A Forever Kind of Thing

38 Days.
Our due date is in 38 days. I go through these phases where I can't wait for her to get here because I feel like I've been waiting and prepping for her arrival my whole life. Then there are other phases where I feel like we're not ready at all. I'm just a 21 year old girl and he's just a 25 year old boy and we can't even begin to comprehend what we've gotten ourselves into.

So we have 38 days to figure it all out and all I could think about tonight while we were lying on the couch together watching Vin Diesel throw himself into ridiculously unrealistic situations was, "I don't know if I want someone intruding on what Brady and I have created with each other over the past 20 months." I like my husband. I'm very jealous for him and his attention. I'm just afraid of the change that is bound to come knocking. Because a baby changes everything.

Just look at that stick. Just look at my living room. We've got diapers and wet wipes and baby clothes and baby things galore. Don't get me wrong! I love this little girl. I love her so much I could burst. All I've ever wanted to be is a mother but I just became a wife. And I really really love being a wife. I'm just a little scared that when the baby comes I might not have the easiest time juggling.
I know it'll be okay. I know my world will be enhanced and enriched by all these new things. I'm just freaking out because I counted the days till our due date and it's coming sooner rather than later and I just know that once she's here then it's real. Then I'm a Mom. And being a Mom is a forever kind of thing.

34 Weeks 5 Days Pregnant

Chicken Parmesan Recipe

Last night my Grandparents came over for dinner. We like to get together once a month to eat, and play games or watch a movie. Last night we hosted the monthly dinner at our apartment and I decided to make Chicken Parmesan one of my favorite meals. Here is the recipe if you're in the mood for something quick, easy and delicious! 

The first thing you'll need is boneless skinless chicken breast. In this case all I had were tenderloins so I used those instead. I flattened each tenderloin with a mallet and then cut each piece in half. I have found that cutting the chicken in half makes it easier to manage later on.

The recipe calls for one egg slightly beaten but I used two (because I was making more chicken then the recipe called for) and I beat the heck out of them. I don't think it matters either way.

Next you'll need seasoned bread crumbs. I just used a bag of croutons I had in the pantry and I chopped them up in our blender. It worked like a charm. The amount of bread crumbs you need will fluctuate with the amount of chicken you use, in this case I used an entire bag of croutons.

You'll need butter. Lots of butter. In my case I used an entire stick. This is what you fry your chicken in. I used two tablespoons at a time and melted the butter in the pan under medium heat. 

Now what you are going to do is take your chicken, dip it in the egg,  cover it in the bread crumbs (so messy!!), and put it in the pan with the melted butter. Brown both sides of the chicken. If your chicken isn't cooked thoroughly after this step toss it in the oven for a couple minutes.

While your chicken is baking fill the pan with a cup of spaghetti sauce (I used two). Cover it and let it simmer for ten minutes.

Next you're going to sprinkle the sauce with parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and fresh parsley (If you have it.) Cover and let it simmer for five minutes. 

The chicken is finished after a few minutes in the oven and it's ready for the sauce!

Now smother you're chicken in this delicious sauce and enjoy! To complete the meal I made a caesar salad and garlic bread. For dessert we had brownies and cookies and cream ice cream. You can, of course, use whatever sides you like. Those are just a couple of suggestions.  

Chicken Parmesan 

4 boneless, skinless, chicken breast halves (I used chicken tenderloins)


1 egg, slightly beaten


1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs


2 T. butter
1

1 c. spaghetti sauce


1/2 c. mozzarella cheese, shredded


1 T. Parmesan cheese, grated


1/4 c. fresh parsley, chopped

Using a mallet flatten chicken to an even thickness. Dip chicken into egg then into crumbs to coat. In skillet over medium heat, in hot butter, brown chicken on both sides. ( After I browned the chicken they were not done yet...so I put them into the oven for a few minutes). While the chicken is baking add spaghetti sauce into the pan. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Sprinkle with cheeses and parsley. Cover and simmer 5 minutes or until cheese melts.  

Deltaco, InNOut, and Pizza Hut. Let the cravings begin!

You know those times where you'd do anything short of murder for a pizza and some sweet tarts? Well right now is one of those times. I made homemade taco soup, ice cream, and brownies but it's not enough. I need some freaking pizza and maybe some Deltaco with an InNOut burger on top.

