Feeling pregnant...

After basically being pregnant for three years (February 2007-Oct 2008, May 2009-Feb 2010, and now October 2010-July 2011) a few questions have come to mind on a somewhat regular basis, if not DAILY! Today's question.....

Why do maternity clothes make me feel

like I am tenting for termites?!

Is there really an industry in pregnant modeling?! because I d

on't look like THOSE ladies with THOSE clothes on....are you sure they aren't computer generated bellies on those beautifully skinny, tone, tan, perfectly primped preggos?! Because after my day spent in sweatpants, a t-shirt and no make-up, I am beginning to think its a scam.....I am in the "prime" trimester, when I am SUPPOSED to feel grand! SUPPOSED to have my energy back (eh?) and SUPPOSED to feel great about my "body" (ew!). I am not sure about either "supposed to" but I do know I have a dream....one day....I will have my body back and I will not wear maternity clothes or the post-maternity clothes! they will just be clothes.....

For now, I am on the hunt for cute maternity clothes.

(which I actually found some at Motherhood Maternity this season....they don't just sell t-shirts that say "BABY ON BOARD" and ginormous yoga pants...they have sparkly things and lace!)

All you need is love....

Valentine's Day gets lost in translation at our house. I am a learning the older I get (more so as a wife and mother) that each day counts for something, each day isn't going to be like the last and you should have NO expectation as to how the day plays out! I would love to be that wife who can create a gourmet meal from nothing, while wearing my cute Anthropologie apron, taking play-by-play pictures of said creation (so I could blog about it later), and all-the-while refusing to believe that my child's poop-doesn't stink! (did I mention my knight in shining armor would return home from work on his white horse?)

Reality check?! I don't wear the pretty apron (I actually own), my kid's poop does stink (in fact I have two kids who poop) and I am going to confess that we eat frozen chicken nuggets and sweet potato fries more than we should!! Thats life.

My life on Valentine's Day consists of things that I LOVE and thats all that matters:

*I love things like my husband doing the dishes/laundry for me, and letting my sleep in til 9:00am.

*I loved eating the sugar cookies we made with pink icing and hearts (even if Hudson licked his finger and stuck it in every one!)

*I LOVED that we ran errands to places like Hobby Lobby and Motherhood Maternity without any complaints as a family and listened to a toddler temper-tantrum all the way home (ok, so Hudson WAS complaining a little;)

*I LOVE that the hubby and I are going out (for the first time in weeks) to eat at one of our favorite restaurants and then coming home to a quiet house with sleeping children (I can only hope!).

*Nothing fancy, not surprising, but true to what I enjoy in this season of life.

Oh Happy Day!

February might be my new favorite month, despite the weird "winter" weather, we have so much to celebrate this month (really all within 11 days of the month)!

February 3rd (and her birthday party February 5th) We celebrated our little Riley bug turning a year! Her party was a success (thats a post in itself, COMING SOON!) and her love for cake grew stronger (just like her mama!)! We have been so blessed by her sweet smile and spunky personality!

February 9th (TODAY) we celebrate my bestest friend and the man who I think to be the most handsome of them all.....the hubster! Kevin turned 24 today...yep my friends the man is only 24 years old. You might think due to his love of old books, slippers, pipes (and gray hairs ;) that he might be pushing 40 but nooooo he's just a

kid himself! (btw he knows I only joke about his old man qualities, I think they are quite cute) I love my man and all he does for our family! Happy Birthday Babe!

Again today....we are proud to annouce our little peanut is a GIRL! yep thats right folks the boys are officially outnumbered and this means more bows! I can't wait for Riley to have a sister, something I always wanted (LOVE my twin brothers but a girl needs a sister!) The names we are mulling over....Piper Grace, Aidan Grace, Madelyn Grace, Ansley Grace....and whatever else tickles our fancy between now and then!

Picture below...The Belly at 16 weeks (will have to post more recent pics later)

And then February 14th...of course...Valentine's Day...which we actually don't do much in the way of celebration...but it counts on the calendar as a DATE NIGHT, and trust me- those are hard to come by with little ones.

I think this is how most men feel about Valentine's day...dont' you?! ;)

So need-less-to-say....our February is a month of blessings! I love all the hype but now it's time to chill and maybe we will do just that- the forecast for tomorrow is snow! Here's hoping for a day of pajamas and movies!

How I love thee (Mexican food), let me count the ways.....

Okay so there are many reasons I believe that Baby Sanders #3 is a boy, but the HUGE trigger for me is that I crave the same exact things that I did when pregnant with my son. With Hudson I craved salty stuff, things high in protein (STEAK!) and Mexican restaurant cheese dip/pico de gallo and salsa! No wonder I gained 50lbs!

This time around I am not gaining a ton of weight, mainly because I learned my lessons, but MAN I have a daily craving for the same things! So why not cook these yummy things at home, saving money and it's probably much healthier for me and the bambino en utero! So I have two delicious recipes from my favorite mid-west momma, Ree Drumond (aka, The Pioneer Woman).

Last night's dinner was her Chicken Tortilla Soup, so easy and such a hit! I am looking forward to warming up the leftovers for lunch today ;) and don't forget to scroll down to the second recipe, Shrimp Pico De Gallo ;)

The Grocery List: (most you probably have in your pantry, atleast I did)

• 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1-½ teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• ½ teaspoons Salt
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 cup Diced Onion
• ¼ cups Diced Green Bell Pepper
• ¼ cups Red Bell Pepper
• 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 can Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies
• 32 ounces, fluid Low Sodium Chicken Stock
• 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 4 cups Hot Water
• 2 cans Black Beans, Drained
• 3 Tablespoons Cornmeal Or Masa
• 5 whole Corn Tortillas, Cut Into Uniform Strips Around 2 To 3 Inches
• Garnishes: Sour Cream, Diced Avocado, Diced Red Onion, Salsa Or Pico De Gallo, Grated Monterey Jack Cheese, Cilantro. (Any or all of these will really add to the soup!)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix cumin, chili pepper, garlic powder, and salt. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil on chicken breasts, then sprinkle a small amount of spice mix on both sides. Set aside the rest of the spice mix.

Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, red pepper, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.

Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black

beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.

Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water. Pour into the soup, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Check seasonings, adding more if needed—add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 1

5 to 20 minutes before serving. Five minutes before serving

, gently stir in tortilla strips.

Serve it up in a deep dish bowl, because believe me you will want seconds! Top with your garnishes and enjoy!

And now for a recipe I have been dying to try, and having an "excuse" to make it for Miss Riley's first birthday party this Saturday! SHRIMP PICO DE GALLO! I KNOW just the name alone makes my mouth drool!

The Grocery List:

• 1 pound Cooked Shrimp (tails Removed), Chopped
• ½ whole Red Onion, Diced Finely
• ½ cups Green Or Black Olives, Chopped
• 2 whole Tomatoes, Diced
• 2 whole Fresh Jalapeno Peppers, Minced
• 2 whole Avocados, Chopped
• 2 whole Limes, Juiced
• Kosher Salt To Taste
• 2 cups Cilantro, Chopped

Preparation Instructions

Combine shrimp, red onion, olives, tomatoes, and jalapenos in a large bowl. Add lime juice to taste, then a dash of kosher salt. Add cilantro. Stir mixture gently. Add more salt and/or lime juice to taste.

Chill until serving. Note that the avocado will brown if too much time passes, so if you want to make this ahead of time, leave out the avocado until just before serving.

Serve with tortilla chips!

I can't wait to try this one!