It's a bird. It's a plane. It's a baby!

Yep, we're having a baby. A real, live,  human baby. A baby whose heart beats strong and steady at 162 bpms. Like a champ. A baby who slept through the entire ultrasound...with his/her hand on his/her forehead. Sometimes I sleep like that--Casey tells me that anyways. So the baby really is mine. And I decided the baby was tired from our workout that morning and needed a nap. And that's why the baby wasn't swimming around...maybe next time, Baby K.


We're just over 13 weeks. Our baby is the size of a peach. I like peaches. So I like that.


I don't have a baby bump yet. I know most first-timers don't at 13 weeks...I think I look huge though. In my minds-eye I look at least 24 weeks pregnant. And then sometimes, I look down and wonder where my bump is...am I even really pregnant? (I didn't say any of my thought processes made sense.)


I found out the big news May 31st...after 3 tests. I obviously wasn't convinced. That's the day Brooks and Boone found out too. I had to tell someone! And I knew they'd keep my secret. I asked them if they were excited about being big sisters. They said yes. I told Casey June 1. He was so shocked and ecstatic he sat on the floor of our closet in his underwear for like 15 minutes. I should've taken a picture of that. Talk about a missed opportunity.

I literally couldn't believe I was actually pregnant for the first 10 weeks...even after the first ultrasound. I mean I'm just a kid. I can't have a baby. Besides I already have two babies. Fur babies. And now I'm responsible for a human life too? Oh my stars. The nausea, boob pain, tiredness, frequent peeing told me otherwise...I for real am going to have a baby. I'm going to be a mom of 3. This is happening.

Things that I'm craving...don't judge me. Please don't judge me. And don't ask questions.

• Dunkin Donuts blueberry cake munchkins
• Grapes, watermelon, strawberries
• Cucumber sushi rolls
• Fruit smoothies or protein smoothies
• McDonald's cheeseburger...not a regular cheeseburger. The gross out ones from Mickey D's. The ones that are flat as a pancake and look like a truck ran over them. With the old pickles and bun that's lopsided and cheese that's awkwardly placed on a patty with a blob of ketchup that I haven't had since I was 5 when I got a happy meal with a pound puppy inside. That cheeseburger.
• Hardee's cinnamon raisin rolls with icing
• BK french toast sticks
• Shoestring french fries. Not waffle fries. Not steak fries. Not seasoned fries. Shoestring french fries.
• Taco Bell bean burrito. Simple little tortilla with refried beans and melted cheese.

This is disgusting, right? I told you not to judge me. I'm so embarrassed. I shouldn't have said anything. I hate fast food. Normally I'm never even tempted by fast food. In all honesty, scouts honor. The billboards don't phase me and the smells wafting into my car typically disgust me more than words. The only cravings I've actually given into thus far are the munchkins and the cucumber rolls. They're so refreshing. The cucumber rolls, not the munchkins. On second thought, the munchkins are refreshing too. And of course the fruit and the smoothies. I'll eat fruit all freakin day long. Don't challenge me. And the munchkins are so small, they practically don't count, right? My goal is not to give in to any of the other items on the list. And if I do, I vow to only give in once to each item. We'll see how I do. It's funny because they are all items I had occasionally (and when I say occasionally I mean when pigs fly) as a kid and have never wanted since. Hmmm. What does all this mean??

I'm still running most days. The other days I cross train. The baby likes to work out. I can tell. I have no plans to stop really. For the baby--and for my own sanity if we're being completely honest here. Come January 30, that baby is going to slide right out. What now?

Last week, the baby got hungry after 30 minutes on the treadmill. This is so new to me. What do I do? Usually when you get hungry, it's like whatevs. You know? You do what you can. When this baby gets hungry, it just hits you like a 90 mph baseball in the nose. Like there's a hole in your stomach. Food. Now. This concept is crazy to me. I tried to distract the baby so I could finish. Do I need to start bringing snacks to the gym now? Is that inappropriate?

