Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I made this dip this afternoon for the boys and I to snack on. It was a huge hit! I thought it was really yummy and so did the boys. I eventually had to get Bennett his own bowl because A) he's a double dipper, and B) he wouldn't stop eating mine! It was really easy to throw together and only took about 20 minutes in the oven to bake.  This would be great for a party or just to snack on at home while you watch a movie or play a game.

Spinach & Artichoke Dip

• 2 cups parmesan cheese
• 1 (10 ounce) box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
• 1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
• 2/3 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cream cheese
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise 
•   2 teaspoons garlic, minced  

I mixed the cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo together first. Then added the parmesan cheese (I only used 1 cup), spinach and garlic. Then I added the artichoke hearts last. I also shredded up some Raw Milk Cheddar Cheese and added that to the mixture and also on top. You can use Mozzarella as well or an Italian mix. 


I also added some lemon zest which gave it a nice flavor. I also used a microplane to grate my garlic instead of mincing it. I used 2 small cloves of garlic and it enough. You could definitely taste the garlic, but it wasn't too overpowering. You could also cut it down to 1 clove and it would be just fine.  I used 1/3 less fat cream cheese and light sour cream. We use the mayo made with olive oil. I served mine with Blue Corn Tortilla chips, but you can use crackers, toasted bread, veggies, etc.


It turned out great!! I really recommend this!

Oh, sleep!

I am still really tired most days and I am pretty much in bed by 8pm most nights. Lately, I am so uncomfortable in our bed, I sweat all night and none of the pillows are comfortable. I have resorted to sleeping on Peytonn's frog pillow pet. Sad.

I also play musical beds during the night, starting out in our bed, then moving to Peytonn's bed, then back to our bed, sometimes Bennett's bed, and the list goes on. I find Peytonn's bed the most comfortable and sleep the best in there. I slept there all night last night and got some really good sleep.

I think I am going to order a pregnancy pillow and see if that will help. My sis says she really likes the one she got, so I think I will try that one from Amazon.

I gave away my boppy pillow to a friend after I was done using it, so I think this pillow will be great for nursing in the middle of the night for support. Usually I have to sit up 2 pillows behind my back and then a pillow or boppy for the baby. This will pretty much combine all of that into one pillow.

I will be ordering it on Friday. It's eligible for Free shipping with Amazing Prime so hopefully it will come soon!

7 weeks

How far along? 7 weeks

Due Date: According to my LMP August 29, 2011.  According to Fertility Friend and my ovulation date, August 28, 2011. Not much of a difference

Total weight gain/loss: -2lbs. I don't know how, considering only bad carbs sound good.

Maternity clothes? maternity dress pants because mine no longer button. My jeans still fit but get uncomfortable after sitting for long periods. I have worn my maternity jeans once and they were amazing! Right now I am just rotating them with my other jeans.

Stretch Marks? Not yet. I do have a few light ones on my sides from the previous pregnancies, but none on my belly.

Sleep: exhausted!!!I am still super tired. I am ready for some energy back.

Best moment this week: knowing in exactly one week for today we get to see the baby!

Movement: still too early for this

Food cravings: carbs

Food aversions: I still have a hard time eating anything that is not a carb. I can't do anything with too many flavors, smells, or textures. I haven't cooked much lately.

  

Gender: unknown

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? Innie and has never popped out. Although, I've never made it past 34 weeks so who knows if I make it full term.

What I miss: feeling somewhat normal

What I am looking forward to: my first doc appointment next Monday.

  

Milestones: Hands and feet are starting to emerge from the arms and legs. My uterus has doubled in size in the past 5 weeks!

People have already started to notice a slight  change. People have commented. This makes me worry! :)

 

Update

Ok, I need to update a few things. First, the Kanoe. There are some questions about it and I should have explained more in my post. The Kanoe is a hammock style bed for babies and toddlers. It hangs from the ceiling and has a spring that is attached to it. Think of a "Johnny Jump Up" type thing but with the bed on the other end. When the baby moves or fusses, the natural motion of the baby bounces and sways the bed. The key to a bed like this is often times the natural movement will soothe the baby back to sleep. Plus, since it's a hammock style, the baby's weight forms a slight "cocoon" if you will around the baby. This often times makes them feel more secure and helps them sleep better. It mimics you holding them in your arms. The strap that hangs the bed from the ceiling is adjustable. This bed is designed to be used until around 2 years of age. Once the baby can climb out of the bed on their own, you can lower the strap so the bed is within a few inches of the floor. At that time, you can teach your child to climb out of the bed on their own and safely. I hope that all makes sense.

