Friday, 28 June 2013

24 weeks ~ bump is getting bigger ~


How far along? 24 weeks 
Total weight gain/loss: gained 12 lbs
Maternity clothes? No! The way I am carrying I can still wear my tights & pants with longer shirts
Stretch marks? No (hopefully it stays that way)
Sleep: Sleeping good
Best moment this week: picking out baby items with Ryan for the baby registry 
Miss Anything?
 steaming hot baths !!
Movement:
 all the time especially after a nice big glass of chocolate milk
Food cravings: homemade hamburgers & grapefruit
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!
Labor Signs: 
No
Symptoms: more aches & pains
Belly Button in or out? Officially out and everyone notices
Wedding rings on or off? Still on :)
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy! Especially when working on the nursery and shopping for baby items.
Looking forward to: Doctor's appointment, just a check-up but we get to hear the heartbeat again! 


Wednesday, 26 June 2013

parents off to Africa


We had a late father’s day dinner/ goodbye to my parents who leave on a missions trip to Africa.

I have never made cheesecake before but found a great recipe. The cheesecake turned out great. I ended up using orea cookies on the bottom instead. Click for the link to the cheesecake
My parents leave for a trip to Africa so I made a quick goodie bag of favorites for on the plane.
                                                         chocolate peanut butter pretzels, realfruit, droppies


They are going to Malawi, Africa and will be visiting the following:
Orphan care centers
Soy Milk Site – produces milk for the orphans
Hospital
Palliative Care Center
Ebenezer School 
The trip is more about checking out the different projects to see if we want to partner with or fund a project in the area.
They will be staying with missionary families. Pray for safety, health & God’s direction/wisdom!

Friday, 21 June 2013

Gender Reveal Night!

Tonight we went to a gender reveal for my sister-in-law and brought a few sweets :)! 


 I made blue & pink cake pops and chocolate covered pretzels 

Cake Pops!
Bake 1 cake and let it cool. Transfer the cake to a large bowl and crumble.
Add in frosting a little bit at a time until the cake is moist and can hold a ball shape (about 3-4 spoonfuls).
Use an ice-cream scoop and scoop out 2 balls of cake mixture.
Roll the mixture into a tight ball and place on wax paper on a cookie tray.
Repeat until all the cake mixture has been rolled into balls. 
Melt a small amount of blue & pink chocolate (preferably candy melts) in the microwave at 30 second intervals until completely melted. 
Dip the tip of the cake pop sticks into the chocolate and insert about halfway into the cake balls.
Freeze for about 25 minutes

  • Melt the remaining chocolate in a large cup.  Remove cake balls from freezer.
  • Dip cake balls carefully into the chocolate until covered. 
  • Let the excess chocolate drip off. I found it helped to use a spoon to smooth off. 
  • Add the sprinkles while the chocolate is still wet. 
  • Stick the decorated cake pop into an upside down egg carton to finish setting.
  • Freeze to speed up time. 


  • Chocolate covered pretzels 
    Melt pink & blue chocolate (preferably candy melts) for 30 second intervals in the microwave
    Cover part of the pretzel smoothing with a butter knife
    Sprinkle with sprinkles of your choice
    Lay to dry on wax paper - they won't stick to the wax paper :).


    Finished Product!!!  






    Tuesday, 18 June 2013

    Sneak Peak of baby's bathroom


    So I picked up this 'whale' baby bathtub from a garage sale a few weeks ago. I decided to stick to the 'whale theme' for the bathroom. The bathroom is not complete yet but here is a sneak preview... 



    My Mom painted me a whale picture for the wall! I love it !!!




    Sunday, 16 June 2013

    Father's (to-be) day!!

    Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there and Dad's to be! 

     
    Ryan's favourite candies! So excited for him to be a Dad in October. 
    He will be such a great Dad. 


     I decided to make cinnamon buns for my Dad and Ryan as well. With the good cream-cheese icing for a treat. My Dad will be known as "Papa" to little Gray. 







    Friday, 14 June 2013

    22 weeks




    How far along? 22 weeks 
    Total weight gain/loss: gained 10 lbs (on par with a healthy weight gain)
    Maternity clothes? Bought a few dresses, but not wearing any yet
    Stretch marks? No
    Sleep: Sleeping good but having a hard time sleeping on my back
    Best moment this week: PAINTING THE NURSERY :) 
    Miss Anything?
     not really, on a hot day maybe a long island ;)
    Movement:
     lots of kicking in the morning time and evening especially after I eat. Ryan has felt a strong kick as well.
    Food cravings: Fruits & jumbo freezes but no particular craving. Turned off from fast food/processed foods.
    Anything making you queasy or sick: Carrots?
    Have you started to show yet: definitely looking pregnant finally (see picture above)
    Gender prediction: Girl  and my husband thinks Boy. We are not finding out the gender
    Labor Signs: 
    No
    Symptoms: just tired at night probably cause I'm trying to complete so many projects before baby comes
    Belly Button in or out? Officially out
    Wedding rings on or off? On
    Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
    Looking forward to: Finishing the nursery (pictures to follow when it's complete) 





    An adorable outfit my sister just bought! 

    Thursday, 13 June 2013

    Beach, Kabobs & Lava Cake


    Today was a sunny day in White Rock so we took Cypress to the beach. 
    Baby Gray is getting bigger and kicking like crazy..we are in the 5th month now. 


    Ryan & I hosted my family for dinner tonight. 
    MENU:
    Homemade focaccia bread
    Apple & Feta Quinoa Salad
    Beef & Pepper Kabobs 



    My first time making this for dessert so I was a little nervous, 
    however it turned out great & everyone loved it. 

    Chocolate Molten Lava Cake






    Monday, 10 June 2013

    Halfway until we meet baby Gray


    Happy to be in 2nd trimester

     Ultrasound of little Baby Gray 



    1st trimester was full of morning sickness


    Ultrasound of little Baby Gray 



    SURPRISE!!!!!

    WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE.... 



    Cypress

    WE GOT A PUPPY!!! 

    Cypress born November 20 


    The perfect addition to our family !


    Honeymoon to Italy

     Our honeymoon - Italy !!!
    Chapter 1:Deli meats, gelato & island of Capri in Naples
    Our first stop was Naples where we went for a day to Island of Capri (our favourite place).  
    We took a gondola to the top of the island that had an amazing view. 


     
    Chapter 2: Pizza, Cathedrals and Sun in Rome
    Rome highlights
    Pantheon, Colosseum, Vatican City
    Trastevere Streets, Trevi Fountain
    Roman Cathedrals, Flori Markets, Date night!


    Chapter 3: Leather, markets & Salami in Florence 

    off to the market!


    Chapter 4: Hiking, vineyards & grapes in Cinque Terre



    Chapter 5: Cannoli, birthday love & gondola's in Venice 


    Saturday, 8 June 2013

    We said "I do"


    Our amazing wedding video made by my brother Joel Schat





    The day I married my best friend

    This was the best day of my life. I can't even express how much happiness we felt on this day!

    It was truly the perfect day!

    My husband Ryan & I 



    Wedding dress from Bridal Gallery
    Tuxedo from Lisa's Bridal
    Wedding location Furry Creek Golf Course
    Photography by Elle&R Photography