So here's my question for you. When can I start wearing my "Running for Two" tank top to the the gym? Do I have to wait till I actually start showing? Are people going to be reading my boobs shirt anyhow? In which case, it wouldn't even matter when I wear the shirt if people aren't looking at me...it's not like I think I'm famous or anything.

Okay, that's enough of my announcement for now. Legit, Casey and I are stoked. Casey is gonna be THE BEST dad. And the girls are gonna be fabulous big sisters. 

"Mom, I love sitting in your lap. So much, that I'm just going to give you a little kiss."

           --Brooks

"Mom, I pooped my brains out this week. Thank you for taking me to the doctor and taking care of me. I love you and dad so much."

       --Boone

Party like rockstars

In our house, we party like rockstars. This was our Saturday night.

Sushi. On sushi plates with real, live chopsticks. And a little soy sauce dish. Talk about some goodness. I love me some cucumber and carrot brown rice sushi. And it looks pretty. Who doesn't want pretty food?

Casey drank this. I didn't this time. But it looks amaze, doesn't it? I'm all about some hard cider. And pear? Pacific pear, no less. Who wouldn't want that? 

Then Casey did a face mask with me. Because he loves me. And because we love to party.

I'm not gonna lie. The fact that we look like we're glowing creeps me out a little bit.

Then we watched Project X and hung out with our girls.

Those are my kinda Saturday nights.

The hummingbird

Many people may not know I have 3 tattoos. When people say it's addicting, they are not kidding. If I didn't think it'd look funny, I'd have a full body suit tattoo. Then I wouldn't have to buy clothes. And I'd be a walking piece of art. Too much?

Anyways, one of my tattoos is on my ribs. It's a picture of a hummingbird with the words "Ezer Kenegdo" scripted below.

"Why a hummingbird," you say? Well this is why...

" Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time, carrying our hopes for love, joy, and celebration. The hummingbird's delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning, and that laughter is life's sweetest creation.  "

I saw this little phrase years and years ago, and ever since, I've always loved the hummingbird. Not only because they are fascinating little creatures, but also because of what they represent. Or what legends tell they represent.

And why "Ezer Kenegdo"? Well, let me rewind and explain this timeline first...Casey and I got engaged in June of 2011. We got our "matching" tattoos (that don't really match in the traditional sense) in August 2011. We got married in May 2012. We'll be married forever, and we'll have our tattoos forever. Simple as that. Kinda like how 1 + 1 = 2. Easy math and no questions asked. That's just the way it'll always be. Lucky me.

Casey got a sparrow with the verse reference "Genesis 2:24" scripted below.

"That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

In Christianity, the sparrow is a symbol for hope and renewal.

Psalm 84:3

"...even the lowly sparrow was invited to make her home in the Lord's temple" 

This verse shows God's love and protection even at our worst.

The sparrow also symbolizes freedom, dedication, trust, and finding your true love. It is common among servicemen to get the symbol of a sparrow to remind them of finding their way home. Sparrows mate for life and will always return home no matter how far they travel. 

I love Casey's tattoo. So back to my "Ezer Kenegdo." Notice the reference Casey got tattooed on his arm, and the word "helper".

Ezer kenegdo is a Hebrew phrase that has been translated to mean “helper” or “help meet” or “partner”.   “Ezer” (help)  is actually a very strong word used in the Bible, it is used for someone who saves or protects another, the one that needs help.  “Kenegdo” (meet)  means facing or corresponding to.  She will provide the help he needs and is neither superior nor inferior to him, she is equal yet different.   The original Hebrew verse was translated this way in Genesis 2:18   “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”  (See Casey's tattoo!)

Now some people (some women) at first glance may take offense to this translation.  They may think it sounds as if we are  just little helpers that are like assistants to our husbands.  However, as you can see from the explanation above it is much more than that.  

