Yum Yum Yum!

Tonight's picture of the day is from the yummiest dinner I have made in a long time.

Zuppa Toscana

Found on SteakNPotatoesKindaGurl's blog

• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 1 lb ground hot Italian sausage
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups (32 oz) chicken stock
• 3 cups russet potatoes, cubed
• 3/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups kale, in bite size pieces
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• parmesan cheese, grated
  

In a large pot, cook the bacon until crispy. Drain the grease. Add the sausage, breaking it apart as it cooks. Once sausage is browned and crumbled, drain off grease leaving a tbsp to saute the onion.

Push the sausage and bacon to the edge of the pot and add the onion to the center; saute until translucent; add garlic; saute until fragrant.

Stir in the stock and potatoes, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for about 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

Add kale and heavy whipping cream. Bring to a simmer. Top with parmesan cheese, when serving. 


I have to say she claimed it was better then Olive Garden, I fully agree and it was easy to make.

Contractions and a trip to Labor and Delivery

For the past 24 hours I have been contracting every 4-6 minutes so I spent a good amount of time in the bath tub because they hurt less that way.  Nathaniel kept me company and made sure that I was okay the entire time he is such a good loving boy!

Later on my mother talked me into going to get checked out and eventually after a couple hours of monitoring I was let go.  The great thing is that I am off work until delivery I could not be happier to have some time to relax and hopefully baby will grow better with me just relaxed.

Bicycle Ride

Good news today Nathaniel is getting better at riding his bicycle by himself meaning I can take him for a ride without having to push him 95% of the way.

We just did circles in the parking lot but it was good practice and maybe by summer he will be able to ride to the park whie Atticus hangs in his carrier or stroller.

The feeling that cannot be named

There is a feeling that I cannot describe it is shock, terror, disappointment, anger, depression, guilt and so much more all rolled into one plus more.  Today was the second time I have had the displeasure of experiencing this feeling during this pregnancy.  Today I was told that my baby is not growing how he should be in fact his stomach has not grown in two weeks.  If he does not grow in the next two weeks he will be coming out asap which is a scary thought.

I don't know if I should feel guilty for not taking the medication or if this would have happened either way.  I have only felt this way when I found out that I might miscarry at 5 weeks and all I can seem to do is cry.  I am glad that I have an amazing OB and that I can know the team at the hospital he will be delivered at are some of the best available.  I am trying to take comfort in knowing that if he is not growing inside me then it is better he come out so he can be healthy.  This picture may not have been taken today but nothing seemed better today then the thing that is most on my mind.

"Your getting rounder"

Today was an ordinary Wednesday I went to physical therapy and Nate ran around like the crazy kid he is.  The physical therapist said that I am getting rounder... I don't know if that was his idea of a compliment but I got a little laugh so figured I would share my roundness.

Yes I am starting to feel like an over stuffed sausage or a water ballon about to burst but only a few more weeks and I will be meeting my little boy.  Tomorrow I see the OB for hopefully some good news!

I am finding it rather hard to take a picture everyday I hope it gets easier as I go on.

Working Hard...

Another day almost done and thank goodness it is my Friday.  On days that I work I most of the times feel like I am shackled to the desk.  Well maybe not shackled but I have a short leash on my headset for sure.  10 hour days that take 11.5 hours make it even longer.  So for today I took a picture at my desk

My not super bright light that I mentally complain about almost daily.  This light drive me insane because it just isn't bright enough however I am too cheap to buy a new one for my room/office so this is what works for now.  However tonight it was inspiration with the shadow on the window and glow in the dark star stickers it looked pretty so it because my picture of the day.

Sleepy Car Rides

Today we came home a little late so as usual Nate fell asleep in the car which always results in open mouthed sleeping.  This also leads to him needing to be carried into the house and up to his bed which is no fun at all but at least most of the time he is not too squirmy during the ride.

I have taken many cute pictures of him falling asleep in the car but I think this is my favorite!

He loves his puppy that sleeps with him every night and the hands folding was him saying his bed time prayers on the way home right before he fell asleep.  Such a sweet moment!

New Year - 01/01/2012

2011 flew by at warp speed and I can barely remember all the moments that flew by in the blink of an eye.  I don't want to let that happen to 2012 so when I heard about a challenge to take a picture every day I thought it would be a great way to remember everyday without them all blending together as a blur.

So many little parts of my day get blended together and taken for granted.

Early morning funny faces from Nathaniel I must see about 1000 funny faces a year but I take them for granted not thinking that in a few years these silly faces will be replaced with grumbling about not wanting to go to school.  Also that cat toy that he carries around with him every day I wonder how long he will continue to find a cat toy that entertaining for right now it is a rocket ship, a osweliganator (whatever that is), a microphone, and whatever else he imagines it to be and that sweet innocence is what makes me smile over a million times a day.

I hope the other 365 days this year make pictures this great.