This is Halloween!

I cannot believe we will have little peanut with us next Halloween!!! I am beyond excited to see this time of year and the Holidays in a whole new light next year! Jeffrey and were giddy talking about all the awesome "kiddie" stuff we are going to do with her next year! We cannot wait.

Here is a preview of our Halloween this year!

We started our weekend at our church's Trunk or Treat event. We went as Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin. We had a blast seeing all of my current and past students.

Roxie went as the cutest BB8 ever!!! The kids LOVED seeing her!

On Saturday, we decided last minute to dress up again for an "underwater themed" Halloween party. We spent most of our day figuring out what I would dress up as. Jeffrey already had a Mario costume so he dressed as underwater Mario. After brainstorming all day and getting totally distracted in Walmart, I decided to go as the song, "Cake by the Ocean".





















On Sunday, the Nelsons packed up the car and headed a whole 10 minutes to the beach. Seriously, how did we get so lucky? We spent the day playing and enjoying the Charleston "Fall" weather.

After our fun walk along the beach, we put on Halloween movies and carved our pumpkin and had Kelsey-Jeffrey time. I tell you what, my hubby is the best guy in the whole world. He is so much fun! While we were eating candy and laughing about our pumpkin mess, I think I literally said the words, "you're my best friend because you're so much fun to be with" to him like 100,000 times.

What did your Halloween weekend look like? 

24 week bump date!

How far along: 24 weeks- hello 6 months!!!

Total weight gain: 6 pounds total! I am praying she stays small!

Baby Size: Baby girl is the size of a cantaloupe.

Baby Facts: Baby girl is still a bit translucent and skinny, but this will be changing soon. She is also at the point where if I went into labor and she were born now, the hospitals would do everything possible to save her – babies have been born this early! However, please stay in there sweet girl! 

Movement: She is moving a lot in the morning. She loves praise and worship time at PCA. She is also very active during dinner. Sweet pea loves her food! 

Sleep: I have been using a pillow to help prop me up a bit while I sleep on my side and it has made all the difference. I am still thanking the Lord daily that I am sleeping so well! 

Cravings/Aversions: Oatmeal! I have been craving oatmeal and fruit a lot this past week. I have eaten 2-3 bowls of this oaty-goodness. 

Symptoms: I do not have my typical "energizer bunny" energy. I am dragging! Even my pilates teacher had to take it "easy" on me this week :(

Looking forward to: HALLOWEEN! Jeffrey and I are going to Trunk-or-treat at our church, carving pumpkins, making Fall treats, and watching all the kiddie "scary" movies! Yes, "Double,Double Toil and Trouble is on our list... and yes, that is a 90's Mary-Kate and Ashley movie! Don't judge!

Egg-Free, Gluten-Free, and Dairy-Free Dessert!

As most of you know, I am gluten free. With all the joys of pregnancy also comes a dairy allergy. I am now gluten free and dairy free. I was craving something sweet so I found this amazing egg free, gluten free, and dairy free dessert.

CUPCAKE:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup oat flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
• 2 T ground flaxseed
• 1/3 cup stevia
• 3/4 cup apple sauce
• 2 T coconut oil
• 2 T maple syrup (I used Whole Foods pecan syrup)
• 1 1/4 cup almond milk

Directions:

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. Add wet ingredients and beat until combined. Fold in sprinkles (optional).
2. Bake in a muffin tin at 350F for 17-20 minutes (I baked mine for 17 first). 
3. allow to cool, poke a hole in the middle of each cupcake using a spoon. 

COOKIE DOUGH FILLING:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup gluten-free all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons ground flaxseed
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup (I used Whole Foods pecan syrup)
• 1/2 cup organic dark (dairy free) chocolate chips (I found mine at Whole Foods)

Directions:

1. Combine all dry ingredients. Add wet ingredients and stir until a thick dough forms (I used my kitchen aid mixer). 
2. Fold in chocolate chips.
3. Form into flat like balls
4. Set these in the hole you made in the cupcakes.
5. Bake again in the oven at 350F for 5 minutes. 
6. Allow cupcakes to cool! Frost using dairy free frosting!
7. ENJOY!

Each cupcake is 102 calories with 3.5g of fat, 11g of carbs, 6g of protein, and only 4g of sugar!!

Fall Trends

I love Fall! It is my favorite time of year and makes me giddy thinking about all the fun things Fall brings. Here are a few items on my Fall "wish" list.

1. This Cavalcanti bag from TJ MAXX is so trendy. I love the studs and the price. I love my Kate Spade classic bag, but I love how trendy this bag is without breaking the bank.

