Couch to 5k!

So I'm doing this. I started on October 14th and things are going...well. Basically the program starts you out really really slow and you work your way up. If you want to check it out just google it! Here's what's happening:

• A rough beginning... I have never been a runner. I've tried many times and failed. Give me an elliptical and I'll go all day but running? No way... I did my first workout with Liz while pushing Clay in the stroller...I didn't think I was going to make it but I did! It definitely helped to have Liz there encouraging me!

• I'm ahead...with a little help! Somehow I've gotten ahead! I'm actually at the end of week 2 but I started my week 3 workouts today! The kids I nanny for want to run so I've been doing my workouts with them! We did two this week! Also, Liz has ran with me a couple times and Clay is always up for being pushed in the jogging stroller.


• I picked my first race! The Reindeer Romp on December 15th. My goal was to pick a 5k to do in January/February but I should be done with the training program the week before so I thought it would be perfect! Plus...I can decorate the stroller. And dress in crazy Christmas running gear. Check!

Well, that's all I have time for now but hopefully I'll update you all weekly on my progress!

Love,

Jess

Weekly Chase

Recap from last week:
Get Clay to daycare on time Fail, fail, fail. Little man has been battling an upset tummy and not sleeping well. I'm at the point where if morning is the best time he sleeps and I have the luxury with my job to let that happen, I'm going to let him. Hopefully he feels better soon and I can revisit this goal.

Complete 3 running workouts Done! This was actually easier than I thought! I'll be blogging more about this in a separate post.

Increase my milk supply Done! Last Monday I started the day with less than 3 ounces pumped. This Monday I had 3 3-ounce bottles pumped!


This week I want to...
Complete my running workouts for the week, go to one yoga class, and stretch everyday. I've already done two of the workouts so I'm well on my way!! Secretly I would like to do an extra one so I have two left!

Increase extra milk supply Now that I'm regularly producing enough milk for Clay to have at daycare my goal is to have 9 ounces extra for the freezer by next Monday.

Take a 2 hour nap. It's been awhile since I've really got to rest so I'm going to take a nap while Clay is at daycare sometime this week.

Blog about doing Couch to 5k I've been meaning to do this and haven't gotten to it. I would love to do a weekly recap of my workouts!

Read to Clay each night. I've seriously been slacking at this. Reading to little ones is so important so I'm making this my number 1 goal for the week.

Well, I could keep going but I'll stop for now.

Love,
Jess

Weekly Chase

So I've slacked on this lately, but I think I've had a good reason:



Anyway, he's in daycare and I'm back at work so it's time for some goal setting. Ready, set, go!
#1 Get Clay to daycare on time! Well, at least the time I want him to be there. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday I have to be at work by 8 so this is easier but on Wednesday and Friday I work whenever I want so I took him around eleven last week. I'd like to have him there by 9 to get us on a schedule of sorts and so I have plenty of time for goal #2.
#2 Do my three running workouts for the week! That's right. I've started running... I'm doing the Couch to 5k program and hope to run a 5k in January/February. I'll be blogging about my journey and I'm sure it will be amusing to say the least!
#3 Increase my breastmilk supply. I'm seriously struggling with keeping breastmilk pumped for him to have at daycare. Today I had to take him milk three times right after I pumped it. I've started taking More Milk Plus and drinking Mother's Milk Tea and I've added several pumping.
Wish me luck!
Love,
Jess

Paint Chip Calendar

Pinterest. We've all been there (well, if you haven't, you should). Anyway, after hours of pinning I decided to take on this project:
Paint Chip Calendar

So I set out today and gathered my supplies






-frames- I'm doing one for this month, one for the next. I found these 11 3/4x15 3/4 frames for $9.99 each at Ikea but you could save money and use one you have around the house!
-fabric- I found these fat quarter squares at Walmart for .99 each! Again, you could use something you had around the house already.
-paint chips- Originally I was going to use individual chips and cut them to size but then I noticed these had seven colors on each- perfect!
-adhesive- I picked up this Peel n Stick tape at Walmart for $3.92. Honestly, regular double sided tape probably would work just as well.
-pen, paper, tape measure- you'll only need these items if you're anal like me and everything has to be spaced exactly.

