What I Wore~Maternity Edition: Pool Outfit

This is a little gutsy for me...but I'll just put myself out there.  I figure if my neighbors see me like this, what do I care if I put it on display for all the cyber world to see too...haha!

Maternity bathing suits are expensive and I only needed it for about a month, but I was afraid of burning my belly and didn't think I wanted to try to sport a bikini at the pool {but FULLY support you pregnant mamas who do...Rock that bump!}.

So I opted for a tankini {it doesn't perfectly cover my belly, but it works fine and I can still wear it after the baby is born...you know, when your stomach REALLY doesn't need to be seen by the world}.

The good news is, at 34 weeks you have a built in floatation device:)

I needed a cover up so I bought this pink dress at the gift store in Grand Cayman

What is better than a little side kick!!! {notice how she gets LATHERED in sunscreen and I don't, I should probably be a better role model, maybe next summer}

Our bag of goodies...The essentials:

Towels, waters, sunscreen, magazine {like I get a second to read it}, floaties, water football, sandwich and lunchable, swim diapers and ziplock bag for wet suits or diapers...WE ARE SET!

Shrimp Tacos

Rubio's Fish Tacos are THE best fish tacos anywhere!  Too bad we live in Indiana where we don't have Rubio's.

I tried to make a recipe that tastes as close to their fish tacos as I could, but used shrimp instead.  I have to admit, these come REALLY close to the real thing (but I would still take a Rubio's taco over mine any day).

Ingredients:
1/2 cup orange juice (2 oranges)
4 tablespoons fresh lime juice (2 limes, plus an extra lime for later)
4 tablespoons sour cream
1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper
2 cups of coleslaw (I just use pre-cut cabbage with carrots, but no dressing)
2 jalapenos, seeded and finely chopped
cilantro
vegetable oil
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
flour
1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
8 small flour tortillas

Directions:

-In a large bowl, mix the orange and lime juices, sour cream, salt, and pepper, coleslaw and jalapeno then let it sit for about 10 minutes.

-Meanwhile, heat a little oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Put the tortillas in the oil and cook them on both sides then fold them in half and set aside on a paper towel.

-In a small bowl, mix the  egg with some milk.  Dip the shrimp in the egg mixture, then roll them in the flour to bread it.

-Using the heated oil (you might have to add some more) in the skillet, throw the floured shrimp in and cook until browned on both sides.

-Serve the tortillas with the coleslaw and shrimp then sprinkle cilantro and squeeze lime juice over the top.

Eat it with a Mexican soda (or better yet a Corona)

Ahhhhh....Summer!

Toes in the Water...Kick Off to Summer

The sun is shining...

The sunscreen and bathing suits are on...

THE POOL IS OPEN...

IT'S SUMMER TIME!!!!

Cooling off with the hose in the backyard before the pool opened Friday

Filling her bucket

 Atta girl...drinking from the hose

 Soakin' those toes

 So much fun!

A pool just my size!

 Can I go in?

 Woah...I can stand on my own

 Where'd this football come from?

 It's mine now!

Daddy's little football player...he is so proud:)

 The big pool with dad

 Ahhhh...this is the life!

Nothing says summer like lounging at the pool!  Here's to the great summer of 2012!

*They say the best camera is the one you have with you.  I still disagree, but it sure is easier to take pictures with my phone than lug my big ol' camera around with me...so sorry for the lack luster photos, but we are too busy making memories at the moment!

Sprinkle

For the first baby you get a baby SHOWER...for the second one you just need a SPRINKLE! 

I think it is so sweet that my girlfriend Kasie threw me a sprinkle for my second little girl last week.  When I told her I felt badly having a shower since I don't really need much, she said, "Every baby is special and deserves to be celebrated".  I love her!  Plus, because Emrie was a surprise, her shower was neutral and this time we got to make it really girly!

I also love all my friends who came and sprinkled me and the baby with love {and TONS of adorable girly stuff} and those who celebrated from afar {and still sent us adorable girly stuff}. It was really special since we have moved and have made new friends and I feel SO BLESSED to have had great friends at Emrie's baby shower and now I get to celebrate with new and different great friends this time.

Thank you Kasie and Courtney for putting together a beautiful, laid back, intimate evening to celebrate our second daughter!  Her mama felt loved and I know she is already loved and she hasn't even arrived yet!

cute invitations

yummy cupcakes from holy cow

getting started

the generous presents

the begining of the adorable stuff, even the wrapping was cute

sweetest book I have ever seen...you are my cupcake

My beautiful friends {sorry Lauren had to leave a little early,but having a 3 week old, that happens}. 

I am one truly blessed woman!!!

Sew Your Own Crib Sheet

I would have never guessed how easy it is to make your own crib sheets...but it REALLY is simple!

The website with the step-by-step guide I used is makebabystuff.com

All you need:
70" x 45" cotton (woven or flannel)
Sewing Machine
Scissors
4 ft of Elastic, cut into 4 equal strips (or 1 piece of 64" elastic if you are going all the way around the bottom)

The only adjustment I made to Regina of the Queen Bee's Buzz pattern, was that I sewed elastic around the entire sheet, not just the corners because I wanted mine to be really tight.

Here is how Emrie's new crib sheet turned out

Happy Sewing!!!

What I Wore ~ Maternity Edition: Maxi Dress

Thank goodness maxi dresses are in style right now, because I can't think of anything more comfortable while you're pregnant {or not}.  They are really versatile too.  They can be dresses up for a special occasion or worn to the pool or for errands.

This is what I wore to my 'Sprinkle' {it's like a baby shower, but for the second baby...it isn't a full-blown shower, but rather a little sprinkle of love}! And I wore it yesterday, and thought about wearing it to church Sunday because it is just that comfortable!

Ramekin Cookie Treat

WARNING:

If you don't want to get hooked, DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!!

My girlfriends Angie and Courtney told me about this awesome little treat that they would make, but they warned me, if you don't want to get hooked, don't start. 

Well, I started, and now I am a believer in the wonderful Ramekin Cookies.  Simple, quick and the most addicting part, you can make just one serving at a time if need be...YIKES!

Ingredients:
Chocolate chip cookie dough (I just use the pre-made refrigerated slice stuff)
Vanilla Ice Cream (if you want it a la mode...and you do, trust me)
Ramekin

Directions:
Fill the ramekin about half way with the cookie dough.  Put it in the oven at 350 for about 10 minutes.  When it comes out it will be half baked and gooey.  Throw a scoop of ice cream on it and eat it while it's hot!