2. Plaid is a Fall must have! I love that plaid dresses are coming back. How fun is this dress from Nordstrom!

3. SUGAR: Poppy. I am obsessed with the way this lip balm makes my lips feel and look. It comes in so many fun colors and moisturizes my lips. 

4. Bomber Jackets are all the rage this season. I am in love with this classic look. Give me leggings, an over-sized white tee, sneakers, and a bomber any day!

5. Prada is my absolute favorite designer for sunglasses. I bought a pair four years ago and I still love to wear them to this day. I have been eyeing this pair since Jeffrey and I went to Vegas last year. 

What are your Fall "must haves"? 

23 Weeks!

How far along: 23 Weeks! 

Weight Gain: Back up to 5 pounds total. 

Nicknames: Nelly, Peanut, Little bit, baby girl, #AMEN

What are we most excited about next: My first baby shower!!!! 

Movement: Jeffrey felt her for the first time over the weekend. It was such a special moment for our little family. 
I also got to see her little kicks on the outside of my stomach. I ate a bit of dark chocolate for the first time since I got pregnant and she went wild; her mommy was loving it! It was the coolest thing I have ever seen/experienced

Belly button: Normal so far ;)

Size: She is one pound!  (She is about the size of a papaya or baseball mitt). 

How I’m feeling: 

• This week is Fall break so I am feeling great! 

Sickness: None this week!!! WHOOOO... this is a small victory for me! Lots of acid re-flux though... yuck!

Cravings: 

• Water!!!!!
• I feel "full" all the time. 

Aversions: 

• Lettuce
• Fish
• Dairy besides the dark chocolate I ate :)

Physical changes: Similar to last week. I am doing great! My skin is the clearest it has ever been, my nails and hair are so thick. I wish I could look like this post-pregnancy (minus the bump of course). 

Fun Update: We scheduled our birthing class this past weekend! Jeffrey was so cute while he talked to the nurse. We are So thrilled about this stage in our life. I didn't think Jeffrey and I could grow any closer, but over the past five months, we have fallen even more in love. He is such a great daddy already! 

Workout: I went to pilates twice this week and did a barre class. I also took Roxie on a few 3 mile walks!

Nursery:  Her room is at a stand still until we have our first shower. I have this inner desire to have it all done NOW, so I am trying to calm my perfectionist self down because we still have 3 1/2 months before she arrives. 

OMG, we have 3 1/2 months to go until we meet our little princess! EEEEEEkkkkkk. 

Fall To Do List

I cannot believe it is already half way through October and almost November. I also can't believe that I will be 24 weeks (6 months) pregnant next week! WHOA! Here are a few "things" I want to do before it is already Christmas.

1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch and take lots of cute family pictures.

2. Carve a pumpkin.

3. Get lost in a corn maze.

4. Watch Hocus Pocus and eat a caramel apple.

5. Visit the SC fair and "people watch" all night long!

What is on your Fall "to do" list?

22 weeks!

How far along: 22 Weeks! 4 months until we meet our little girl!!!!

Update: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the prayers, calls, texts, and messages about our sweet baby. You have NO IDEA what that means to Jeffrey and I. Please continue to pray for her healthy growth. Our ultrasound is scheduled for the end of November. Praying everything resolves itself. 

Weight Gain: Down one pound, so technically only 4 at this point. 

Nicknames: Nelly, Peanut, Little bit 

What are we most excited about next: Fall! I squeal every time I realize this time next year little bit will be with us for all the Fall fun! I can't wait to take photos with her at the pumpkin patch. 

Movement: I am feeling her a little everyday and I LOVE it!!!

Belly button: Normal so far ;)

Size: 1 inch long and almost 1 pound (She is about the size of a spaghetti squash). 

How I’m feeling: 

• Tired of getting sick. I never know what foods will trigger my nausea  or when it will hit me. I am ALWAYS full, but all of the sudden I am starving beyond control. It is the strangest thing.
• Sad because I miss my mom and friends from back home. Since we were evacuated for five days in Atlanta I was able to see my mom and friends from back home. I didn't realize how much I missed everyone. 

• I have some energy back which is really nice.

Sickness: I got sick twice last week and it is not fun! 

Cravings: 

• Bacon 
• Steak
• Peanutbutter
• not altogether of course! 

Aversions: 

• I can't really think of any right now. 

Physical changes: Other then my little bump, I do not notice a lot of changes. My skin is really clear and my nails have gotten stronger!

Fun Update: We ordered her sweet little coming home from the hospital outfit. We are beginning to schedule birthing classes and prepare things for her arrival. 

Workout: With the hurricane and evacuating last minute, I have not been able to work out like I would have liked. I plan to get back once things settle down. 

Nursery:  Her rug was delivered yesterday!!! We got her this round, pink one from Target and I love it.