Going Fourth (and before)

I'm a day late and a dollar short, but I figured better late than never, right? Happy {late} vIndependence Day!

I took this is Chicago, in between buildings. Love some sun flare! :)

We've been on the road and visiting family in Illinois since June 25, but we left today to head back to our Tempurpedic bed….errr I mean because Matt has to get back to work. ;) 

We started our fun mini vacay in Branson, MO where we stayed 2 days, which was 1 day too many. It was our consensus that Branson USED to be really awesome, say in the 90's, and the poor town just never turned the century. We attempted to eat at a couple places on the main strip, but struck out. We also attempted to check out what they refer to as "Moonshine Beach", which is on a manmade lake. Personally, it reminded me of Chester Frost (for all you Chattanooga folks), but smaller. ;/ I didn't think that was possible, but sure enough! ;) We also checked out the Titanic Museum, which was alight. If you're a frequenter of Branson, please do not be offended; like I said, I'm sure it rocked in the 90's! ;)

It wasn't a complete wash, though, the last night we were there, we finally discovered 21st century Branson- The Landing. It's, well, a landing on the water that is packed with updated restaurants and shopping. We ate at this really good upscale Mexican restaurant, and Henry rather enjoyed it! :) He's such a trooper! heh

Then we headed to Illinois on Thursday to hang with fam and prepare for the baby shower on Sunday. 

Speaking of baby shower- all I can say is beautiful decor, good food, and GREAT company! Courtney and AManda put so much thought into it; made a girl feel special! Some highlights: the Cold Stone Creamery Cupcakes were delish (along with the BLT bites, and strawberry cheesecake bites...mmm), they requested guests bring a book for Henry in lieu of a card (LOVE that he already has a library started), and I can't leave out that the guests made Henry a wonderful selection of bow ties during the festivities-a staple for any dapper dude's wardrobe, I must say! Everything went very well and Henry got some really great things! Thank you to Courtney and Amanda and to each of the guests that took time out of their busy day to spend it with us! our hearts are full of love, and now the gapt will be full of baby stuff! ;)

On Monday, we headed to Chicago. We scoped out the Bean (aka the Cloud Sculpture) and the rest of Millennium Park.

Matt checkin out the bean

inside of the bean

Where's the pregger?

Then we trekked up the road to the Sears Tower. We rode up all 108 floors and even walked out onto the glass skywalk to peak over the city. It was pretty cool. Baby Henry didn't get vertigo, so I guess we're good!

We headed back to the parking garage where I admired how swollen and large my feet had become. Yikes. Needless to say, we could only do a drive by of the Navy Pier, which looked like a pretty happenin' place. Wish my feet had been up to the walk. ;/ 

After that, we headed to Michigan to revisit the beach that was mine and Matt's very first outting. :) Sadly, it was cold and rainy so that trip was postponed to another time. SO Sad. BUT we did eat at this really great Italian Restaurant in New Buffalo, MI. It had great food, but what was REALLY memorable were the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cookies. OH.MY.GOSH. Needless to say, the recipe for those babies will be up the bloggie blog soon! (well as soon as I figure it out) I'm still dreaming of those, people! Don't judge! :)

Fireworks happily consumed our time last night with Amanda, Drew, Jim, Donna, Bryan, Matt, Baby Jack and myself! They were pretty good. I loved watching them through Baby Jack's eyes! He kept saying, "Wooooow", and his eyes would get really big! So sweet!

And finally we get to today- July 5. This is actually like my 4th of July; I met Matt 5 years ago on July 5. It was at a 4th of July BBQ, but happened to be the day after, and then we visited the Warren Dunes in MI the day after. Soo, happy 5 year anniversary (of meeting)! The next 5 years should be quite a ride! Let's spend them carefully, I have a feeling they will fly by once Henry arrives!

I hope you all had a happy and safe Independence Day! Stay tuned for our Week 28 post! :) Gotta go rest these kankles after all that adventure! ;)

Heisel Rules! 

