Getting Organized: Meal Planning

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You could say that I am in FULL-blown nesting mode. I am obsessed with cleaning, organizing, cleaning some more and anything scented that smells “clean”. I am a mad woman.

For example, in just the past few days, I’ve tackled cleaning my car; organizing our cleaning cabinet; coming up with a new mail organization system; and baby girl’s room is 110% done. Not to mention my house is spotless because I feel the need to clean every.single.day. Where I’m getting the energy to do this is beyond me.

Today, I decided I wanted to try meal planning again. In cleaning out my pantry last week (oh yeah, forgot to mention that one), I was blown away at how much food I have in my pantry and freezer. So I decided not to grocery shop and instead we had a weeks’ worth of meals just by using up what we already had on hand. I think sometimes I go to the store without much of a plan and just buy random things. Then I run out of staples and go back to the store. Then I get a random craving, and send Keith :) I would say I probably go three times a week! WAY too many trips to the store. So, instead I’m going to take a half hour on Sundays to plan our dinners for the week and then make ONE trip to the store that day.

I’m also giving myself a challenge of only spending $50 on this trip. If I plan my meals out smartly, I should be able to use everything by the end of the week. Each meal should also make enough leftovers for me to take to lunch the next day, and then I only have to purchase breakfasts and snacks. We are fortunate that Keith’s company caters his lunch every day, and they have a full kitchen so he grabs breakfast and snacks there. It definitely saves us a lot of money, since the boy does not like leftovers lol.

Here is our menu for this week!

Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday

 I’ve made all these recipes before and I’m hoping to have four weeks of meals we love, and be able to rotate them in and out depending on our moods. Gotta love Pinterest for the new ideas :)

I honestly think that this will simplify our lives, solve the constant “what’s for dinner” question and free up more time and money. I also think that this will help keep us eating healthy and on budget once baby girl gets here. 

Anyone else meal plan? Any tips for me or favorite recipes you care to share? 


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Maternity Photos

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A few weeks ago we had our maternity photo session. It was originally scheduled for this upcoming weekend, but I had started to feel really big, swollen and not so cute anymore. I’m so grateful our photographer was able to squeeze us in sooner! 
We purchased a package with Rebekah Kay Photography to do both our maternity photos and baby girl’s newborn photos. We opted to do our photos at her studio, and I’m glad we did! 
Beckie is so sweet and incredibly talented, and she was worth every penny for these photos :)

OBSESSED with this photo. I already have it framed and hung in her nursery!

 I really wanted to show off my pink Hunters and I’m loving this angle and pose!

This picture is just the sweetest! Love Keith’s smile and the way both our hands are cradling my belly
This is Keith’s favorite! I do “serious” poses very well haha
This has been one of my favorite pregnancy outfits, and it makes me feel so comfortable and I love how using a belt accentuates the bump. 
This one is my favorite! I love the “ruggedness” of it with the black and white contrast.

I can’t believe that in just a few short weeks baby girl will be here and we’ll be back for her newborn photos! I’m already planning props and little outfits for her, and I most definitely cannot wait to blog those photos :)


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30 Week Bumpdate!

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My bump looks so pointy this week!!!
How far along: 30 weeks
Gender: Girl
Weight gain: 23 lbs.
Maternity clothes: Still yes yes yes :)
Stretch marks: No
Belly button in or out: Out
Sleep: Not so great, I cannot get comfortable at night thanks to my belly weighing a ton and the insane shortness of breath. And then getting up twice to use the bathroom, and not being able to fall back asleep since my dear husband snores and sounds like a train. le sigh. 
Best moment this week: We got our maternity photos back and I’m so in love with them! I can’t wait to share them very soon!
Miss anything: Sleep, being able to breathe normally and walk up a flight of stairs without feeling like I’m going to die.
Movement: Yes! The movements are becoming bigger and “jabbier” (is that a word? lol) .. I can’t tell if they are elbows, knees or feet though yet!
Cravings: So this is where I get really honest….food cravings, no. But I crave certain smells. Specifically anything citrus or cleaning product related. I come home and clean something in my house just so that I can smell that wonderful cleaner smell. And I have this lotion I got at the nail salon that is orange and lemonwood and it smells absolutely DIVINE.
Queasy or sick: Nope, no sickness, thank goodness!

Looking forward to: My baby shower next weekend!! I’m so excited to see everyone and celebrate little baby M!


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