Bountiful Soup-er

This last week, we got our bountiful basket  that was abundantly filled with all sorts of produce.  It is challenging to use it all with just the two of us so this time we shared with Paul's mom, however we still "floweth over."

Among other delights we had two bunches of Kale and a super bag of potatoes.  So what did I make tonight?  Olive Garden's Zuppa Tuscana Soup!  Can we say delightful?

It was definitely easy enough not to be able to mess up, however the prep/cook time was a wee bit longer than advertised.  I imagine the recipe writer wasn't a math teacher and I know for certain I chopped the potatoes a quarter-inch and it took longer than 10 minutes to cook them. 


I will post the pictures in backwards order. Paul NEVER finishes soup to the last drop.  He isn't a big soup eater and definitely wouldn't eat it by choice, but he loved this one.

Evidence that Paul ate to the last drop!

A cheese-tastic picture of Paul enjoying the soup.
Yes, He was being over dramatic.

The Pot...doesn't look as inviting in photo as it does in real life.

Whoah! What was that?

I am just loving this pregnancy stuff (well most of it).  The last couple of days baby girl Schultz (BGS) has been moving and shaking up a storm!  We've even had a few moments that we could see my stomach move!  Being a plus size preggers mamma has its advantages and disadvantages, I won't bore you with my list I've come up with; but know this--one of my theories was proven wrong this week!

Paul is in love with "canty" and asks repeatedly during the day, "How is she now?"  "What is she up to?"  "What's she telling you?"   "What would canty do if _______(fill in the blank)"   It has been so fun.  He is giddy about our little one and just has to know what she's doing (even if all I get to say is--I don't know!)

It is so exciting to think that I will be a mom, and Paul a dad in a few short months!  We are thrilled (and nervous) about this new experience of parenthood.  Luckily both of us had very good parental role models to learn from.

How about some pampering?

So, I realized something yesterday about myself.  I haven't gone to get a hair cut, trim, or anything since early November! That's been six months!  I think that is a record, even for me.   I will admit that I have been lazier in the last couple of years, but I used to be a "regularly scheduled client," but since I've been married (yes it was around that time...not Paul's fault though), I don't take the time.

In addition to not taking the time, I don't really have a hairdresser anymore.  I have gone a few times to MCcuts the haircutting equivalent to MCdonalds.  Don't get me wrong, it is a great place.  They are nice and do the basic cuts well, they are priced right, but I'm not partial, nor do I choose a particular person there.  I also tried the random stop in Missoula Montana on the way to Southern Idaho in November--that did not go over well.  You should always question if you want your hair cut somewhere if the woman that approaches you has a frizzy bad 80's doo.  ( I was traumatized. You don't pull a thick haired persons hair down straight and..snip!  It ends up being jagged and not so fresh).

Then there is how long it has been since I've had my hair highlighted---well, since early December 2008.  Right before the wedding.  Yup, that is the last time.  Luckily I don't think my aging grays are showing yet...although they ARE there.  I know that they "appeared" over the last couple years (again no relation to Paul tee hee )

Well, all this adds up to my commitment to myself.  Before the baby comes I will:

1) Get my hair pampered
2) Get a facial/pedi/mani
3) set up appointments for hair AFTER baby is born in advance to get back on a schedule.

I hope you all don't think I'm being vain about this whole thing.  I just have realized as my waistline is getting larger in circumference, and I'm having serious wardrobe issues (not a lot to choose from out there right now), that perhaps I can make myself feel better by giving myself a little relaxation and extra special treatment.  What do you say?  That's right....I deserve it!

A little news ...better late than never!

So, we had our ultrasound at 20 weeks (a few weeks ago,  April 15--tax day) and found out we are having a baby girl! We are so excited to meet her!

Here are a few of the many photos we left with of our baby girl.  She was quite the mover and shaker! The screen was so clear and easy to view, and then the tech would snap the photo and it would be blurry because she was constantly on the go.  That day was when I knew for sure that I had been feeling her little movements--it was so much easier not to second guess myself when I could see her moving when I felt it!

Paul got this a little crooked on the scanner :)

You can see her cute hands, eyes, nose and mouth!

Her cute little feet!

We have more pics, but don't want to bore you with our overzealousness!

Later that April 15th day we headed to the mall for a little shopping.  Guess what daddy wanted to make sure we bought her first.... yup you guessed it!  Jordan wear--in two varieties to boot!  Heaven help her choosing what sport she likes on her own; if Paul has anything to say about it....bball it is!

Then we hit up Macy's, it was hard to find something that would be weather appropriate for when she comes as a new baby.  They didn't have any fall stuff out, so we got a beach outfit!  Appropriate for our first trip to the Oregon Coast!  Inspired by my  mom, Mrs. Claudia Rich herself (she loved the navy/white/red motif).

