1. I had my 30 week appointment today. I was seriously in and out of the office in 15 minutes! I always come prepared with my list of questions, so I’m not babbling like a crazy lady while I’m in there. I had only gained 3 pounds since my last visit, but it’s still about 30 pounds overall. That doesn’t surprise me, though. I’ve known the whole time that I have been gaining weight like it’s my job. It’s just a shame I’m not getting paid!
I would totally show y’all a bump picture if I could get my act together and remember to have TC take a picture. The heart beat sounded great at the appointment. I am measuring about 2 weeks ahead, so we could have another large baby boy. I will be 31 weeks tomorrow!
2. I tweeted this picture of my hair the other day, so I thought I’d show everyone who reads my blog, too. I’m still getting used to it, but I do like it. I just can’t believe I did it and I miss my hair.
3. I wanted to update all of you on my decision to rise a little earlier in the morning to have my daily quiet time and prayer time. I have been reading my Breaking Free by Beth Moore daily devotional (not the full Bible study, which is wonderful, by the way– but just a verse per day with some commentary from Beth Moore). I also decided to read through a few books of the Bible during this time and because I love to read through the book of James, I chose James for this week. My verse from Breaking Free for the day was Proverbs 11:2, which says, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace. But with humility comes wisdom.”
Then I turned to James chapter 4 to read my chapter for the day. And James 4:4-6 says this:
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:
“God opposes the proud
but shows favor to the humble.”
Talk about a way to wake up in the morning. I randomly read Proverbs 11:2 in my devotional book and then the same verse is referenced again in James 4, which was also pretty randomly chosen. I do not believe in coincidences, so I have spent every quiet moment I’ve had today asking God to show me exactly why he showed me these words today.
If you ask God to teach you something, He’s not going to miss an opportunity to fulfill that desire.
4. I am on the hunt for some fun ideas for Hudson for this summer. The baby will be here, he won’t have school, and I’m concerned about him getting bored at home every day. He is going to do two weeks of swim lessons. I have looked into the possibility of a few day camps, but most of the fun day camps are for 4 year olds and older kids.
Any Columbia friends have any suggestions for 2 year olds? Any readers have ideas for keeping things at home “camp-like” to keep the kids excited?
5. Last night for supper, I made a super easy recipe that I got from our Sunday school cookbook. My friend Emily submitted this recipe and it is so delicious and so easy. I told myself that I need to remember to have the ingredients on hand for after the baby is born because this is one of those “throw it all together and leave it to cook” recipes that only took about 45 minutes total.
Here’s the recipe for Salsa Chicken for those that were interested. (I’m sorry I don’t have a picture.)
Ingredients:
4-5 chicken cutlets
2 pouches of Uncle Ben’s 90 second rice in Santa Fe flavor
1 can of black beans rinsed and drained
1 jar of salsa (any brand)
8 oz of shredded Mexican blend cheese
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Put the chicken in a baking dish and cover it with the salsa. Bake for 30 minutes (or until chicken is done). While chicken is cooking, microwave the Uncle Ben’s rice and rinse and drain the beans.
When chicken is done, get a new baking dish and layer the rice, beans, and chicken with salsa on top. Cover it all with the cheese and put back in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Top it all with a little bit of sour cream.
*I added corn to mine last night and layered it in with the rice and beans.
I love this recipe because almost all of the ingredients are things that were already in my pantry. And Hudson loved it! He ate every bit of his serving and had leftovers for lunch today. I love not having to make something separate for him!
You know I have severe hair envy and I like it just as well shorter.. You look beautiful and even though you may not enjoy it at all times pregnancy certainly agrees with you.
It’s very inspiring that you are rising early and reading.. Especially because I know how your body is probably craving sleep 🙂
I think your hair looks great! You are blessed with beautiful hair!! 🙂 Shorter or longer!
I love cooking, but I also love having those “quick fix” meals on hand when I’m in a hurry (or lazy!). My favorite: combine 2 diced chicken breasts, 1/2 cup of light mayo, 1/2 cup of reduced fat parmesan, and 1 large jar of drained artichoke hearts (packed in olive oil). Mix together, put in a large baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. Bake for 20 – 25 mins at 350, and serve (feeds about 6 people)! It makes awesome leftovers, too.
Love the haircut! 🙂
Your hair is ridiculously gorgeous!!!!! 🙂
Your hair looks awesome! I can grown mine out but it wont take a curl for anything…which is weird because my hair natually has some wave. Oh well.
Do you have any friends with older children, like 10-14 who would want to come over and “baby-sit” Hudson, basically just play with him while you are at home?
Your hair looks great! I can’t believe it still looks so long even after having three inches cut! Salsa Chicken sounds delish!
