{26 weeks}

14 weeks until Baby Boy Smith makes his debut. 3 months and 2 weeks. Because of my diabetes, it'll probably be less than that even. Which kind of freaks me out. You go through your life thinking 'one day I'll get married and have kids.' and 'someday I want kids'. It's entirely different when you're 14 weeks from actually becoming a mom and starting a family and feeling that little munchkin practice his karate on your bladder. 

Seriously, this kid is either going to be a NFL kicker or a karate master judging by the way he is moving around in there. I think that's been one of my favorite things about pregnancy, feeling him move around. At first, it's hard to identify and you kind of second guess yourself. Was that the baby I just felt? But after a few weeks of maybe kicks, there's one day that he just nails you in the stomach and you go Oh hey, yeah, you're in there! He especially loves to kick around at night when I'm lying in bed on my side and will let me know if I'm in a position he doesn't like. He's not shy, that one. 

Every night (and day. and afternoon. and all.the.time) I find myself saying 'I just fed you child, why am I so hungry?!' And I can go from completely not hungry to OMG if I don't eat right this second I am going to have a meltdown. Which I've never had a problem with before now but I've learned to keep food near me at all times or else I end up in trouble. 

Overall, this pregnancy has been challenging but rewarding. I was prepared for how it would challenge and change me physically, but I don't think I was ready for how it would challenge me mentally. With my diabetes, it's hard for me to make those quick food decisions sometimes because I have to worry about carbs, sugars, protein, etc. So when I get into that OMG I have to eat right this second mood, I have to be careful with what I eat. 

I get so tired so easily and if I overdo it one day, I usually pay for it by not being able to do much the next. And for those people who say 'Oh the second trimester is the best one! I had all my energy back' Well, that doesn't happen for everyone. I think I was more tired in the second than I  was in the first. But, Todd keeps reminding me that it will all be worth it in the end. 

Speaking of Todd, can I just say how wonderful that man has been throughout this entire adventure? Becuase he has. There have been so many nights where I just couldn't get in the kitchen because food made me nauseous and he was fine with eating peanut butter and jelly. So many weekends where I was too tired to do laundry and he did it for us. And he's continued to do all of the dishes too. And the pep talks he gives? Wonderful.  He's been there for me in every way. I know I couldn't have done this without him and I wouldn't be able to continue on without him either. 

My other favorite part of pregnancy? The bump!!!

I can't wait to meet our little man soon. 

Quick and Easy Taco Salad

We love taco salad in our house. It was the first thing I ever cooked Todd when we were first dating and every time I make it, one of the two of us brings that up and it makes me all nostalgic. It's incredibly easy and great for a weeknight when you don't have much time or energy for a good meal. I love it because it's low carb/high protein which is great for diabetics. 

Ingredients: 

1 lb of lean ground beef or turkey

Taco seasoning

1 bag of baby spinach or other bagged leafy greens 

1 can of red kidney beans

Doritos

Catalina dressing

Cheddar jack cheese 

Directions: 

Brown the meat and use the taco seasoning according to the package

Once the meat is browned, everyone can make up their own salad using however much of the ingredients they want. I start off with the salad as a base, put meat, cheese, and kidney beans, and crush a handful of Doritos for the top. 

The Catalina dressing goes on last and you're done! 

I love this because you can assemble it yourself and the 'goodies' don't get lost in the bottom of the salad bowl. I also used to make this in college and kept everything separate so I could make this multiple times during the week for dinner or lunch. So. Good. 

Enjoy!