My Reason for Lack of Blog Posts

This what my front porch has been looking like lately. An endless stack of Thirty-One Gifts deliveries. Of course, I couldn't be more thrilled and can not get over the success that has become of my Thirty-One career. I am loving it and can't wait to see where Thirty-One Gifts takes me. It has such a blessing in my life and has far exceeded my expectations!!!

I hate to let my blog suffer in the mean time and have so many posts rolling around in my head, however, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

Just thought I would check in and say hello and that all is well with me and my little man. Hope y'all are doing well too!!!

First Snowfall of the Year!

This morning I woke up to the first snowfall of the year!!! It actually was a bit of a wild and windy night that brought the snow, I was woken up to what they call "thunder snow". Have you all ever heard of it? It's when it is snowing and thundering. A bit of a wild phenomenon that doesn't happen too often. I was really hoping it would 't wake up Jillian, we were all in bed earlier than usual last night and was really looking forward to a good night sleep in our house! Luckily, Jillian slept through it and I fell right back to sleep.

Winter is here!! Have you had your first snowfall yet?

20 Weeks - Baby #2

How far along? 20 weeks

Total weight gain/loss: 10 lbs.  This may be a bit of a conservative estimate considering I had my fair share of Halloween Candy this year!!  This was certainly my demise with Jillian and proved to be again this pregnancy.  I plan on taking the rest of the candy to work tomorrow to get it out of our house!!!! 

Maternity clothes: I am pretty much out of all of my pre-pregnancy clothes, especially the pants.  A few tops I can manage but very few!!!  I decided to take some time to check out Kohl's this weekend.  I am not typically a Kohl's shopper, however, they have reasonably priced, stylish clothes.  I have to say that my shopping trip was a complete success!!!  I bought a few sweater tunics and jeggings from the "Elle" brand all in larger sizes than I normally wear.  This may be the way to go for me this pregnancy.  I have just been so frustrated and disappointed in the selection of maternity clothes out there.  I do have a few items coming to be from Old Navy which I am excited about but they too only have so many things that I can wear!!!  If you are pregnant, certainly take some time to try on a few regular in a size or two larger than your normal size and see how it goes.  I was pleasantly surprised!!!  I plan on showing off one of my new tops from Kohl's in my 21 week post. 

Stretch Marks: None right now and I never developed any with Jillian. Thank you Mom for these great genes!!

Sleep: Sleep has been going well although I still wake up at least once, sometimes twice, a night to pee.  Jillian has been getting up once or twice a week lately asking for milk which has not been fun.  She has been going right back to sleep which is a blessing but for the life of me, not sure why some nights she sleeps and some nights she wakes up.  Still!!!

Best moment this week: Finding new clothes that I actually like and do not feel like a pregnant frump!  I also love buying my little man some clothes!!!  Since he is the first boy on both sides of the family, we are literally starting from scratch with him.

Movement: I can feel the baby move now on both sides of my belly!!  He is starting to take full advantage of all the room he has right now.

Food cravings: Halloween candy and rice!! I am really loving all sorts of rice right now, especially fried rice with peas in it.  So random!!!

Gender: BOY!!!  Our little guy continues to remain nameless, we are still working on it!!  As of now, our list has pretty much stayed the same since Baby #1.  We love Nicholas (named after Jeff's Grandpa, Dad, and brother), Michael, Joseph, Jeffrey (yes, we are considering a Jr!) and James.  All extremely traditional names.  For a middle name Robert (my Dad's Name) or Allen (My Dad's and Jeff's middle name). 

Labor Signs: Thankfully none so far.

Belly Button in or out: Out.

What I miss: Not too much at this moment, I am not as strict with my diet as I was with Jillian.  Everything in moderation though.  I really would like to start working out more by walking on the treadmill at the gym.  Once the weather cools down permanently, I will probably start doing this. 

What I am looking forward to: Reaching the 24 week viability mark.  I know 24 weeks is so early for our little man to come, however, I feel that once we reach the 24 week mark, he is ours!!!  I am also looking forward to planning out his nursery, we started dismantling one of our two guest bedrooms and can't wait to start the planning process!!! 

Milestones: Reaching the half way point!

Chicken Spaghetti

Fall is here.  The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer. A delicious meal of comfort food on a cold evening just really hits the spot!!

If you are on Pinterest then I am sure you have noticed all of the delicious recipes floating about.  Why is it that the recipes are the one's that I always seem to pin????  Pinning the recipes are easy, finding the time to make something you found on Pinterest is another story!  I was so proud of myself when I actually took the next step and committed myself to making a recipe I found on Pinterest!!!!  This one is particularly yummy since it originated from the famous Pioneer Woman!!!  Have y'all tried Chicken Spaghetti?  If not, you must!  Jeff really loved it and I did too! 

{What you Need}

2 Large Boneless Chicken Breasts or
1 Large Rotisserie Chicken cut into bite size pieces**

1 lb Thin Spaghetti

2 cans Cream of Mushroom Soup

Chopped Onion - To Taste

Green Pepper - To Taste

Pimentos - (I chose not to use in my recipe)
Sharp Cheddar Cheese - 2 cups

Salt and Pepper to taste

Lawry's Season Salt - To Taste
Cayenne Pepper - To Taste (I chose not to use in my recipe)

**Karen At Home Blog...Homemaking Made Simple Shortcut**

{How You Make It}

Defrost the boneless chicken breasts and cut them up into bite size pieces.  In a stove top skillet, cook your chicken (using a little butter or oil if you choose) until the chicken is cooked thoroughly.  While your chicken is cooking, boil your water and cook your pasta.  Do not over cook the spaghetti!  It will make your meal dish mushy.  While your chicken and spaghetti are cooking, you have a few minutes to chop up your green pepper and onion. 

In a large bowl, mix your chicken (rotisserie or cooked chicken), spaghetti, soup, green pepper, onion, pimentos and seasonings.  Add only 1 of the 2 cups of cheese.  Mix until thoroughly coated in soup.

Place mixture in a casserole dish.  Cover with remaining 1 cup of cheese.

At this point, you can cover it well and freeze it, unbaked. Or you can cover it and refrigerate it, unbaked, for up to two days before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes until hot & bubbly.  Enjoy!!!

Today I am linking up to the following parties!!!!

A Bowl Full of Lemons - One Project At A Time

Home Stories A to Z - Tutes and Tips Tuesday

Not Just a Housewife - Show Us What You Got

Jillian's First Trick Or Treat Video

Hello and Happy Halloween!!!!  I hope everyone had a fabulous Halloween and hopefully getting over your candy hangover like I am!  I have so many Fall and Halloween posts to write,  however, thought I would share this adorable video of Jillian's first Trick Or Treat.  It's so precious, I am so glad I took it. 





I took the video vertically from my iphone so please excuse the size!!  Hope to see you all soon!