25 weeks

This week marks 25 weeks pregnant. The app that reminds me how far I am thank God for that or I wouldn't be on track told me this week there are only 15 weeks to go. That's not a lot! But I am enjoying my time being pregnant and enjoying Winnie even more, though getting up and down from the floor is getting a little harder. ;)

We have been battling small colds this week. Sore throats for Taylor and I which have gotten better, and a runny nose and slight cough for Winnie. Winnie is also cutting a tooth, so that may be triggering some of these symptoms. Other than that we are all doing great. Not a lot has changed with pregnancy in a week, but here's a quick update anyways.

Darren is said to be the size of an eggplant, measuring approximately 9 inches, 1.7 lbs, and his lungs are developing quite a bit this week preparing for his first breath outside of mama. :)

How far along: 25 weeks & 5 days
Gender: Boy 
Weight gain: 20 lbs
Maternity clothes: Yep
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: Every week I switch to a "new" pillow because sleep is starting to get a little uncomfortable. But even though it's been a little uncomfortable, I am getting a good amount of sleep which is very nice. :)
Best moment this week: Getting the couch and crib set-up in Darren's room. It's starting to come together. We plan on painting in the coming weeks. Also taking Winnie to the Lazy 5 Ranch to see some animals was a blast!! Blog on that later. 
Miss anything: Nothing
Movement: Darren is very very active. I mean, he moves all over the place, all the time!
Cravings: Sushi.
Queasy or sick: Taylor and I had sore throats for 2 days and Winnie has a runny nose, but no sickness related to Darren.
Labor signs: None
Symptoms: Horrible leg pain... all this pressure, my veins can't take it.
Looking forward to: October is packed full of fun things happening. We have a wedding, family trip, our annual apple picking trip, babymoon, and so much more. I have a lot to look forward to this month, except my glucose test... that I'm not excited about. ;) 

It's Fall season and I am loving the cool weather!!!! I hope you all enjoy your week!

Banana Pudding Cheesecake

Every year for Taylor's birthday I make him a new kind of cheesecake. So far, every year has been a success. It is so much fun to do and I anticipate it probably just as much as he does. :)

This year was a toss up between banana pudding cheesecake [Tay loves banana pudding cake] or chocolate raspberry cheesecake [can't ever go wrong there]. I chose banana pudding cheesecake because it's different and sounded delicious and like I said, Taylor loves banana pudding cake.

Two years ago I made him a snickers cheesecake... the recipe and pictures are still in a draft on my blog.. one day I'll post it. It was SO good!!! Last year I made a beer cheesecake for his beer tasting party. Fun, delicious times!

This recipe was very very easy. One of the more "easier" cheesecakes I've made. I followed this lady's recipe pretty much to the t.

Banana Pudding Cheesecake 
Recipe by Sabor Pastel

Ingredients
1 box vanilla wafers 
3 bananas [2 ripe, 1 yellow]
1/2 stick of butter
2- 8oz cream cheese
1 cup whipping cream
4 eggs
sugar
vanilla extract

Recipe-- 

For the crust:
4 oz vanilla wafers [I got one box of vanilla wafers and split it up as I went thru the recipe. I didn't weigh or measure out exactly 4 oz or 2.5 oz. Just eye ball it].
4 Tablespoons butter

1. Using a food processor, pulse the cookies until they turn into a fine crumb. Add the butter and pulse until a dough is formed.
2. I took the butter wrapper and rubbed it in the pan before spreading the mix in. Spread the cookies in the bottom of a 8 inch springform pan. Refrigerate the crust while making the batter.

For the batter:
2 ripe bananas
2- 8oz cream cheese
1/2 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2.5 vanilla wafers, again eye ball it

1. Preheat the oven to 320 degrees.
2. In a stand up mixer with the whisk attachment, combine the cream cheese and the mashed bananas. Beat for 3 minutes.
3. Add in the sugar, beating another 3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time. Making sure it's completely mixed before adding each addition. Add vanilla extract.
5. Crumble the cookies with your hands and fold them into the batter.
6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 45-50 minutes, until cake appears set, with the center jiggling only a little. Let the cake cool in the turned-off oven.

For the topping:
1 yellow banana
2.5 oz vanilla wafers
1 cup whipping cream
2 tbsp sugar
vanilla wafers for garnish

1. Slice the banana and distribute it on one layer on top of the cooled cake. Place the cookies on top of bananas.
2. Mix the cream and sugar until it forms stiff peaks. Spread it on top of the cake.
3. Top with additional crumbled cookies. Refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours) before cutting. I didn't read this part until the cake was done and Taylor was 45 minutes from being off work. So I placed ours in the the fridge until he got home then in the freezer over dinner. It cut just fine and was delicious!! 

top view 

If you make this, you won't be sorry. It is so good!

