48/52

Touring the Festival of Lights at the zoo and trying to be patient while waiting her turn for the carousel. 

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week in 2014."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Baby Sunshine: Week 29

Size: Baby Sunshine is the size of a butternut squash weighing in at about 2.5 pounds and measuring about 15 inches.

Total Weight Gain: About 26 pounds. (Sigh. This is the first week that I am ahead of my weight gain from when I was pregnant with Sophia.)

Maternity Clothes: Yes...or Dave's clothes. Comfort is key.

Gender: Surprise! We find out in February.

Cravings: Nothing in particular, but snacking all the time.

Symptoms: This was the most uncomfortable I have been this pregnancy. All normal, but the baby is making my belly feel rather tight.

Movement: Baby Sunshine is a little mover! I love watching the belly show in the evenings. I just wish it was understood that middle of the night bathroom breaks do not mean that it is time for a dance party.

Sleep: Not all that great this week, but I am still feeling somewhat rested.

Moment of the Week: Hearing the sweet heartbeat at the doctor. The heart rate is in the 130s, which could mean boy, but since my blood pressure is typically on the low side, it could also mean there is a little girl in there.

What I Miss: Getting up from the ground without getting on all fours, which is especially fun when Sophia has gym class.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Our little family turkey day this weekend and breaking out the Christmas decorations.

Big Sister: Sophia has been extra sweet this week. I will take all the cuddles and belly rubs I can get! She asks if the baby is okay when she accidentally bumps into my belly.

Looking Back: Things continue to be similar between both pregnancies. I just seem to be more aware of all of the little aches and pains since I am home this time around. Read more about my pregnancy with Sophia here.

Thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving! We have so much to be thankful for this year. I am at fault of not always appreciating what I have, so this is my new mantra. I am looking forward to a day of snuggles and play with my little love today and a turkey celebration with our little family this weekend. 

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The 52 Project: Weeks 46 and 47

Life got in the way of picture taking over the past two weeks. I hate that when things get stressful I don't take my camera out as much as I would like to.

Week 46: Jumping in our leaf pile. Sophia had so much fun playing in the leaves and I love how this image shows how much fun she was having.

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Week 47: Watching our neighbors. I was snapping a few pictures before we headed out for an evening of fun. I love how she completely tunes out everything around her when she is focused on something. The faraway look she gets on her face is my favorite.

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week, in 2014.

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

Baby Sunshine: Week 28

Welcome Third Trimester!

Size: Baby Sunshine weighs about 2.25 pounds and is about the size of an eggplant.

Total Weight Gain: The home scale says 24 pounds. I will get an official weigh-in on Tuesday at the doctor.

Maternity Clothes: Yes. I have even started raiding the husbands clothes. Hooray for more variety in lounge pants.

Gender: Surprise! We find out in February.

Cravings: No real cravings, but snacking all the time.

Symptoms: I had some major back pain after our long car ride and my poor posture. The Braxton-Hicks contractions, leg cramps, and nasty veins continue.

Movement: Sophia has had little interest in putting her hand on my belly, but she was able to feel some good movement and has just recently wanted to put her hand on me to feel more bumps.

Sleep: A little better since getting home to my own bed, not great overall this week.

Moment of the Week: Sharing the bump in person with family.

What I Miss: Carrying the toddler as much as she would like.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Our doctor appointment in a few days. I am looking forward to hearing that sweet little heartbeat again.

Big Sister: Sophia spent about 24 hours telling me that Baby Sunshine was a girl (and she decided that she is not a boy or a girl, but a princess) now she is back to telling me that there is a boy in my belly. Her favorite baby phrase this week as she looks at her own belly "Why is my belly getting bigger? Is the baby growing?"

Looking Back: I was about a month ahead in my pregnancy last time - it was almost Christmas when I was 28 weeks with Sophia. I am happy to report that I am still meeting my goal of gaining less weight this time around, even if it is only by two pounds. Read more about my pregnancy with Sophia here.

Baby Sunshine: Week 27

Not the best bump picture, but the best I can do right now.

