meet....the bowling ball:)

"Mom, seriously, I'm not a bowling ball. I'm healthy and happy, but I'm no bowling ball."

"I know, son, but you kind of feel like one some days. Look at yourself! I think bowling ball is an appropriate name for you."

"Mom, you're silly! Um so I feel like people are looking at me. What should I do?"

"Quick, baby boy, strike a cool pose! They are looking at you, but that's because you're super cute, even if you do make mommy look like she's carrying a bowling ball around in her tummy."

"So, mom, I'm 27 and a half weeks old now, right? I heard you and dad talking about it the other day. By the way, I like the sound of your voices."

"That's right, you're just going to grow bigger and bigger from here."

"So, what will you call me next?"

"Hmmm, probably basketball and then watermelon:-)"

"Aw, mom..."

Hat Day, 2009

Yes, last week, we had hat day in membership. Here are some fun pics from our event.


Membership girls hanging out, showing off their hats...hehe, while baby LaRock takes center stage!

Mine, yes was a jester hat, hehe. Peter, (who owns said hat) was proud to see it on display.

Abigail on her super, secret assignment in the jungles...of Membership. She was the winner of the best all around hat!

Darcy, looking cute as ever!

Jonathan, being a great sport!

Abby, the Indiana Jones sidekick, looking suave and ready to take on the day.

Rhonda enjoying her day with a fun, classic look:-)

Christina looking cute, too!

Kate working away, sportin' an adorable hat.

Cora the Clown, winner of our most creative hat!

Stephanie the Wizzard, winner of our most funny hat!

And James, who stopped by for some food, brought his own hat, so as not to feel out of place.

mmm, mmm, good

This recipe seemed kind of simplistic when I first saw it, but after I made it I realized that it's really good! It's a good one for me because I'm trying to pack away good protein for the baby.


Beef Stew with Mushrooms and White Beans
1 1/4 pounds boneless beef top sirloin steak, cut 3/4-inch cubes
1 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
2 medium carrots cut into 1/4 in slices
2 small onions, each cut lengthwise into 8 wedges
8 oz of cremini or button mushrooms quartered
1/4 cup dry white wine
16 oz can small white beans, (great northern, navy or cannellini, rinsed, drained)
14 1/2 oz can diced tomatoes with garlic and onion, undrained.

In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Stir-fry the beef cubes in two batches, 1 to 2 minutes each, or until the outside is no longer pink. (I did a bit longer b/c I wanted to be sure it was done through.) Remove from skillet and season with salt and pepper.

In the same skillet, heat 1 1/2 tsp olive oil over medium heat until hot. Add carrots, stir-fry for 3 minutes, then add the onions and stir-fry 5-8 minutes more, until crisp-tender. Stir in mushrooms and wine. Continue stir-frying 5 minutes. Stir in beans and tomatoes. Continue cooking 3 minutes more.

Return the cooked beef to the skillet. Cook 2 minutes more until just heated through.
Serves 4.

Quick Update

Yikes, it's been a bit since I've updated this blog. I do want to put up more pics of "the belly" and of the paint job in the baby's room. Hopefully that'll be soon... We're almost to trimester 3, crazy!
But for now, here are some quick takes on the happenings in our life...

--It's cold here...but I'm sure my family in Illinois has it much worse.
--We saw Peggy, (our midwife) on Friday, and baby LaRock is doing swell.
--Baby LaRock is kicking like crazy now, and it feels strange and amazing all at the same time. Joseph came over the other day and I got baby to kick his hand...haha, made him yelp! It does feel strange.
--We started our Bradley birthing class last night. Good times were had by all 5 couples. It was nice to be around other moms with baby bellies!
--Peter is a sweetheart.
--Work is work--I start training the new conference coordinator on Friday.
--Peter is applying for new jobs--pray for that venture if you think of it.
--We had a lot of company over the holidays! Mom, dad and several of the kids came for Thanksgiving, and then Janessa and her husband Justin came for the New Year. It was good to see them all.
--We had fun with the LaRock's over the holidays as well. We had a great poker game between Peter, Mom and Dad LaRock and myself on New Year's eve.
--I'm amazed at how much "stuff" one needs for a new baby!
--I've decided that the many potty runs that a pregnant woman makes at night must be God's way of gently preparing her for the nights when baby doesn't feel like sleeping...
--Peter rubs my tummy every night with this massage oil, and boy does it feel good!

Haha, so much of these are about the baby, but what can I say? He's only altering my life completely:-)

Have a great day!

~Julie