Week 5

*Note: I'm currently 16 weeks, but going back and updating now that our little secret is out!

We went to October Fest this week and I found myself unable to ride carnival rides for the first time ever! My tummy sure loved that elephant ear though!

How far along: 5 weeks 

Maternity clothes: nope

Sleep: Sleep has been wonderful, but I'm having crazy dreams!

Best moment this week: Having fun at Oktoberfest

Miss anything? wine

Movement: nope

Cravings: not much, cheeseburgers taste amazing though.

Sick or queasy? on and off nausea

Belly Button in or out? in

Wedding rings on or off? On 

Looking forward to: Our first ultrasound, and making sure the baby is where it's supposed to be.

Week 4

* Note: I'm currently 16 weeks, but just now posting these back weeks now that our secret is out :)

We found out we were pregnant this week! I continued to take tests all week even after the blood work confirmed, just to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

How far along: 4 weeks

Maternity clothes: I imagine my regular clothes will fit for quite a while.

Sleep: pretty good! Waking up just a few times to pee.

Best moment this week: Seeing a positive pregnancy test for the first time in 2 years!!

Miss anything? California Club sandwiches from Chilis. Boo Listeria.

Movement: not yet.

Cravings: Not really. Though I swear I smelled Chinese food in my classroom one day.

Sick or queasy? A little bit, on and off

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Over the moon excited! But also nervous.

Looking forward to: Our first ultrasound.

A miracle.

October 7th was a day unlike any other. It was the end of our second round of fertility drugs on our current protocol. (We had been doing various treatments on and off for two years) I woke up that morning not feeling any different but decided to take a pregnancy test since my nerves were getting the best of me. I waited for the test and swore I could see an extremely faint second line. Dan wasn't sure. Judge for yourself:

Then I realized before I left for work that the test was expired. I thought about that test all. day. long. Was I imagining a second line because I was hopeful? Was I setting myself up for disappointment? When I got home from school Dan had bought me a digital one. I was so nervous to take it. What if it was negative? I had spent the last 9 hours thinking I was possibly pregnant and a negative test would crush all that. But then this little word popped up right away:

My hands started shaking and I just couldn't believe it. We were over the moon excited!

The next day I went in for beta blood work that came back at 199 - definitely pregnant! Two days later I went again and it came back at 502 - a strong, doubled number that indicated baby was growing as he or she should! A few days latter, we were at 3,998!!!!

It's been a long, painful, journey to get here and we are feeling so blessed and lucky to be expecting!

MPM: July3-9

Well, we always seem to have more meals leftover at the end of the week that we never got around to making. It's not that we eat out a lot, because we really don't. I think I'm just not accounting enough for leftovers.

Here's Our menu for this week:
Chicken Florentine Casserole (never made last week)
Independence Day BBQ with family
Lemon-Peppercorn Tilapia with rice
Spaghetti & Meatballs
Healthy Chicken Alfredo & Broccoli
Summer Corn, Bacon and Potato Chowder with Waldorf Salad
Healthy Chicken Nuggets & Sweet Potato Fries

All these recipes can be found on my pinterest page!

Menu Plan Monday

Menu Planning went really well last week. There were three meals we didn't get to, so we'll make them this week instead. I am really enjoying finding and testing out new recipes from pinterest. You can find these meals by following me over there!

Breakfasts:

almond joy oatmeal (LOVED this)

eggs, sausage & toast x2

waffles x2

yogurt & granola, hard boiled egg

Omelets

Lunches: 

Deli Sandwiches

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Egg Salad Sandwiches

Grilled cheese

leftovers 

Dinners:

Bruschetta Chicken (carry over)

Grilled Asian Kabobs & Sweet Potato fries (carry over)

Lemon – Peppercorn Tilapia & rice

Turkey Ranch Club Wraps

Sweet & Sour Chicken with rice (carry over)

Tuscan Chicken Soup & Brown Bread

Chicken Tacos {crockpot}

I'm back!!!

And ready to menu plan again. I love to menu plan in the summer because I"m home. all. day. I'm hoping I can get in the habit enough for it to carry over into the school year as well. That seems to be when I lose steam. Here's what we are eating this week:

Breakfasts:
Waffles
Breakfast out after the Dr's
Toast and eggs
Almond joy oatmeal
Egg, Sausage and toast
Sausage, egg & Cheese croissants
Waffles

Lunches:
Leftovers X3
Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Deli Sanwiches
Chicken Nuggets
Egg Salad Sandwiches

Dinners:
Tilapia Tacos with peach relish
Sweet n Sour Chicken with rice
Cashew chicken salad sandwiches
Grilled Asian Chicken Kabobs
Brown Sugar & Balsamic Pork Loin {crockpot}
Bruschetta chicken
Grilled hot dogs & sweet potato fries

Easy Meals

A few weeks ago I saw a nutritionist who has completely changed the way I eat. Because of this most nights our dinners look the same. A portion size of a lean meat or fish, a 1/2 cup of a whole grain starch and as many veggies as I want. Since most nights look the same I haven't been posting menu plans but I do want to share a few recipes that I've been making and loving. These all fit my nutritionists guidelines as long as I keep the portion size in control. We usually eat them with either whole grain rice or pasta or sweet potatoes.

Source: grocerybudget101.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Key West grilled chicken - This marinade is easy to throw together and grill on summer nights.

Source: bigoven.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Bourbon Chicken - Tastes just as good as take out chinese

Source: rachaelraymag.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia - This simple fish recipe is really good!

Source: amysfinerthings.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Alice Springs Chicken Copy cat recipe - This only fits the criteria if I make it with low fat cheese and turkey bacon, but it's still delicious! My husband recently had the Alice Springs Chicken at Outback and said he liked mine better!

Source: myrecipes.com via Rachelle on Pinterest

Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce - This is one of my new favorite recipes :)