{weekly update} week 34

I can't believe how quickly time is going and my sweet little girl is already 34 weeks old!!  She is 5 weeks shy of being out for the time she was "cooking"!!   That is just crazy to me.

Eats: Still gets like 95% of her food from bottles.  She is starting to get the hand of eating off a spoon and is really liking that bonding time.  Beans, Peas, Squash, Broccoli, and Yams.  She has also had a few Gerber Puffs and likes them okay.  Going to try some fruit this week.  Probably start off with a Banana!

Sleeps: Still in her own room, but we bring her into our bed in the mornings.  She is still sleeping about 9 - 10 hours at night. On Saturday and Sunday though, she thought it would be fun to start the day at 5am!! (usually we have until 6am) but then yesterday and today she slept in until 7am!!  Girlfriend is still swaddled and her monitor is our favorite channel!

Cries: We have had a few random cry spells here and there this week.  She is starting to get a little taller so we are probably going to move her changing table away from the book shelves (she has bonked her head a few times).  Otherwise she just lets us know when we missed her hungry or tired cues!

Goes: Church, to visit her Great Grandma, Costco, and just random shopping.  I can't wait for her to get a little bigger (and start walking) so we can go to the park - weather permitting of course!

Does: Stands, Sits, Claps her hands, Shakes her head, and can Pull herself up to standing position!

Loves: Her noisy square toy, spoons, spatulas, This Teether, her activity cube, and her O-Ball rattle and basically anything she can get into her mouth!

Milestones: FIRST PONYTAIL!!!!!!!!! We are starting to teach her some sign language but she hasn't really caught on yet.  Hopefully more in the next couple of weeks.  She is "rocking" while on all fours so MAYBE just MAYBE crawling will be in her near future - but I really think she is going to skip it and just start walking! Definitely recognizes both Mama and Daddy!!

(first pony and she LOVED it!)

Mama: I am doing pretty good.  I would love to find a way where I can just stay home with my baby girl!  I had a little bit of a rough weekend but I will pull through and be 'fine' as usual. Like most working mom's I wish there was an easier way to be at home but bills have to be paid.  I am looking for sponsors for my blog to help out in the finance department - so if you are interested that would be awesome! Just email me!

Sweet Ellie girl, you light up my life like I never could have imagined.  I love your cute little personality and your happy self!  I am so blessed and thank God for you every day!

♥ Ashley

Infertility

The thing about infertility is that it has ebbs and flows...you have high times and low times.  But you can usually pinpoint a "reason" for having a low time.

I try to be a fairly positive individual and I think I do a pretty good job of it. 

This cycle has been a challenging one.  Mostly because it was during the holiday season and so many people like to share on Social Media that they are expecting around this time, you also get a lot of them in Christmas Cards.  While I am happy for these people it sure does stab me in the heart like a dagger and then add a little twist to it.

I came to the realization yesterday - with the appearance of "Aunt Flo" and a big fat NEGATIVE that these are the days where I feel my lowest.  I know that the hubs and I are not taking any medical measures right now to get pregnant, we are just putting our faith in God and His timing. But these days are tough nonetheless.  Sometimes its a little easier to "snap out of it" than others.  Yesterday was tough.  Like really tough.

This last cycle was weird.  I totally felt the "mittelschmerz" this time and then started spotting a few days later.  We timed ourselves accordingly but still got a negative. BUMMER.

I am SO hoping that this year I get to make our Pregnancy Announcement and do all that fun stuff.  But that just isn't in the cards for right now.  Praying.  Please pray for us as well.  Pray for healing, timing, understanding, and peace.

♥ Ashley

Meal Planning Monday

It's Monday and that means it's time for another week of meal planning!

Here's what's on the chalkboard this week:

While we didn't keep to last weeks to a "T" it was so nice to have the guide and an idea of what we were going to eat.

I am so excited to go to Red Robin on Tuesday.  All of the local RR have a buy one get one free of their Tavern Double on Tuesdays when the Seahawks score in the Red Zone!! 

♥ Ashley

Friday Five

 How are we at yet ANOTHER Friday?  I mean don't get me wrong, Fridays are great because it means its the weekend and I get to spend nearly 48 hours with my sweet little darling!


I thought it would be fun to do yet another link up with Darci from THE GOOD LIFE BLOG!!

1.

If you haven't already make sure that you follow my blog via Bloglovin, become a fan on FB, and follow me on IG. Also comment on here if you want to become a Sponsor on my blog for $5! I just need your blog button.  All sponsors will get a blog post on here about you and your blog and I will hopefully be able to send some new followers your way!

2.

I posted about my 2014 Resolution to try out meal planning.  While we haven't stuck to the menu to a "T" it has been very helpful in creating more peace about what's for dinner!! We also have had some great left overs for lunches!! and that dear friends is ALWAYS a bonus!  I posted yesterday my mom's recipe for Chicken Paillard.  Its super easy and really good.  There are lots of ways that you can change it up too, so that's nice if you feel like you keep eating the same thing!

