18 Week Bumpdate

Hello ALL! I know I've been MIA. There is no good reason, other than I just haven not had much to blog about. I do finally have some very exciting news, Josh and I are expecting! We could not be more thrilled. As it took us a while, I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy this journey.

Weeks: 18, can’t believe I am almost half way there!

Official Due Date: April 3^rd, 2015

Trimester: Second

Gender: IT’S A GIRL! We were fortunate to have a 16 week ultrasound, and able to find out the sex.

Baby is the Size of a: Sweet Potato

Cravings: No big cravings yet. It makes it much easier to eat food when everything doesn’t make you sick to your stomach, and that is how I felt at the beginning of this pregnancy.

How I’m Feeling: I honestly am feeling pretty good. I was sick at the beginning, but that has come and gone, thank goodness!

Movement: I think I can feel little tiny flutters, usually in the mornings and at night.

What I Miss: The only thing I slightly miss is having a glass of wine here and there, especially on the nights I am snuggled up on the couch watching a movie or TV.

Best Moment: Of course, finding out the sex was amazing. Josh and I both had the feeling we were going to have a girl. After that appointment we went to the grocery store and ordered cupcakes to do a gender reveal with our families. It was so awesome to be able to have everyone over and share our exciting news with them!

Josh continues to make me feel special and beautiful. I am so lucky to have him as my husband, and cannot wait for this precious little girl to join us.

 

 

 

 

Beyond Excited!

4th of July Weekend with the Sissy

The weekends always go by fast, but it goes by even faster when you have one of your favorite visitors in town. My sister came to Iowa for the 4th of July, and today I was SO SAD to see her go back to Florida.

On the 4th, we went up to Clear Lake and had lunch at the Tiki Bar, went golfing and then cruised around town.

It was a beautiful day on the 4th, so we enjoyed spending it outside.

 

The 5th of July we rented a boat on Big Creek in Polk City, the weather was not the best. It was cloudy and a little chilly. Josh and Jason fished while Danielle and I hung out. It was pretty relaxing.

Daisy really enjoyed being on the lake.

One day my sister and I will live closer to each other, I sure miss her already! Thanks for visiting sissy! LOVE YOU!

Hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend for the 4th!

 

 



Take Care of Yourself

Last week, I woke up Sunday in the middle of the night with a terrible fever and vomiting. I knew I hadn't felt the best all week, but did not think it would land me in the hospital. I am a very stubborn person, and I DO NOT like going to the Dr. I knew I had a UTI, but thought I could take care of it myself. I thought it went away. I had a little pain then in my left side, but nothing I couldn't be tough through. On Monday morning, I was so sick my husband had to take me to the doctors office for my appointment. I figured they would just give me some meds and send me home. They ended up taking my blood work and my white blood cell count was at 29,000, and a normal count is 8,000. Right then, the doctor sent me to the hospital. I had a sever kidney infection. I needed to get IV fluids and antibiotics. I ended up spending Monday through Thursday in the hospital trying to get better. The reason for my post is to encourage everyone to NOT ignore symptoms. I will never again ignore anything, and be extra cautious. Please make sure you keep yourself healthy!! It is very important, even if you think it is minor, it can turn into a big deal!

 

Nieces and Nephew's!!

I just have to share how proud I am of my Nieces and Nephew's! It is so fun to watch them grow. Josh's sister and her husband have 6 kids! They are each amazing and so special to Josh and I. They just finished up their school year in Florida, and are now moving to Tacoma, Washington. We are lucky enough that they will be stopping in Hubbard on their journey out West.

Group picture of all 6 kids! I have to say they are a good looking bunch!

 Grace walking the bridge from K-4 to Kindergarten.

 Grace with one of her teachers.

 Maggie graduating Kindergarten!

 Jack won the Most Improved Award.

 Conner received The St. Mary's Religion Award.

 Annabel also received The St. Mary's Religion Award.

 Benjamin and his friend going to a dance. Doesn't he look dapper?

 

Looking forward to spending some time with all of The Brinkmeyer's!

