Sweet Baby 15 Weeks

Sweet Baby is now the size of an Apple!

I still can't believe that I'm pregnant, when does it finally kick in?  I know I've seen the ultrasounds and I've heard our little one's heartbeat.  It's just so surreal! :) I can't wait for our next ultrasound to see how big our little peanut has grown.  Seeing our baby from yolk sac, to little embryo, then an actual form of baby already was just beautiful.  There is no better feeling than seeing the baby move and wiggle around - although I'm quite anxious to feel baby moving already, just a few more weeks for that! 

About our baby: Our sweet baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces, about the size of an apple.  Baby is busy moving amniotic fluid through their nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in their lungs begin to develop. His or her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and can now move all of their joints
About me: I feel a little tired lately, but not as much as my first trimester.  Oh and now my appetite is definitely back!
How far along? 15 Weeks 1 Day  
Total weight gain:  I haven't gained any weight yet.
Maternity clothes? Not yet, but I did purchase some cozy pants at Old Navy - can't pass up a sale!
Stretch marks? None yet, I know they'll be coming!
Sleep: Sleeping is okay, getting up is the hard part.
Best moment this week: My appetite coming back!
Worst moment this week:  Getting more frequent heartburn whenever I don't eat within a certain amount of time.
Miss Anything?  A big, juicy, medium rare, cheeseburger!
Movement: We have a little more time to wait until we feel baby.
Food cravings:  Lasagna :)
Anything making you queasy or sick: Chicken almost any way you cook it. Especially ground chicken.
Gender: We're finding out in March! :)
Labor Signs: No.
Symptoms: Heartburn, slightly nauseous still.
Belly Button in or out? Same, in.
Wedding rings on or off? On.
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy! :)
Looking forward to: Feeling baby move. They say it commonly occurs 16-22 weeks!

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Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Streusel Topping

I must say that during this pregnancy one would expect I'd want nothing but sweets.  It's been the total opposite.  I can't get enough fruits and vegetables!  I've been on a banana kick and finally craved something a little sweet over the weekend, so I made some banana muffins.  It was a co-workers birthday so I had to add a few things to make them more scrumptious!  I found a recipe online and loved most of it, aside from the topping since I love the streusel from my Caramel Apple Streusel Muffins I always use it.  It's my goto streusel!




These muffins were incredible!  In fact, I can't wait to make them with other fruits!  What did you crave during pregnancy?


Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins with Streusel Topping
Approx. 12 Muffins - Slightly adapted from allrecipes

1 1/2 Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
4 Medium Ripe Bananas, mashed
3/4 Cup Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1 Egg
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/3 Cup Butter, Melted
1/2 Cup Chocolate Chips

Streusel Topping:

1/8 cup Rolled Oats

1/3 cup of Sugar

3/4 tsp of Powdered Cinnamon

1/3 cup of Unbleached All-Purpose Flour

1/4 cup of Cold Butter, diced into cubes

Preheat oven to 375.
In a large bowl combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  
In a separate bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, cinnamon, egg, vanilla, and butter. Slowly stir and add in the flour mixture, just until mixed.  Fold in chocolate chips.
Mix all ingredients for streusel topping by hand, texture should be crumbly.
Place batter into muffin cups and top with streusel, bake for 18-20 minutes.
Cool, and enjoy!

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Sweet Baby 14 Weeks

Sweet Baby is now the size of a Lemon!

I really should have posted this Friday, but to be honest I fell asleep.  I do that a lot lately :)  I still can't believe that I'm pregnant.  It's an absolutely amazing feeling knowing that I created something so beautiful with someone I love so very much.  Chris and I cannot wait to meet our little one!
We've been getting lots of questions by family and friends.  Here are just a few!

