Cucumber Mint Gazpacho

Yesterday when I arrived home from work, the AC was not working. I spent some time on the phone taking directions from my dad, doing what I could to get it running again. After about an hour of failed attempts, I threw on some shorts, opened the windows and laid on the couch with a big bottle of water.

Shortly after, Ryan arrived home and messed with the AC for what seemed like hours. Around 8:40PM I realized I was starving, sweating and miserably hot. There seemed like only one reasonable solution: cucumber mint gazpacho (and maybe some ice cream for dessert).

Cucumber Mint Gazpacho

This is one of my favorite dishes; however, this was my first time making it at home. The gazpacho was perfectly delicious and creamy. I probably won't tweak the recipe much, if at all, in the future. I do think I will make some additions to the Fresh Vegetable Salad I served with it. You will notice my notes for "next time" listed at the bottom of the recipe. 

Enjoy!

♥A

Week 29

How far along? 29 Weeks

Baby is the size of an... acorn squash. The baby is about 2.5 - 3.8 pounds and 15.2 - 16.7 inches

Total weight gain: 15.5 pounds, that means I'm up 4.1 pounds in two weeks!

Maternity clothes? Besides my maternity jeans, which are starting to get uncomfortable because of the heat, I haven't been wearing any maternity clothes. I'm in all dresses!

Stretch marks? Nope, none

Sleep: Sleep has been solid when I've actually let myself sleep. I was so excited about home improvements this week, there were several nights I stayed up until the early morning hours helping Ryan work. 

Best moment this week: Finishing the paint, chair rail and top molding in the baby's room. 

Miss Anything? My energy, its been on and off since entering my third trimester last week. I have no problem staying up until 2:30AM and waking up at 7AM the next morning, but I'm crashing by 4PM.

Movement: Baby has been kind of quiet this week--then again I might have missed many of baby's movements because I've been moving so much myself.

Food cravings: I'm back to wanting veggie burritos from Chipotle.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still no.


Gender: Its a surprise! But in this gorgeous Garnet & Gold nursery, it won't matter if we have a boy or girl.

Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: Some back pain, fatigue and sore feet.

Belly Button in or out? The top half is popping out, bottom half is still in. Belly button limbo!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy


Looking forward to: Finishing this house completely, so the only thing we have left to do before baby arrives is wait.

♥ A

After I found out about the baby, I started following the Little Baby Garvin blog. The author, Jessica Garvin, is an absolutely beautiful girl who has graciously shared her experience throughout her pregnancy with her daughter, Harper. Jessica has inspired me to embrace this time of my life; she has also documented her pregnancy progression in a unique way that I couldn't help but do my own version! To view Little Baby Garvin's 29 Week entry, click here.

Week 28

How far along? 28 Weeks

Baby is the size of a... eggplant. The baby is about 1.5 - 2.5 lbs and 13.6 - 14.8 in

Total weight gain: 11.4 pounds as of my last doctor visit

Maternity clothes? Just maternity jeans!

Stretch marks? Nope

Sleep: I'm sleeping well but still having insane dreams.

Best moment this week: H&M's 2012 Fashion Against AIDS campaign kicking off. Finding a cure for HIV/AIDS, as well as awareness and prevention, are my top causes. I lost my uncle to AIDS so this is very close to my heart. Plus, H&M is my favorite store! To check out the items H&M is selling to benefit the cause click the hyperlink above.

Miss Anything? Wearing midriffs and cut off shorts... Did you see this bustier in the Fashion Against AIDS collection?!

Movement: Lots!

Food cravings: Spicy, spicy, spicy. I don't care what it is, but I want it hot!

Anything making you queasy or sick: No


Gender: Still don't know. 

Labor Signs: None

Symptoms: Some back pain and fatigue

Belly Button in or out? Flattening out

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy


Looking forward to: My dad coming to town this weekend to work on the house and start working on the nursery!

♥A

After I found out about the baby, I started following the Little Baby Garvin blog. The author, Jessica Garvin, is an absolutely beautiful girl who has graciously shared her experience throughout her pregnancy with her daughter, Harper. Jessica has inspired me to embrace this time of my life; she has also documented her pregnancy progression in a unique way that I couldn't help but do my own version! To view Little Baby Garvin's 28 Week entry, click here.

Week 27

How far along? 27 Weeks

Baby is the size of a... cauliflower. The baby is about 1.5 - 2.5 lbs and 13.6 - 14.8 in

Total weight gain: 11.4 pounds

Maternity clothes? I have officially decided that unless I'm wearing my maternity jeans, there will be no more pants for me until after the baby. I am just too uncomfortable with unzipped pants and a belly band--not just physically uncomfortable but paranoid that everyone knows my pants are unzipped. This paranoia is not something I can deal with in my line of work, as I am one of few women in the security industry surrounded by strong, type A men who carry guns on a regular basis...

Stretch marks? Zero, zip, NADA!

Sleep: Sleep is still good. My dreams are still crazy though.

Best moment this week: Hearing baby's heart beat at the doctor appointment and having Dr. T tell us that the baby sounds happy and healthy. It was a rough week, especially for Ryan, so this good news was much needed and welcomed. 

Miss Anything? The cookie man... Until next Wednesday my friend. 