This is the front

This is the "crabby bum" of the outfit. She'll have a cute tush I'm sure of it 

So, Paul's sister Amanda has sent us 3 boxes of pure baby bliss!  Lots of Rowan's clothes and other baby goods.  Lauren had 2 more boxes of Rowan hand me downs that she passed onto us as well.  We are so thankful for all the friends and family that are so generous and supportive!

Mother Teresa (Paul's mom) made an adorable afghan for baby girl Schultz.  It is very cute!  White/lemon/blue/green.  I think it is called lemon meringue yarn.

  Teresa and Lauren both have already showered baby girl with many gifts of cute adorable clothing and are also hinting that they there are other secret surprises in the "works" so to speak!  I think she'll be quite spoiled!

You are probably wondering about names?  Well, we aren't really certain.  In fact, we have a "top 4" so to speak and the only one that has stayed constant is number 1,  is that a sign that should be her name?  We aren't committing until we see baby girl's adorable face.

So, the neighbors upstairs Sandra and Jay, well Jay's daughter Chevy made this adorable cake!  She is excited that we are having a baby!  Sorry about the missing chunks.  I took a couple tastes before I thought, I should take a picture!  Chevy can bake me a cake any day!  It was the perfect texture and still warm...yum! Delicious vanilla cake with Chocolate frosting!  YUM YUM!

I'm certain we'll have more to share soon...she must like the cake too!  She's moving and shaking as I type! :)

Recognizing our Little Girl....Kiki

No we aren't naming our child Kiki--she's our dog.  I realized I named the blog after our little family, but have neglected to post much about our sweet ol' lady.  Since I've known Paul (and in turn Kiki since she came along on our first "hang out/date"), we laugh hysterically when she attacks Paul.  He will get on his hands and knees and put his sweatshirt hood over his head and harass her.  It is soo funny.  I finally decided to video tape it!  Here it is!

Insane in the Membrane.... Insane in the Brain!

So I guess it is time to let the cat out of the bag....  As I sat on my couch tonight with no motivation to do anything the following fb conversation ensued:

 Rochelle:  anyone bored hanging out at home? i'm not lacking things to do....but i'm lacking motivation :)

Jodi Brockman Brown amen to that sistah!

Anna Atkinson Smith I thought you were coming over here!

 

I was supposed to be at my friend Anna's house at 6pm tonight to visit teach her!  It was currently 6:41ish pm and I was sitting on my couch...not at her house!  Needless to say, a jump in the car, followed by a stop at Starbucks for hot cocoa and donuts as a "I'm sorry", I was at Anna's house by approximately 7:01pm.  (Had a lovely visit too!)

I'm going to blame this whole ordeal and any other forgetful event over the next while on, well.... The PREGNANCY BRAIN!  Yes folks, it is true... I'm pregnant!  Paul and I are so excited to have a little one!  We don't even care what kind it is...pink or blue!  This is an amazing blessing in our lives after many months of difficult situations...to finally have some HAPPY NEWS...and it is happening to US! We couldn't be happier.

The next questions you all have has the answer of...Yes.  we are finding out if it is a girl or a boy.  Today I am 14 weeks pregnant!  We've had a couple of ultrasounds one at 7 weeks and one at 12 weeks.  I will post them.  The baby was moving so much at the 12 week one it was hard for the doctor to get a good shot....but believe me that little gymnast was dancing all over the place!  We heard the heartbeat too!

 

 

Here are the pics:

 

 This is at 7 weeks (or as Paul called it...the raspberry stage).  Our Dr. was like...you may want to be upfront with people that your child doesn't have an abnormally large head...the white stuff on the right is the yolk sack."  Paul responded..."oh I'm certain it is twins in there."  Dr. didn't particularly think Paul was being funny and responded, "There is only one pregnancy."

• 

 Here is baby Schultz at 12 weeks.  This was a couple weeks ago.  Baby was the size of a plum...a sugar plum!  It was moving around so much that the Dr. couldn't quite get the best pic...but you can see it all stretched out there on the left.

So how we found out we were pregnant....
I had been called back to the Doctor for a routine check-up and the Dr. asked if there was any chance of being pregnant.  Well Paul and I hadn't been taking precautions against pregnancy since about August so I told her there was a chance, but we hadn't done a test or anything.  We waited in the waiting room for about 15 minutes and the Dr. came in and said, Congratulations!  You are pregnant!  5 weeks... this was Dec 28.  I was in shock, we were so excited but didn't believe it!  I even asked...now there was another cup in the window are you sure you tested the right sample?"  She said yes, you had your name on the cup so we know for sure it is you that is pregnant.

We were so excited and when we thought back, we realized we had told Mom in early November we had been trying, and I have to just say, I know that she has had a hand in this gift to us and I know she and Dad are watching out for the little one right now...

We are just so excited and wanted to share our excitement with you all!  If I forget something I'm supposed to do with any of you...well it's just because I'm "insane in the brain!"