waiting once you're home, then have at it! 

Happy Friday!

New Household Art

...and I think it will be posted in each room - - possibly more than once.  AH! I think I may have told Katie to stop whining about 124970596 times yesterday.  And I will not do something, or even listen, really, when she says something in a whiny voice.  I ask her to use a nice voice or nice words.  Thankfully this does work most of the time, but man does it get old having to get onto her about it!  I'm hoping it is just a stage, as most behaviors are.  I guess only time will tell...

And this is quite an appropriate cup - one of my friends gave it to me, and I love it!!  On the opposite side, it says "Mommy Needs Wine!!!" ... perfect!  Right now, it is just providing decoration, but it will get good use eventually :)

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Welcome back!  And hooray for Wednesday!  That means it is time for What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm LOVING that Katie likes to have tea parties!  Last night she made alphabet soup (all of her ABC pieces to her puzzle in a measuring cup) and put a letter on a plate for all of us - even Sadie!  So sweet :)

I'm LOVING Cadbury Mini-Eggs.  I know Valentine's Day has not happened yet, but the Easter candy is already out - and man is it good!!  And I may have eaten half a bag of these last night.  Just sayin'.

I'm LOVING that Katie loves to sweep!  Right this second, she is using the dry swiffer and sweeping the floor - that works great since we have a golden retriever that sheds like none other!

I'm LOVING the weather!  It has been in the mid-sixties here this week...and that means LOTS of outside time!  Not only do we love fresh air, it means Katie sleeps like a champ!  Actually, yesterday, after I picked Katie up from MDO, we went with 4 of her friends from school and played at the park...SO fun!  It was so neat to see the kids interacting and to really get to visit with the mommas!  While taking a walk at this park, we also came across nine deer.  Amazing...it never gets old!

I'm LOVING this idea I found on Pinterest - a book organizer for the car...absolutely AMAZING! 

 I'm LOVING these ideas for taking pictures! I especially love the ideas specific to a picture a day for the month of February!  I think I may have to try it! Anyone else wanna try??

 I'm LOVING this pillow!!!  Right now, I sleep with 2 pillows, 2 body pillows, and a blanket...I think this one would make much more sense! :)

 I'm LOVING this idea of matching uppercase and lowercase letters - I've been trying to work with Katie on lowercase letters, and I think this would be a great game to make!

What are YOU loving today? Link up {here}!