Dairy Free Diary

We have recently discovered that poor little Avery has a dairy sensitivity and it bothers her when I eat dairy (because she is exclusively nursing). How then do we keep dairy away from her? 

I am not allowed to eat dairy. 

At first I just though, eh, butter, milk, no big deal. But each day on this new diet I realized just how much dairy I really did consume. It felt like EVERYTHING had dairy in it. 

But that was just EVERYTHING that I ate. 

It has been a few weeks now and Avery is certainly doing better, therefore this is all worth it. 

It has been an interesting journey transitioning our family diet to dairy free. Like I said, at first, it felt like we couldn't eat anything. But, the more I investigate, the more hopeful I feel. Not only are there alternatives to dairy to get the same taste, example, almond milk or coconut milk, but there are tasty foods out there that don't involve a cow. Well, the milk anyway. 

By default, we are eating more vegetables and fruit to fill the gap. There are no longer sweet treats in our pantry because most of them have dairy. Even the granola bars that we like have dairy! No more ice cream in the freezer. No more cream based soups or casseroles. But, we are doing just fine. In fact, we are doing better. 

I have been forced to get creative and more domestic to make certain foods from scratch omitting the dairy for substitutes. Even my hot cocoa had dairy! For those who know me well, you realize this is a big deal, considering how much hot cocoa I drink. I drink hot cocoa year round, not just in the cold months. BUT, today I found a decent replacement. Best so far, but I will keep trying to get the same cocoa taste that I have grown so attached to. 

I am not a super healthy eater at the moment, but I do see that changing, little by little. I feel better, my body seems to function better, and the scale is showing me numbers I haven't seen since high school! Now, talk about motivation! But I still have a sweet tooth to satisfy. 

So, just in case there is one of you out there in a similar situation to me, these are the sweets that I have been eating. I have basically been trying to imitate chocolate.

Chocolate velvet frozen soy milk dessert.

Cocoa powder with sugar and vanilla unsweetened almond milk.

Cocoa powder with melted marshmallows. 

Peanut butter and honey.

Marshmallows.

Oreos.

Black and Green dark chocolate bar. 

The chocolate void in my life has been painful, but it is slowly being satisfied with these interesting concoctions. I have certainly felt desperate (cocoa powder and melted marshmallows)! 

Can you be addicted to chocolate? 

image via google

I just want a big piece of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and a big bowl of chocolate ice cream.

But I gotta say, I certainly don't mind the benefits of eating healthier. 

Especially the low numbers on the scale. 

Seven Months

I have been pregnant for 28 weeks. 

I am starting to realize that now is crunch time, and I need to get busy with the baby stuff.

In my head, I've thought that I have time to think about this or that later. 

Now is later. 

These next few months are going to fly by so fast and I won't know what happened to them.

I am exited, but I wish I could pause everything and get it all ready, and then hit play again.

God has been teaching me a lot about peace and trust this year. 

I am very thankful for that, because I am going to need to better understand those concepts soon!

As far as health and the pregnancy, everything is where it should be.

I am on track with growth, weight gain, heart beat, etc. etc.

Thank you, Jesus!

This is a very exiting time! I find myself enjoying the last little bits of married and no kids, but I can't help but look forward to taking care of this little person all day long and pouring all that I am into raising her and loving her. 

I can't wait to meet you, Baby C. But don't come too early. I'm not ready yet. 

Time to kick it into high-gear.

=)

16 Weeks

Week 16: Baby C is now the size of an Avacado

New Milestones:

His scalp pattern has started to develop! (Even though he hasn't started growing hair yet)

He is starting to grow toenails!

His heart is pumping about 25 quarts of blood a day!

 

Coming Soon:

In the next few weeks, he will double his weight!

I will soon be able to feel the baby move!

 

        I am still very thankful that I feel normal. I didn't realize just how much I took it for granted before. Feeling normal is actually quite pleasant. My appetite is almost normal. The only strange thing is that I don't have much of a sweet tooth right now. Which is very abnormal. Don't get me wrong, I still have a sweet tooth, but it's just not as big as normal. I suppose that is a very good thing anyways.

       I still don't really look pregnant. People are asking me if I am showing. I can tell that I am, but apparently it's not very obvious. I still look like I am just not sucking in my gut. I am sure that I will be sick of being huge by month 8 anyways, so I guess no rush little one.

 

Akward moment:

 ( have had a few of these actually.) My personal space bubble has been broken a few times when some very kind hearted and good intentioned women rubbed my belly. Remember that I am not really showing. So it's really like they are just rubbing my belly, not a baby bump. I am SO uncomfortable with this. I hope I think of a kind way of asking people not to.

Because I really don't like it.

