First signs of the bump...

Ta Da!

Whatcha think? It's still takes me by surprise when I catch a glance of my profile in a mirror or window...I can't believe it's really happening!! There really IS a baby growing in there!

So our next appointment is Thursday, Oct 15th...just a mere 15 days away!! We'll finally get to find out what we're having at our next appointment! I'm totally excited to find out the sex...but I think I'm even more excited to see our baby!!! This little guy or gal will have grown SO much since our last ultrasound (it'll be 7 weeks since our last), and I'm just ecstatic beyond belief to see his/her growth!

On to other things worth noting...I have the best recipe for Chicken Enchiladas to share with ya'll! I wish I could claim this as my recipe, but alas it is not. My good friend and co-worker Stacey gave me this recipe, claiming that they are the best chicken enchiladas she's had. I admit, I was a bit skeptical, but after our meal last night...I must concur that they ARE the best chicken enchiladas!! I wish I would have been on top of my game and taken a couple snap shots for you, to show you how yummy they are...but you'll have to use your imagination instead. Anyhoo...here you go!

STACEY’S CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

Ingredients:
2 cans green enchilada sauce (I've only been able to find the green kind at Kroger)
1 pkg cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts (boiled then shredded)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 block cream cheese
6 - 8 12" Tortillas (I used whole wheat tortillas)

In skillet mix and melt the following...
1 can green enchilada sauce, chicken, 1 cup Cheddar, and cream cheese


Put skillet mixture into burritos and place in baking dish
cover with other can of green enchilada sauce and 1 cup cheddar cheese
bake at 375 for 15-20 min until slightly brown on top

SALSA
(Stacey also claims this amazing, I haven't made this salsa yet, but I believe her)

4 28oz cans HUNTS whole tomatoes
10 t vinegar
7 t salt
5 jalepeno peppers chopped (fresh or canned)
1 small onion chopped
1 t cumin
1 t coriander
1 med. clove garlic crushed

Puree tomatoes in blender for 3 seconds (per can) so that they are mostly pureed but a little chunky. Pour in big pan, add the rest of ingredients and simmer for 30 minutes. This recipe yields A LOT, so you may want to half the recipe.

PS - The enchiladas also make GREAT leftovers...seriously, so yummy!

Oh yes...one more thing. Congratulations to James and Jenn Smith! Their darling Nola James Smith graced the world with her presence this morning, 8lbs 12oz, 22 inches long, with beautiful strawberry blonde hair!!!

Hope you're having a beautiful Wednesday, and enjoying this crisp fall day!
Loves!

I have 2 heartbeats...

How crazy, awesome, insane is it that currently inside my little body, there are 2, count it 1-2 heartbeats!! Our appointment though short just made everything a little more real this morning. The little stinker couldn't hide this time around, and we finally got to hear it's little heartbeat! It sped up for a second, then slowed back down. This miracle of birth (pardon the cliche') is truly just that. Russ and I feel so incredibly blessed by this little miracle that God's given us!

Well that's all I have for today...Thanks to everyone for the kind words and advice in response to my last post...ya'll are just the best!

Happy Thursday!

It's a crazy thing...

...this pregnancy thing.

I have to admit...I had a bit of a melt down yesterday. I've just come to the realization (here at just about 16 weeks) that this body is not mine anymore...at least for the next 6 months or so. The bump is growing...but depending on what I'm wearing...it may just look like I've "let myself go" ha. Everyone tells you, "it's ok...you're supposed to gain weight", but it's easy to forget those words the first time you go shopping, and everything just makes you look frumpy. I know most preggo women probably go through these feelings at some point (at least I hope they do, and I'm not just plain ole crazy..ha) so I guess I just need to keep reminding myself, that every day this bump gets bigger, means I'm one day closer to a sweet little baby face to have and hold, and love forever!

We have our second appointment tomorrow with lovely Mavis the Midwife! I think it will still be too early to tell the sex of the baby, but I'm hoping we'll at least get to hear the baby's heartbeat (as long as he/she doesn't hide again). I would be ecstatic though to find out what we're having. Girlfriend's ready to start making baby things!! Here's what I've got on my list of "To Makes" so far...