Directions:
-cover the back of the picture frame with fabric
-determine where you want to place the chips

-have a handsome co-crafter

-attach chips with your choice of adhesive
-put back on frame


Honestly, I kind of liked the way it looked like that but alas, I need a calendar so here's what it looks like now:



I'm very pleased with the way this turned out and can't wait to make more for gifts! Oh, the possibilities...different frame and fabric choices and so many paint chip choices!

I'll call my first Pinterest project a win!

Love,
Jess

Here we go...

Six weeks ago today I gave birth to this wonderful creature:








This morning after dropping Clay Lucas off for his first day of daycare I went for my six week checkup. Oh, how I have NOT missed going to the doctor! However, I was given the all clear to workout! Woohoo! Hopefully within the next week or so I can get into a routine and start working out again. Until then I have decided to start eating healthy again. Here's my yummy berry/banana/spinach/greek yogurt smoothie.








My first goal as of now is to get to my prepregnancy weight by January 1st. That's 20 pounds my friends. At the same time I need to make sure I eat enough (& healthy) food since I'm breastfeeding.
My second goal is to attempt running. I HATE RUNNING. However, I want to try for a few of reasons: I would have something set in stone to work towards (races, miles); there are so many gorgeous places to run in Charlotte; it's something I can take Clay to do (hello, jogging stroller!); I've heard (and have yet to believe) that it's a good stress reliever.
So there you have it. I'm committing to live a healthier life not just for myself but also for my little one!






Ahh!!! So adorable! Time to go snuggle!

Love,
Jess

I fail.

So, like many other things in life, I have failed at blogging since Clay Lucas was born. I have a huge stack of papers/mail to organize, thank you cards to write, a blanket to finish, and on and on. The one thing I've rocked at is being a mom. I love it! I love getting to cuddle with him everyday and to see him do new things...it's just amazing.

Okay, now back to the earth. I go back to work next Tuesday. I'm excited/nervous/sad. Luckily, unlike many other working mothers, I have an unusual job. I'm a nanny/household manager and while the kids are in school, my boss is letting me bring Clay Lucas to work some. The majority of the time he'll stay at daycare but it's nice to know that when I want a little extra time to spend with him, I can have it! Another advantage I have is his daycare's open door policy! I can run over to breastfeed before the kiddos get off the bus everyday!

I'm hoping that once I go back to work my life will somewhat start to resemble my organized life I had pre-baby...hahahahahaha. So I know that will never happen but a girl can dream, right?

Here are a few of my goals for the next week/month/rest of the year:

• increase my breastmilk supply


• blog more...start food friday again! blog about parenting!


• work out at least twice a week


• eat healthy!


• drop to prepregnancy weight by new year's!


• make a to do list everyday!


• spend one hour a week on Clay stuff...scrapbooks, photo albums, etc.


• spend two hours twice a month on the diy projects I keep pinning


• find a new apartment!!


• finish Rhonda's blanket


• make a granny square a day for a blanket for...??? I have no clue yet!


• organize this list! haha

I know I'm being very ambitious but hopefully by Monday I'll have this list organized...more definite, specific dates for completion...etc.

Have a great rest of the weekend!

Love,

Jess

 

Weekly Chase

Since I didn't have any goals from last week I'll go over my goals from the week before:
-Have baby. Check! Allow me to introduce you to Clay Lucas He. Is. So. Amazing. A longer post will follow about this cutie!


Rest, walk, hydrate I did this! For the one day that week before I had Clay.
Scrapbook, blanket The pictures are in! Now I just need to write in it. And here is the progress on the blanket:



Bake cookies Done! They were awesome!

Goals for this week:
Eat better I definitely slacked off big time at the end (okay, middle) of my pregnancy. Now I need to focus on eating better not only to lose some baby weight but also for more energy! I will not use breastfeeding as an excuse to eat crappy!!
Rest when the baby does This was the advice I got most often and now I know why... I need to resist the urge to plow through my checklist the minute he goes down. Pushing myself to exhaustion won't help Clay or myself.
Start working on my workout plan I can't start working out until 6 weeks but I need a game plan!!

I could add about 20 more but for now, I'm gonna keep it simple.

And just cause, here's another adorable picture:



Love, Jess

He's here!

Someday soon I will write a post about my birthing story. For now, I'm just going to share a bunch of super cute pictures!

