Third Trimester Must-haves!! ( for me anyways!)

 Before we get to business..a few pics of my BIG bump...I know i look pretty rough in some of these and I am pretty sure I have been in my PJ's every day at like 5:00 but hey #preggolife

Okay now for the must have products that I literally cannot live without!!!!!

1. Behold...the Snoogle Pillow

This is seriously a life savor. I had a love/hate relationship with it in my second trimester but now that I am ending my third...this pillow is my bestie. It comforts your aching belly and supports your hips when they feel like they are splitting in two :) I love it.

2. A really awesome cup. These are the ones I use every single week

- Yeti Cup

- Bubba Cup 

I drink ALOT of water...pregnancy makes you feel like a camel or something and I like my water cold.. The yeti is obviously the more expensive version but it's great bc it keeps your drink cold ALL DAY!!!! I seriously love it so much!!! The bubba cup is my other favorite. This cup is found at Target, and comes in a million different colors and fun washable straws. I use it at the pool, gym, and just driving around with errands. Love it. 

3. A Pea in the Pod :Seamless Nursing Tanks,  Nursing Pajamas,  Nursing Bra

There are a ton of different brands out there..but these proved to be my favorites. The Seamless Nursing tanks literally hug your big bump and sort of suck it in. They are also going to be great for postpartum since they have a built in nursing bra. A friend told me to get a good pair of nursing pajamas...so I went a little overboard and ordered a few pairs. These from P in the P were the softest and most comfortable. They have a bunch on sale right now too!!! I ordered my wire nursing bras from SOMA but these comfy "sleep" nursing bras are so soft and easy to slip on. I ordered two black ones and plan on wearing one to the hospital. 

4.  Sketchers go walks found  here

Seriously please don't laugh. I normally rock my Tory Burch sandals and flats year round plus a plethora of other cute and "fashion-y" footwear but when your feet feel like sausages and you want to go for a neighborhood walk these are your friends. I scoffed at the fact that I was ordering my first pair of "mom" shoes. Even my husband made fun of me and told me they were such a hideous joke. WHATEVER!! I wear these babies to the grocery store, walking my dog, and even to good ole' Target!!! They are slip on, super comfy, and hide my sausage toes. Enough said.

5.  Vaseline Coco Butter- find it at Target/HEB/Walmart

I love my palmers coco butter and used it religiously during my first and second trimesters however it DOES get pretty pricey. For me I found this little gem one day and decided to slather it on after my shower. It IS a little greasy but it feels SO SO good on your stretched out pregnant belly. I have yet to get any stretch marks ( knock on wood) and would like to think this helps with that. If it does nothing else for you at least it smells really good and it also feels good on dry elbows and hands.

That is it!!!

xoxo

Cajun Chicken Spaghetti

Out. Of. This.World.Good.

I had this craving for pasta all day long.. it's all I could think about really, so when I got home from work I immediately started scouring my fridge to see what I could come up with.  I didn't actually intend for it to be cajun but it ended up that way with the ingredients I had on hand. Thus this spaghetti was born!!! 

Shopping List

one can cream of celery

one can cream of chicken

two bell peppers- chopped

three stalks of celery-chopped 

two large cloves of garlic-chopped and minced

1/2 large yellow onion-chopped

heavy whipping cream

1 cup grated swiss

1/2 cup grated fontina 

cajun seasoning

s&p

four chicken breasts-seasoned the way you like and grilled

angel hair pasta-serving for four

4 tablespoons of butter 

phew. I think thats it. I went to town ya'll.

Procedure

start by sautéing your veggies together over some EVOO and a little butter. Throw the garlic, onion, peppers, and celery in there and give it a little stir. While the veggies are softening, lets work on the sauce. The sauce is going to start with the two cans of cream soups. Plop them in a pot over medium high heat  and add a half a can of water..stir it a few times add in 2 tablespoons of butter and some cream ( I used about two glugs) yes I realize I am adding cream to what is already known as "cream of" soups. Whatever I'm  pregnant.  Crack in quite a bit of pepper and add some Cajun seasoning to your sauce mixture and then just add to your taste. Once the veggies are soft..its time to pour the cream over them.  Once the cream is added to the veggie mix now you need to dump your cheeses in.. this is the best part :) Next Boil your water and add your pasta. Cook for ten minutes...while your pasta is cooking cut up your already grilled chicken and set aside. Once pasta is boiled drain and place back in pot. Add cream sauce and sliced grilled chicken to the pot and toss until everything is well coated. Serve up and enjoy!!!!!