Enjoy :)

Blackened Fish Tacos with Avocado slaw

I know it's been forever since my last recipe post. They will appear every once in a while.

The other night I made fish tacos for dinner, combining a few ideas from 3 different recipes for the fish seasoning and slaw topping. It was such a easy meal to make, and best part, the fish seasoning tasted very similar to a crab cake. Can't go wrong there!!

I used Flounder, but Tilapia or any other white fish of your choice will do. :)

Ingredients

Fish
4 Flounder fillets
1 tsp Cumin
1/2 tsp Chili powder
1/2 tsp Garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried Oregano
Pinch of Cayenne pepper
Salt
Pepper
1/2 tsp Brown Sugar
EVOO
Tortillas

Avocado Slaw
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 avocado, diced [pitted and pealed]
Cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 Lime
Salt
Pepper

Fish
1. Combine all the seasonings in a bowl and set aside until you're ready to cook the fish.
2. Warm a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Before placing the fish in the skillet, lightly pour EVOO on one side of the fish then rub the seasoning onto that side. Place seasoned side down in the skillet, then repeat the EVOO/seasoning on top side.
3. Cook for 4-5 minutes before flipping. It's okay if it starts to break up. Continue cooking until the fish is blackened and crispy.
4. Remove fish and cut into pieces.

Avocado Slaw
1. Chop red onion, peel/pit/dice avocado, and chop cilantro. Add all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Juice 1 lime into mix and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

In a tortilla, place blackened fish down then top with avocado slaw. Wrap and enjoy!

This dish is extremely easy to make and takes almost no time. Plus, Taylor said he would like to have it again soon, so that makes me the most happy. And it was delicious. :)

24 weeks

We've been asked a few times if our boy's name is a secret. It's not, I just haven't "announced" it. But for all you wondering, his name is Darren Taylor. We can't wait to meet little Darren and snuggle him tight. :)

Pregnancy is flying right by. I had my latest check up this week and I am measuring right on schedule and everything is going well. My next appointment is my glucose test / third trimester check up. Crazy.

We have been so blessed from friends and family selling/lending/giving us stuff we will need for Darren. Thank you so much!! I can't wait to start on his nursery and get things moving with decorating. :)

How far along: 24 weeks
Gender: Boy 
Weight gain: 18 lbs
Maternity clothes: I am set on maternity clothes thanks to sweet friends who have given me bags of cute clothes to wear. I am so thankful!! It was like Christmas morning trying on clothes that fit me... I almost cried.
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: Sleeping has been better. I do have some weird dreams every once in a while.
Best moment this week: Hearing Darren's heartbeat, a strong 138.
Miss anything: Nothing
Movement: Yes, he is very active. All the time!
Cravings: None at the moment.
Queasy or sick: Queasy once this past week from horrible indigestion/heartburn. Thankfully I had some essential oil rub a friend dropped off and it took my nausea right away and I fell fast asleep.
Labor signs: None
Symptoms: Started having indigestion & heartburn right before bed. I didn't have it with Winnie, so this is a new symptom for me and I'm not a fan.
Looking forward to: Planning the nursery and having our babymoon :)

Winnie sporting her Big Sister shirt like a pro! <3

She is getting so big!! 

22 weeks

Sorry for the lack of updates on baby #2. Winnie is keeping us busy with transitioning to one nap a day, so that's got all my attention for now.

As far as this pregnancy goes, I'm doing pretty good. Most days I feel great and energized, though there have been a couple days this past week where I just cried simply because I was tired. That happened at 9 in the morning.... yep. But funny thing, once I cried I felt better and energized. HORMONES. 

Boy Brown is growing so much these days. He has eyelashes, eyebrows and even some hair on his itty bitty head. He should be weighing around 1 lb now, but I think our little guy is more than 1 lb because of his latest measurements from our 20 week appointment. Either way. He's growing tons and moving around A LOT!