3.

We went to Barnes and Noble after Christmas for some belated gifts to ourselves and the hubster found THIS book! I may have not mentioned it on here before but I am a HUGE Wizard of Oz fan.  I love the movies "The Wizard of Oz" and "Return to Oz".  A few years ago I did some research on the series and learned that there are 14 books in the series the L.F.Baum wrote and then several more after his death by other fanatics.  I have already finished the first book and am well into the second book.  It is so nice to have some time to be able to get back to reading in my life.  I have missed it so!

4.

I also wrote a fashion post.  I love fashion but lately it has totally been on the back burner as I have been focusing on teaching PE and Health (wearing sweats to work) and raising my beautiful little baby girl.  I have some really great pieces of clothing in my wardrobe that are really fun to put together.  Working with High School students also really encourages me to keep up my fashion sense - since I get to see what's "cool" right now.  It has been a transition though moving from the junior's section to the ladies section, luckily the fashion is pretty across the board so I don't feel TOO old! ha.

5.

We are finally getting all of our Christmas decor taken down, put away in boxes, and stored back up in the attic.  We took all the ornaments off the tree already and Ellie totally noticed when she came into the room! She wanted to know where all the "pretties" were I am sure!  This time is so sad because I LOVE the Christmas season but when its all taken down my house seems so fresh and clean! I love that too.  We are then going to start preparing for Valentines Day.  It hasn't always been that big of a holiday for me.  Since getting married it has taken on more of an "important" role - only by way of decorating my house!  Soon, now that we have our sweet girl, this holiday will take on a whole new role and I am so excited to see where it goes!

♥ Ashley

OOTD

Some days a girl just needs to dress up and today was one of those days.  Considering I wear sweats/work out clothes to work almost every day, this is a very fancy outfit! Haha

Not the best photos, but soon that will be changing. 

 Top / Skirt / Shoes / Bracelet / Necklace

I absolutely love this top. Green is my fave color and I love the blousiness of it. I got it at this cute store Hoity Toity in Snohomish, WA.  similar HERE and HERE

The skirt is a throwback from H&M circa 2009. I love the combination of the high waist with the loose top. similar HERE

My shoes are another throwback. They are Farnco Sartos circa 2004.

I used to work in a jewelry store (it was fabulous!!) my boss took this bracelet in as a trade in and since he couldn't sell it, he gave it to me as a gift!! I love it and its one of a kind!

And finally my necklace is a custom hand printed gold disc (Ellie in Script) and has Ellie's birthstone. I got it for Christmas from Bip and Bop on etsy. I adore it and the quality is amazing. It's one of my fave pieces and I love how delicate it is!

What are you wearing these days?

-Ashley 

[recipe] chicken paillard

We are trying to stick to the meal plan that we came up with on Sunday. A it's our first week ever attempting this we have already strayed from the plan.

Oops. 

Tonight we had chicken paillard and green bean casserole. (Scheduled for Monday). This is one of my favorite meals and is relatively easy to make. It's not quite a 30 min meal since I like to use frozen beans, so the casserole takes about 45-50 minutes. The chicken however, takes about 8 minutes! 

This is also money saving since we split a chicken breast but it's still filling. 

Ingredients:

1 chicken breast sliced in half (like a butterfly cut, just all the way through)

1/3 cup flour

1 egg

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 T butter 

2 T olive oil

What to do:

1. Place your halved chicken breasts between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound flat. About 1/3" thick. 

2.  In a shallow bowl or pie dish lightly beat egg and season with salt and pepper. In a second shallow bowl mix together flour and s&p. 

3. Meanwhile heat a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat and melt butter with olive oil. 

4. When the pan is hot dip the chicken into the flour, then the egg, and then back into the flour to coat. Gently set into your hot pan and let sauté for about 2 minutes and then flip to cook the other side, about 2 minutes more. Once cooked through remove chicken to plate and repeat with the second half. (If your pan is large enough you can cook both at the same time) 

This is so yummy and I hope you like it! It's a recipe I got from my mom and I think of her every time I make it!

♥ Ashley

linked to FCF 

2014 Resolution - Meal Planning

Quite a few of my blogging friends, and other local friends, meal plan for the week. This is a totally new concept to me as I grew up with a stay-at-home mom who was an aspiring gourmet chef. While we were away at school my mom would  be engrossed in the food network and all of her foodie magazines and get inspired to create one of the meals that she came across. So it wasn't until several hours before dinner time that even she knew what we were going to have. This is the way I grew up and was raised that is been how dinners have happened at our house since I got married to Thomas.

I wanted to change it up a little this year and was inspired to meal plan from all of my friends.  So I decided that one of my resolutions for the new year would be to meal plan weekly or as often as we could. So here is our plan for this week and we wrote it up on our chalkboard.

However, we already had to change things up a bit since the chicken was in the freezer yesterday, so last night we had pasta and today we will have chicken paillard.

Do you meal plan? What are some of your favorite easy go to dishes?

