{bump update: 31 weeks}

How Far Along: 31 weeks!
Size of baby: Our little lady measures over 16 inches long and weighs about three pounds and three ounces. She's the size of four navel oranges.
Maternity Clothes: Oh yes! It's been nice being on summer break and getting to throw on a tank top and shorts most days, but with my summer coming to an end next week, I guess it's time to figure out some work clothes. But with only nine more weeks (give or take) of pregnancy, I hate to buy new clothes.
Gender: Josh and I can't wait to meet our baby GIRL!

Movement: Miss Ella is quite the dancer! She is moving all over the place, pushing my tummy in ways I never thought were possible! She loved getting to hear her PaPa preach this morning...she kept pushing, rolling, and kicking!

What I miss: Being able to sit down for at least 5 minutes without having to switch positions to get comfortable! Car rides can be the worst!
Cravings: Nothing new this week.
Aversions: None.

Best Moment this week: Getting to hear Ella's heartbeat on Monday at my 30 week appointment. It was also fun getting our first invitation in the mail for our first baby shower in just a couple of weeks! We feel so blessed already!

Here are a few pictures of the nursery....still a work in progress! We are hoping to get the glider and ottoman this week as well as start hanging things on the walls! Below is a picture of her bed completed with her bedding that we love! Also a picture of her dresser/hutch (not decorated), just random decorations placed until we figure out where everything is going to go, and bird houses that I spray painted.

{summer salad}

Summer Salad with Asiago, Pears, and Cashews

Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon honey Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Salad
1 bag (5 oz) mixed spring greens
1/2 cup shaved Asiago cheese
1 medium ripe pear, thinly sliced
1/2 cup cashew halves and pieces

1. In small jar with tight-fitting lid, shake dressing ingredients.
2. In medium bowl, toss greens with dressing; arrange on serving platter. Top with remaining salad ingredients. Serve immediately.

10 to go...

I'm starting to feel like I'm more on "the countdown"! We are now 30 weeks...10 more to go! I had my 30 week appointment today and everything looked perfect. Thank you Lord! We are measuring right on. I got to hear that sweet sweet sound that I look forward to each doctor's appointment...Ella's heartbeat. Music to my ears! Today I scheduled our hospital tour visit...wow, this is feeling more and more real!

I had the most beautiful dream last night. For the first time, I dreamed about Ella and got to "see" her. Ahh....the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! It brings tears to my eyes thinking about the first time Josh and I will lay our eyes on our baby girl. But for now, we'll let her continue to grow and grow and mommy and daddy will finish getting everything ready!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above." James 1:17

::what i'm loving wednesday::

1. I'm loving this diaper bag I registered for at {Potterybarn Kids} for our sweet Ella! I love the gray and yellow combo; (they are not the colors of her nursery), but I love them together!2. I'm loving this oversized monogrammed beach bag I recently found via {The Pink Giraffe}. This is an awesome website! I even found a nightlight that matches the exact same fabrics from Ella's nursery. Hmm....might just have to get!
3. I'm loving ice cream baby! Yes, I know I already said that, but I guess you could call it my "3rd trimester craving"! Specifically...Butterfinger concrete from Culvers! Josh was sweet to take me on an "ice cream" date last night! What a good guy! :)
4. I'm loving these jute vases I found via {Jones Design Company}. I recently attempted to make some of these myself to use as a centerpiece on our bar. They are super cute.
5. I'm loving that we get to meet our sweet baby girl in 10 1/2 weeks (or less)! We can't wait to see our Ella! What are YOU loving today? Happy Wednesday my friends!

Tasty Tuesday {Creamy Cool Corn Dip}

Here is one of my appetizer favorites! It's easy and tasty...you can't go wrong! Eat up friends, it's Tasty Tuesday!

Creamy Cool Corn Dip

Ingredients
3 (11 oz.) cans of mexi or fiesta corn, drained (The kind that has peppers added to it)
3 green onions, diced
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1/3 cup light sour cream
1 Tbsp lime juice
1 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp sugar
Frito scoops or other corn chips

Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with Frito scoops.

Weekend Happiness!