Are you going to find out baby's gender?  Yes! We are so thrilled and cannot wait to see what our baby is going to be!  It's still a surprise because I haven't a clue if it's a boy or girl.  We just can't wait until July to find out so we'll be finding out as soon as the doctor says so! ;)
Do you have names picked out?  Not yet, we're waiting to find out if it's a boy or girl before we try and pick.
Did you guys want to get pregnant?  Yes, this is 100% expected.  Although many doctors said it can take 6 months to a year.  Our sweet baby was conceived right away.  We're truly blessed.
What are you hoping for?  Of course everyone wants a specific gender.  Naturally women tend to want girls and the husband's want boys.  I honestly am so blessed that I have this chance to be a mommy and I want exactly what this little one is.





I also thought it would be fun to do a little Q&A on how my pregnancy is progressing.  I will try to do this each week so I can share these memories with baby one day!

About our baby:  Baby is stretching out. From head to bottom, he or she measures 3 1/2 inches, about the size of a lemon and weighs 1 1/2 ounces.
About me: I definitely feel bloated, hoping this goes away soon.  Trying to avoid salt.
How far along? 14 Weeks 2 Days 
Total weight gain:  I haven't gained any weight yet, but haven't lost anymore since losing 5lbs.
Maternity clothes? Not yet, very thankful for yoga pants!
Stretch marks? None yet, I know they'll be coming!
Sleep: Sleeping is okay, getting up is the hard part.
Best moment this week: The fact that I can withstand some protein now.
Worst moment this week:  When I made tacos and couldn't bare eating them.  I ended up eating a hoagie roll loaded with vegetables and mozzarella.
Miss Anything? Brie and crackers.  Oh and a turkey sandwich with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and avocado.  Not the same when the meat is heated.
Movement: We have a little more time to wait until we feel baby.
Food cravings: Watermelon and Grapefruit!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Chicken almost any way you cook it. Especially ground chicken.
Gender: We're finding out in March! :)
Labor Signs: No.
Symptoms: Slightly nauseated still as well as tired all the time!
Belly Button in or out? Same, in.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time: Thankfully I'm pretty happy, I only get upset during movies.  I have never cried so easily during a movie.
Looking forward to: Next prenatal appointment.  We don't get to see baby, but we do get to hear their heartbeat. :)

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Jewish Apple Cake

You'd think that with me being pregnant I'd be craving cake and lots of it.  Well, it's the total opposite!  I'm craving salty, sour, and spicy.  I can't get enough of grapefruit lately.  I have been on a sour kick this week so I have a bunch of granny smith apples.  I was finally craving something a little sweet, so a cake that I used to have from a supermarket came to mind.  It was called Jewish Apple Cake, then they started calling it Grandma's Apple Cake.  Either way, I absolutely love it!

I found a recipe online and thankfully it was pretty close to what I remembered!  I added more apples and somehow added way too much OJ so I added a little flour to balance, and it turned out fine!  Phew! :)
Have you ever tried this type of cake?  If you like apple pie this is basically it in a cake form.  Mmm throw a little ice cream on top and you're set!


So let's get to the recipe.  Obviously like I stated I added a little more of things so this is slightly adapted.

Jewish Apple Cake
14 Servings - Slightly Adapted from allrecipes.com

3 1/8 Cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
2 1/12 Teaspoons Baking Powder
2 Cups White Sugar
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
4 Eggs
2/3 Cup Orange Juice
2 Teaspoons Vanilla Extract
4 Apples, Peeled, Cored and Sliced
3 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
5 Teaspoons White Sugar
1 Tablespoon Butter, Chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 10in tube pan. 

In a small bowl combine 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon and 5 teaspoons sugar, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl combine flour, salt, baking powder, 2 cups of sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, orange juice, vanilla, and remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.  Mix well.

Pour half of the batter into the tube pan, and then half of the apples and some of the cinnamon mixture.  Repeat with the batter, apples, and cinnamon.  I swirled them around to distribute the apples more.

Top with the chopped butter. 

Place into the oven for 70-90 minutes or until a toothpick comes out with minimal crumbs. 

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