Two Weeks!

Hi there, friends! Wow, a few weeks away from blog land and you feel like there is a lifetime of fun stuff to share! Clearly, Claire has consumed my every waking moment (mainly because I can't take my eyes off of her!). Chris and I are completely, utterly, positively in love with our sweet girl!

As she is two weeks old today (how can that be?!) I just wanted to share some pictures of our first two weeks with her. And I promise to get back into my blogging groove soon, starting with our birth story tomorrow (fingers crossed)!

Claire, 1 day old!

Proud Daddy!

 

My sweet pea:)

  

First Raiders game :)

1 week old:)

First bath at home

 

Our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3:)

Happy girl at 2 weeks old!

Now can you see why bringing myself to blog has been so very difficult?! We just love her to pieces!!

{Introducing...}

Claire Elizabeth Hansen

Born 11.14.11 at 11:01 pm 

8 lbs. 10 oz. 20 1/4 inches long 

I am so excited to share that our beautiful baby girl has arrived! So many happy details to share, but for now I just wanted to officially introduce her to everyone! We are going home today and getting settled into our new routine as a family of three!! More details, and of course pictures, to come soon:)

Love Bug

Apparently, Abby is very fond of my belly! Poor girl doesn't know what's coming...or maybe she does! We're still trying to figure out if she can sense that a big change is coming. Though one thing is for sure, she LOVES having her very own pillow (even if it does occasionally kick her in the face:)!

Happy Friday!

{BabyBump} Week 37

Hello Full-Term!!

Baby can now safely arrive at any time! And by the looks of it, she just might! At my doctors appointment last Monday, I was already dilated 3 cm and 70% effaced. Baby is engaged in my pelvis and I am having every pre-labor sign in the book. Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean that labor is imminent, but it's a good indicator that she could be earlier than expected! My doctor seems fairly confident it could happen within the next week or two. But as we are well aware, there is no way to really know when labor will begin. So we're hopeful and completely giddy, but confident that Baby Girl will come when it's her time!

From here on out, it's just a waiting game:)

Giving Thanks

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's an opportune time to be a little more mindful of our bountiful blessings!

Today I am thankful that Baby Girl is full-term and could potentially come at any time! I am thankful that all looks well and baby is healthy and exactly in the position she needs to be. I am thankful for an incredible husband who has been beyond wonderful throughout my pregnancy and is ecstatic about becoming a father. And I am thankful for a family who couldn't be more supportive and gracious to us as we are about to make the transition to parenthood. Just to name a few!!

What are you thankful for today?

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Paula Deen Sans the Butter

There are countless reasons I love Pinterest, one being the overwhelming collection of recipes I have saved to try for later! This particular soup has been tempting me with it's deliciousness for a couple of weeks and I was determined to try it out last week. Who even knew that Paula Deen's boys had such a knack for cooking?

Let me just say that it just may be my favorite way to eat lasagna-EVER! It oozes flavor, and a plus, is much healthier than anything I've ever seen Paula make:)  I wouldn't change a single thing about this recipe, and that is saying a lot!! And please, whatever you do-DO NOT skip the fresh basil, as it makes all the difference for this recipe!

Bobby's Lighter Tastes Like Lasagna Soup
Recipe from Deen Bros.

2 teaspoons olive oil
1 pound Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
1 onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (32-ounce) container chicken broth
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can petite diced tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 ounces broken whole-wheat lasagna noodles (about 4 noodles)
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded mozzarella cheese
8 Whole-wheat breadsticks or grissini (optional)

Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large nonstick saucepot or Dutch oven. Add the sausage, onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is crumbled and browned, 8 – 10 minutes.

Add the broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, salt, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are blended, about 20 minutes. Add the noodles; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the soup thickens slightly and the noodles are tender, 10 – 12 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in mozzarella, basil, and the Parmesan. Serve with the breadsticks, if using. (whole-wheat lasagna noodles take a little longer to cook.)

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