How do you only gain 3 lbs a month? What are you eating/doing? I need tips, please!! You look awesome & you always do!! I’m so happy for you & your family! XOXO
I think you look great! you know you are going to get a lot of hair envy posts today! can I have some of yours?! my hair is high maintenence thin and frizzy!
My toddler is going to a few church sponsored day camps this yr for 3 yr olds when our baby arrives. Last summer, I noticed at the playground that many moms brought their newborns and just watched their older kids play while on a blanket or the bench. now, I could not do this, at least not often, b/c to me it is too hard to get out of the house with everything and by the time you get there its time to feed or change baby, but maybe you could just take him in your backyard to play for awhile everyday? or have snacks, lunch on the patio. toddlers never get tired of being outside even at home, mine LOVES it!
Those verses you shared hit me hard today. Needed them. Thank you!!
I’m just curious – why does a 2 year old go to “school” anyways? Isn’t that why we’re SAHMs? I’m not trying to be ugly, but I’m just really confused by this whole idea. Thanks.
I know it’s hard to say goodbye to those inches but your hair looks gorgeous!
I hope you’re able to find a great class or activity to keep Hudson busy this summer. Maybe a college student on summer break/taking summer courses could take him to the park or library or other activities one or two days a week? If you don’t know anyone, you might have some luck contacting a church group or sorority on campus to see if any of the girls would be interested. Good luck!
Is there a bible school that he could go to at your church? That would give him something to do for a week!
Hi Erin, I rarely comment. I had to tell you, your hair looks great. It is about the same color and length of mine. I have chunks cut off, usually twice a year. It keeps it healthy. It would be at my waist in no time if I didn’t. Also. from the picture, you look really good. Much better than you probably think. Hang in there!
Wow, you look great! I would not have guessed you’ve gained 30 pounds, you carry it really well. I have gained ~15 (30 weeks this weekend!) and I feel like I look much bigger than you.
I’ve made that salsa chicken in the crock pot. Easiest thing to do!!
First of all….LOVE the hair!!!!
Second of all……the awesome Hudson is always welcome to come over and play with Brantley this summer:) We have a play room that I know he would love jumping into!!!!
Lastly, thanks for the recipe!
oops! Forgot one! I have been getting up at 6:30am this week too! Decided it was time for the Lord to get my full attention and 100% of me instead of just the leftovers and fill-ins throughout the day! Lovin’ it!!!! I would like to recommend Pursing More of Jesus for your next devotional. It is by Anne Graham Lotz and it is wonderful!
I always take a list of questions or concerns to the doctor too…if not I forget while I’m there and then have to call back later, which makes me feel really silly.
It is so hard to find summer activities for under-4s! See if there are a few other moms who would like to go in together and hire a preschool teacher for 2-3 days a week across the summer. Take turns ‘hosting’ camp at each others’ homes (and plan your weeks for times KK is around or later in the summer!), but the teacher does most of the work. And, depending on cost/budgets, you might even be able to hire a teenager/college student to be the assistant instead of the ‘hosting’ mom!
Your hair is amazing! I wish mine looked half as good on its best day!
This has kind of been mentioned, but having a younger teenage girl-a mother’s helper- over a couple times a week could be a big help. I know I did that a lot before I was quite old enough to babysit, and I had four younger siblings by the age of 10 so I had lots of experience at home! It would probably be fairly inexpensive, and I’m sure there are girls who would love to make a little spending money during the summer.
Erin, I make a very similar “Mexican Chicken” – almost everything the same, except for my favorite part.
I use a packet of taco seasoning and rub it on the chicken before you bake it.
Try it next time, super easy addition and it adds a lot!
Your hair is GORGEOUS! I wish I could get mine to look like that. Want to post a guide to hair styling? 😉
Your hair looks awesome! I know what it’s like to cut your hair and then wish you didn’t. That usually happens to me right after I get mine cut and I’m washing my hair and I realize it’s gone!
Hey, just read your post and thought I’d tell you about Tag It Art in Columbia off of Forest Drive. It’s a kids art studio and my sister works there. They have classes, summer camps and birthday parties for kids starting at 18 months and older. You can check them out at tagitart.com.
Congrats on the new baby!!
Does your library offer preschool storytime? Ours does an awesome job! How about ask some middle school childre from church to come over and help you. That was a life saver for me. My child knew the tween or teen from church and loved having someone to play with. It came me a break. I was always home.
Thank you so much for sharing those verses–I really needed that today. We’re expecting our second child as well and with all of the “to do’s” and craziness sometimes my devotional gets the last 3 minutes of my day and probably 3% of my attention. This was a good reminder 🙂
Wow, God is definitely speaking to you and your lenten promise!!! I always get chills when I hear something like that. Thanks for sharing the verses. You have really inspired me to get back into doing some daily devotionals of my own–thank you. And by the way….you look like a legit movie star with that hair. Just gorgeous!
