Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

I love nothing more than cooking in the crock pot. You still get the home cooked meal, but there is hardly any work involved. Let alone how easy it is to clean up! Plus, if you make dinner - your husband should have to clean everything up anyways, right?! Not that all crock pot recipes aren't easy, but this one was SO super easy with a mere FOUR ingredients.

What you'll need:

• 2 lbs of chicken
• 1 can Cream of Chicken soup
• 1 jar of salsa (whatever kind you like!)
• 1 packet of taco seasoning

I laid the raw chicken at the bottom of the crock pot, dumped the taco seasoning on top, poured the soup and salsa on the very top and cranked it up to HIGH for 5 hours. Around hour 3, I took two forks and shredded all the chicken and mixed everything up really well, by that point the chicken was so tender it tore apart very easy!

We ate it with tortillas, but it would be delicious as nachos or even as a dip. It made A TON so we had leftovers galore. Just add your favorite toppings: guacamole, cheese, sour cream ,etc. and there you are!

Enjoy!

Sweet Savannah Jane - 32 Weeks!

I really can hardly believe I am thirty TWO weeks pregnant, 3-2! I have been looking at it as okay we are out of the 10's, out of the 20's, but now? After we are "out of the 30's" baby girl will BE HERE. Am I ready you ask? Well of course not. That is a hard thing to chew for someone so Type A as myself. I'm known for being ahead of the game, on top of things, but this is different. This isn't just preparing for a special event, this is life changing. How can you prepare for that? I don't think you do. I think you just go with it and learn as you go.

I absolutely cannot wait to meet Savannah Jane. She already has been such a blessing - a true miracle - in our lives, just wait until she's here! I find myself daydreaming of who she is going to look like or whose personality hers will reflect. Will she be outgoing, athletic and a people attractor like her daddy? or will she be a bit more shy, clumsy and a nurturer like her mama? Brown eyes or blue? It's all so exciting and so much to take in. And she better have a head FULL of hair with the amount of heartburn I have been experiencing... ;)

I'm happy to report we have made serious progress on her nursery. The walls are painted, we have her furniture all set up and her bedding has already been washed and assembled. The only things left are to get our cushions back for the rocker, pick out a night stand and decorations for the wall and bookshelves! Okay, maybe that sounds like a lot....

How far along? 32 weeks, 1 day - 55 days to go!

Size of Baby? The size of a squash! She will be close to 4 pounds by the end of the week and measuring close to 17 inches. She is so big! I can feel her big head or hinney rubbing against my right rib cage! =O

Maternity clothes? Same ol', same ol' - whatever fits is what goes! I sure wish I could live in sweat pants and huge t-shirts. That's definitely when I'm most comfortable.

Sleep:  It's still been pretty good, thankfully!

Best moment this week: This past week has been a great one! We had our Connect Group Christmas party Sunday night and that was super fun! We went to the doctor for our check up on Tuesday and going to the Rockette's Wednesday night! It is a Watson family tradition that I am very thankful to be apart of now. That was my third time to go with them (and ever!) and it gets better every single year! Eeek!

Miss Anything? Just feeling normal - eating and drinking what I want, doing whatever I want =)
 Movement: She has been moving (kicking, rolling, punching - you name it!) ALL the time! I absolutely LOVE it. I feel like she is stuck in my right rib cage though - phew it hurts!

Food cravings: Nothing yet! Maybe that means Savannah Jane won't be a picky eater?!

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing in particular.

Gender: Sugar and spice and all things nice =)

 Labor Signs: Yes, I have started experiencing Braxton Hicks. Craziness!

Symptoms: Unfortunately, my feet have gotten bigger the last few weeks and my vision has been getting worse. Hopefully these will go back to normal sometime after delivery!

Belly Button in or out? In, although I'm starting to agree with Clay. I don't know how much longer it's going to stay "in."

Wedding rings on or off? On!
Mood: Overwhelmed. Although not likely, realistically little sassy pants could make her debut into this world any day between now and February 14th. That's pretty scary for me - we don't quite have the essentials for baby girl yet. But, I do know everything will work out perfectly no matter if we have an entire nursery stocked with baby goods or not!

Looking forward to: All of my family being in town for Christmas!

Update + 30 Weeks

How far along? 30 weeks, 4 days - 66 days to go! I am almost THREE full weeks into the third, and final might I add, trimester!

Size of Baby? Cucumber, weighing 3 pounds and measuring around 16 inches. 
 Maternity clothes? Still wearing a mix of everything with the exception of pants, that's all maternity! The dress I'm wearing in my picture is from H&M I bought a couple years ago and found in my closet. These days, I just dig until I find what fits =)

Sleep: Sleep has been great when I haven't been sick. I think the prenatal yoga is helping quite a bit in that department! 