 

 



My Best Friend's Wedding

Over Memorial weekend I stood up next to one of my best friends, Amanda Sue, for her wedding. It was an absolutely beautiful wedding and a perfect weekend! I wish her and her new husband nothing but the best! Here are just a couple candid photos I took of her big day!

 Such a stunning bride!

The sweetest little flower girl, Addison.

 My handsome husband and I.

 Amanda's new family

Chicken Sausage with Quinoa

This recipe is very similar to the one found here.

Ingredients:

• 1 package Chicken Sausage (any type)
• 1 Orange Pepper
• 1 Green Pepper
• 1 Yellow Squash
• 1 cup Quinoa
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup spinach

Instructions:

• Slice all the vegetables.
• Heat pan over medium heat, add the vegetables and vegetable broth.
• Saute vegetables.
• Add sliced chicken sausage to pan.
• Add salt and pepper to taste (or any other sesoning).
• Add cup of uncooked quinoa. Cover the pan with lid and let the quinoa simmer for 15 minutes or until tender.
• Enjoy!

You can add any type of vegetable to this recipe and make it your own. It is always nice to use what is inseason!

 

 

Crossfit....

Crossfit...those words to me once were a crazy term. My sister and some of my good friends were doing it, and I thought they were nuts when they talked about it. I didn't understand it at all!

Today, I can't imagine my life without Crossfit. I have only been part of The Arena for a little over a month, and it has impacted my life in such a positive way in just a short time. I think people have such a miss conception of what Crossfit is. I truly had no idea about anything until I started my Foundations classes. Yes, you will lift weights, and do weight lifting you never imagined you could do. No, you do not have to get all beefy, but you will get FIT. You do not have to show up the first day and be expected to do the RX weights, they MODIFY! You do not have to show up the first day and do 10 strict pull ups, they MODIFY. I think this is the BEST part of Crossfit, is that ANYONE and EVERYONE can do it! At The Arena, we have such a variety of people, it is amazing.

I have done a lot of different physical activities in my life, and this is one I am willing to wake up at 4am to get my workout in. I feel good when I leave each day. Check our your local Crossfit gym, it might be something that changes your life as it has mine.

Dear Jen,
If you are reading, I want you to know what an INSPIRATION you are to myself, and so many others. I've met a lot of people in my life, but have never met such a positive and truly caring person. I appreciate you taking the time to guide me to be a better person inside and out. The atmosphere you and Monika have created at The Arena is indescribable. We are all so lucky. It has changed me as a person, in a good way. I needed this. 
Thank you for EVERYTHING!

Remember whatever it is you do for yourself, it is important to keep yourself healthy. I truly am a happier person when I eat healthy and workout.

Hopefully some new recipes to come next week!

Gingery Broccoli and Beef + Easter

My sister and I are doing a 21 Day Paleo Challenge, I've done my best, but I have not eaten 100% Paleo. Here is a recipe I made for this challenge. (Husband tested and approved).

Ingredients:

•  2 Tbs Coconut Oil
• 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 lb sirloin steak, cut into very thin strips
• 2 Tbs Lemon Juice
• 2 tsp freshly grated ginger
• 2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup broth (beef or vegetable)
• 2 cups broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Heat the 1 Tbs coconut oil and garlic in a large skillet over medium to high heat.
2. Add the sliced beef and 1/4 tsp sea salt, and brown. Remove beef from pan to a side dish, and get rid of excess juice left in pan.
3. In a small bowl mix lemon juice, grated ginger, and black pepper with 1/4 cup broth.
4. Heat pan again over medium heat. Add 1 Tbs coconut oil when pan is hot.
5. Add broccoli and carrots to pan. Pour liquid ingredients on top and toss to coat.
6. Cook over medium heat until broccoli is tender.
7. Return the beef to the pan and add the green onions. Add the extra broth if preferred.
8. Stir beef in until it's coated with sauce, and let simmer for a few minutes until beef warmed through.

This makes dinner for 2, with some leftovers for lunch the next day!

Easter, what a beautiful day it was!

We spent a lot of time outside, planting our vegetable garden, fixing up stuff around the house! What a fabulous and beautiful weekend!