Meal Planning and Sprouts in our "Garden"

I haven't had much of an appetite lately. Not to say that I don't eat everything in sight, but I just haven't had a "taste" for anything in particular. One of my favorite bloggers, Blazing Hot Wok, wet my appetite lately and posted a yummy looking healthy curry recipe that I want to try this week.

So here is my menu plan for the week:

• Blazing Hot Wok's Healthier Peanut Curry with chicken, served with Basmati rice.
  
• Ground turkey tacos and yellow rice with grilled veggies
  
• Homemade pizzas with choice of sausage, mushrooms, onions, pineapple, pepperoni
  
• Bok Choy prepared liked this recipe
  

I've learned over the past few months that I only need to really cook 3-4 nights a week and we have enough food for 7 days with all the leftovers.

Garden Update:

Dylan's garden has sprouted!! He was so excited to see the tender sprouts of the bok choy. He has been diligently watering and keeping an eye on his plantings.

The Belly Has Arrived - 16 Week Belly Shots

My pregnant belly is now entering rooms before me. Behold!


Dylan is very excited about having a new brother. He even includes the baby in his drawings of our family. He is still calling him baby Noah.


I can't believe how much I have popped out in the last week. Even so, I still can't fit into my maternity clothes yet. Amazing! I mean, look at that belly. My size 6's are getting tight though, so hopefully my maternity pants will start fitting me this week. This baby is sitting much higher than Dylan or Matthew did, I think that is why I can still wear my regular pants (which sit on my hips). Also, with this 3rd pregnancy the ole' stomach muscles have just plain given up. They aren't even trying to hold my stomach in.

16 Weeks

I have been feeling great. I need to start slowing down a bit though, but I can really tell when I'm overdoing it. The long days and busy weekends are starting to take a toll. But I have been lucky - no morning sickness or sinus infections yet this time around. And what I went through with the last two kids, that is a real blessing.
Next prenatal check-up is next Tuesday. I'll keep you posted!

Mommy's little helper

We had a very productive weekend. Funny how nice weather can get you motivated!
Saturday was especially busy. Dylan wanted to help me make some quiches. They will be my breakfasts for the week.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Then he was gung-ho about planting some carrots. So we did. We'll have fun watching them grow!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

What's happening at De*lish...

Checkout my new series on De*lish, titled What the Pregnant Lady is Eating. And I am pretty much eating everything these days!

Most! Awesome! Birthday! Ever! (according to Dylan!)

On Saturday we went to Evan's 2nd birthday party. Dylan declared it the most "awesome party ever!" The kids had so much fun and I have to agree with Dylan - it was a pretty creative good time.
I was so impressed I took photos! 

The party was held at a gymnasium. Tara's mom & dad helped set everything up - and did such a great job too. Tara is very blessed to have parents that are so supportive and creative.

There were lots of games for the kids - bowling, ring toss, toss the sack...

Here is the treat table. The kids got to decorate their own treat bags and fill them up with any treats they desired. We scored big time. Tara also gave out tubs of cotton candy and bottles of bubbles to every kid on the way out of the party - like the 3 lbs of candy we filled our treat bags with weren't enough!

The treat  bag decorating table. Stocked with markers, stickers galore. Such a fun craft, Dylan had a blast decorating his bag.

The birthday boy Evan, with his daddy.

Balls and rings! That's Matthew in the striped sweater. He had so much fun, and kept busy the whole time. 

The eating and gift area.

Bean bag toss - toddler style.

Dylan and other kids decorating their treat bags.

Matthew and daddy enjoying the pinata game.

Dylan getting ready for his turn at the pinata.

Kids scrambling for the fallen candy. It took quite awhile before that thing broke loose!

Evan about to blow out his candles. 

Blowing out his candles - with a little help from the other kids. Tara made and decorated all the cakes and cupcakes. What a woman!

Matthew playing in the tents. There was so much for the kids to do. 

Superstar! One of the treats from the treat table. Dylan had to wear these again today when we went to the park. I can't help but think he looks like Elton John. Lol.

Hula hooping.

I am totally stealing all these party ideas.

Check out new photos of the boys in my Flickr album, from our trip to the park and just hanging out around the house this weekend. The weather was mild and sunny. A little tease of summer.

Also..heads up... I might get brave and post a 16 week belly pic soon...don't say I didn't warn you.

When there is a will..there's a Dyl.

I came downstairs after putting Matthew to sleep to find Dylan with his hand caught in the candy jar. Literally.

I have been keeping the candy jar on top of the fridge lately because Dylan has been getting into it on top of the kitchen counter.

Well, his sweet tooth got the better of him. He got really creative and figured out to reach the candy jar. He managed to drag the ottoman from the living room up to the fridge. But then realized that he still couldn't reach the jar, so he put one of his kid-size chairs on top of the ottoman. Voila! Easy reach to the candy jar. Yikes!

He was so proud of himself that he posed willing for this photo. With a smile.

Of course I didn't let him have a piece of candy, I didn't want to encourage such reckless and irresponsible behavior. 

Man, these boys are going to give me a run for my money. Mercy!

Family night out

Tired of the rain and the cold and suffering from a little cabin fever, I gave myself a night off from cooking and we all headed out for some family fun on Saturday night to burn off some energy.
Matthew lovin' the rides. I can't believe he will be 16 months old on Friday. Matthew is now bringing diapers to me when he needs a diaper change. What a smart boy!

Isn't his little face so precious? Photos don't do him justice. He's even more adorable in real life!

Father and son bonding - over a video game. I think Joe had as much fun as Dylan.

Trying to get Dylan to smile for the camera is impossible. He is in his making funny faces phase.

Yesterday, we drove by a pancake house and Dylan recognized the word pancake. Out of the blue he said "that word is pancake!" We hadn't eaten there in months -maybe even over a year, so I don't think he remembered that the place sold pancakes. He is able to spell quite a few 3 letter words now. And can pick up a few words in the books we read, even books that I've only read to him once.

We had a nice night out, even though much of it was spent chasing Matthew and trying to get him to stay still for a minute. He is fearless and climbs up and out of everything. He was super excited and had a ball!

Oops we did it again.

Matthew's t-shirt says it all, "Oops. They did it again." Yeah, I'm pregnant. Again. The small print on the t-shirt says "I am gonna to be a big brother" you can click on the photo for a better look.

There were so many ways I could have broken the news; maybe a photo of my 13 week pregnant belly (a bump is fast growing) or perhaps I could have posted a photo of the positive result pee stick. But then I remembered that my co-workers read this blog and I didn't want to subject them to my bare belly (yet) or a urinated on pregnancy test.

You're welcome.

So instead, here is a 3D ultra sound of the baby taken at 11 weeks. I am currently 13 weeks along, just starting the 2nd trimester. Baby is due on 9/9/09. Baby is sitting Indian style, with both hands up to his head like he is rubbing his eyes. Too cute! The baby is the size of a plum here. Tiny! (click on the photo for a better view)

Dylan wants another baby brother and he wants to name him Noah. He'll get the first part of his wish!

Yes, we are having another boy. My sister reminded me that when we were little I wanted all boys, so I suppose I got my wish.

We couldn't be happier.

And I am so happy to finally share the news, now I can stop sucking in my stomach everyday!