Best moment this week: Getting to hear her heartbeat at the doctor on Thursday. That's still the best thing ever!

Miss Anything? Being able to take whatever medicine I need. I have had THE worst acid reflux and being pregnant I am totally limited to what I can take to help relieve the nastiness!

 Movement: Oh yeah, she is moving all over the place! Clay gets to feel kicks quite a bit now too. I'm praying for her to flip, she is still breech. Stubborn little girl already!

Food cravings: Nothing in particular. I have more of what does NOT sound good, then what does! I wonder if I am going to have any weird cravings before she comes?

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nothing really, thankfully!

Gender: Sweet Savannah - all pink, or purple in our case ;)

 Labor Signs: Not consistently

Symptoms: Swollen feet, acid reflux, big belly syndrome (ya know - when your standing and look down and you only see your belly, no feet. HAHA!)

Belly Button in or out? IN! Clay says it looks like it might pop out soon, but I strongly disagree. I think he's just trying to freak me out!

Wedding rings on or off? On
Mood: Once we got past the stomach bug, my mood has been good. I feel like I'm in a daze most of the time, in a good way of course.

Looking forward to: Working on her nursery. I've got to pick up some things for her bookshelves as well as the walls - then we'll be all finished!

Getting LARGE - 27 Week Bumpdate

How far along? 27 weeks, 1 day - 90 days to go! That sounds SO close! Ah!

Size of Baby? She is somewhere around the 2 pound mark currently and approximately 14.5 inches long - wow, she's growing like a weed.

Maternity clothes? All bottoms, mix of tops and dresses

Sleep:  Sleep surprisingly has gotten better! Once I got rid of my little sinus funk and could actually breath through my nose, I was set! As the days go by, I realize more and more how much I NEED sleep. I'm physically exhausted by the end of every day.

Best moment this week: Almost 2 weeks ago, definitely was the baby shower! This week's best moment was getting Savannah Jane's crib and dresser. Woo! Finally getting things done over here!

Miss Anything? Exercising like I used to, being able to paint my toe nails without getting winded because of my large belly and having a drink after a LONG day ;)
 Movement: Oh yeah! My favorite part of every single day is when she is just kicking and punching her little heart out in there!

Food cravings: Any and everything really, the last couple weeks have brought on a new found hunger and the scale is certainly reflecting that - yuck!

Anything making you queasy or sick: My heartburn is the only issue currently involving getting sick. She better have a lot of hair like people say!

Gender: Little LADY!

 Labor Signs: I'm not totally sure whether or not I have experienced Braxton Hicks or just serious, random cramping. Too much going on in there to really know!

Symptoms: HA - becoming "uncomfortable." My belly has grown SO much in the last two weeks that I'm really starting to experience what it means to BIG..

Belly Button in or out? TOTALLY in!

Wedding rings on or off? On, thankfully!
Mood: Two words = emotional wreck

Looking forward to: My sister in law is due this coming Monday - I cannot wait to meet little Miss Sadie!!! Also, getting to spend lots of time with our families for Thanksgiving. It's always so nice to have everyone in town even if it's just for a few days! Oh and NEXT week I will be in my THIRD trimester, is this flying by or is that just me?!

Savannah Jane's Baby Shower

Woo! Where do I even start? My amazing mom, sister and best friend Mindy threw Savannah Jane and I the most adorable shower this past Saturday at my parents house! Adorable as in the sweetest flower arrangements, a precious diaper wreath and cake, thoughtful details, and delicious food. They really outdid themselves on this my friends!

What I was welcomed to - how sweet?

                                               

I mean seriously? How sweet is this! Thank you Chels!

It was such a perfect day - gorgeous weather and fabulous friends and family to celebrate our little peanut. It meant the world to me! Not to mention, little princess got her some amazing stuff! It's such a blessing to see everyone get together to show their love and support for Clay and I's sweet baby girl. We are so very thankful! I can't believe she will be HERE in a mere 14 weeks - eeek! I need to get to work. Here are a few action shots from Saturday...

YAY! Grandmo got baby girl a Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag!

                                                       Something very funny, clearly!

                                                  Savannah got her very own Vera bag!

                                        The most adorable princess hanging out with Mel!

                                                         2 of the 3 amazing hostesses!

                                         Sweet friends since high school! Love these ladies..

                                                   Me and the beautiful new mommy!

Here are some up close shots of some of Savannah Jane's new goodies... Girlfriend is spoiled already!

                                       A monogrammed stroller blanket, precious I tell ya!

No words can describe these - melts my heart!

                                              HANDPAINTED by her sweet Auntie Mindy!

 Her very first ADORABLE smocked dress! She's officially a true Southerner now folks!

