Good morning, and happy Monday!
I hope you all had a great weekend. We spent ours bundled up inside watching movies, cleaning up, and playing with the dogs in the snow. This is the most snow we’ve gotten in years and Tux’s first snowfall. He was a bit scared at first, especially when it turned into sleet hitting the house, but Leo showed him the way, and they started having the time of their lives. It made me so happy I could cry.
I have been looking forward to this week for a while now. We get another ultrasound to see the baby, and I get so excited. The baby is a moving machine, so they didn’t cooperate the first time, so we’re going back in to check on a few things. There was no concern, but it’s mandatory to check it off the list during an ultrasound. So far, everything has been going well during my second trimester, and I feel like a million bucks compared to the first. I can officially see the kicks from outside the belly, and it’s wild. I’ll keep you all posted on how the ultrasound goes in the next recap post.
I made some of the yummiest almond-flavored frosted sugar cookie bars on Monday. I wanted to make them for a while now and finally got around to doing it. I am making another batch today for my parents. After making the cookies, I made a refreshing protein smoothie. I’m trying to get on the smoothie train again (one of my first-trimester food aversions), and this one was pretty good! It had almond milk, strawberries, banana, Orgain protein powder, and topped with macadamia nuts, granola, and almond butter.
And then there is balance.
I laugh at my pre-pregnant thoughts. I used to tell myself I would eat so incredibly healthy while pregnant, and I would walk every day and work out. When you’re pregnant, it’s like having something else take control of your choices. Things ache, the thoughts of healthy food you once loved make you nauseous, and if you want something, you have to let yourself have it (unless it’s not safe.) I am still eating pretty healthy, but if I want pizza or Chinese, I get it. I’m not too concerned with gaining weight because it’s all temporary, and I still eat the cravings in moderation. All I’m saying is, if you’re pregnant, get the Chinese food! You’ll eventually go back to enjoying those healthy foods and feeling good enough to go out on walks, but don’t beat yourself up.
And with that being said, on Monday night. I ordered Chinese food! It was delicious and everything I hoped it would be.
We are going on month eight of my lemon ripening. I have a feeling it’ll be yellow in a month, and I’m going to make it a BIG DEAL! Like, that lemon will get the recognition it deserves after all these months of surviving. Growing fruits is so fun, and I’m a crazy plant lady with several of them in my house. Remember the raspberry bush I bought a few weeks ago? Well, it’s coming out of its dormancy and growing leaves. I keep them in my downstairs guest bedroom where they can get all the sunshine. I will most likely transfer the bush to a large pot with a trellis outside this summer, but I’m still debating on planting it in the ground. I cannot wait for our garden project this year, and I plan to blog all about it.
This week, I’ve been on an apples and peanut butter kick. Honeycrisp apples are my favorite.
Every night, Kyle and I watch Jeopardy before bed (we are officially our parents), and it’s when the baby likes to kick around and headbutt my bladder. It’s crazy to think I only have fifteen-weeks left! I better start getting my hospital bag ready (it’s the only thing I have left to do!)
We had basil tortellini with parmesan, butter, black pepper, garlic, and peas for dinner! 😋
After my morning walk with a neighbor on Friday, I had a lunch date with my mom! We went to Good Life Organic Kitchen in Fort Mill, a restaurant I have wanted to try for so long. They opened up during my first trimester, but that was when I hardly left the bed. It also took me a while to start liking healthy food.
We ordered the black bean and sweet potato sandwich on multigrain bread, coffee, and the blue spirulina smoothie. Everything was amazing!
So amazing that Kyle and I did a breakfast date there the next day! 😊 I ordered the same thing and had the breakfast bowl. I think I found my new favorite spot.
On Saturday night, we watched a few shows with our frozen pizza and then headed to bed early so we could wake up to play in the snow with the dogs. I was so excited about seeing Tux play in his first snow!
He was terrified at first, but then started prancing around and sticking his nose in it!
This made me so happy! The first snow we’ve had since moving here two years ago! Such a fashion icon 😆
Most of our Sunday was spent going in and out of the house to play in the snow. We decided to make breakfast for dinner, and it was delicious! I made cheesy eggs, pancakes, and maple sausage.
I did make some protein balls that I’ll have up on the blog tomorrow.
I was SO tired last night that I fell asleep at 6:30 pm!
I’m still on my fruit and yogurt parfait kick and have had it for breakfast every day for two months. It has Greek yogurt, berries, honey, granola, and nuts.
The boys were back to playing wild in the snow this morning 😊
Questions for you!
- Did you get snow this weekend?
- Do you have any plants you’re currently growing indoors?
- What is one lie your told yourself (unknowingly) before pregnancy?
Ashley says
What pots and pans do you use? I’m 3 weeks behind you in pregnancy 🙂 Congratulations!
Taralynn says
Congrats to you!!
I use masterclass pans and get them at homegoods!
Pamela says
You look terrific girl!!! I cannot believe you got snow in the Carolinas! We don’t have a lot of snow (for WI) and the only time it snowed was while my bf and I were visiting his family in AZ for a week. Haha!
For some reason I cannot keep plants alive, so sadly I have all faux ones right now.
I too had the big plan to eat healthy and exercise every day! Baby has different plans and you are at their mercy! I did manage to walk a lot in my second and third trimesters.
Taralynn says
Fake ones are just as special 😉
It was crazy to see snow here and the whole town shut down lol
HAHA you are so right about htat!!