Movement: Lots! Baby seems to know the right moments to start kicking and put a smile on my face. Timing must be something baby got from Ryan because mine is always 15-30 minutes off. 

Food cravings: Milkshakes! Mint chocolate chip milkshakes to be exact. Or strawberry, or vanilla.. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope


Gender: Don't know. The invitations to our baby "celebration" went out this week, a few guests have joked that they refuse to come unless we find out the gender. Where has everyone's love of surprises gone?!

Labor Signs: Braxton Hicks contractions here and there

Symptoms: Some back pain

Belly Button in or out? Flattening out

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy


Looking forward to: Next week, week 28 = third trimester! 

**Had my glucose tolerance test and first Rho Gam shot this week at the doctor's office. The fruit punch flavored glucose drink is not that bad. It kinda made me feel like I was going to barf but I think that was because it was so sweet and I had only five minutes to drink it. Not to mention, I only had two hard boiled eggs for breakfast so my empty stomach and all that sugar wasn't the best mix. Also, if you get a Rho Gam shot request to get it in the hip/butt area. I hardly felt it. I hear the arm is much worse.

♥ A

After I found out about the baby, I started following the Little Baby Garvin blog. The author, Jessica Garvin, is an absolutely beautiful girl who has graciously shared her experience throughout her pregnancy with her daughter, Harper. Jessica has inspired me to embrace this time of my life; she has also documented her pregnancy progression in a unique way that I couldn't help but do my own version! To view Little Baby Garvin's 27 Week entry, click here.

Just a Year Ago

With the one year anniversary of my graduation from Florida State University quickly approaching, I've found myself going through old photos and thinking, "What was I doing a year ago today?" Answering that question has unearthed some hilarious pictures I thought you would enjoy--maybe even more than me!

One of my last film projects in my college career. Click here to check out the video!

Seriously, greatest job EVER! I miss bartending at AJ's Sports Bar every single day.

College style sleepover!

AJ's Spring Break bikini contest

Jersey Shore Mockumentary: another one of my final film projects. Watch it here!

Being the Easter Bunny for my college roommates and the boyfriends ♥

Graduating from Florida State University!

The only existing picture from the longest, greatest party I've ever been to--never mind thrown.

Moving to Saint Petersburg (yes, that is the dreaded "temp" house)

Adopting Jonah and becoming a family of three ♥

Ryan and I have spent the last year adjusting to the "adult" life, our "grown up" jobs and our family of three. Now we are homeowners and we're preparing to be a family of four. Such a strange thought when a year ago today I was cramming for finals and hanging out at AJ's in micro bikinis and daisy duke shorts until 4AM. 

♥ A

Week 26

How far along? 26 Weeks
Baby is the size of a... head of lettuce. The baby is about 1.5 -2.5 lbs and 13.6 - 14.8 in
Total weight gain: About ten pounds, we'll know for sure after next week's doctor's appointment.

Maternity clothes? Just maternity jeans (pictured above)

Stretch marks? Not a single one :)

Sleep: Sleep is good. I finally got my humidifier. I put it on my night stand and have been seeing a decrease in throat dryness. 

Best moment this week: Finishing the rose bed in the backyard. I can't wait to have fresh roses!

Miss Anything? I've been missing my long-time friends a lot. The closest is Kait and even she lives 45 minutes away.

Movement: Baby has been making big movements lately. The other night I was laying in bed with Jonah. He had his head on my thigh and the baby shifted in my belly. The big, sudden movement made my whole belly move. Jonah quickly perked up and cocked his head to the side as to say, "What the hell was that? Your belly isn't suppose to do that!"

Food cravings: Easter candy, especially Butterfinger Eggs--I love this time of year, I love making Easter baskets and I love being the Easter Bunny! I seriously might like being the Easter Bunny more than being Santa.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Still Nothing


Gender: Unknown

Labor Signs: Some contractions but nothing that isn't lulled by changing positions or drinking water

Symptoms: Back pain

Belly Button in or out? Still stuck in belly button limbo, but getting shallower. I think this sucker is going to become flat before it turns into an outie.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy


Looking forward to: Easter bikini! Easter is when I get my "first" bikini of the year. I may have dropped some not-so-subtle hints to Ryan that just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean the tradition has to be put on hold.

**I say "first" because I can never hold out all the way to April. I mean, come on, we live in Florida. It's bikini weather all year long!

♥ A

After I found out about the baby, I started following the Little Baby Garvin blog. The author, Jessica Garvin, is an absolutely beautiful girl who has graciously shared her experience throughout her pregnancy with her daughter, Harper. Jessica has inspired me to embrace this time of my life; she has also documented her pregnancy progression in a unique way that I couldn't help but do my own version! To view Little Baby Garvin's 26 Week entry, click here.

Strawberry Lemon Curd Trifle

With unpacking, gardening, decorating, doctor appointments, work, Easter and a recent loss in the family, I've been bad about posting. At least I can admit it! So as an offering of peace (and as a favor to my friend, Evan, who helps with Jonah from time-to-time), here is my Strawberry Lemon Curd Trifle recipe. I made this gorgeous and tasty dessert for Easter, it was a hit! Even though the recipe calls for two cups of heavy whipping cream, this treat is incredibly light and refreshing--the perfect spring time sweet.

Strawberry Lemon Curd Trifle

♥ A