I am so glad InNOut moved to Texas. I don't know how I'd get through pregnancy without them. They make me feel better even on my worst days. I don't know who invented InNOut. We took a class field trip to an InNOut factory when I was in 4th grade (or was it 3rd??) and they gave us the history along with a free lunch (that I'm sure our parents had to pay for ahead of time). This is one of those field trips that I feel would have been better to take in High School. How is a 4th grader supposed to remember all that stuff? All I remember is the "free" lunch and t-shirt.

Speaking of 4th grade... I remember we learned about covered wagons and Missions in the History portion of that grade. I remember we had to build a mission out of sugar cubes or a covered wagon from scratch in order to pass the history portion. I don't know how you expect a fourth grader to build a freaking covered wagon from scratch but that is what was expected. My mom built the entire thing out of popsicle sticks and hot glue for me. It took her hours but she was determined to get me a good grade. I feel bad for those kids whose mothers didn't build their covered wagons. I got an A but I know of others who got C-'s and D's because their work was 4th grade work.

School isn't fair. It's rather silly. You could literally drop out of school in 7th grade and when you're 18 enroll in College as a freshman and do just fine. You may have to take an express remedial algebra course with Professor Turnbow at Collin College but after that you'd be just fine. 8th-12th grade is stupid. They don't teach you anything new. Sure you'll miss a few important things that happened in History but you'll get a refresher course when you're a Freshman. Believe me.

I wish I had a pizone right now. That is one of those little pizzas that they fold in half and don't put pizza sauce in because you get to dip it instead. It's only 5 dollars at Pizza Hut. Colin and Kyle work there that is how I know. Bethany used to work there to but now she works at Palio's again. She wasn't pizza making material. She quit of her own "fruition." (Inside joke between Brady and I. I used to think that fruition meant "of your own free will" but it didn't so now we use it in sentences it doesn't belong in because we think we're funny.)

I really like my husband. He makes me laugh everyday. Speak of the devil. He is now making me examine a zit on his back. This is what you do when you're married. You examine each others pimples and dig out ingrown hairs. Brady plucks my eyebrows and shaves my legs for me now. He's a good husband. He doesn't complain when I ask him to do weird things for me. Usually I dangle the money factor in front of him and that helps too. What is the money factor you ask?

If I want Brady to pluck my eyebrows all I have to say is "You can pluck them or I can pay someone else $8.50 to pluck them at a Salon every four weeks. You choose." He is a man. He doesn't like when I spend all the money. He would rather pluck them then have me pay someone else money to pluck them. This is the money factor and it works like a charm because you see I am a woman and I like to spend money but I can only spend the money if there is money to spend and that means not spending it on frivolous things like the Salon.

They just opened a new Deltaco in Mckinney. California is coming to Texas people. Get ready! I would really love to have some 89 cent Tacos with a chocolate milkshake and some fries. I just don't want to go get them. I also don't want to spend the money on fast food when I have plenty of food here at home my belly has other plans however. Oh bother.

Here is my review of the Winnie the Pooh Movie. Are you ready? It was... AWESOME. I laughed so hard. I'm going to buy it when it comes out of DVD. I'll say its for the baby but we'll all know the truth. I'm giggling just thinking about one scene and that was particularly funny ("You must be catching a cold." "I''ll probably catch it too."). Here! You have to watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRT86ZggCEk

Thanks. :) Doesn't that just make you feel all wonderful inside? I smile every time I watch it. Well I've taken up enough of your time with my droning. Have a fabulous evening and eat something yummy for me!

Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead

I was one of the lucky ones. Those girls you hate in high school because they have perfect skin and long thick hair. When I was about 18 I started loosing my hair due to an autoimmune disease. It literally fell out in handfuls and it still does at times. It's why I cut my hair short. I hoped that no one would notice just how thin my hair had become. I'm told that no matter how they adjust my medication hair loss is a part of having an autoimmune disease and once it starts it can't be stopped.

I got a zit on my chin at the end of March. I had never gotten a zit on my chin before March 2011. That's how I found out that I was pregnant. I woke up, saw the zit and knew that that was the only explanation. Now I have a fine sprinkling of little zits across the bottom of my face and hair line. Goodbye clear skin. Hopefully you'll come back someday.