How far along: 22 weeks
Gender: Boy :)
Weight gain: 14 lbs
Maternity clothes: You betcha and Taylor's t-shirts. :)
Stretch marks: None
Sleep: I'm sleeping pretty well. Only had 1 night this week where Winnie kept me up. Other than that, boy Brown is letting me rest peacefully.
Best moment this week: All my play time with Winnie has been wonderful. I love it!!
Miss anything: The gym... we just can't afford it right now. One day in the future I'll be back!
Movement: Yeppers, he's moving around a lot in there. It's one of my favorite things.
Cravings: No cravings at the moment. That could change in 5 seconds.
Queasy or sick: No, thank God!
Labor signs: None
Symptoms: I'm starting to have bad leg pain again. Not yet sciatica, just horrible muscle pain. My headaches have reduced which is amazing! Thank God!!
Looking forward to: Planning his little nursery (and rearranging other rooms to make it work).


I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!!

Winnie update. . .

My little sunshine girl is doing great. Growing faster than ever and keeping me constantly on my toes.

can't get enough!!!

climbed up there on her own and then tried to stand up...

Winnie loves Burt's Bees chapstick, wearing my heels and bracelets, and has all of a sudden wanted to wear her headbands, which makes this mama so happy! She also has this new fascination with light switches and turning them off and on. She in even more of a climber than before, is that possible? She loves being outside, playing with our neighbor's soccer ball, coloring with chalk, swimming in the kiddie pool, and swinging in her swing. I'm thankful that she is a good mix of playing outside and getting dirty, and being girly by trying on all my jewelry and shoes.

always has her glasses on :)

Winnie doesn't understand that there is a baby in my belly. We started practicing "baby" with her this week. Trying to prepare her for when her brother arrives, I hold a baby doll and try to teach her what it will be like when boy Brown is here. She kisses the baby and gives it hugs but then picks it up by it's hair. It's hilarious and we're still working on it. When we do airplane and mama "flies" on Winnie's feet (one of our favorite things to do), I sometimes tell her boy Brown is flying too. I don't want her to be too jealous when her brother arrives. Either way, I know she is going to be the best big sister!! I'm excited for her.

hugging baby 

We've officially stopped nursing. Winnie pretty much stopped herself, which made me happy. It was time. She is also starting to transition herself to one nap a day. I wish she wouldn't. That has been one of our bigger challenges these past few weeks. One major reason why I haven't blogged in a while. But, I am working with her and we are figuring it out. Every day is different, sometimes she'll sleep for 2 hours in the morning and that's it. Other days she'll miss her morning nap and sleep 1-3 hours in the afternoon. I prefer the afternoon schedule, it is better for all of us in the long haul, it's just getting the consistency of that schedule down is hard work. The struggle is figuring out play time for the entire morning... and when does she eat lunch? do we change up bottle time? when do I do my chores? when do I sit down and have my quiet time? I am not waking up at 5 in the morning to read.. All the questions that I'm trying to figure out. Experienced moms, what do you find most helpful?

stacking blocks

can't get enough of her smile!! 

With all these changes going on with Winnie, I must say I have been extremely impressed with her cheerful attitude. Though we have had a few hard moments with a tantrum and some sin coming out. We are enjoying this time with her so much and learning a ton!

Age: 15 months old (in 7 days)
Weight & height: 22 lbs
Favorite book: Hello New York & Goodnight Moon
Favorite toy: Blocks, her tunnel, baby doll & stroller, books/flash cards, and anything that makes noise: drum, xylophone or piano.

Favorite animal: Doggie and Monkey. She is pretty good at making monkey sounds.
Personality: Independent, extremely observant & smart, and very silly. She is always making us laugh.
Loves: Playing outside. Lately I've been staying in because it's so hot, but when she gets the chance to go out it's tough bringing her back in. Running around the entire downstairs, we took away all the gates and she's loving her new found freedom. Bath time. She has so much fun splashing and kicking her feet making everything outside of the tub extremely wet. She also started rolling onto her back and putting her ears in the water while making loud noises. It is hilarious because she cracks up the entire time she does it. We love it. :)
Words: "mama", "dada", "Bumpa", "nana" (banana), "hi" and different sounds for Pop pop, Monkey, and Doggie. She talks a ton!! Such a girl ;)
Foods: She is a pretty good eater. She loves spicy foods (especially jalapeño chicken sausage), spaghetti, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, kiwi... pretty much any fruit, and cheese.

watching the Panthers with Dada

We emptied out one side of the yellow dresser for her. She hides toys inside and has tried to shut herself in, unsuccessfully, which resulted in her getting frustrated. It was pretty funny. I'm glad she doesn't fit. ;)

drums with Dada

i love her playful heart! 

Bump update coming soon.. until then happy Wednesday!!