Clay Lucas
Born at 7:15pm
7lbs 13 oz & 21 in













Love,
Jess

Weekly Chase

Still pregnant here...I wasn't dilated at all on Thursday but I go back to the doctor today to make a plan and I've had every prelabor sign known to man. Hopefully he decides to come soon because I really want to avoid having to be induced at the hospital! So far I've tried a bazillion things that are supposed to induce labor...pineapple, Chinese food, walking, breast pump, and on and on and on. Haha. Someday I will blog about my experiences with all the things I tried. Anyway, onto the Weekly Chase...

This week I was...legen...wait for it...dary! (if you have not seen the show How I Met Your Mother, do so now, please)

• Rest as much as possible I did this! I only babysat for a couple of hours each morning and cut my work hours down from 30 to 20! I even took 3! bubble baths...and ate a cupcake in the bathtub...hehe, I'm pregnant, don't judge!


• Walk I did this! I walked for 45 minutes on Monday and on Saturday I walked to Dean and Deluca and to Paper Source to get supplies! Yay!


• Work on Clay's scrapbook and finish crocheting his Cowboys hat Bam, I rocked this! The scrapbook is 75% finished and here is the hat:




• Hydrate I was a ROCKSTAR most days when it came to this. And I forced (by forced I mean bugged constantly all day) my friend Liz on my quest to hydrate!

Goals for this week:

• Have this baby.

However, until that precious time comes, here are my goals for this week:

• Read the posts from other Weekly Chasers!!! I have had so many wonderful comments from you all and every time I sit down to read everyone's I get through one or two then get sidetracked (baby brain, anyone?).


• Continue to walk, hydrate, and rest I feel great physically (most of the time) so I want to stay as active as possible until I deliver without wearing myself down.


• Work on Clay's scrapbook and Rhonda's blanket Maybe I'll get the scrapbook done by the time he's 50... And I  starting making a blanket for my dear friend Rhonda. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I thought a lap blanket might be a good addition to her next care package :)


• Bake cookies I'm such a hostess. Like I can't help it. It's bad. Anyway, I want a treat to take to the hospital to share with my family, friends, and nurses. I will draw the line at making everyone individual treat bags...maybe :0

Love,

Jess

Food Friday- Gingersnaps

...or as I like to call them, Gingasnaps

Ingredients
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups shortening
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
3/4 cup sugar

Directions
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-In medium bowl stir together flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat shortening on low speed for 30 seconds. Add 2 cups sugar. Beat until combined. Beat in eggs and molasses until combined. Beat in as much of the flour mixture as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour mixture.
-Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in the 3/4 cup sugar. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
-Bake in 350 degree oven for 8 to 9 minutes or until bottoms are lightly browned and tops are puffed. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to wire rack and let cool.





Nom nom nom

Love,
Jess

Weekly Chase

Well, I'm still pregnant. Lol. 39 weeks and 1 day. I'm so anxious to meet him and snuggle I can barely stand it!! Since I'll probably be out of touch for a little while after, when little Clay has decided to join us, you can see pictures of him on my friend Liz's blog!

And the verdict is...

• Paint my toenails Done :)
  

• Walk two days and do a pool workout 
Well, I only walked one day with this cutie but I spent time at Target and the mall yesterday then spent 9 hours helping my friend Amy unpack at her new apartment...so I'm not too sad about missing a walk and workout.

• Finish a food plan for my friend Liz I have started and after some info from Liz am almost done!
  


• Work on my checklist for Clay Carseat is still in the dining room, I decided to keep the stroller in the front closet, the outfit still isn't ironed (I just hate ironing. I'm hoping I go into labor so this task will fall on someone else...is that horrible?), and I just got the pictures in the mail for the scrapbook so I can start working on that!
  


• NO TEXTING/INTERNET WHILE DRIVING! I have done really well with this! I won't say it hasn't been hard to break this habit but I'm doing it!
  

Goals for this week:

• Rest as much as possible If you know me, then you know that this is hard for me to do...especially when there's dishes in the sink, laundry to be done, etc.


• Walk I know, third week in a row...but I think it's a good goal :)


• Work on Clay's scrapbook and finish crocheting his Cowboys hat I'm so behind it's not funny with the scrapbook and the hat just needs to be finished by his newborn portrait session but I'm betting after he arrives I won't have much time.