LOADS of books for her nursery!

Thank you to all of our sweet family and friends that was at the shower! You all mean the world to me and we appreciate all of your love and support for our daughter. Now, Dad needs to get to work on adding in the new shelf for her closet - girlfriend has a TON of stuff already! Woo!

Bumpdate - 25 Weeks!

*Pictures from 24 weeks and 25 weeks!
How far along? 25 weeks, 1 day - 104 days to go!

Size of Baby? I was going through the different fruit size comparisons we've gone through over the weeks and couldn't even believe how big she is getting. We went from sweet peas and olives to cantaloupe and now cauliflower - WOW!

Maternity clothes? Totally a mix! Certainly all maternity for bottoms.

Sleep:  Thankfully some days are good and some days are bad. I know it could be worse - so I am definitely thankful for the sleep when I do get it!

Best moment this week: We had someone paint the nursery this week, it looks SO good! First step down, 198327 more to go! Also, noteworthy news! I passed my gluclose test and it was NOT nearly as terrible as people say.
Miss Anything? I honestly miss eating a cold turkey and cheese sandwich so badly! It's the little things people...

 Movement: Little miss priss kicks and/or punches a ton, I absolutely love it!
Food cravings: Still nothing in particular. I certainly haven't had any pickle and ice cream kind of cravings!

Anything making you queasy or sick: HEARTBURN, leg cramps in the middle of the night and extreme exhaustion
Gender: All pink for this bunch!

 Labor Signs: Not yet!

Symptoms: I went to prenatal yoga last week and it was unbelievable. It helped me sleep better, my back pain was gone for several days and I just felt all around much better. But I just can't make it consistantly because Monday nights are pretty crazy right now!
Belly Button in or out? In, I really don't think it's going to pop out - it doesn't look like it will at least!

Wedding rings on or off? On!!
Mood: Good! Just easily frustrated or upset. I can go from perfectly fine to a crying meltdown in less than 45 seconds - it's pretty impressive! :-/

Looking forward to: I'm having my first baby shower this Saturday and am SO pumped! My mom, sister and best friend, Mindy are the lovely hostess' and I just know it's going to be a ball! I am one lucky girl to have such great family and friends!

My Bucket List - Winter Edition!

Everyone knows that I'm a list person. Honestly,  I can't really even think of a more accomplished feeling than marking my cute little pink highlighter through a task on my to-do list. It not only keeps me on track, but these days I can't really even remember how old I am, let alone what I need to get done - so more importantly it helps me feel like I maybe have my stuff together. Maybe...

I'm jumping on the blog bandwagon and doing a "bucket list" for the upcoming holiday months, or more importantly before BABY! These are just some things that came to mind I would like to have done by the end of January! Maybe since I am posting this somewhere other than on a yellow sticky note in my planner where only my eyes can see, I will be more likely to get it all done. Maybe...

• Volunteer.... A LOT
• Try doing the Black Friday shopping, call me crazy!
• Start and Finish the nursery
• Empty and clean out our fridge and freezer
• Attempt one new recipe every week
• Bake and deliver sweet treats to our neighbors before Christmas
• Read at least 2 happy, positive books to better myself
• Take maternity pictures
• Clean out every closet in our house (YIKES!!)
• Visit Christmas Village for the first time
• Try 1 craft or "tip" off Pinterest per month

Wish me luck!

Gender Reveal Party!

Wow, I can't believe we officially know we are having a babyGIRL! It is wild to think how much time has passed since finding out we were expecting. We now have a little over 16 weeks left before Little Miss is HERE and so much to do between now and then! I did buy her bedding from Pottery Barn Kids last week and it's on backorder until November 2nd. I can't wait to get it! Sometime in the next two weeks, the painter will be out to paint then hopefully everything will start falling into place. I feel like these days are just a blur - everything seems so surreal! Excitment is probably an understatement ;-)

On to the details from our party a few weeks ago...

I ordered the invitation from Kati at Blissful Blue Designs. Is it not the sweetest? I have always been a huge fan of the vintage look!

Then I worked with Niki at Ellena's Paper House for the sweet Boy or Girl? banner, cupcake toppers and food tents. I was so pleased with how adorable it all turned out! Then to add a little extra to the vintage feel - I used mason jars as glasses and grabbed these pink and blue stripped straws.

Of course I had to have something setup for everyones gender guesses! Surprisingly it was almost 50/50 between girl and boy!

The menu consisted of:

• Chicken Ranch Won-Tons
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Warm Spinach Dip
• Taco Dip
• Mini Crescent Dogs
• Quiches
• Gender Cake (made by the sweetest friend of mine!)
• Cupcakes

                                                     Here are my favorites from the night!

This one is my favorite!

Happy Monday sweet friends!