The true Hebrew meaning of “ezer”  is actually a combination of two words, strength and power.  God is not referring to a small task or some remedial little helping job where we make sure he gets dressed in the morning and gets off to work. Not at all. Our role as “helpers” is a very important role.  We are called to be right by his side helping him with life,  with decisions, with struggles, and celebrating blessings. We are to “save and protect” him. Our husbands are there to protect and provide for us, but we are there to protect and provide for them as well…just in different ways.

God gave our men a big role with a lot of responsiblity.  We are here to help put them in a position to succeed at what God has planned for their lives.   We are to be supportive, loving, respectful and nurturing.  They take care of us and we take care of them.  This includes helping them with daily tasks,  with long-term goals, with their spiritual walk, with their struggles and their doubts and anything else in between.

That is how it supposed to work. A husband and wife both have big  jobs, and while they may not want to trade jobs, men appreciate a wife who is always there to support, respect, love and help them.

And the boy and girl lived happily ever after.

Supergirls!

I think the girls were dreaming of flying yesterday. Same day, different naps. Funny huh?


We captured this:

Then last night we captured this:

Our little super girls no doubt.


Quick weight update. Boone weighing in at 29.4 pounds fully dressed (harness and leash) and Brooks weighing in at 23 (or was it 24? No matter. Tiny is all you need to know) pounds. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. Growing up too too fast.

Happy Fourth!

Here's a quick run down of our yesterday.

On the menu: Steak, Chicken, and Shrimp Kabobs on the barbie (grill), Homemade potato salad, and watermelon. Then for dessert Trifle Cake and Oatmeal bars.

Chopped veggies and fruit. Cherry tomatoes, zucchini, red pepper, pineapple, green pepper, red onion, orange pepper.

Here's the expert kabob-maker working on the steak skewers.

Here's the shrimp bowl.

And here's some cubed chicken. I know ya'll would be lost without my play by play.

Then we marinated them in Carribean Jerk for about five hours. Mmmm.

Here are our helpers. I guess us prepping food made them hungry. Boone is looking for more it appears. They are so precious.

Then everyone (Jerry, Sandra, Mom, Dad, Colin, and Kaleigh) came over (Kate, Casey, the girls and I were already there...of course...since it is our house), and grillmaster Casey started cooking.

Here's what he came up with as he sweated his you-know-whats off at the 600 degree grill in 200 degree weather.

Looks delicious, huh?

And I made potato salad (with my sous chef Casey boiling the potatoes and eggs to perfection). It's real easy. We had a 3 lb bag of small red potatoes, washed and cut them into quarters. They were boiled until desired doneness. Then we threw in 6 chopped boiled egg whites, some salad cubes, some finely chopped celery and red onion, and some light mayo. Mix. And voila. Potato salad.

For the watermelon, we just bought a large melon and chopped it up. We had buckets of it. This is only part of it. Perfect though. Absolutely perfect. Nothing like some watermelon in the summer time. Am I right or am I right?

Here's the dessert Momma brought. How 4th of July appropriate. Angel food cake cubed, nonfat vanilla yogurt, light whipped cream, and berries galore (raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries). Layer it all up and make it look real pretty and professional on top. It's so light and refreshing. Perfect for summer.

Then I made these. Because I felt like baking. Cause I love baking. And they are super easy. See recipe below.

Chewy Oatmeal Bars

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened

2 cups brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups quick cooking oats

optional: 1 cup either chocolate chips, nuts/raisins, etc.

Cream butter and sugar together. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Add flour, salt and baking soda. Stir in oatmeal and any optional additions. Will be stiff. Spread evenly into greased 9x13 inch pan.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes (no more, no less).

For this batch I mixed in 1 c white chocolate chips and put 3/4 of the dough into the bottom of the pan. Then I spread raspberry preserves over the top and then dolloped what dough/batter was left on top. It came out with a really pretty swirl on top. They were so delightful. By far my favorite combo. Please try these!

Anyhow, Happy (late) 4th of July to all! Go America.

On a side note, Brooks could care less about fireworks. Fearless. Boone is scared silly over them. So sad. She's a definite cuddler when she's scared.