26 weeks & Henry in 3D :)

Last Tuesday was our monthly appointment. Everything went well, except I had to wish my OB good luck in her future endeavors in sunny Florida. I'm so sad that she's going. :( We decided together, though, that seeing a Midwife in the same practice would be a great alternative, given that the pregnancy has gone well thus far. Fingers crossed it stays that way! I got to briefly meet one of the midwives and I feel very good about switching!

We discussed that I'm now healed of those awful cramps and feeling really well! I had to do the Glucose Tolerance Test, but I haven't heard anything back yet, which the OB said no news is good news.

This week they start measuring baby head to toe instead of head to rump...he's estimated at 15 inches and a little over 2 pounds. He's doubled in size and weight in the last month!! I've been in grow-overtime! No wonder I've been so hungry! ;)

We also discussed the fibroid that was found at the anatomy scan. It's not really big, it's not causing pain, and it won't affect Henry so we're just watching it. That means we have to have an ultrasound every 4 weeks to monitor it...which means we get to see our lil guy as well! Yesterday (Thursday) was the first growth scan follow-up ultrasound. Henry is so camera shy though! He's done after 10 minutes or so,and proves it by putting his hands up by his face! We did confirm that he is head down so those "kicks" I've been feeling in my lower abdomen have been elbow or hand jabs. He appeared to be smiling in the first photo below. Hopefully this is a sign that he's a happy baby!

Matt had to work and wasn't able to make it to the appointment so the ultrasound tech flipped on the 3D switch momentarily to get a pic or two just for Daddy! He looks so different compared to the flat, 2D one we're used to seeing. We can see his cheeks...he looks like he has Daddy's lips and momma's nose. It was so cool, I felt like I could reach out and hold him. :) Can't wait! I think those 2 minutes in 3D made me want to order the full 3D ultrasound to see more. :) Maybe in early August!

Well, I could go on and on about this tiny dude I'm baking, but alas, I'll stop there. Have a great weekend!

Heisel Rules! {the Bump}

First Father's Day

Father's Day is a special time to celebrate the men in our lives and thank them for being there for us. This is a very special year for us since we are expecting our pony, Henry! ;)

Even though Henry hasn't graced us with his presence yet (we are 25 weeks, 4 days), we can still celebrate Matt as a father. After all, I considered him a father the day we took the pregnancy test, and confirmed it the day we heard Henry's 169 bmp heartbeat for the very first time. It was a magical moment that connected Matt and I forever...not that we needed an excuse to hang out for life! :)

I keep saying this, but I'm most excited about seeing Matt holding our lil man for the first time, witnessing that connection between father and son. Matt is going to be a wonderful father. I know this because he has a great example to follow and help lead him- we call him Pop, aka Andy. Thank you for teaching your son how to love and be loved.

And even though I grew up without a father, nor a strong father figure, I had a mom that filled both roles beautifully. No, she didn't teach me to pick up bugs (yuck), or how to fish (I didn't even eat fish til  I was an adult), or any other 'manly' things that dads teach their sons, I don't feel I lacked in that area. She did the best she could; she taught me how to be strong and independent. However, I am so happy that my son will have his father in his life. I can't even imagine the job my mom had to fulfill in my father's absence, but Henry will have Matt to teach him how to pee on a tree (yes, boys do that), not scream when he sees bugs, and bait his own hook; everything that I cannot do. Henry's life will be blessed for having Matt as his father.

Happy first Father's Day, Matt! Here's to many, many more to come! I love you!

...and Happy Father's Day to all you awesome Dads out there!

Heisel Rules! {the Bump}

One Year, and a Letter to my Love...

Sooo there's this guy that I kinda love...well, ok, more than kinda :)...

..and a year ago today I gave him my heart in exchange for his last name.

He means the world to me.

I think back on the day, and it was just as I had imagine...in a barn...in a field...with all of our family and friends to support us and celebrate with us. We have many wonderful memories to look back on and we are able to recount our many blessings!