It's finally the weekend! Yeah! Even though I'm on summer break, I love weekends because I get to hang out with the rest of the world that is hard at work during the week! It's sometimes hard having Josh work out of our house, because I often forget that just because he's here doesn't mean he can hang out (he reminds me though)! hehe
This weekend is going to consist of spending time with family and friends. Friday night we had Josh's parents, Jen and McCain over for dinner! We love getting to spend time with our family! Saturday we're going to try and tackle Josh's office! We still have unpacking to do and major organizing! I'm sure he can't wait! ;) But he'll love getting to have his own space all fixed up (it might even make going to work a little easier)!

Then finally, a little of this.....

We don't go often, but we both really want to see this...

...and it might just be the perfect weekend for it!

Happy weekend!

Tasty Tuesday {Lightened Squash Casserole}

So it's been a little while since I've posted on Tasty Tuesday! Hope you enjoy this light summer dish!

Lightened Squash Casserole

Ingredients
3 pounds yellow squash
1/2 cup chopped sweet onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 cup grated carrots
1 (10 3/4-oz.) can reduced-fat cream of chicken soup
1 (8-oz.) container light sour cream
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/2 cup crushed cornflakes cereal
1/2 cup crushed French fried onions
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Cut squash into 1/4-inch-thick slices; place in a Dutch oven. Add onion, 1 tsp. salt, and water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, and cook 5 minutes; drain well, and pat squash dry with paper towels.
2. Stir together grated carrots, next 3 ingredients, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl; fold in squash mixture. Spoon into a lightly greased 2-qt. oval baking dish.
3. Stir together cornflakes and next 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over squash mixture.
4. Bake at 350° for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly and golden brown, shielding with aluminum foil after 20 to 25 minutes to prevent excessive browning, if necessary. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

{Welcome to our Nest}

Many of you have been asking to see pictures of our new home...so this is for you! We're still trying to get settled, but thanks to our families, we've gotten SO much done in just 2 weeks! We have loved every single minute of being here and can't wait to show Ella her new home!

HELLO 3rd Trimester..."officially"

Today marks the first "official" day in my 3rd trimester (everyone has their own opinion when that begins)! We are 28 weeks along, but mom and I decided it might be easier to start counting backwards...only 12 weeks to go! It feels like yesterday I was typing we were 12 weeks along! Little Miss is the size of a Chinese cabbage (whatever that means)! She weighs a little over 2 pounds is about 14 inches long (as you can see, we are growing and growing)! Ella is moving around a lot for her mommy and daddy! The other night, I think she was "putting on a show" for Josh! He couldn't believe how my tummy was moving, bouncing, and shaking all around! What a miracle! I am still feeling really good! Cravings this week include ice cream, ice cream, and more ice cream! Yum...I don't think I can get enough (however, I am not letting myself get too out of control)! :)

This is the week we get to tackle most of her room! I cannot wait! We are painting tomorrow as well as having her bedding delivered. Then we're hoping to have her furniture delivered on Tuesday or Wednesday! Pics to come!

Green, Green, and MORE Green...

As you can tell by the title of this blog...GREEN has been on my mind lately! I'm trying to find that "perfect" shade for Ella's room. Goodness...I really don't like picking out paint colors! There are hundreds of shades of green...yellow tones, blue tones, gray tones and on and on. Josh's Aunt Amy has so kindly volunteered to paint Miss Ella's room on Monday! We will be getting her bedding and furniture sometime next week and can't wait to see it all together for the first time. We are excited to get her nursery all ready and can't believe she'll be here in less than 13 weeks!

Here are some accessories I've picked up along the way for her room! Now...the decorating part I'm excited for, but the painting part...not so much! So...if any of you know of a very faint, feminine green for a nursery, please share! As for now...I think we're going with a shade called Celery by Sherwin-Williams. Crossing our fingers it looks just as good on her walls as it does on all my samples! Happy Thursday, y'all!

Family, Fun, and lots of Food!

I know I'm a little behind on updating! We had a successful, actually wonderful move (I promise to share pictures soon) and just got back in town today from celebrating the Fourth with my family at Lake Granbury! Such a fun and relaxing weekend (perfect timing for the Dearmore's)! The weekend was full of fun in the sun, eating, chatting, and more eating....but isn't that what the Fourth of July is all about?!?!

Here's a little glimpse of our weekend at Lake Granbury!

Here we are at Babes! Yummy Fried Chicken!
The four of us! Doesn't happen too often!

Josh and I with most of the dogs! ;)
Josh and Aunt Kim enjoying our hamburgers and homeade ice cream (plus about 10 more yummy dishes)!
The girls with Grandmom and Grandad!