• Hydrate Some days I get so caught up in work or doing other things that I don't realize I've been slacking til it's 8pm and I'm sucking down water like I just spent a month in the Sahara. Then I end up peeing all night long (who am I kidding, that happens regardless of my fluid intake). Anyway, I want to be more conscious about making sure I'm getting enough water!

Love,

Jess

Oh what a night...or week...whatever

So I have that song stuck in my head... "oh what a night...late December back in '63." Anyway, that's where the title came from. Here's a rundown of my last week or so:

• I got some pretty devastating news last Friday. One of my very best friends has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Send up some prayers for her please :)


• I'm done with being pregnant. Haha. I just can't wait to hold my little one and have my body back!!!! I can say that I got off pretty lucky with not having morning sickness but I feel like I've had every other common and not so common pregnancy symptom known to man. For someone who is extremely impatient and a planner, the last month of pregnancy has not been fun! Maybe sometime this week I will write a post about all the natural things I've done to induce this baby (THEY ALL FAILED!).

[caption id="attachment_139" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Fail[/caption]

• I worked my last 45 hour week til after maternity leave (woo!). Next week I'll just be doing what I feel like I can...which is hopefully around 30 hours.


• My aunt and cousin came to visit last weekend. Highlights: IKEA, Southpark Mall, Target, Loco Lime, Dean & Deluca, Amelie's, Dilworth Coffee, my aunt cleaning my apartment for me!!!!!!

[caption id="attachment_140" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Loco Lime=burning pit in my stomach[/caption]

• Clay's corner (he'll be sharing a room with me until late November) is done!

[caption id="attachment_137" align="aligncenter" width="169"] Clay's corner (minus the cradle)[/caption]

• I read this book. All I can say right now is that I cried. And cried. And cried. Not a good selection if you're pregnant and your hormones are raging. Someday I will do a review about it. When I can look at the cover without crying.

[caption id="attachment_138" align="aligncenter" width="225"] wahhhhh[/caption]

Enough for now, this post is already to windy.

I'll leave you with this:

Love,

Jess

Food Friday- Pizza!

I got this recipe from one of the most awesome magazines out there...Oxygen It's a great magazine for active women- it's full of workouts and healthy recipes! This recipe is for a single serving...just quadruple the ingredients for a whole pizza!
Buffalo-Style Chicken Pizza


Ingredients

• 1/4 whole wheat pre-made pizza crust


• 4 oz cooked chicken breast, shredded


• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced


• 1 tbsp hot sauce


• 1 oz reduced-fat blue cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 450. Place pizza crust on a baking rack set inside a cookie sheet.


• In a small bowl, toss chicken and celery with hot sauce. Spread over pizza crust and top with cheese. Bake for 8 minutes.

I hope you enjoy!

Love,

Jess

Weekly Chase

Last week's run down:

• Walk one day I did it! It was only a 15 minute walk but that's more than I've done in a few weeks so I'll count it! Plus I spent my Saturday afternoon walking around Ikea and the mall with my family so I've definitely got some good walking in this week!
  

[caption id="attachment_114" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Walking with the bump![/caption]

• No eating out I did so well...til my family came to town. Haha. I completely forgot about my aunt and cousin (Rachel=awesomeness) coming when I made this goal ...but we only ate out for three of the meals so it wasn't too horrible.


• Finish a book I haven't finished my book but I'm so close! It's at the top of my to do list for the night right after eating dinner so I should be done with it tonight!
  


• Post Food Friday on time Did it! Check it out!

Goals for this week:

• Paint my toenails I'm 38 weeks pregnant and pretty proud that I can still do this. Well, I think I can... It hasn't happened in a few weeks and I'd like to have pretty toes if I'm going to be waddling :)


• Walk two days and do a pool workout  My foot is feeling better everyday so I want to up my goal a little every week...well for the next couple weeks til I deliver at least.


• Finish a food plan for my friend Liz I am a horrible friend...I've been telling Liz I would do this for the past couple weeks and all I have so far is a basic idea. So this week I will do this!


• Work on my checklist for Clay Carseat and stroller to the car, iron his coming home outfit, catch up on his scrapbook! That's all I have left on my list of things to do before he comes!


• NO TEXTING/INTERNET WHILE DRIVING! I know, I know, it is a HORRIBLE habit! But I am going to quit! I recently realized how much I do this and since very soon I will be driving with some very precious cargo I need to be more attentive to the road!

