Connect the Dots Ginger | Becky Allen

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Another Year Older

Another year wiser, so they say. I know I have learned a lot in the last year but I still don't feel very wise. I have made some wise choices though, I am running and exercising now. That is pretty smart. I have been teaching in C-ville for nearly a year now, I feel pretty smart doing that with my own business and all. I still think I married THE BEST MAN OF ALL TIME, so yeah, pretty smart there. Love playing in the symphony and doing well, most of the time, check for smartness there. So things are going pretty well.

I am looking forward to my 32nd year, (EEK! Nearly mid 30's) We will introduce a new little soul into this world, I will be a "new mom" again, ok a little nervous about that part. I will continue to teach (with a little time off for mommy and baby, of course) I will run in my first 1/2 marathon. Only a goal I made a few years ago. I think this next year will go pretty well.

Goals for my next year of life: I want to run in more races! Bigger distance races. I would love to do 2 1/2 marathons next year. One in Feb and one post baby. Still trying to decide which one to do post baby though. I look forward to learning how to be a mommy to 2. I want to eat better overall and get back to my pre-pre pregnancy weight (the weight I was before Mason) So let's see where I end up next year. But here's to me to having a great day, (which I will because of my BFF who is sending me cupcakes for my birthday! with plenty to freeze from my fav place GEORGETOWN CUPCAKES! And gluten free! Love you K!)

Also, tomorrow is my turkey trot race recap so make sure to check back. Fun race!

QOTD: Do you prefer a cake or cupcakes?

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Pregnancy 12-16 Weeks

Today I am 17 weeks pregnant. I thought I would go back and talk about my 3rd month of pregnancy. (12-16 weeks pregnant)

Per What To Expect.com at 12 weeks the baby was as big as a large plum, weighing in at only a 1/2 an ounce. By 16 weeks baby 3-5 ounces and is as big as an onion. My belly is getting rounder as the uterus is out of the pelvic bone, but it still just feels like bloating more than being pregnant.

In the last month I entered the 2nd trimester stopped having morning sickness and got my energy back. I also ran my 8k at 16 weeks pregnant for Thanksgiving, which you can read about that here. Running isn't too bad. During the 8k I had my first Braxton Hicks contraction and had to slow down and walk while it passed. I got them frequently when I was pregnant with Mason, it was always while I exercised. It also happened if I was walking too slow or too fast. It had to be just the right speed and I would not get as many. I suspect that I will continue to have them while I exercise.

I still have to nap during the day. I actually really like it. It is my quiet time to just relax and just take a breath. With the exercise I am doing I really need it.

Thankfully I don't have to go to the bathroom as often as I did in September or October.

Also I compared my pictures
to when I was pregnant with Mace. At 16 weeks pregnant now, I am as big as I was when I was 20 weeks with Mason. That has to do with the fact that I started out at 30lbs heavier with this pregnancy than I was with Mason, but as long as I don't gain weight or as little as possible I hope to end at a smaller weight than I was when I had Mason.





My Life

I am feeling much better today. The flu like symptoms I had yesterday are gone, but the stuffy nose is here to stay. I think Mace might be getting a stuffy nose so I will take him to the gym today and tomorrow until he is sick that I can't. (They have a pretty strict no sick kid policy, which I totally understand.)

So I guess today is another How wonderful life is moment because I am just happy. I watched Mason climb up on the counter to his cabinet and get his sippy cup down and ask to be filled. Then he went to the fridge and asked nicely for some yogurt. Now he is eating it all on his own, but complaining every little bit because he has yogurt on the side of his mouth and he doesn't like making a mess. He understands these little things and knows how to tell me them, (just not in words quite yet) but he is such a smart little guy.

Tomorrow is a new year for my life. I love where my life is right now. It is exactly where I want it to be. I am thankful for the time I had with my husband before we got blessed with Mason because was are stronger because of it, and it allowed us to do things we probably wouldn't have been able to do. I am glad for when Mason arrived because it really was the "perfect time" for me and us. He helped me during the year of deployment to get through it. And even though we had 2 losses in the last year it helped me know what plan God had for me and that his timing is ultimately the right timing! Now we are expecting a healthy new baby next spring and I am just nervous and excited! I am just thankful today as this is my last day as 31. So a new year begins tomorrow with new goals!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Mark Your Calendars, Run Disney News!!

Run Disney just announced this today! Tinker bell Marathon 1/2 Weekend has been moved to Mother's Day Weekend beginning 2015. So May 8-10, 2015 will be the Tinker bell 1/2 Marathon Weekend!

Check out this video here!

Good Eats: Chicken Noodle Soup

I am in need of some comfort soup when I'm not feeling well and well, I am not feeling all too well today. Mace was a little sick on Sunday. Matt was sick for the last 2 days with some tummy issue and now I have it along with a killer headache and stuffed nose. Not feeling the love to get these sickness germs! I was hoping I could avoid it but looks like I can't. AND this is NOT the week I want to be sick on. It is concert week for me, late night rehearsals Wednesday-Friday and concert Saturday and Sunday. AND my studio Christmas recital on Saturday afternoon. NOT A GOOD WEEK TO GET SICK!

Well after some digging around on the internet I found a chicken noodle soup that actually looks really good, and it doesn't take 13 hours to make like Ina Garten recipe does. (Who has that much time to make soup when they feel like crap!)

Another food network chef I like is the Pioneer Women. I watch her when she is on at the gym and her recipes seem easy to follow and usually don't require too much to it. Her chicken noodle recipe is not brothy, it is thick and has chunks of chicken, carrots, and celery. And thickened up at the end like a rue. And she does use the bones to simmer in the broth for a little bit so you still get that "homemade broth" taste that Ina likes to do but without the time! So here it is. I am going to try it out, probably not today, since that involves leaving the house and such when I don't feel well, but I'm putting it on here for later!

Homemade Chicken and Noodles- Ree Drummond- The Pioneer Women
Prep Time:
 
 
Cook Time:
 
 
Difficulty:
 Easy
 
Servings:
 6

Ingredients

  • 1 whole Cut Up Fryer Chicken
  • 2 whole Carrots, Diced
  • 2 stalks Celery, Diced
  • 1/2 whole Medium Onion, Diced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Turmeric
  • 1/4 teaspoon White Pepper (more To Taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Thyme
  • 2 teaspoons Parsley Flakes
  • 16 ounces, weight Frozen "homemade" Egg Noodles
  • 3 Tablespoons All-purpose Flour

Preparation Instructions

Cover chicken in 4 quarts water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 30 minutes.
Remove chicken from pot with a slotted spoon. With two forks, remove as much meat from the bones as you can, slightly shredding meat in the process. Return bones to broth and simmer on low, covered, for 45 minutes.
Remove bones from broth with a slotted spoon, making sure to get any small bones that might have detached.
Add the carrots and celery (and onions, if using) to the pot, followed by the herbs and spices. Stir to combine and simmer for ten minutes to meld flavors.
Increase heat and add frozen egg noodles and chicken. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes.
Mix flour and a little water. Stir until smooth. Pour into soup, stir to combine, and simmer for another 5 minutes, or until broth thickens a bit. Test and adjust seasonings as needed.
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