 

Missing Anything? Lunch meat.

For some reason, any sort of food involving lunch meat sounds really great. For example, pickles wrapped in ham with cream cheese! Good ol' fashion sandwiches, lunch meat on salads and in eggs. I usually don't want lunch meat that much, but lately I have wanted these particular things.

 

Currently craving: Creamy Mac-n-Cheese with Tuna.

For those of you that have been around me quite a bit, you know that this isn't a strange pregnancy craving, I usually eat my Mac-n-cheese with Tuna.

 

Latest news:

At my last Dr.'s appointment everything was in good shape. I finally discovered that I am blood type A+. The baby's heartbeat was loud, strong and consistant again. So wonderful to hear that little sound. It blows my mind just trying to imagine a little person with the little heartbeat. Well, really, it's quite the heart beat, much faster than mine, and that's good. There is one little thing that will change my labor-plans just a smidge, but it's nothing too serious and everybody is going to be fine.

 

Silly Staci Highlight:

Even though I am not showing, my clothes are starting to get uncomfortable and so I have been on the hunt for maternity clothes. I dis-like wearing pants in general, so I decided that the only maternity pants that I HAVE to buy would be a pair of work pants and then some leggings. I decided that maxi dresses and skirts are going to be my normal wear during the big months. So, the other day, I had some extra time in town and I was in Walmart. I peaked around in the clothing section to find some maxi dresses on clearance from the summer. I ended up taking three with me for just, wait for it, $11! But that's not all, I stopped over at Goodwill next....... Long story short, there's only one place with maternity clothes within a two hour driving distance. Target in Marquette. Just so happens that Target sells their "left-overs" to Goodwill. And just so happens that there was a pair of work pants, tee, tank, and maxi dress never-worn-before-tag-still-on-it in my size!!! Thank you, Jesus! I also found some other fantastic things like an Old Navy knit cape that will serve as a blanket in disguise that is socially acceptable attire for public. YAY. I even found some other things that day at Salvation Army. I think that I am almost done shopping for my maternity wear thanks to Jesus and that one day of thrifting. It sure was fun!

 

Well, that's all! Thanks for sticking in there during this super long post.

 

*Love Life*

 

 

 

 

 

 

15 weeks

Week 15: Little Baby C is the size of an apple. 

Week 15 milestones:

He/She can move all of his/her limbs now and sense light. Also, Baby C is forming taste buds and has developed enough to tell what the gender is. 

We will be finding out sometime before Thanksgiving and sharing the wonderful news. After keeping the secret through some nasty morning sickness I am very sick of secrets. 'haha no pun intended' 

I am also planning a fun way to share the news. 

Pintrest has so many great ideas on it, and I am exited to pick one and plan it out. 

At this point, my little baby can squint, frown, grimace, and possibly suck his/her thumb! Baby C has been moving quite a bit, even though I can't feel the movements yet. I got to watch him/her in action during an ultrasound, all sorts of movement. Waving, stretching out his/her legs, opening and closing his/her mouth and flipping and rotating. It was amazing to see it all! I think my favorite part was when the little legs were stretched out all the way as if to get comfy and then go back to sleep. 

Baby C has fingerprints! A personal set of them that no one else on earth has! And all this before he/she is even the size of an apple. Another incredible thing is, if Baby C is a girl, she has 2 million eggs in her ovaries already! Of course, so much more has happened in the development of Baby C, but those are some of my favorites. 

I am going to be honest. I think it's going to be a boy. So from now on I will save myself a dash and just say him and he. But know this, we have not discovered the gender yet. So I may be right or wrong. I will be ultimately happy if I am right or wrong though. 

I grew up with 4 older brothers, and big brothers are awesome. I really like the idea of a big brother. And I hear boys are easier as the first child also. So I really like the idea of a boy. 

BUT......

If Baby C is a girl... I will have so much fun! I have been dreaming of a daughter since before I met my husband. I would be so ecstatic and I would have so much fun making all sorts of super girly things for my baby and I would have so much fun dressing her and being girly. I know it sounds like I am talking about a doll, but I do realize that those are not the only amazing things about girls. Having a best friend around to teach and help grow is priceless and beyond words.

These are just a few things in the grand endless scale of things. 

There are so many things to think about being pregnant. And then dealing with a changing body on top of that. It is a fantastic experience. Even though most of it so far has been in bed and bent over the toilet, it's already one of the best things that has happened to me! 

Thank you, Jesus for this blessing. 

Until next time.

Welcome Baby Cerminaro

Daniel and I are exited to announce that we are going to have a baby in April of 2013! 