We still have out crib, so I thought about getting this since my babies like to be rocked to sleep, and then setting up the crib eventually if we need to. This picture is a little bit bigger and allows you to see the spring.

Also, I got my Gap order in the mail today. I love the shirt, but the color is not exactly what I expected. Don't get me wrong, I like the shirt and plan to keep it, but in the picture it looks more light purple. In real life, it is more of a grayish/purple. I also like the dress pants that I got. I believe they are they Perfect Trouser and the Modern Boot Cut pants. Both with the front panel, not the Demi panel or the full panel.

I also went to Motherhood today to find some tank tops to layer. I ended up getting 2 tanks and 2 tunics.

The colors are a lot more vibrant in real life for the colorful tunic. The bottom tunic is more of a bluish/purple color. It's really pretty. The only thing I don't like are the pockets. I will be cutting those out. I got 2 layering tanks as well. I love the tanks, they fit really nice and are long enough to cover the belly and the panel of your pants. This should get me through until I absolutely need maternity shirts. So...about until next week. :) (Kidding, well, maybe.)

Kanoe

So I am considering getting one of these for the baby instead of a crib:

It's a Kanoe hammock style sleeper. It goes from birth to 30+lbs. It is fully adjustable in height and is moveable around the house. You can even take it camping with you and hang it from a tree. They are originally $290, but right now there is a co-op going on where I can get it 50% off! That is a great deal! It ends on the 12th of this month so I really hope I get paid by then. Maybe I can convince Hubby then. They have some really cute colors but right now the natural is all they have in stock. It's not terrible, but I would prefer one of the colored hammocks. What do you think?

Remember those jeans?

Remember those Gap maternity jeans I was telling you about?

I finally got mine back in the mail yesterday. I tried them on....AMAZING!!! Seriously! I have had multiple pairs of maternity jeans over the past 4 years and these  by far top them all as my favorite! I also ordered 2 pairs of dress pants and will let you know how they fit once they arrive. I plan to send one back, whichever I don't like, or don't like as much.

I also ordered this shirt with the dress pants:

I don't have any maternity shirts and figured I could use one to wear to court. We'll see how I like it when it gets here.

Over the weekend I searched through Kohl's (very) limited maternity section and Motherhood. I really wasn't impressed with anything and I tried on every.single. pair of maternity dress pants at Motherhood and came up with nothing. The girl kept handing me the same pants but in different colors. I just want to say to her "look lady, since you obviously only have one style of dress pants in this entire store and the first pair didn't fit my butt and thighs, do you really think the gray color is going to fit any different than the black?" I think she was hoping though. I may get some shirts from Motherhood, but I definitely won't be trying any more pants on there.

Also, with the Gap jeans I bought, if you have the same problem that I do (smaller waist, but bigger butt and thighs), I highly suggest ordering a size up from your normal pant size. This worked great!

6 weeks

How far along? 6 weeks

Due Date: According to my LMP August 29, 2011.  According to Fertility Friend and my ovulation date, August 28, 2011. Not much of a difference

Total weight gain/loss: still +5 lbs, but I am trying to eat better and exercise more.

Maternity clothes? My jeans still fit fine, although none of my dress pants fit at all! It's more being bloated than anything.

Stretch Marks? Not yet. I do have a few light ones on my sides from the previous pregnancies, but none on my belly.

Sleep: exhausted!!! I can easily sleep 10+ hours at night and take a 2-3 hour nap and still be tired! I forgot how exhausting the first trimester is!

Best moment this week: The queasiness is starting to begin. I know, why would this be a good moment? They say morning sickness is a sign of a good, healthy pregnancy. I'll handle the sickness, its a sign there is still a baby in there.

Movement: still too early for this

Food cravings: baked potatoes

Food aversions: there isn't a whole lot that sounds appetizing right now. I get hungry, but nothing sounds good. Except baked potatoes.

  

Gender: unknown

Labor Signs: none

Belly Button in or out? Innie and has never popped out. Although, I've never made it past 34 weeks so who knows if I make it full term.

What I miss: being able to go out for drinks with the girls. I miss my margaritas!

What I am looking forward to: my first doc appointment next month, hearing the heartbeat and seeing the little bean, and knowing for sure just how many are in there. My sis thinks more than one. I think she is on crack!

  

Milestones: Baby's nose, mouth, and ears are developing this week. There is also usually a heartbeat by this time. I can't wait to see it in 2 weeks!