It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We were in the Christmas mood today and since Jeff didn't have a lot to do this afternoon, we put up our Christmas decorations.  It is so much fun how cozy it makes the living room feel when you have your Christmas tree up.  The middle stocking is for baby Clark.  Thanks to Jeff for getting all of the Christmas stuff out of storage and decorating the tree. He hung all the ornaments while I put the little hooks on them.  

And here's a picture of my 25 week belly.  Feels a little bigger every day. Still so much fun being pregnant.  I love feeling "Beans" move around.  It seems that baby is so active in the early morning and evening and then during the night.  Every time I wake up and change positions, it seems like he/she is moving.  So cool!  Wildcats have a big game on Tuesday against Bethel.  Praying it goes well! 

Jeff was so sweet and set up the crib this past Friday.  I love it so much! It's hard to believe there will be a baby in there in a couple months.

Not a lot to post about...

Well I can't think of much to blog about except my belly :)  The basketball team has been playing a lot of games recently.  They are now 5-1.  We had our first home game last night (where they won!) and didn't get to bed until 11:30...which means not a lot of sleep for either of us.  As soon as my alarm goes off, Jeff starts thinking about basketball.  I think the Lord is preparing me especially for being up all night long. I still go to the bathroom at least once a night. Usually 2.  The only thing not totally enjoyable about being pregnant is the poor sleeping.  I can't seem to get really comfortable.  But when I wake up, I usually feel this little baby (or "Beans" as we call him/her) move around which is awesome. I never get tired of feeling the baby move.  The left side of my belly is the favorite spot to kick or punch.  Now, if I push on my belly a little bit, I feel the baby's retaliation.  It's probably thinking "What in the world...I am trying to sleep in here!"  

At my last appointment, everything went great (and quick).  I was measuring a little big but I never asked how much.  He just said a little big.  I figure it's got to be a big Clark baby!  And the heartbeat was great (not even sure what it was).  We go to the doctor again on December 10th. It's the last time I have 4 weeks between appointments. After that time, it will be every 2 weeks and I'll have to do my glucose test soon. Yuck! We just love this little one!  I am going to try to start getting the nursery ready soon.  I have some organizing to do in that room before we can put any baby furniture in.  It needs to get done soon, though, since basketball season is so busy. Here are a few pics of the belly at 23 weeks and 5 days.  

I feel like my belly looks tan in this pic but it's just the light.  I really am pretty pale right now!

My new jeans I just got!  I love the demi panel!!!

Basketball Begins and a little "Chrisgiving"

Our team scrimmaged Northwestern University (of the Big Ten) a week ago.  It was a great weekend spent in Chicago.  We left with the team on Saturday morning and returned late Sunday night.  We went to see Blue Man Group (which I really liked!) and ate some great Chicago style pizza at Giordano's.  Here is Amy and I on the long bus ride up :) At this point we were really excited.  I think the trip home, we were both really exhausted!

This is one of my favorite little guys, Jace, playing with some basketballs at Valpo.  The team practiced there on their way up.  He had a lot of fun removing all of the basketballs from the rack.  

This past weekend, we spent a lot of time with family.  Friday night, Jeff and I went to Garrett, IN to visit with his grandparents.  Jeff's brother Steve and his wife Bonnie came up from Atlanta for the weekend. It was great seeing them!  Here is Jeff's grandma and grandpa with the two granddaughters that could make it up that night.  Lilly is on the left and Hannah is on the right.

Today, we had "Chrisgiving" (as my grandma calls it) with my dad's side of the family.  My grandparents go to Florida for the winter and are heading down there a little bit earlier than usual. So we celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas today.  It was a really fun time! And here is a few belly pics of me from this Saturday and Sunday. I was 21 weeks on Friday.  I feel like I am getting huge! We go to the doctor in a week from Wednesday.  Not looking forward to hearing how much weight I have gained :)  But we love feeling this baby move!!! Jeff feels him or her almost daily and I feel the little one multiple times a day.  It is one of my favorite things so far!! I can actually feel harder areas on my belly and imagine it's the head or the butt or some other body part. As I type this, the baby is kicking me on my left side.  It really is amazing that the Lord designed such an amazing part of life! 

Hope everyone has a great week!! IWU's first game is this weekend at Purdue-Calumet.  Can't believe the season has begun.  I finished registering this weekend at Target and Baby's R Us since I don't think I will have a free weekend from here until the baby comes!

19 weeks, a new recipe, some new decor, and a new niece!

Well I just finished eating a delicious dinner (if I may say so myself!)  I got the recipe out of a cooking light magazine and need to share it with you!  Along with some homemade bread and salad, it was wonderful.  Thank you Amy for your help in making it! Even though I am stuffed, I feel like I could go eat the leftovers.  

