Good morning, and happy Monday! I was convinced when I woke up this morning that it was Sunday. When Kyle started talking about his workday, I got baffled. I had to look at my phone and see the words “Monday” flash across the screen. Pregnancy brain is real. I made a quick breakfast and got straight to uploading photos for this recap post. I’m hoping to have it done early afternoon, so I can go to our local nursery to pick up a few indoor fruit trees.
I have been keeping my lemon tree alive for two years now, so I’m going to reward myself by adding a few more fruit trees to the family. I’ll keep you posted on my random afternoon fruit tree excursion. Sometimes I get these wild ideas in my head, and I can’t let them go. It’s like the time when I planted over 10,000 zinnias in my backyard on a whim. They sure did look pretty this summer, and I still need to get a zinnia blog up! I’ve already purchased my seeds for the spring. This summer, my morning workouts will consist of me carrying the baby around while watering all of my flowers. I cannot wait for the garden season already. I hope to have an outdoor vegetable garden built this summer, so fingers crossed for that project! Kyle said he’d be able to build it for me, and my dad will come over and help me get everything planted and started. He’s the vegetable garden genius.
We traveled all last Monday, so my official week started on Tuesday. It was so good to be back in the yard playing with Leo and Tux, even if it was 30-degrees outside. I missed their little faces and cute backyard play sessions. Tux lost his mind when he saw us back home! It was the first time we left him in seven months, and he greeted us as if we were gone for ten years.
Since we’ve been home, he’s been acting like a completely different dog. He’s walking all over the house wagging his tail, fetching toys, greeting us by the door, walking up to us to take treats, and he’s even letting us approach him in the backyard for a rub down. He comes right inside/outside when we open the door, and he’s been sleeping through the night. Maybe leaving and coming back let him know this was his forever home. I don’t know what the change was, but he’s almost acting as if we got him as a puppy, and he’s been living with us all these years. And if it’s God that has answered our prayers, thank you! I love giving you guys a positive Tux update!
I had two slices of Daves Killer Bread with egg for my french toast kick, apple chicken sausage from Applegate, and maple syrup! 😋
And as if cravings couldn’t get any weirder, I saw crab legs at the grocery store and just had to have them. I’ve always loved crab legs, but I didn’t think I’d love them while pregnant!
On Wednesday, we had our Anatomy scan to see how the baby was doing! We got the best news when the doctor said everything looked perfect. We made sure to let them know that we didn’t want to know the gender when we first got there. She was so good about not letting anything slip or show! I cannot wait to see our baby in 18 more weeks! 😊 The time is flying by.
I was starving after that two-hour appointment, so I stopped at Starbucks for a parfait on the way home. This prompted me to head to the grocery store and buy a bunch of ingredients to make parfaits at home. All I want during the day are parfaits, cherries, and avocado toast! I’m so happy that I’m finally craving my typical food rather than McDonald’s for every meal. I’m definitely eating more frequently now that the baby is getting bigger, and when hunger strikes, it strikes!
Thursday morning breakfast: Siggis yogurt, honey, peanut butter KIND granola (so good!), blueberries, raspberries, and I’ve been having a small cup of almond milk mixed with Califia Farms mocha cold brew coffee. It gives me a tiny caffeine fix to help with any morning migraines.
My mom came over on Friday morning so we could watch Sex and the City together while baking Christmas cookies! We had such a fun day decorating them. We made lemon Linzer cookies, gingerbread cookies, sugar cookies, peanut butter fudge, Nutella Linzer cookies, and more.
We had a fun little competition going on! We cannot wait to keep this tradition going. One of the best memories I have as a kid was doing Christmas cookies with my mom and brother. 8 hours later…
Here are all of the sugar cookies I made! Those professionals make it look so easy 😆
I packaged everything up on Saturday morning and dropped them off for neighbors.
Kyle and I spent our afternoon watching a few shows and just relaxing. It was a rainy and cold weekend. Yum! These cookies taste like my favorite pop-tarts.
I made our favorite go-to weekly dish! I promise to get this recipe up soon. I’ve been making changes to it each week to perfect it.
I still leave the house when Kyle does his meal prep. Even when I wasn’t pregnant, I was not too fond of the smell of potatoes and meat cooking. I had a few things to return at Target, so I grabbed my Starbucks breakfast to go and ran some errands. Kyle and I worked more on the nursery this weekend, and I am excited to share that blog soon! It’s SO COZY and calming in there. We still have our wall art to do.
