This Easter was so much fun! Taylor and I invited our best friends Nicole and Kevin over for dinner & egg decorating. We ate breadcrumb-baked chicken, potatoes, and strawberry salad. My pregnant belly was in absolute heaven. Taylor wasn't a huge fan of the egg decorating since I didn't prepare very well. We only had 14 eggs, some food coloring, and paint. He always grew up using the Easter Egg kits and wasn't up for my DIY ideas. Which ended up being fine, because I got to decorate all the eggs he didn't ;) We will have to get egg kits next year for out baby girl, to make it easy for her.

Most important though is that I was really grateful we attended church this Easter. It was so special hearing two women in my ward bear witness of a Savior who knows and loves them. Even when we are not perfect, God loves us. His love is infinite and unchanging. Even when we make such a mistake that we cannot imagine anyone standing by us, He does. He knows our pains and sufferings individually. What it feels like when you went through chemo therapy. When your mom died unexpectedly. When you feel completely lost and alone. When the person you thought you'd spend forever with leaves you. He knows it all. I am grateful I can rely on him and his great Atonement. "How sweet this sentence gives, I know that my Redeemer lives."

How Far Along? 25 weeks
Weight Gain: 13 pounds yikes!
Maternity Clothes: I can't believe I can still get away with wearing some of my normal clothes. It is getting harder and harder to pull off though (literally). All my shirts can pretty much still cover my belly. But none of my pants fit me anymore. Finding clothes to wear to work is becoming such a challenge. Why can't I wear pajamas to the office? 
Sleep: Its been seriously horrible lately. Last night I barely slept at all because I felt so sick. Indigestion is hitting this pregnant lady hard. Luckily naps are still in full force and the only time I can sleep peacefully. Who knows why. 
Best moment this week? We bought paint for the crib and I cleaned out the entire nursery! Its looking so good. We only have a few more things to get rid of and then it will be time to decorate!! Also Taylor got to feel the baby kick for the first time! It was such a special moment for both of us. His face was so cute when he felt it for the first time.
Weird pregnancy moment? This has nothing to do with being pregnant, but two super weird things happened recently. First-my cat brought home a mouse. Seriously horrifying. Second-one of my glass baking dishes exploded when I took it out of the oven. I was so freaked out, obviously. I'm switching to metal baking pans. 
Movement: All the time! This little one is having the time of her life in there. She is getting stronger and stronger! I can see her kicks and punches. I feel like I have felt hiccups a few times and her rolling around. Its a pretty trippy experience. 
Food Cravings: Still the classics: pb&j and cereal. I have been eating an ton of fruit too. I can't seem to eat meals anymore because baby is squishing my insides. I feel so much better when I eat 20 snacks throughout the day instead of three large meals. Most of those snacks have been grapes, carrots, and super snap peas. SERIOUSLY SO GOOD. I hope I eat this healthy forever haha.
Anything making you queasy? Dinner...like any normal sized meal gives me crazy heartburn and painful tummy aches. Also, smells. My pregnant super smell powers are kicking in.
Gender: GIRL! I am getting really excited to meet this little princess. 
What I am looking forward to: Decorating the nursery and having my baby shower in a few weeks. We will be going down to CA for a few days & I am SO EXCITED. Bring on the sunshine and flowers. 

How Far Along? 18 weeks
Weight Gain: About 5 pounds
Maternity Clothes: I own a few maternity items. I am mostly still trying to fit into my old clothes. Most of my pants and skirts don't zip up though, so I just wear really long tops to cover it...ooops. 
Sleep: Sleep is pretty much nonexistent at this point. I wake up every hour and have to re-position my self. I'm not used to sleeping on my side. Its so uncomfortable. I am thinking about getting a pregnancy pillow soon. Naps have been my saving grace. They are the only time I can sleep without waking up constantly.
Best moment this week? Taylor has been so nice to me bringing me breakfast, making me dinner, and helping clean the house. I feel so lucky to have him.
Weird pregnancy moment? I have been having the weirdest dreams. Every morning I wake up and am so weirded out! They feel so real though. I just want them to stop. 
Movement: I can feel like baby moving around sometimes. Baby is really active at night when I sit down to unwind. He or she also started moving around when I was listening to hymns yesterday. It was so cute. Little baby is going to be a singer just like mama.
Food Cravings: Cereal with lots of milk. Tangerines (I eat 5 a day I think). Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a huge glass of milk.  Nothings better. I have also been wanting balanced meals. Something with starch and veggies and protein and fruit and salt (love salt). If I feel like I haven't had one of those components throughout the day, I feel off balance. 
Anything making you queasy? Working. Nothing makes me more nauseous. 
Gender: We find out February 1st. 5 more days!! Taylor is pretty convinced that baby is a girl. We will see.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out the gender of this baby!! I am going crazy seeing things I want to buy for our nursery and can't until I find out what gender this baby is. I also can't wait to refurbish this crib I bought for $60. Such a steal!

I am super excited to be starting a food diary on my Instagram and Blog. I wanted to start this journey off with my favorite lunch/dinner. This recipe is perfect for anyone who wants to eat healthy, but not substitute for amazing taste and price.

Stuffed Sweet Potato

  

Ingredients:

1 Sweet Potato
1/2 Avocado
Handful of fruit

Directions:

Wash sweet potato and stab several times with fork or knife for even cooking.
Wrap in foil and put in crockpot.
Set crock pot to high and let cook for 3-4 hours.
Oven cooking (425 degrees for 1 hour).
Dice avocado and side of fruit
Take sweet potato out of crock pot and cut down the middle (caution the sweet potato will be very hot). Mush the potato and top with a small slice of butter and sprinkle with salt. Top it off with all that avocado and enjoy!