Well, I'm getting down to the final days of my pregnancy so if I happen to miss a Monday it will be because I'm busy holding my sweet precious Clay Lucas!
Love,

Jess

Food Friday "Quickies"

Since being pregnant I've learned how important it is to have some (mostly) healthy quick recipes for those nights when you get home from work and unlocking the door feels like a feat! They're all ones I made up so forgive the unoriginal names!

Here are a few of my favorites:
PPP...Pasta, Peas, Parmesan


Cook the pasta and peas then mix the ingredients together to personal taste and enjoy!

• Whole Wheat Pasta (I prefer rotini or a small noodle that you can eat with a spoon so you can scoop up some peas with each bite!)


• Frozen Peas


• Shredded Low Fat Parmesan cheese


• Butter (optional)


• Salt and Pepper...and Red Pepper

Rice, Peas, Chicken


Cook the rice and peas, add in a skillet with the chicken and a dash of olive oil. Cook on low heat for a few minutes. Add soy sauce to taste and that's all!

• Whole Wheat Microwaveable Rice


• Rotisserie Chicken from your local grocer, pulled off the bones


• Frozen Peas


• Low Sodium Soy Sauce

Peanut Butter and Strawberry Sandwich

Toast your bread (it tastes so much better this way because it melts the pb!), spread on peanut butter, top with sliced strawberries, drizzle with honey! YUM!

• Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread


• Natural Peanut Butter


• Strawberries


• Honey

Love,

Jess

Weekly Chase

I'm doing it! I'm doing the weekly chase! I found out about it from my friend Liz, who also is participating in the Weekly Chase. To learn more about it click on the badge above.

Goals:

• Walk one day this week- I am currently 37 weeks pregnant. At the beginning of my pregnancy I was doing really well with walking and my job is very active. But recently, due to the heat (100 degrees!!) and a suspected stress fracture in my left foot, I have not been doing any extra walking outside of what's necessary. However, this week it is cooler and my foot is feeling better so I hope to walk one day this week.


• No eating out- try to resist the urge to go out to eat except for a possible Girls Night Out.


• Finish a book- I want to get as much reading done while I still can before the baby comes.


• To Post for Food Friday on time- each Friday I attempt to post a recipe that I have tried. However, the last two weeks I have been late getting my posts up on my blog. (Be sure to check out the recipes I have already shared)

Check back next week to see my goals went!

Love,
Jess

I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!

Yes, that's right, I am absolutely positively obsessed with the Olympics! So much so that I'm already planning Clay's 4th Olympic themed birthday party in 2016! And I might check the medal count every 30 minutes throughout the day...

Anyway, the natural course of action for Liz and I was to have an Olympic themed party for the opening ceremonies. Here are some pictures from the night:









It was a great trial run for Clay's 4th birthday party (I know I'm crazy)...

Love,

Jess

Food Friday "Classics"

I know, I know. I've been slacking, but I'm really excited to share with you one of my favorite recipes. It took me many batches but I finally figured out how to perfect the chocolate chip cookie! I use the Nestle Toll House Recipe but make a couple of changes.

Before I continue on with the recipe, I would like to share with you a wonderful clip from a wonderful show...enjoy!

Phoebe's Nestle Toulouse Recipe

Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup shortening, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large egg
1 (12 ounce) package NESTLE® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions
PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F.
COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Use your hands to mix the shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Gradually mix in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop with an ice cream scoop onto ungreased baking sheets.
BAKE for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.



Okay, now who wants to bring this pregnant girl some?
Love,

Jess

I knew I was really a mom when...

WARNING: THIS POST IS NOT FOR PEOPLE WITH WEAK STOMACHS

I've been babysitting a sweet 6 month old boy a couple times a week which has been a good refresher on caring for an infant since I haven't babysat one in a year or so. Today started out very uneventful. He woke, we played, we ate, he pooped, he napped. Then it began. He got fussy so I picked him up and held him on my shoulder to comfort him. Then, a fountain of puke erupted on my shoulder. I cleaned us off the best I could which basically meant stripping him and trying to wipe me up. At this point he was upset so I continued to hold him. Five minutes later. Another puke volcano. My hair. The floor. My clothes. Basically everywhere except on him. I started wiping up again and got the most of it then realized he just needs to be held. So I just sat there in his room in reach of the wipes and burp cloths and just held him.