Letter to my Love

A lot changes in a year...a wedding, a move across the country, and now we are expecting our baby boy, Henry! I look forward to the day that my love for you grows even deeper, when you're holding our baby boy for the first time. Even though our roles will soon change as we become mother and father, our love for each other will evolve to embrace our son.

I heard once that the secret to happy, long lasting marriage is more than just loving one another (that's the easy part), it's being willing to change, to evolve...together. The key is together. People change, circumstances change, time changes us. One thing is for sure-there will always be good times and hard times, but if we can manage...if we have the desire...to come together, to see eye to eye at the end of the day, we will be stronger for it. Yes, marriage is hard work, it's not easy. Nothing worth having comes easy, but if you can find the one that is worthy of the hard work, then it's all worth it. I'm glad I found you; you are worth it.

One year may not seem like a lot, but you build a house brick by brick, layer by layer, through the laughter, sweat and tears...we are laying our 'firm foundation' for the many, many years to come, and I cannot wait to see where life takes us. All I know is....I'm sure glad to have you by my side.

I love you to the moon and back...and I always will.

To many more wonderful years-Cheers! I love you, Matt!

Heisel Rules!

24 weeks

It feels surreal to type that title: 24 weeks. I can't believe how fast it seems to be going now! One month closer to seeing the lil man! We're considering getting the 3D ultrasound at the end of this month. It would be so cool to see how much he's grown and the chub that he's been accumulating! I wanna know who he's gonna look like!?

He's laying super low! He's supposed to double in size within the next couple weeks. Whew! I'm already running outta room in the womb soo I'm wondering where he's gonna try to stretch to. Last month the lil dude was head up (breach) so I'm hoping this time he is starting to get into position. Although, my OB assured me that they will move in circles until about 7 months or so. Speaking of OB, we got a letter today saying our OB is leaving at the end of August. :( Go figure, we find someone we really like, and she leaves...right before we're due. So sad. :( On the hunt for a new dr. Although, maybe this is the best time to switch to a midwife, which is what I wanted in the first place.

This last month has been kinda crazy. I began cramping at about 18 weeks and it last for about a month. These were no "round ligament" cramps, or "dehydration" cramps, or even "over exhaustion" cramps. These were intense, severe, unending cramps. I thought I was going to deliver my lil guy at 18 weeks. To make a long story short, it took countless calls to doctors and 3 office visits to 2 different doctors to find out that I had a bacterial infection that was causing the cramping.  A weeks dose of antibiotic, and I was back to normal, well, normal for 22 weeks! I was very upset that I had been in that much pain for that long, before I got to see MY doctor for the true diagnosis. I'm so glad to be over that though. Now I feel like I can enjoy the rest of the pregnancy, well sorta. ;) Maybe that pain was to prepare me for the real deal!

All that to say, if you think there's something wrong, don't let your doctor(s) tell you any differently. Don't let them make you feel silly for making a complaint about pain. You know your body better than anyone else. SO, keep pushing until you get the answers you need/until you are satisfied. I'm sure glad I did! :)

Other than that, it's just the typical swollen feet, achy back, uncomfortable/sleepless nights. I'm sure glad to have my hubby though. The nightly foot rubs sure help out a lot! Plus, he puts up with the new me- snoring, passing gas, bloating, moody, sometimes emotional, and hormonal. I bet somedays he thinks, "Where did my wife go?!" Thanks, Lover! {muah}

This week we celebrate one whole year of marriage! Where does time go?...seems like yesterday. Love you, honey! :)

Heisel Rules! {the Bump)

Banana Chocolate Chip Bread/Muffins

I typed this recipe on my other blog, but since then I've decided that I'm just going to keep it simple, and use this blog to hold my recipes and all other DIY things. Plus, I've tweaked this recipe again to include some chocolate. Yum!

This recipe is so easy, moist and delicious! Banana bread is one of those things that can be consumed year round. I usually do this as a loaf, but since I had enough bananas to make 2 batches, I decided I'd do muffins as well. And since my cravings are guided by the tiny one I'm baking in my belly, I wanted to add some chocolate chips. I didn't want the chocolate to overpower, though, so I went easy on the amount I used.