Your hair looks great ……. just amazed how you have time to “fix”it daily… you are prego and have a toddler…. very impressive!!!
Your hair look so beautiful!
Ooops, I typed too fast. “Looks” so beautiful. 🙂
Have some fun, quiet activities that Hudson can do by himself for after the baby comes. You won’t be able to spend as much time with him on things right after having another baby. I make coloring books printed from online with themes (trucks, animals, etc). Hit up the Target $1 spot for stamps, stickers and puzzles for him to do at the table when you need some quiet time. Make chocolate pudding & have him “paint” the bathtub/shower walls with it & then just shower him off when he’s done. I don’t live in Columbia, but here they have gymnastics day camps in the summer for kids as young as 2 and also library story times are nice and you can take both kids.
By the way – your hair looks great!!
Hi! I made the Salsa Chicken last night for supper & had the leftovers for my lunch (and hubby’s) today. So good! Thanks for sharing! BTW, I’m in Shreveport, LA! Woohoo! 🙂
i love it when my devotional matches up like that too! as far as things to do with toddlers: i’m a preschool teacher to toddlers and when it’s too hot/cold/rainy to go outside with them some one of their favorite things is to tape bubblewrap to the floor and get them to jump/stomp til its all “popped out” (awesome to do right before naptime, they fall asleep super fast!).
You really do look gorgeous. . .I envy your hair no matter what length it is! And I am very impressed with your daily reading routine. What a wonderful start to the day. I need to follow your example.
Regarding the what-to-do-with-the-older-sibling question: I have a five year old and a two year old. So when the youngest was born, the oldest was almost three, a little bit older than Hudson. But my experience has been that the older they are, the more easily they get bored. Up until Mia was about two and a half, she was pretty much just happy to be wherever I was. So if that meant spending all day at home, doing chores and having quiet time, no big deal. As she got older, the issue of boredom became a much bigger thing. So my first point is, maybe Hudson is similar and you’ll still have some time where he doesn’t mind just being at home with you and little brother, as long as you’re together and there are books and toys.
If he does get bored already though, or for a few months down the road, something that has worked really well for me is One Fun Thing Each Day. I capitalize it as though it’s really a Thing, but it’s not. I just realized that as long as I had one actual activity all planned for each day of the week (Saturday and Sunday get a free pass, because it’s just exciting to have Daddy around all day, no matter what we do), it really gave Mia something to look forward to, plan for, talk about, etc. Basically alleviated the boredom even though it was just one little portion of the day. And I always did very simple things. Like, Monday we’ll go to the park around the corner, Tuesday we’ll take a nice long walk to Grandma’s house and have a popsicle, Wednesday we’ll have a playdate, Thursday we’ll go to storytime at the library, Friday we’ll do something a little more involved like the aquarium, the zoo, the botanical gardens, or the children’s museum (we’re lucky enough to live very close to all of these and always get annual passes to a couple of them). Actually, most weeks we skipped a “fun thing” on at least one day in order to do something boring but necessary: errands. But I’m very lucky on that because Mia has actually always loved going shopping with me, whether it’s grocery shopping, Target, or something more fun. So even the day of errands was usually enjoyed, and it beats sitting at home all afternoon trying to come up with activities. But the “one thing each day” really helped to keep our day on a schedule. I’ve always found that the morning is automatically full, with exercise, baths, getting everyone dressed, breakfast, morning naps for babies, house cleaning, etc. It’s the afternoon that can sometimes turn into a long boring stretch, so I found it helpful to plan to have an hour or two of the afternoon scheduled with an activity. By the time you’ve done all the morning stuff, then had lunch, then get out of the house for an activity, it seems like everyone is ready to have a little downtime with books and toys while Mom starts to work on dinner. Then Dad gets home and that’s always great Daddy playtime while Mom finishes dinner (or sits down with a magazine for a few minutes while dinner finishes cooking). At least that’s how schedules have worked at our house.
I say all of this in the past tense because ages 5 and 2 are very different from 3 and newborn. Now Mia has preschool 3 days a week, a dance class, and soccer. So between all of those things, keeping the house in order, and running errands, our weeks are basically packed and I feel like there couldn’t possibly be a minute for boredom. I guess that’s just me, though, because Mia is more bored than ever. The minute we get home from any of those things, it’s “What are we doing now? Nothing??? I’m bored! Can I have a playdate?” Now my challenge is to convince her to take some downtime, to just play with her sister and her toys, not need to be on the go every minute. Good thing she starts kindergarten in the fall! Her teacher can keep her from being bored instead of me for a while!
You’ll be there before you know it! 🙂