I realized I was really a mom when the puke didn't make me puke!! I have an extremely horrible gag reflex. If someone pukes at the very least I'm gagging. I always wondered what I was going to do when I had a child...how would I take care of them without getting sick myself?? I watched my mom take care of my sister and me and couldn't figure out how she did it. She even took care of me through a stomach virus this past December. I'm 26 and not ashamed a bit of that.

Anyway, I did it! I didn't gag, I didn't get sick. And I realized that sometimes you just need to put the child ahead of your insane OCD ways. Sometimes just holding the baby when you're both sticky with puke is more important than cleaning.

The happy ending to this story is that his mom arrived home 30 minutes after the eruption started so I got to leave and go home and shower. :)

Love,
Jess

Sneak Peek of Maternity Portraits

Here's a link to a sneak peek of my maternity portraits taken by the wonderful Elizabeth at Almond Leaf Studios!

http://almondleafstudios.com/blog/?p=8210

While you're there please take some time to visit the "our motivation" section of her blog!

Love,

Jess

Food Friday...just a little late

I know, I know, my second week on the blogging job and I'm already a failure! I had very good intentions of posting this last Friday but my wonderful friend Leah surprised me and flew in for a visit on Thursday. Anyway, more on that later...I know present to you FOOD FRIDAY!

This is a recipe that I tried a few months ago but I love it so much I wanted to share it with you! Liz and I found this gem on Pinterest courtesy of the food blog Pinch of Yum.

Healthy Sweet Potato Skins

Ingredients

• 2 medium or large sweet potatoes


• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter


• 1 shallot, minced


• 1 bag fresh baby spinach


• 1/4 cup light sour cream


• 2 ounces light cream cheese


• 1 cup chickpeas


• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese


• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Bake sweet potatoes at 350 for 45-60 minutes, or until fork tender.


2. Cut sweet potatoes in half and let cool for 5-10 minutes. While sweet potatoes are cooling, saute the shallots with the butter over medium heat until translucent. Add fresh spinach and heat for 2-3 minutes, until spinach has cooked down. Set aside.


3. Scrape the sweet potato out of the peel, leaving a thin layer inside with the peel so that it can stand up on its own. Mash the sweet potato with the cream cheese and sour cream. Stir in chickpeas, spinach, and salt and pepper.


4. Coat potato skins with a drizzle of oil and bake for about 5 minutes to get a crispier outside. Remove from oven and fill each skin with the sweet potato mixture and top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake again for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and filling is heated through.

Let me know how this turns out for you!

Love, Jess

Look ma! Coffee inspired art for my kitchen!

So I made the very adult decision that I finally need to pick colors for my kitchen. Drumroll please...the new colors of my kitchen are kelly green and cobalt blue with a coffee theme.

On to my craft... I've recently been inspired by my friend Amy to be more crafty. I'm good with things that have a specific pattern (crocheting) but I'm not very artistic so I've been apprehensive about starting anything. Inspired by my new decision I decided to embark on a project to make something for my kitchen.

Here's what I did:

Supplies
12x12 canvas
Acrylic paint
Paint brushes
Coffee beans
Mod Podge glue

1st
I painted the canvas with two coats of the paint with an hour dry time between and after.



2nd
I laid out the coffee beans how I wanted them on the canvas.



3rd
I glued on the coffee beans with Mod Podge glue. At first I was doing them individually but I realized since it dries clear it's easier to brush on sections of glue then apply the coffee beans a section at a time.

4th
Hang. Admire.



After I finished the mug, I decided to make it a mate.



Love,
Jess

Food Friday!

As part of my blogging adventure I have decided to bring you all Food Friday! Each Friday I will bring you a new recipe I've tried or an old favorite for the weeks when my culinary attempts consists of pbjs!

This week I tried a new recipe with my dear friend Liz. When we find time in our busy schedules to make dinner together we go in search of new recipes to try and usually come out with a winner! This week was no exception!

I turned to an old favorite for this week's recipe: Real Simple. If you've never visited this website or read the magazine, put it on your to do list! I found a few options but we decided to go with Spaghetti with Zucchini, Walnuts and Raisins (just for fun I'll put links to the runners up below!).