-Ashley 

{weekly update} week 33

I can't believe that Ellie is already 33 weeks old! So much has happened and changed in her short little life and her personality is really starting to show through. 

Eats: I think it's official. She doesn't like store bought baby food. I'm not complaining because that means she already loves her mama's cooking! She still eats about 28-30 ounces on formula. Broccoli, Squash, Yams, Peas, Beans, and Pears (so far I don't think she is a fan of fruit). I also tried Sweet Potato again and she liked it a little better but doesn't love it. I got a veg medley that she is going to try this week; cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. 

Sleeps: she has been sleeping in her crib in her room at night, still swaddled though she has wiggled her way out a few times and then we bring her into our bed where she sleeps perfectly. I think she gets a littl cold in her room so have to figure out a blanket situation. Any suggestions? She is sleeping 8-10 hours at night. 

Cries: really only when overly tired or when we miss her hungry cues. Occasionally when she bumps her head on something but is easily distracted or comforted. 

Goes: we had our last week of Christmas vacation, and finally went back to work yesterday. It was very sad. Once again Ellie Faith has been out and about shopping, going to restaurants, and going to her Nanny & Papa's. We also took her to get her "six-month" pictures done (yes I realize it's already seven months) and as much as she loves the camera at home she was very scared in the studio with that big scary camera. Needless to say she cried at that! We were lucky enough to get a few great shots and I can't wait for the pictures to be developed and put them up in our home!

Loves: her daddy, shoulder rides, jumping in her Exersaucer, and rolling around on the floor everywhere.  We have a couple of fabric books that she just absolutely adores and they have crinkle stuff in them so they are very noisy when she plays with them. She also is in love with all of her Christmas toys and is playing in her crib and it is so fun to watch on the baby monitor.

Milestones: E. F. Celebrated her first New Year's eve and New Year's day. Is a little Wiggleworm. Said "dada"on Christmas day and I swear I heard her say "mommy" on New Year's Day. She can pull herself up to a standing position and she can also do squats with little help from her arms. Also on Saturday she stood for a full 15 seconds all by herself! Ellie has also started making lots of noises and she screams so deep in her throat who makes her cough afterwards, it's hilarious.

Mama: I did not want to go back to work yesterday. But luckily I have the day off and we get to have mommy Ellie day today. Things are going well and I so enjoyed having Christmas break with my sweet little darling. I am feeling much better and starting to get into a routine with Ellie. I even had the opportunity to start reading a book again this week! Yaya!!

Dear sweet little Ellie I love you so much. You're quite the little ham and love being the center of attention. You're just the cutest girl and make my heart swell with so much joy.

-Ashley 

Epiphany

On January 6th we celebrate Epiphany.

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An explanation and Devotional can be found HERE.

♥ Ashley

Twelve Drummers Drumming

On the 12th Day of Christmas

Twelve Drummers Drumming

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The twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles' Creed: 1) I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 2) I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. 3) He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. 4) He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell [the grave]. 5) On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. 6) He will come again to judge the living and the dead. 7) I believe in the Holy Spirit, 8) the holy catholic Church, 9) the communion of saints, 10) the forgiveness of sins, 11) the resurrection of the body, 12) and life everlasting.

To see the Devotional for this day click HERE

♥ Ashley

Eleven Pipers Piping

On the 11th Day of Christmas

Eleven Pipers Piping

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The eleven Faithful Apostles: 1) Simon Peter, 2) Andrew, 3) James, 4) John, 5) Philip, 6) Bartholomew, 7) Matthew, 8) Thomas, 9) James bar Alphaeus, 10) Simon the Zealot, 11) Judas bar James.  (Luke 6:14-16).  The list does not include the twelfth disciple, Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders and the Romans.

Devotional can be found HERE.


♥ Ashley

Ten Lords A-Leaping

On the 10th  Day of Christmas

Ten Lords A-leaping

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The ten commandments: 1) You shall have no other gods before me; 2) Do not make an idol; 3) Do not take God's name in vain; 4) Remember the Sabbath Day; 5) Honor your father and mother; 6) Do not murder; 7) Do not commit adultery; 8) Do not steal; 9) Do not bear false witness; 10) Do not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17)


Click here for the devotional.





♥ Ashley

Nine Ladies Dancing

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

Nine Ladies Dancing

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The nine Fruit of the Holy Spirit: 1) love, 2) joy, 3) peace, 4) patience, 5) kindness,
6) generosity, 7) faithfulness, 8) gentleness, and 9) self-control.  (Galatians 5:22-23)

Devotions are HERE.

♥ Ashley

Eight Maids A-Milking

On the 8th Day of Christmas

Eight Maids A-milking

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The eight Beatitudes: 1) Blessed are the poor in spirit, 2) those who mourn, 3) the meek, 4) those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, 5) the merciful, 6) the pure in heart, 7) the peacemakers, 8) those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. (Matthew 5:3-10)

Click HERE to go to the Devotional.

♥ Ashley