Grilled Caesar Salad

Grilling lettuce may seem pretty interesting, however if it is done correctly a grilled salad is so yummy and brings out lots of summer flavors!!! We chose to grill a romaine heart ( which is the grilling lettuce of choice) and put a spin on the plain ole' caesar salad.  Due to the fact that I am OVER cooking, Brandon has been stepping up and grilling up!! :) I love everything grilled in the summer!!! 

Shopping List

(for two)

Two Romaine Hearts

One cup grape tomatoes/ sliced in half

olive oil

S&P

the " good parm"-  I say this because I mean the parm. cheese that you find in a block at your cheese section of the grocery store. Not the kind you pack on your pizza :)

Two chicken Breasts

Caesar dressing of your choice

Procedure

Start by marinating your chicken breasts. We do a simple seasoning of Olive oil, S&P, and a little lemon pepper. Set these aside

prep your lettuce- Start by cutting each romaine heart in half...Salt and pepper it and drizzle a good amount of olive oil over it. Squeeze a little lemon on top for some extra zing!

light your grill up and grill your chicken first...once your chicken is done you can start by grilling your romaine. The trick to grilling lettuce is not to char it. You simply want to almost wilt it..allowing that smokey flavor to take over. About one minute per side over a medium high heat grill. Watch for the edges to crips  a little and for your lettuce to almost "wilt". Take off the grill and head inside.

You have two options when you assemble your salad

1. Leave the romaine hearts how they are and add your toppings

2. cut up your lettuce and make a "warm salad"

I like number 1.

lay your lettuce on a plate, slice your chicken and assemble on top of the lettuce, finally add your halved tomatoes,  shave some yummy parm. on top, and drizzle with some dressing! 

so so so simple yet so different and healthy for a summer spin on a salad!!!

27.

Um what??

27.

That feels old??

I am three years from the big 30!!!! I remember my 21st birthday like it was yesterday...:)

Here's the thing about birthdays...they are a blessing. I am grateful that I have made it another year...I am grateful that on my 27th year I will earn the most precious title of "Mommy". I am grateful that I had my amazing family, friends, and husband to celebrate with. I missed my friend Lindie on my birthday this year..I am sad that she was not here to wish me a happy birthday. This was the first year in 11 years where her name did not pop up on my cellphone on May 16th.  I am purely grateful for ALL the birthdays I spent with her..because I damn near spent every one with her...and for those special birthdays I am grateful.

Here is a little glimpse of my fun birthday weekend with family!

Friday afternoon... I spyed three friends having "fun"at our neighborhood pool. My husband is the hairy hood rat :)

My annual Birthday Coffee brought to me by my husband!

Dressed for my B-day BBQ

:)

The first thing I saw when I walked in my mom and dads house were my favorite cupcakes EVER!!! GIGI Cupcake is probably my favorite dessert on this earth!!! She had every flavor for me!

Happy Birthday to me!!! 27 years old with an 8 month baby bump!

My dad made BBQ ribs and brisket

My parents home cooked and BBQ'd everything

My new arm party:) I got turquoise kendra and a big david yurman bracelet with Jax's birthstone...I was in love!!!

baby daddy did good!

Friends by the pool

Case lounging on Jax :)

After a day of eating non stop I was feeling like this :) 

Here I am on Monday...my real birthday!!! I woke up with a grateful heart..this is the year I am a MOMMY!!!!!!

I got a text from my fur baby :)

The kids at school brought me a birthday cake!! We celebrated together and it was so fun!

On our way to a birthday dinner at Paloma Blanca..San Antonio's greatest Mexican food!

Mama all dressed up!

My parents came along too!

 My spoiled gifts!!! I love my bracelet, sunglasses and cute new Tory's!!! 

The end to a good birthday!

Life Lately

Life lately has been Baby Showers and Mother's Day celebrations, lounging by the pool on the weekends, and lots and lots of naps :) I have reached the point in my pregnancy where I am TIRED. ALL. THE.TIME. I guess its God's way of preparing me for many sleepless nights and days...Ill take the naps while I can though!!!!

Swollen and 8 Months pregnant!!! 

Feeling more than large at work

Someone sent my baby this beautiful little picture..with no name or card?? I love it so much!!!!!

Walked into his room this morning drinking my coffee and felt  just beyond grateful that I get to bring a tiny new life home to love on. 

We celebrated Mother's day at the Ranch!!! 

I cooked my mom a Mothers Day supper which included; Steamed Artichokes with a lemon garlic butter sauce, Mahi Mahi, and a yummy pasta! 

Shopping at Target 

Riding around the Ranch.. this never gets old. I cannot wait to watch my son romp around these beautiful grounds!

Bliss.

We have chickens now too!! So fresh eggs for everyone!!!!

A dear special teacher friend of mine handmade this quilt for baby Jax..how special!

And our maternity session!!!!