What I've learned from this is not to put my faith in my looks because they could be gone tomorrow. Find a man who loves you regardless because if you don't he'll be gone when your hair starts falling out, the zits appear, and you start putting on the "I'm comfortable with you weight."

I was 100% comfortable in my skin before I met Brady, even though I was 80 lbs overweight with more stretch marks than a pregnant woman. I started packing on the weight around 16 and wasn't diagnosed with hypothyroid disease until I had gained 80 lbs (3 years later). Even though I was fat I hadn't lost a shred of confidence because my faith wasn't in my looks.

Brady met me, fell in love with me, proposed to me, married me and knocked me up all within the span of a year and a half and my weight fluctuated. Some weeks I was up others I was down. By the time I met him I had been on my meds for a year and the docs had finally found the right dosage to make it so that I could start loosing weight again. When you're dating though you don't want to diet! You want to go out to dinner and eat pasta and bread! I didn't worry about my weight so much until he proposed. My weight was down then. I decided I wanted to get back in shape for the wedding but since we got married a month later I didn't have much time. I lost about 10 lbs after we got married and before I got pregnant. For obvious reason I am not trying to loose weight now.

After watching a documentary called, "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead," about a man who had an autoimmune disease Brady and I decided we wanted to try the juice fast. The diet consists of juicing large amounts of fruits, veggies, nuts, and beans. We are so excited to start though we are going to take it slow until I deliver and then we'll kick it up a notch and really start working at getting the weight off.

Through everything he is my cheerleader. Fat or skinny he loves me just the same... he does encourage me to get healthy though (I'm a sucker for french fries and salty foods). Who isn't? I want to be a healthy Mom. I do not want to go into my next pregnancy 80 lbs overweight. It's too grueling on my frame. I want to encourage our kids to be healthy and to stay away from processed foods. It's going to be a long journey but I think we're up for the challenge.

Baby Kicks and The Bachelorette Season Finale

Availeth has been busy today! She has the cutest little hiccups. I say little because she's only 1 lb but really its enough to shake my whole tummy and anyone who has seen this tummy lately knows it's anything but little.

She started this new thing a few weeks ago where sometimes when she's kicking it feels like she's trying to tunnel her way out of my "downstairs" if you catch my drift. It feels rather odd and uncomfortable. Like a pap smear but I feel it "down there" and in my tummy too. I don't know what that means. Unfortunately my baby book says nothing so any Moms that had any similar feelings I would relish your thoughts on the matter.

Baby was really excited for the season finale of the Bachelorette! My sister felt her move during tonights episode and so did Brady. I think my girl likes the drama. I wont bore you with all my thoughts on this season. Though Ashley was not my favorite Bachelorette she definitely picked the best guy in the end.

Well Brady is pestering me about getting to bed so I'm going to sign off! Please give me your feedback Mommas!

Love you all!

19 Weeks Pregnant

I don't know how single moms get through pregnancy. Pregnancy is hard enough with two people I can't imagine how it would be without a partner.

For the first three months I was useless. I didn't move from the couch for two solid months. Brady was there to do laundry, clean the kitchen, make dinner, work full time to support us, give massages, cool me down with a cold rag, say kind words, and give me all the attention I could ever dream of while reassuring me that I wasn't going to die or feel that sick forever. While Brady was at work I had my Mom, Dad, and siblings on call just in case I needed anything. My parents made sure our fridge was stocked full of Ginger Ale and made sure I had plenty of Preggy Pops and Ginger Candy. Being pregnant is a team effort.   

After our trip to Kentucky, around month 4, all of the sickness started to fade and I started to feel like I was able to function again.

Month 5 is now here and it comes with its own set of issues. Thy name is reflex. My Grandma Sharon and I were having a nice lunch at Chili's last Friday and as I started to inhale my House Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing my throat started to feel funny. Before I knew it I had tossed that Salad all over the booth, my lap, and hair. Word to the wise: YOU CANT EAT FAST WHEN YOU'RE PREGNANT. 

That little incident got me thinking about all the little things that happened to my body once I got pregnant and I started to wonder why no one had ever warned me? I grew up with this idea that pregnancy was going to be wonderful. I would have a cute little baby belly and then a cute little baby. No one ever told me that it would actually be quite inconvenient. Not that I would ever trade the end result in order to rid myself of all these little inconveniences but I just think that there is another side to pregnancy that we aren't told about. 