Here's the recipe with the changes we made bolded:

Ingredients:

12 oz spaghetti (3/4 box)
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 c. walnut halves, roughly chopped
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (we used minced garlic)
1 1/2 lbs small zucchini (4 to 5), cut into thin half-moons
3/4 c. raisins
kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 c. grated Parmesan (1 oz)
*we also added some cut pineapple to the mix too

Directions:

1. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain and return to the pot.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the walnuts and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, 3 or 4 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until beginning to brown, about 1 minute.
4. Add the zucchini and raisins (and pineapple) and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the zucchini is just tender, 4 or 5 minutes.
5. Add the zucchini mixture to the pasta and toss to combine. Sprinkle with Parmesan before serving.



Tada! A wonderful meal with very few ingredients that takes very little time...in other words, every mom's dream!




As promised, here are links to the runners up!

Honey Chicken Skewers with Grilled Corn Salad

Grilled Lemon Chicken with Cabbage Corn Slaw

I would love to hear if you try any of the recipes I feature or of any changes you made!

Love,
Jess

Ahh...kids and pregnancy

As many of you know, I'm a nanny to two very inquisitive children who are 6 and 9. They've been excited about the baby and their new favorite game is 20 questions about the baby. The other day I was telling them that when he comes out he'll recognize people by their voices. This got them super excited so they decided to introduce themselves to my belly...this alone was enough to bring a smile to my face. However, they were talking to him like he was a 90 year old with hearing loss- very slow and loud...now this almost made me pee my pants from laughter!

I hope you can picture this scene well enough that it brings a little funny to your day :)

Love,
Jess

Don't google...and other things I've learned during pregnancy...

By far the best advice I've received during pregnancy was from one of the nurses at my ob's office. DON'T GOOGLE! Occasionally you might get good advice but more often you'll end up worrying yourself sick or ignoring symptoms that your doctor needs to know about!! The nurse told me to never hesitate and call them with any questions! They would much rather you call than google!

WHEN YOU FEEL ENERGETIC, TAKE ADVANTAGE! I've learned that this is especially important because you could be full of energy one day and dead on your feet the next. I've always heard that you'll be more tired than usual during pregnancy, but nothing prepared me for the tiredness I experienced! One day I took 3 naps! And I guess while I'm discussing sleep (or need for), I'll mention PILLOWS!! You can never have too many especially when you're pregnant! Between the heartburn/acid reflux, hip pain, back pain, not being able to sleep on your back, and your ever growing belly, you'll need a ton. Haha. I've been known to sleep with three under my head, one between my knees, one behind my back, and one to hug. Most recently I've had to add one to prop up my swelling feet! When I'm trying to roll over (which is a great process), I always imagine that I look like a beached whale.

And I should go ahead and mention that EVERY PREGNANCY IS DIFFERENT! So really, only the no googling advice might apply to you!

STOCK UP ON TOILET PAPER Actually, you should do this as soon as you see that second line. Don't stop to tell anyone your good news. Go STRAIGHT to Sam's Club, get a membership, and buy tp. You will need it. Lots of it.

Well, I'm done dispensing my wisdom (hehe) for the day!

Love,
Jess

A big week.

It's been a big week in the life of Clay Lucas and he's not even here yet! Here are some highlights:

-Picking a pediatrician office (I can already tell I'm going to love Charlotte Pediatric Clinic!)
-At my ob appointment I learned that Clay is head down and the chances are very slim that he could flip so no breech baby for me!
-My mom, aunt, and sister came to visit and help me get organized! They are such a blessing! Now all I need before he comes are cradle sheets!
-Clay has officially become destructive to my body- I still love him sooooo much though!
-I had my maternity portraits taken yesterday! I'm so excited to see them and can't wait to share them with you!

Time to attempt to stay off my feet
..

Love,
Jess

Meet Clay Lucas!

Yes, that is my child all lopsided in there. All I can say is, I still have an innie! Love, Jess

Why a blog?

Duh, cause all the cool kids are doing it! Haha, actually this is my attempt to keep all the ooey gooey baby stuff (mostly) off facebook and to share with you all my adventures in motherhood! One day I might share with you a new favorite recipe and the next I may share with you my struggles with breastfeeding so BEWARE! Just kidding about the last part...maybe ;)

Love,
Jess