Size: Baby Sunshine is the size of a head of cauliflower and weighs about two pounds. The little one is about 14.4 inches long.

Total Weight Gain: no clue.

Maternity Clothes: yes.

Gender: Surprise! We find out in February.

Cravings: No real cravings, but eating a lot.

Symptoms: Still having Braxton Hicks contractions and leg cramps.

Movement: All the time and I am still loving when the little one has hiccups.

Sleep: Not good this week, but not necessarily pregnancy related.

Moment of the Week: Showing off the bump in person to family and friends.

What I Miss: Taking road trips without having to stop every two hours.

What I'm Looking Forward to: The third trimester starts soon. I don't want to rush this pregnancy, but every day that passes gives me more peace of mind.

Big Sister: Sophia still insists Baby Sunshine is a boy. She is still taking about the baby in her belly and commenting on how my belly is getting bigger.

Looking Back: I was having some awful leg cramps this time last pregnancy too. We had just started making space for Sophia's nursery around this time and we have no plans for a nursery for Baby Sunshine. The little one will be rooming with us at the beginning, so I don't feel the need to rush since we are renting.

Sweet Potato Muffins

I found this recipe a few weeks ago from Pink & Fabulous. Lindsay posted about the pumpkin version and in locating the original recipe, I saw a note about using sweet potato in place of the pumpkin. Since I had sweet potatoes, I decided to give it a try. These are by far my new favorite muffin and I have made them multiple times over the past few weeks. They don't last too long in our house, but they do freeze well if you are not going to eat them in a few days.

Sweet Potato Muffins

slightly adapted from smitten kitchen

1 1/2 cups gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

1 tsp ground flax seeds (optional)

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp table salt

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice*

1 1/3 cup mashed sweet potato (or canned pumpkin)

1/3 cup canola oil

2 extra large eggs (if you are not using gf flour, large eggs can be substituted)

1 1/4 cups plus 1 tbl granulated sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard-sized muffin pan with cups.

Whisk together flour, flax seeds, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spice in a small/medium bowl.

In a larger bowl, whisk together sweet potato, oil, eggs, and 1 1/4 cup sugar. Add dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Divide batter among muffin cups.

Stir together last tablespoon of sugar and teaspoon of cinnamon. Sprinkle over each muffin.

Bake 25 to 30 minutes until puffed and golden brown and toothpick entered in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on rack for five minutes, then transfer muffins to wire rack to continue cooling.

*If you are like me and do not have pumpkin pie spice just combine:

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp of ground ginger

1/8 tsp of nutmeg

1/8 tsp of allspice or cloves

Linking up with Kate and Emily.

45/52

We took advantage of a warm fall day to head to the park. The toddler was not in the mood to have her picture taken, until we found leaves. She had so much fun making piles and throwing leaves. I love how she can find so much joy in things that I often overlook.

"A portrait of my little lady, once a week, every week, in 2014."

Thrilled to be linking up with Jodi for The 52 Project.

See more pictures from our time at the park here.

Baby Sunshine: Week 26

Size: Baby Sunshine is about the size of an english hothouse cucumber measuring in at 14 inches long and weighs about one and two-thirds pounds.

Total Weight Gain: Holding steady at 21 pounds.

Maternity Clothes: Yes. Not sure why I keep trying to wear some of my regular clothes.

Gender: Surprise! We will find out in February.

Cravings: No real cravings this week, just hungry all the time. Can't wait for all of this Halloween candy to be gone.

Symptoms: I had frequent leg and toe cramps this week despite my best efforts to stay hydrated. Time to eat more bananas. My blood work shows that my iron levels are low so I am adding that supplement to my diet. I am also experiencing some round ligament pain, which is all sorts of fun.

Movement: This little one is very active in there. It feels like a dance party most nights.

Sleep: Sleeping great, but Baby Sunshine missed the memo about Daylight Savings Time so there were a few mornings where I was up much earlier than I wanted to be.

Moment of the Week: It was a good week. I loved looking at all of the sweet pictures my neighbor took. My perception of how big my belly is does not quite match the reality of my size. 

