29 Weeks of Pure Bliss!

I have to be honest. I am so glad the holidays and new year are well on their way to being behind us. It feels good to have a routine back in place and after our trip next week to Phoenix, we won't be going anywhere for a while. It feels good. I am also glad to have hit the third trimester of this pregnancy and FINALLY have my normal food pallet back! The entire first and second trimester were rough. Nothing ever sounded right or good. I just ate because I needed to and most of the time I wasn't reaching for the best things on the shelf. Welcome back fruits and veggies. I have missed you.

This third trimester has also been strange in that I have found a weird sense of energy. I have been walking more and just getting lots done around the house. Minus the Christmas stuff that is still up. Darnit, we have got to get those decorations down. Oh and we have GOT to get that nursery in better shape. We have 10 weeks. 10 weeks! Yikes!

For Christmas I received a Ninja blender. Can I just say...I am in love! It is so wonderful and makes me wish I had one a long time ago! If you like smoothies you really need to go find one and begin saving money tomorrow on the creations you can make at home instead of paying others. Then you can thank me. Anyway, I thought I would share some of my recent smoothies. I am no pro, but I am enjoying the exploring and learning!

Berry Smoothie

Frozen berry mix

1 Banana

1/2 cup of greek yogurt

1/2 cup of Cranberry juice

Green Peach Mango Smoothie

1 Cup of spinach leaves

1/2 cup of Orange Juice

Frozen Peaches and Mango chunks

1 banana

Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie

Advocare Chocolate Protein Powder

2 Tbl of Peanut butter

1 Banana

1/2 cup of Milk

1 tbl of Honey

Ice

To be honest there is no real method to my smoothie making. I kinda make it up as I go and hope it tastes good. I learned a couple good rules of thumb. You should pretty much always do a cup of whatever green veggie you choose, 1 1/2 cups of your fruit of choice, 1/2 cup of yogurt and a 1/2 cup of chosen liquid. You can include ice, but I choose frozen fruit instead. You should typically blend your veggie and liquid first and then add the rest and blend. I don't always use yogurt. I don't love the creamy texture it gives a fruit smoothie. You should stack smoothie ingredients from soft to hard and liquid last. Finally, you could easily substitute greek yogurt and add chocolate powder for my last smoothie recipe if you don't have a chocolate protein powder. ENJOY!

29 Weeks!!

This week, baby is the size of a: Butternut Squash

Due date: April 1, 2014

How far along: 29 weeks

Next appointment: January 28th

Gender: It's a BOY!!

Total weight gain/loss: roughly 30 pounds

Stretch marks: None so far! I LOVE my lotion!

Swelling: nothing. 

Maternity clothes: I did get a few new shirts. Would like 1 or 2 more pants. 

Belly button: Still the smashed look. 

Sleep: Hit or miss. Some nights I sleep great, other nights it's awful. I did finally get a body pillow which has done wonders! I love it!

Food cravings/aversions: None here! My pallet is feeling very normal again! 

Movement: Lots of movement.  

Wedding ring: Still fits great! Hoping that lasts!

What I miss: a full nights sleep. I guess I should get used to that??  

What I'm loving: everything. Truly it is an experience I cherish everyday.     

What I'm looking forward to: Baby showers over the next few weeks. Can't wait to see my friends in Phoenix and celebrate this life we are bringing here in 10 short weeks! give or take!

Best moment this week: Yesterday's doctor appt. I love hearing him.   

Milestones: Making it to the third trimester. Hooray! Down hill from here!

A Very Special Prayer to Grady Cole Austin

Have you ever noticed how the "new" of anything is the best day of that existence? New relationship, new job, new baby, new friendship, new house, new car, new place. Your euphoric state is at an all time high and eventually over time, use, distance something changes it. The beauty you once placed in that person or object has faded and been replaced with discontent, short tempers, and the need for something new. This is breaking my heart and has lead me to a desperate plea for Grady Cole Austin.

Dear God,

You have given me a gift that is very exciting right now. Every emotion that surrounds the tiny heart inside of me is only there because of the excitement and anticipation that rests in what is to come. I will never stop praising you for this gift of life...I hope. You see that is my prayer today. God I pray I never forget these feelings of joy. I pray I never forget how special he is in my heart. I pray I always cherish the life of his that has been trusted to me. I pray I place as much detail on his 25th birthday as I do on his first. I pray I find just as much content in attending every SINGLE sport of his as I do just thinking of them today. I pray when my tempers run short and my fumes run high that I remember the blessing he is in my life. I pray I never forget how important he is to me. but Lord more importantly, because I know I will fail, I will forget, I will lose my temper, and I will become discontent, I pray for mercy. Lord, I pray he shows me mercy and grace on those days I fall short. I pray that I am quick to show love again when I know I have let my flesh come through. I pray there never comes a time when he doubts the love I have for him. Lord this is an easy prayer today. Father it is the same lip service that can sometimes come so easy in my relationship with you, but Lord just as you have taught me, "faith without action is dead", I pray that you would continue change my heart so that my actions always add up to my words. God, I pray that I would not forget the blessing my life should be on every person that comes across my path. My husband, my family, my friends, my co-workers, and even strangers, Father I pray for the actions that will show them that my life has been transformed by an almighty God. That because of your grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness I can be made new and walk in that light and they can too. I pray you would keep my flesh from running rampant and instead allow your spirit to lead my life. And I pray because of the eternal life change you have on me that my son walks in those same footprints. The footprints of Jesus.

In Jesus' name,
Amen