Saucy Carbonara Pasta

1 16 oz pkg spaghetti

2 Tbsp olive oil

4 ounces of bacon (or pancetta)

1/3 c. chopped walnuts (I used pecans because that is all I had)

4 cloves garlic minced

1/2 c white wine (I probably used a full cup)

1/4 tea crushed red pepper flakes (I will use more next time...wasn't very spicy)

2 eggs

1 cup Parmesan cheese, divided

1/4 c chopped parsley

Ground Black Pepper

Cook pasta.  Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil.  Add the bacon and cook 3 to 5 min until crisp. Add walnuts, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook 1 to 2 min, stirring often.  Then add the wine and cook 2 to 3 min to slightly reduce the liquid. Drain the pasta and add to the skillet. In a small bowl, whisk the eggs with half of the cheese. Remove skillet from heat. Pour egg mixture into the pasta and toss. Garnish with the rest of the cheese, parsley, and pepper.  

My variations:  I used turkey bacon that I cooked in the microwave.  You will need a little more olive oil or white wine to make it a little saucier.  It's not going to be a runny dish.  I cooked some chicken tenders in a skillet with butter, cavenders, garlic powder, and onion powder.  When the pasta dish was all done, I cut up the chicken and added it on top with some cheese to give us some meat.  What can I say, the guys like to eat meat :) I didn't measure the white wine or oil or red pepper flakes.  It's just not that fun if you have to measure :)  And I used pecans instead of walnuts cause that's what I had.  I served it with homemade rolls and a salad.  YUMMMMYYY!!!  I served 4 and have 1 serving leftover. So if you are making it for more than 4, you want to double the recipe.   Seriously it might be one of my favorite meals I have made in a long time.  

Here is my 19 week 3 day belly (right after that dinner above!!!).  But I feel like the past few days, my belly has popped out and rounded!  I am thinking it's going to be a big baby!  And Jeff got to feel the baby kick on Friday night!  It was such a cool feeling for both of us to feel the baby kick at the same time.  Next doctors appointment will be in 3 weeks.  

Here is my belly yesterday.  Not a great picture but oh well.

And here is what Jeff and I worked on Sunday morning before church.  I went shopping at Hobby Lobby with my momma and picked out some stuff to hang on the walls.   

And last but not least, we have a new niece!  She was born this morning at 8:03 to Adam and Casie and Emery.  They haven't picked out a name yet but I am sure she is just as adorable as her sister.  We are going to see them sometime this week.  Hope everyone's week goes well!

Doctors Appointment Update

I went to the doctor this afternoon.  Jeff had practice so my good friends Amy and Jace came!  It was way more fun having company there.  Although it was the quickest doctor's appointment ever.  I got there at about 4:10 to check in and we were checking out at 4:25.  I even gave my sample, asked about 7 questions, heard the baby's heart beat and scheduled my next appointment all in that time.  I love my doctor's office!   The appointment went well.  He said I am still measuring ahead a couple centimeters but since our ultrasound at 15 weeks showed that baby was on track for our due date, he said it's nothing abnormal. The heart rate was "about 155" according to the doctor. So who knows!  And since he saw everything he needed to see at the last ultrasound, we don't need another one.  I was a little bummed at first right when he said that because I had been hoping to see this little baby one more time! But then got to thinking that I should count my blessings that this baby is still doing so well that I don't need another one.  And this further seals the deal in not finding out since I can't find out at this point.  I could request an ultrasound but insurance would not cover this 500 dollar expense unless there was medical need.  So we will just live in suspense for the next 21 weeks until we meet this little one! I seriously cannot believe how fast this is going! I'm sure it will feel a little slower as I get bigger but I don't want this to end. I am having so much fun being pregnant! (Sorry if that makes any of you other moms mad because you had tougher pregnancies!) Well I am off to get ready for bed.  I love feeling the occasional kicks/thumps.  I can't wait until I start feeling more movement where Jeff can feel the baby move also.  I will post a picture this weekend.  Love to you all!

18 Weeks

Last weekend, we went to my parents house to have a birthday celebration (My brother's birthday- sept. 17th, my Uncle's birthday - 20th, my birthday-22nd, my dad's birthday, 29th, my mom's birthday - oct 3) My sister's birthday is in June...lucky her!  She gets her own special day instead of a group celebration!  

And here is Jeff and I :)  He really hates getting pictures taken but he was a trooper that day.

Here's my belly at 18 weeks and 2 days.  Hope everyone has a good week!  We go to the doctor on Wednesday so I'll update after the appointment!  

A week overdue...

I have been meaning to post my 17 week picture but just didn't get around to it. Here's a picture of me in my new shirt that my sis Natalie bought me for my birthday!  It's also a nursing shirt and super comfy.  Thanks sis! I will do another post tomorrow of my 18 week belly.  Still feeling great!  I go to the doctor on Wednesday and will schedule my next ultrasound then.  Can't believe it's gone so fast!  I need to get working on all this baby stuff!

I know this is outdated (from May of this year) but it's a great picture of my sis!  Love you and miss you! 

And this picture is also from last May but has all my family in it.