Ingredients:
4 bananas, mashed
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, plus 2 Tbsp set aside (use to sprinkle on top)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking soda
pinch of salt
1/4 cup chocolate chips (You can add as much or as little, or none)
1 small container of hazelnut spread (optional, but sooo good)

Directions:
Mash bananas and add melted butter, vanilla, and egg. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients slowly. Add chocolate chips (optional). Stir until just combined.

*If making a loaf, prepare pan with non stick spray. Spread half the batter in the bottom of the pan, spread the hazelnut spread on top of that. With a knife, make swirls in the batter, somewhat combining the hazelnut spread. Spread the other half of the batter on top and make swirls again, this time pulling the knife up each time so the hazelnut spread combines with the top layer. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp of brown sugar on top to make a sweet, crunchy topping. Bake in 350 oven for 1 hour. To test if they are done- toothpick/knife inserted should come out mostly clean.

*If making muffins, use tin liners so they don't stick. Just barely mix hazelnut spread in with the batter to make it look marbled. Using an ice cream scoop, scoop one full scoop in each muffin tin. Sprinkle the 2 Tbsp brown sugar that you set aside on top to make a sweet, crunchy topping. Bake in 350 oven for about 30 minutes. To test if they are done- toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean.

Enjoy with some butter in the center! Store in an air tight container.

Heisel Rules! {the Kitchen)

Easy Quiche with Crescent Roll Crust

I.love.quiche. I had it for the first time a long time ago and I've loved it ever since. However, I have tried a few recipes and I can never seem to make it like the first time. I've had other pretenders such as one that a big box store sells, and it's good, but it's not as good. Plus, the store-bought ones are only bite size, and I feel like a pig when I've eaten enough to settle my appetite. I just want a big girl slice! ;)

SO back to the Pinterest drawing board where I found another recipe that looked easy and yummy! And since I didn't have a pre-made pie crust, and I didn't want to actually make the crust from scratch, I needed a recipe that called for crescent rolls, which is all I had on hand. This is what I found and tweaked- http://allrecipes.com/recipe/quick-quiche-2/detail.aspx?event8=1&prop24=SR_Title&e11=quiche&e8=Quick%20Search&event10=1&e7=Recipe

The great thing about quiche is that you can add whatever you like! Below is my rendition based on what was in my fridge.

Ingredients:
1 pack of garlic butter crescent rolls
6 eggs
3 Tbsp milk (any kind)
1 tsp pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp parsley, chopped (optional, but I love parsley)
1/2 pack of bacon cooked and chopped (I make my bacon in the oven-perfect crispiness)
1/4 cup rotisserie chicken (this was leftover in my fridge)
1/2 cup broccoli, chopped and steamed
1/2 cup cauliflower, chopped and steamed
1/2 cup onion, diced
3/4 cup cheddar cheese (or whatever kind you'd like)
3 triangles of Laughing Cow Light Garlic Herb cheese (you can use cream cheese or just leave it out)

Roll out crescent dough and lay over pie pan (or whatever pan you have) and up the sides. (I used an oval Fiesta platter because that's all I have on hand.) Nothing is against the rules! ;) Bake in 350 oven for about 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes.

While the crust is baking, mix together eggs, milk, pepper, salt, and parsley. Set aside.

When crust has cooled some, spread the Laughing Cow cheese triangles over the top of it. Like I said above, you can skip this step if you'd like, it really didn't make that big of a difference.

Layer all other ingredients over the top. Then top with egg mixture. Rub some of the egg mixture over the edges of the crust, like an egg wash, for a golden crust.

Bake in 350 oven for 30-45 minutes, or until the center is solid. My pan is about 1 1/2 inches deep (not really deep) and it took about 40-45 minutes total.

Let cool for about 10 minutes and then enjoy! Wife tested, husband approved! :)

Heisel Rules! {the Kitchen}