High five for making it to Friday!

This week was a LONGGGGG one...anyone agree?!?

Forget this week....the entire school year was a LONGGGGGG one!  It was also an extremely intense year...the emotional rollercoaster is still continuing despite it being "over"(long story for another time).  

Thankfully school is officially out for my kids...it's still crazy to me how early the school year ends down here in Florida!  Hopefully I will officially be on summer break sometime after the week of June 17th.  Here are some of my favorite moments from this past week...  

1.  No joke, this is our bed....8 pillows and 1 body pillow.  Two of them are shams though, so they don't really count.  I'm still figuring out how to get comfortable...I think I may be on to something!  Just looking at that pic makes me sleepy!  Zzzz...

2.  I posted this on Wednesday night, the nursery set was delivered last night.  We both LOVE it, this makes it so real!  I keep saying "I can't believe I'm going to put my kid in there"! HA!

3.  We've been chowing down on this yummy sweet tomato salad that I made on Sunday night - all week...recipe coming soon!

4.  This is my FOURTH year seeing the kids off at the bus ramp....I hope everyone has a great summer vacation, and good luck to the 8th graders in High School!!!

5.  Couldn't have made it through without the support of Team Guidance...definitely going to cherish this picture! XO

Happy Friday Friends!!!!!

Linking up...

***Now you can become a groupie by using the promo code "Groupie15" for 15% off the groupie ad spot!  Who wouldn't want their ad on SIX blogs... Never The Same Spice Twice (me!) ABpetite A Mile in Her Boots Wannabe Green Heart Shaped Sweat Pink on the Cheek ...such a deal, check it out!!! CLICK HERE!  

Guest Posting @ Mal Smiles Today!!!

If you want to check out the recipe for the nuttiest/cheesiest, most delicious salad, you can find it over at Mal Smiles!  I'm happy to be guest posting there today!
Have a FANTASTIC Thursday....I will be for sure!  It is the last day of school for students!  Yippeeeee! :)

24 Week Bumpdate

My little lady is the size of an eggplant...that's big!!!
Wow, things are really escalating quickly!

Changes I've noticed:  I'm up 18 lbs....I just KNEW that I was jinxing myself when I said last week that I have steadily been gaining 1 pound per week!

How I've been feeling:  My tummy is really itchy!  Even all of the cocoa butter doesn't seem to be helping much!  I still haven't tried the coconut oil yet, I think it's time for something new though.  The heartburn seems to be starting up again.  It's been the worst when I'm sitting up, and then better when I lay down...isn't it supposed to be the exact opposite?!?

How I've been sleeping:  Overall, I've been sleeping just okay.  Lately it's been really inconsistent...some nights it takes me forever to fall asleep, but then I sleep straight through the night.  Other nights, I fall asleep right away but wake up a million times.  

Food and exercise:  Summer vacation is REALLY close (exactly how close....I'm still not sure).  As soon as things settle down with work, I am definitely getting into a workout routine...AND going to focus more on eating healthy.  In the meantime, I am trying to incorporate exercise where I can, and make better decisions when it comes to food.  I've been eating "Fantastix" at work though, they are just like hot fries....and then wondering why I have heartburn....  

Maternity clothes:  Okay, NOW I'm set!  I made a pit-stop at Motherhood on my way home from the beach this past weekend and bought 2 pairs of shorts, a pair of capri jeans, and I found the CUTEST dress for my shower!  I'm really happy with it!

Movement:  Lots and lots of kicks and punches from my wild little lady!  She has been stepping on my bladder, which is the most interesting feeling...not a fan!  I know I'm in for a lot more discomfort though!  At the beach I put an earbud in my belly button and let her listen to some Justin Timberlake.  From all of her movements, I would say she is a fan!

Best moment this past week:  Preggo bonding with my friend Jaime!  Our moms are best friends, and we grew up together.  She lives a few hours away, and we were able to meet up for lunch and some maternity shopping when I was on my way home from the beach.  It was fun talking about EVERYTHING pregnancy related, and just catching up in general!  She also spoiled Baby Girl with all of these darling goodies...

Cutest...thanks Jaime and Carlos!!!!!!

I have really come to look forward to my weekly bumpdate "photo sesh"....there are A LOT more where these came from!
(Obsessed with the "Beautiful Mess" App!)

Happy Wednesday...Bump Day, LOL!!!

Secrets of The Mommyhood {Book Review}

Before I get into talking about how much I absolutely loved this book, I just want to say that the author Heather Alexander is a total sweetheart!  She has a blog too!  Her book is all about everything she wished someone had told her about pregnancy, childbirth, and having a baby (quite literally, it says so on the cover).  

When she contacted me asking if I would be interested in reading her book, I first checked it out on Amazon...the reviews rocked, I was excited and of course said "YES Please"!  When the book arrived, I couldn't wait to get home and read it.  Just the cover alone made me happy!

I read most of it when we went away to Vero Beach for our Anniversary weekend.  Stephen is my witness, I LITERALLY laughed out loud several times...and insisted on reading passages to him (to which he found amusing as well).  No joke, it is hilarious!  In addition to being entertaining, I found several very helpful tips, tricks, and lists that I have already referred to more than once!  I used this book as a guide when we started putting together our registry.  I've also learned that passing a baby around is like shaking up a can of soda, and about my inevitable upcoming obsession with Baby Girl's bodily functions!

 The advice in this book is straight from the heart, it felt really personal like she wrote it just for ME!  Thanks Heather for sharing your journey!  I couldn't be more excited to "join the legions of other mom's who eat cold food that is supposed to be hot"!

If you or someone you know is expecting a little one, I highly recommend this sweet read!  You can purchase it by clicking HERE! 

Perfect Oven Baked Chicken Wings

When you eat chicken wings, do you go for the flats or the drums?  I usually go straight for the flats...luckily Stephen likes the drums (flats too, but they are usually not available)!  Aren't we the best team?  HA!  Just another reason of MANY why things just work!  These chicken wings are cooked to perfection (in my opinion)!  Since we live in an apartment, we have to make the best out of not having a grill.  These wings taste so good baked, I can't even feel bad about being grill-less!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. of extra-virgin olive oil

Chicken Wings (assorted drums & flats...I made 20)

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder

2-3 cups of your favorite BBQ sauce (I used Sticky Fingers, Carolina Classic)

Foil & Cooking Spray

Directions:

1.  In a large bowl, coat wings in olive oil - sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.

2.  Cover a baking sheet with foil, coat with cooking spray - lay wings out on the sheet.

3.  In a 375 degree oven, cook for 30 minutes - then take them out flip them, and cook for another 15 minutes - take them out to cool for about 5-10 minutes.

4.  In a large bowl, coat the wings with BBQ sauce - lay back out on sheet (may need to spray again) cook for another 15-20 minutes. 

*Serve with extra BBQ sauce, blue cheese, or ranch dipping sauce.  

DELISH!!!