I haven't posted since I discovered I was pregnant, because #1, I have been consumed with thoughts about Baby C, and #2, I wasn't ready to share the news yet and I was afraid it would make it's way into this blog on accident.

But, I am free now, the secret is out. 

And prepare yourself for some Baby Fever Postings. I hope you don't mind. 

But it has kind of taken over my life. 

God is good and he has blessed us with a bundle of joy. 

I am so exited and so ready to be a mommy. 

(I think so anyways, about the ready to be a mommy part). 

Talk to you soon.

Happy Birthday Mom!

googleimage

Happy Birthday 

to my wonderful mother, Peri!

I love you!

Happy Birth Day Owen!

 Owen John was born June 1st, 2012. 

This little guy has the best hair do goin on and the best family for him to come into. 

Congratulations to my big brother Kenney and his wife, Candace, 

and their two little ones, Isabella and Wyatt.

The whole family. And Candace, looking beautiful on the same day! Look at Wyatt's face!

Owen's awesome hair-do.

Bella all exited to go visit Baby Owen in the hospital.

Precious

Daddy just fixing Bella's pony-tail.

Goofy picture!

It's a Boy!

Gentleman

Grandpa and Grandson

Two wonderful guys!

Bella's face! What a goof ball!

Mr. Wyatt

Hospital Room Toss

Playing with some crazy new toys from Grandma

This. Melts. My. Heart.

He's adorable!

Love

The end.

Happy Independence Day

May your 4th of July be full of freedom, appreciation, family, and love!

Shout Out: BFF

Meet Emily

Our friendship began in 5th grade when she passed me a note in class. 

We have grown up together, went through ugly awkward times in middle school,

 went through terrible boyfriends and terrible clothes together. 

Always real and truly beautiful. 

She has always been a good encouragement and inspiration in my relationship with Jesus.

We've also been through good decision, good grades, and a good college together. 

It's been hard these past few years. We saw each other almost every day growing up.

 Then we went out into the big world. We moved to other sides of the country. 

I've missed her very much. 

I like to think of myself as a real person, but you know how there are those few special people you can truly be yourself with, no inhibitions and no judgements.

 She has seen every side of me, and I really miss having my friend to be myself with.

 I'm not saying I don't have that at home, because I have it more there than anywhere else, 

but I mean girl time. 

Not only being yourself, but she's someone who enhances yourself. 

I could go on and on.
But oh goodness look at the time.
Emily, I miss you.
I Love you dear Best Friend Forever.

The end.

Dear Lilly

 Dear Lilly Lou,
I can not begin to tell you how much of a blessing you have been in my life.
 Even though I don't say it, it means a lot to me that you follow me around the house, lay next to my chair, rush out to see me when I get home, try to lick me any chance you get, sleep next to my side of the bed, clean up the dropped pieces of popcorn, sit still while I give you bath, & listen to me when I say no.
I am so thankful for you. You bring sunshine into my day and laughs into our house. You do a credit to your species.

Happy Day of Birth to my Sister

googleimage

Happy Birthday Angela May!

You are the best sister a girl could ask for. Always so giving and real.

Inspirational and stylish. Encouraging and true.

 

Happy Birthday little seester.

I love you.

I wrote about how awesome she is here.

Happy Mother's Day

Dear mom,
You are easily the most wonderful woman I know. There are endless facts to prove my statement, so I will list just a few that come to mind. You care. You give. You are eager to help. You are so loving. You are selfless. You are beautiful. Your character is solid. You have integrity. You are yourself, no matter what.

You inspire me. You are a joy to be around. You are compassionate. You stay true even through tough situations. You stay true in easy situations. You are content with where God has you, but always ready to make things better. You love me. You love all of us kids. You are always there. You pray for me. You are thoughtful towards us kids and it's obvious. You are the life of the party.

You can accomplish anything. You take care of yourself. You are a kid at heart. You know something about everything. You always have an answer. You are dependable. You have the best for others in mind. You organize family gatherings. You express yourself. You are transparent. You are encouraging. You are supportive.

You show me a new reason that you are the most wonderful woman I know each time I get to see you.

I love you mom! I am so thankful that you are my mother. No one can do a better job. God has used you to touch my life, and that alone is commendable.

You deserve so much more than this as a Happy Mother's Day. But I'm working on it. =)

God bless you mom! I love you so much!

Love, Staci

And one more thing: You are loved!

New Arrivals

Yay! I am so happy that my order came!

The pearl bracelets and the ring was purchased, and the teal wrist band was free. 

Yay for free stuff!

The ring is huge! And amazing! I feel fabulous when I wear it. 

It reminded me of why I used to own about 50 crazy rings. I hope it can take a beating, because I plan on wearing it often.

If you really like this stuff, you can check out the store by clicking here.