Itz Díaz says
I laughed pretty much when I read about the pre-pregnancy thoughts because I thought the same, that I was going to eat in the most healthy way and drink the green juice every day, but OMG it’s impossible! I have 16 weeks and some days I love some food and the next day I want to vomit just for the smell.
So thank you very much to make me feel calm about it!
Taralynn says
Ahhh so relatable!! Kyle asked about making a meal prep style dinner for us over the weekend and I was like…it’s never guaranteed ill like something the next day lol
Steph B says
100% I was the same with my first pregnancy- I convinced myself I’d be some super fit kale juice queen, and in reality I ate constant grilled cheese! Now I’m 3 months into pregnancy #2 and so much more relaxed and not feeling guilty.
It’s great preparation for when the kid arrives; I was convinced I’d raise a child that loved vegetables and was a really good eater, in reality, he just wants yogurt and toast the whole time! Parenthood is just constantly resetting your expectations!!
Glad you’re feeling better now you’re into your second tri, and hoping you’re loving all those kicks and wriggles- you’re looking fab!
Taralynn says
Hi, Steph!
Love to hear that. Absolutely zero reason to ever feel guilty! “Resetting your expectations” LOVE THAT!
omg so many kicks and head butts 😆 And always before bedtime.
xo xo
Sara says
I can relate so much to your pregnancy talk! Thank you for being real.
Taralynn says
♥️
Milena says
Hi Taralynn!
You look wonderful and so radiant and happy! 🙂
Seeing these pictures makes me wanna come back to Poland now! It was snowing all 10 days that we spent in Poland with my family during Christmas and it was amazing. I haven´t seen snow in Poland for so many years so I was super happy playing around with my parent´s dog, building snowman etc 🙂 Also it was the first time my boyfriend actually touched snow! He is from Venezuela and in Spain we also aren´t used to see snow, only in the mountains on French border.
I hope you have an amazing week, big hugs from Barcelona 🙂
Taralynn says
Hi, Milena!
Thank you so much 😃
I bet you had the most amazing Christmas in Poland! Sounds like so much fun and I’m glad you had the winterwonderland!
xo xo xo
Zoe says
Did you get snow this weekend?
We did get snow this weekend! The kids have spent hours playing outside. Yesterday they decided to make a snowman, but miscalculated how big the snowballs were going to be. I had to go out and help them finish pushing to where they wanted to put it, and we went with a laying down snowman. lol
Do you have any plants you’re currently growing indoors?
I planted a sweet potato that had started sprouting in a pot that I keep in our kitchen nook. I have no idea if it’s actually going to produce, but I love the greenery in the house. I’ve got to figure out more places to keep some plants.
Taralynn says
Hi, Zoe!
Sounds like such a fun snow weekend for you!
Ahhh I bet that is so fun to monitor, and you never know, it may just produce the biggest potato ever! 😆
Abbey says
Hi Taralynn!
Your snowy day looks so magical! We live in Southern California so no chance of snow here but this makes me want to take a drive to play in it 🙂
I was wondering if you could share where you purchased your raspberry bush from? And where you buy your seeds for your outdoor garden from? I’m getting ready to start planning a garden for the first time and you always have wonderful inspo!
When I was pregnant I fully enjoyed getting to give baby whatever she wanted in there and I didn’t regret it one bit. As soon as my little was born all the cravings just stopped immediately! It seemed so strange to me! Enjoy every minute, it’s the best.
Taralynn says
Hi, Abbey!
Well now that the snow is over, send me some of that SoCal weather!!
I just purchased it on Amazon! The seller is so good and I bought a few more from them. https://amzn.to/3FFlASf
Love hearing that the cravings stop immediately because it’s such a weird feeling!
Katie says
We have a lemon tree too! We planted ours, and on the 2nd year it was HUGE already and made about 50 lemons. Now (4 years later) we get about 100 from August-November ish. Definitely recommend at least thinking about planting it! We’re in TX though, so it may be a little warmer. It will need to be covered and babied if it gets too cold or it won’t make it. Congrats on your pregnancy!! I’m 32 weeks so it’s so fun to watch you go through it too.
Taralynn says
OMG 😂 mine is two years old and I have one three lemons. I think I’ll put it in a bigger pot this spring! It gets cold in the winter so I don’t want to risk it dying outside. It’s apart of my family at this point lol
Ahhh congrats to you as well!
Doraly says
I live in Nebraska so we are no stranger to snow and we are quite sick of it already haha but it is so refreshing to see your family excited about it 🙂
My baby is now 1 but when I was pregnant I remember I told myself that I would be the cute pregnant lady who was always well dressed with full makeup! HAHA I had no energy my entire pregnancy and even less as a mom now. Both my son and I look rough some days but you just have to roll with it. There are moments of glam but mostly there are lots of days of leggings and sneakers.
Praying for a healthy rest of your pregnancy and delivery! 🙂
Taralynn says
Thank you for sharing that, Doraly!!!
Kayla says
Such cute pictures of the dogs playing in snow! We finally got our Great Dane up to Northern MI where they get way more snow than us. It was fun watching him run through snow piles that are up to his belly.
I actually just landed in Charlotte for work! I only get 24 hours here so I am using your Charlotte guide to check out some fun places. I am a bit disappointed to be leaving cold Michigan and walking off the plane to snow though. I can see how it would be exciting if you guys do not get a lot of it here!
Taralynn says
Oh no!!! It was 70 just a few weeks ago 😆 But I hope you enjoyed Charlotte!!!