{Manda Ruth Cardigan by Jane Richmond}


{Mary Janes and/or Button Loafers by Sylvia Schuchardt}


{Knit Chickens (I'm particularly in love with the smaller striped chicken) by Susan B Anderson)


{Octopus by Tricia Keffer}


{Elephant or Bunny by Ysolda Teague}

I think the little bean will be more then covered on the stuffed animal front ;)

Hope you're having a good one!

It's going to be a lovely week!

Today has been uncommonly pleasant for a Monday...

Reason #1
Russ and I fought the urge to stay in bed an extra 45 min, and took the pups on our morning walk. We've been doing our best to make this a daily occurrence, so I can stay healthy while this bump gets bigger and bigger! It was a little damp, but cool and lovely! Russ and I don't always get a chance throughout our days to spend quality alone time, so it's really been such fun getting to spend a half hour or so strolling through Shelby bottoms when no one else is around! Plus...the pups are just too cute on our walks. Bodhi is extremely alert, perking up at every rustle in the trees and call of a bird, while Jake prances along, continuously sniffing, and marking everything in site. We love our dogs!

Reason #2
Shortly after getting into work this morning, a friend told me that one of my pieces had been featured on Etsy's home page!!

Thank You Rachel Briggs for being so kind to take a screen shot for me!

That's me, bottom left image! I don't exactly know how I was "handpicked" but it certainly has been making my day! Shameless plug, but if you'd like to see a few more pieces I have up for sale, check them out on my etsy!

Reason #3
Baby pictures! Not mine yet, of course..ha, but our relative (husband's, sister-in-law's, brother's wife...that complicated enough for you?) Molly tagged me in a couple photos of her newborn baby boy Titus, as he was wearing some booties I had made...


Rachel Debell is an amazing photographer, and Titus is just about the cutest subject and model there could possibly be. That last picture is really too much for words!! I'm hoping that our pups love our new little one as much as Charlie loves Titus!!

...and if the rest of this week is anything like today...it's going to be a lovely week!

Hope yours is just as lovely!

Hallelujah...

The morning sickness is over!!! (knock on wood..ha). Thanks for all of you sweet friends who have asked how I'm feeling. I'm finally getting to the point where I don't feel like hurling all the time, and I'm actually hungry again, and am starting to get some energy back. It's good to be able to stay up til at least 10 or 10:30 again ;)

I made it through my first weekend of being home alone without the hubby and preggo. It is NOT fun! I used to go weeks...even months without seeing Russ when he was a tour manager, and never has a weekend been so hard as this past one. Needless to say I have new respect for all of you wonderful moms and wives who have traveling hubbies! I feel your pain!

I tried to keep myself busy with crafting, cleaning and hanging with friends, and did manage to complete a couple bunnies for one of my nieces and one for a friend

i just love making these little dears :)

I must say though, that when Russ came back from the festival, it was all worth my brief weekend of sadness. God did so many amazing things at this festival, it was incredible to hear about it all...

Chad Johnson (founder of C&L! ) speaking to the crowds

Come&Live! Booth

On another note, the fair will be in Nashville, TN this weekend through the 22nd! I LOVE fairs!!! I love looking at all of the animals, crafts, and Pies! eating fair food (that is aweful for you, but who cares...it's the fair!), I would love to ride rides, but I guess I'll have to forgo this year. It's cheap awesome fun...and I cannot wait!
Here's to a fantastic weekend!
Jill

Check it out...

So, I'm taking a break from all things crafty and baby, to give a shout out to Come&Live! My boo, and so many other amazing people have been working so hard to get this non-profit off the ground. If you get a moment today, please do yourself a favor and browse their website, download their free sampler, and check out the AMAZING artists on their roster. They'll blow you away!


And if you're in the NJ area, go check out their booth and stage at Revelation Generation festival. Come&Live! bands The Ember Days and I Am Alpha and Omega will be playing on Saturday...so get to it!

I on the other hand will be home, all by my lonesome, hopefully doing something crafty :) What are your plans for this long holiday weekend?