What I Miss: Being able to get up from the floor without getting on all fours.

What I'm Looking Forward to: Getting the results of my glucose test. Happy the test is over with, but want to know that I can continue to indulge in my favorite sweet treats.

Big Sister: Sophia wore tights twice this week and she thinks they are her version of 'baby pants'. (I have been wearing a lot of full panel maternity pants.) My favorite moment was when she was pointing out Baby Sunshine's body parts on her ultrasound picture. Although she still says the baby is a boy, she was pointing out some girl parts.

Looking Back: It seems I am sleeping a little better at this point than I was with Sophia. Baby Sunshine seems to be just as active as Sophia was. I am very thankful that I am not experiencing the same back pain I had with the last pregnancy. I remember having some very uncomfortable days.

Five on Friday

Happy Friday!
Linking up with April, Christina, Darci, & Natasha for another Five on Friday!

one

I am so thankful for the warmer fall days that we have had recently. I am not a huge fan of cold weather so I will take all the warm days we can get (even though I know they are numbered).

two

I always procrastinate when it comes to sending out holiday cards, but unlike last year when my cards arrived late, I am determined to send them out on time this year.

I placed an order with Shutterfly and they gave me a promo code for ten free cards if I share with a friend.

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{You have to be new to Shutterfly to qualify.

Good through November 26, 2014.

I am eligible to get free prints if you use the link.}

Click here to take advantage of this offer!

three

I bought my first pair of boots and they are not quite what I was looking for, but I love them. I had my heart set on riding boots, but could not find a pair that fit the way I wanted within the price range I wanted to spend. Just for fun I tried on a pair of BEARPAW boots and fell in love. I was also thrilled that amazon had them at a fraction of the price than I found in the store, I can't wait for them to arrive!

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four

I have always been a breakfast person. Usually I eat cereal, but Baby Sunshine has requested baked goods in the morning. My new favorite fall breakfast (and dessert) is apple crisp.

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Recipe from Barefeet in the Kitchen

4 cups apples (thinly sliced)

1/3 cup butter, soft

2/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (I used Trader Joe's)

1/2 cup gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a small baking dish with butter. Spread the apples evenly in the pan. Combine the remaining ingredients in a medium sized bowl until crumbly. Sprinkle the topping over the apples and bake for about 30 minutes, until the apples are tender and the top is golden brown.

five

Please tell me I am not the only parent whose entire week has been turned upside down thanks to Daylight Savings Time. Baby Sunshine has me up early and hungry all day long. The toddler has given me a few rough spots every day. Thank goodness she still takes an afternoon nap so I can rally for the evening fun. Things are getting a little better, but I miss our version of normal!

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Leaf Love

Sophia has hit a point where she doesn't cooperate when I have the camera in my hands. Luckily she loves to run and play. I try to position myself so I can capture the perfect shot, which rarely happens, Having leaves all over on a warm day made for some fun pictures.

The best part was covering Baby Sunshine in leaves. She was quite pleased with herself.

Thrilled to be linking up with Jess and Ashley.

Insta-matic October

Here are a few of my favorite instagram pictures from October.
As always, obsessed with my little lady.
Follow along @jenhimmel.

Sometimes you need more than one bow.

Picture day for  Baby Sunshine.

"Smile Mommy and Daddy! Me take picture!"

Mouse and cat.

Loving her gym class.

Nana and Grandpop love.

Cold mornings call for all of the winter gear.

Attempting a photo with the toddler can be an adventure.

Twenty-two weeks with Baby Sunshine.

Out for a stroll in search of adventure.

Wild things.

Holding hands with a mermaid.

Someone didn't want her picture taken.

Wishing I could get her to pose like this on command.

"Dunglasses" are necessary when you are cutting.

Getting ready for her close-up.

Love.love.love this kid.

Not thrilled about having her picture taken.

Lil Red at the zoo.

Favorite Halloween pajamas.

Laughter before bedtime.

Exploring a new playground.

The Mad Hatter, Alice, and the Cheshire Cat.