Tux playing with me in the mornings is the best feeling in the world. Transforming his little life and soul has been the most rewarding feeling on earth. If you rescue a dog and days are hard, please never give up! There were days when I’d cry and feel helpless, but we got through them, and everything has been worth it. I love him so much. I’m sure he gets annoyed with how many times I kiss his nose a day. Leo and Tux have been lying together a lot lately, and it makes my heart warm and happy!
I hope you all have THE BEST week! I’ll keep you posted if I find any fruit trees today 😂
Questions for you!
- Have you done any holiday baking yet?
- How’s the weather where you live?
- Do you ever wake up thinking it’s a different day?
Melissa says
I craved McDonald’s for 2 pregnancies and I think it was iron related – Like the idea that I wanted meat, but did absolutely NOT want actual meat (like steak or thick burgers). Nothing hit the spot like a Big Mac! Once I started Iron pills, the cravings subsided. Love following along and wishing you and your little family a Happy Holiday!
Taralynn says
Hi, Melissa!
That was me too! I did NOT want anything with a lot of meat. Now, I can eat meat fine (well not all!)
♥️ hope you have an amazing holiday as well! xo
Kelsey W. says
Ah, getting that notification a new recap has been posted gives me alllll the warm fuzzies!
Your Christmas cookies look so amazing! I’ve never made cookies other than chocolate chip, but you’ve inspired me to branch out 🙂 The weather in Maryland was nice last week, we even hit 60 degrees on Thursday! Today I woke up and it was 27 degrees, but it was sunny so I bundled up and had a very refreshing walk lol! I’ve been home from work recovering from surgery for the last month, so I very often forget what day it is. I just realized last night that Christmas is THIS week! I can’t believe it. I hope you have a great week and a wonderful Christmas with your family. Just think–next Christmas, your little babe will be with you!
xoxo Kelsey
Taralynn says
That is the sweetest and just puts a smile on my face 😊
Wow, 60-degrees in Maryland! That is amazing.
I hope your recovery is going well, and it shocks me that Christmas is already here as well! I hope you have the best week!
♥️ gosh it’s so exciting!
Mackenzie says
I’m a little late to the game- but a huge congrats to you and Kyle!! Goes without saying, but you will be amazing parents <3 Isn't it the most incredible thing seeing your little one on the ultrasound? Ah, I'm just so happy for you. Also- your Christmas cookies look delicious & I loved reading this Tux update!
Taralynn says
Thank you, Mackenzie!! 😊
Samantha says
Your cookies look amazing!! Love the Tux update as well, they always warm my heart. You guys are truly giving him the best possible life.
I was thinking the other day about your friend Becca! Do you still keep in contact with her? Hope she’s doing well 🙂 (clearly I have been reading your blog for years and years….LOL)
Taralynn says
Thank you, Samantha!
We do not keep in contact, but wish her the best!
Milena says
Hi Taralynn!
I’m so glad to see Tux that happy!❤️
I haven’t done any baking yet but now I’m in Poland for Christmas and I will help my Mum preparing some traditional Polish dishes 😊
The weather here in Poland is amazing, it’s been snowing since yesterday so we play outside with the snow!
I wake up thinking it’s a different day a lot! Especially with Sunday and Monday😅
I hope you will have an amazing weekend and good luck with fruit trees!
Taralynn says
Hi, Milena!
It melts my heart 😊 I love knowing he’s actually FEELING like this is home.
Oh gosh I can’t wait to hear about your Christmas in Poland! I need to see photos!
I ended up getting a raspberry tree and clementine tree! Pray they survive! 😆
Lorri says
Your neighbors must love you with all those cookies!!!
Look at that cute little baby head!
You’ve proven with Tux that you’re going to be great parents. What a lucky child. 🙂
Taralynn says
😭 thank you, Lorri!!
Kayla says
First of all, yes to thinking it’s a different day sometimes! With all the travel that I do for work, I can get mixed up easily with time zone changes. Last week my boss asked me what state I was in and it took me a minute to even remember!!
I have to bring cookies to a Christmas party on Friday and I was going to just stop by a local bakery after the gym today. I think you have inspired me to bake some cookies instead!
What kind of workouts are you doing while pregnant? Are you still doing some weight training in your home gym or just walking/staying active outdoors when you feel up to it?
Taralynn says
Hi, Kayla.
That is too funny. I hope you get some good rest and time off for the holidays!
There’s nothing wrong with stopping at a bakery but making them is SO FUN AND FESTIVE!
I’m just currently walking. I keep telling myself im going to start doing the peloton workouts in the living room but that hasn’t happened yet. lol
Val says
Your dogs are so adorable! I think Tux is settling in so well with Leo, you and your husband. Your iced coffee from Starbucks looked really good!
Taralynn says
Thank you, Val! 😊