1. Your new favorite place to sleep will be the bathroom so make sure to wash the rugs and Pine-Sol the floor because you're going to be on that floor whether it's clean or not.

2. Your tummy is not the only place that stretch marks will appear.

3. Shaving you legs is a battle. Shaving your "down stairs" is impossible. 

4. I never got headaches until I got pregnant. Tylenol PM makes it all better.

5. Ginger Candy is not candy, it's poison. 

6. Your boobs will get bigger no matter how massive they already are. And no Victoria Secret does not sell that size. 

7. They say you pee less when the second trimester rolls around. Lie. I still have to pee 250,000 times a day. 

8. Your boobs will hurt like you're having a heart attack but don't worry! It's just your milk ducts coming in. 

9. Fried food WILL give you terrible heartburn so if you don't want it stay away from the chicken, red sauces, and onion rings. 

10. Even though you are no longer having periods your going to become a leaky faucet so keep panty liners handy!

11. You use up more energy laying on the couch while you're pregnant than your husband would while training with a professional body builder at the gym. It's okay to take lots of naps.

12. Your going to be freezing or sweating where ever you go so dress in layers and pack a sweater. 

13. Don't move fast! It's dangerous. 

14. Because the ligaments in your body become all loose to accommodate the child you're growing your feet might grow a size or two.

15. Don't stay seated for too long because your toes will swell up like little sausages. 

16. If you've never had allergies before you may acquire some new ones. 

17. Burping and farting can not be avoided. Sorry newlyweds!

18. There is a whole list of foods you're not allowed to eat while your pregnant. Like: bacon, hot dogs, tuna, packaged lunch meat etc...

19. Make sure you have someone around to help you get up if you decide to sit on the floor. It's just easier that way. 

Everyones pregnancy is different and some of these things may be things that are entirely unique to me and my pregnancy. I just had to get it all out somewhere! Thanks for reading!

An Angry American

This blog is a response to the comments I have been viewing all day on facebook, twitter, and other social media sites. It is a response to friends and others whom I've never met. I write this knowing full well that most that read it will be offended but I am not here to sugar coat pills for people to swallow. I am an aggravated pregnant woman. My hormones are somewhere up in outer space and I really don't care what "you" think anymore. For one of the first times in my life I have an opinion on something that has not been influenced by anyone else's thoughts. I have something to say. I have an opinion on what is going on. I have a "bone" to pick with the American people.

Many have used the quote today, "An eye for an eye leaves the world blind." This is one of my favorite quotes. It is something I believe wholeheartedly. I, however, do not believe that it is being used appropriately in this context. That context being; the death of Osama bin Laden. 

On September 11, 2001 2,998 people were killed. Calling the murder of 2,998 people an "eye" and the death of bin Laden the other "eye"  is absolutely reprehensible. It is not the same or in any way equal. After ranting through text to my husband about how frustrating these thoughts were making me I was inspired to write it down, doomed as I may be. It got me thinking. Maybe a more adequate yet less eloquent quote would be (ahem), "Removing the thorn left in ones eye, after an attempt that another makes to put it out, allows the wound to heal." How some Americans are mourning the death of a man who is responsible for murdering our brothers and sisters is sickening to me. I understand mourning the fact that he will spend eternity in hell, and never know the love of Jesus. But to mourn because he didn't receive a trial, or a prison sentence, or a needle in his arm... I'm sorry but you need a reality check!

America does not celebrate his death but the removal of a thorn that has been stuck in the eye of our nation for ten years. What about the husbands, the sons, the children whose lives were taken because of a religious war they never even realized they were fighting. Cry for them. Don't cry for this man.

But sure! Let's pretend that "An eye for an eye" is an adequate statement for this situation. I would rather live in a world full of invalids than a world where we cry for the villain. When did we start shaming Superman for thwarting Lex Luther? Brady says this, "That's what an atmosphere of political correctness gets you, a country full of pansies." 

So let us be sad because the villain was defeated, and goodness prevailed, and the victims families finally, for the first time in years, have peace. Let us mourn the fact that our tax payer dollars haven't gone to waste on a trial for Osama bin Laden. Please, honor this man and cry for him. 

We are at war with evil! Wake up America!

Sincerely, 

An Angry American