Monthly Archives

November 2015

Pregnancy

My Pregnancy Journey- 16 Weeks

November 29, 2015

My Pregnancy Journey- 16 Weeks

Thanksgiving week! What a great time to be a) pregnant and b) in the second trimester! Lately, I have been getting morning sickness basically every day which is weird cause I didn’t have that the first trimester. So it has been a pain trying to figure out what to eat for breakfast. Heartburn has also been an issue with me lately and nothing seems to work very well. But I did enjoy avacadoThanksgiving feasting on all of the food and not feeling guilty about it!

What’s the Baby up to This Week:
• Baby is as big as a Avocado
• Baby’s listening to your voice, thanks to tiny bones forming in his or her ears.
• Baby’s growing hair, lashes and eyebrows.
• And baby’s forming taste buds

 

 

I’ve also started to do my baby registry. I found a great website called Babylist that allows you to link or incorporate everything you want from multiple website including Etsy! Here are some of the things that I have added to my registry:

The Deluxe dock is the ultimate docking station for your baby ages 0-8 months old. Multifunctional and multitasking, the Dockatot™ Deluxe offers a safe and comfy spot that lets baby rest, lounge, play, cuddle, do tummy time and get diaper changes. Deluxe docks are lightweight and portable, allowing for easy travel. Additional covers are available for purchase to match your mood, room and style.

The MILK SNOB™ Cover was designed with you and your baby in mind. – Use as nursing cover, car seat cover or shopping cart cover. – Offers 360 coverage. – The stylish way to protect your child against harsh sunlight, wind and unwanted onlookers when used as a car seat cover. – Modern and super easy to use. – Amazingly soft and airy. – 4 way stretch allows for a custom fit on any infant car seat. – New Moms love to receive it as a baby shower gift.

Diaper Clutch, Herringbone Fabric, Aqua, Small Diaper Bag, Modern Print

Gray & White Elephants Travel Changing Pad for Babies

Sup Cuz Bodysuit or Tee

Two Gender Neutral Mint Baby Burp Cloths in Arrow and Minky, Baby Arrow Burp Cloth by BizyBelle

With natural colors, textures and forms, the mimijumi baby bottle provides the perfect complement to breastfeeding and the best possible transition to bottle feeding. The innovative nipple design replicates a mother’s breast, creating a natural feeding and latching experience for a happier and healthier bottle fed baby. Bold colors and soft textures are combined to give the Very Hungry bottle a distinctive, eye-catching appearance.

 

Pregnancy

My Pregnancy Journey – 14/15 Weeks

November 21, 2015
15 weeks baby bump

My Pregnancy Journey – 14/15 Weeks

I had to write these two weeks together because I was sick with the stomach bug and a cold. So these two weeks have been pretty rough to say the least. However, I did get to go to the doctor and got to listen to the heartbeat. The doctor said it was a strong 140 bpm. I was also worried cause it was hurting me to lay on my side when I was sleeping and I didn’t want to hurt the baby. The doctor reassured me that it was still safe to me to sleep on my back. She said by the time that it was unsafe it would most likely be uncomfortable.

Of course, statistically speaking they say 120-140 is a boy and 140-160 is a girl. Our baby is making it about impossible to predict the sex until we see the baby’s face around May 6th.

Gender determination prenatal heartbeatGender determination prenatal heartbeat

Gender determination prenatal heartbeat

After the attacks on Pairs, I decided to make sure my baby bump picture the French flag.

Now, I’m not gonna explain my pregnancy symptoms this week because I was sick and so don’t want to confuse the difference.
15 weeks baby bump

14 weeks pregnant

14 weeks pregnant

Baby at 14 Weeks:

• Baby is as big as a lemon
• Baby’s probably thumb sucking and wiggling his or her toes in there!
• Baby’s kidneys are making urine, and the liver and spleen are doing their jobs too.
• And Baby’s growing lanugo, a thin, peach-fuzz-like hair, all over – it’ll help keep the body warm!

 

 

 

15 weeks pregnant

15 weeks pregnant

Baby at 15 Weeks:
• Baby is as big as an orange
• You probably can’t feel it yet, but baby’s squirming a ton!
• Baby might even be hiccuping in there
• Baby’s making lots of progress: the joints and limbs can all move now

 

Desserts Uncategorized

Old Time Fudge Recipe

November 21, 2015
Old Fashion Fudge Recipes

Old Time Fudge Recipe

I can still picture my grandpa sitting on his stool and beating the fudge in his pan. He made it every year just for me because I love LOVE LOVE FUDGE! So here is the old time recipe with some helpful tips to make sure it turns out!

Rosie’s FudgeOld Fashion Fudge Recipes

Ingredients
• 2 cups Sugar
• 1 cup Brown Sugar (light)
• 1 1/2 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
• 3 Tablespoons Cocoa
• 3 Tablespoons Light Corn Syrup
• 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter

Prepare your pan that you will use by taking the remainder stick off butter and rub it around the sauce pan edges. This will help prevent the fudge from crystalizing too much. I also do this to the pan that the fudge will go into.
I use two methods to test the fudge. The first one is the candy thermometer and the next is the water test. Prepare your testing tools by getting a clear glass and filling it with some water.

  1. In your prepared sauce pan add the sugar, brown sugar, heavy whipping cream and cocoa.
  2. Stir the ingredients until you bring to a boil. ONCE YOU BRING TO A BOIL DO NOT STIR ANYMORE.
  3. Once you bring to a boil, add 3 tablespoons of light corn syrup
  4. Use your candy thermometer and once it hits the “soft-ball” mark, take a spoon and get some fudge and then let it drip into the glass of water, if it clumps together than it is done!
    Old Fashion Fudge Recipes
  5. Remove from heat and drop in the 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. DO NOT STIR.butter
  6. Let the butter melt. Once melted start beating the fudge. Make sure to add some air into the fudge while you beat it.
  7. Once it start gets to hard you can put it into your pan.
  8. Let it cool in room temperature.

Old Fashion Fudge Recipes

Fudge Troubleshooting

Fudge that won’t harden
If you keep beating the fudge mixture and it just won’t harden, you likely undercooked it. Make sure you reach the soft ball stage. That is why I use two methods to check the fudge.
Humidity also affects the crystallization of the fudge. Sugar is attracted to moisture, so on a really humid day, some moisture from the air will be absorbed into your fudge. If there is too much moisture present, it will dissolve your sucrose crystals and not allow your fudge to set. If you in a humid area, you may need to cook your sugar a few degrees higher to make up for this.

Fudge that is TOO HARD
You overcooked the fudge. Make sure to not go over that “soft-ball” mark.

Gritty Fudge
This could be caused by a coupe of different things:
1. You stirred while it was bowling.
2. You cooled the fudge too quickly by putting it in the refrigerator or freezer.
3. You forgot to add the corn syrup while boiling. Or you added it too early.

Fashion Pregnancy Uncategorized

Maternity Fashion Fall Essentials

November 20, 2015
Fall Maternity Fashion

Maternity Fashion Fall Essentials

If your like me and your “pre-pregnancy” pants were already tight, then you might be struggling with what pants to wear. I went out and bought a couple of the Jessica Simpson jeans that are super cute but they have that band that goes up and over your belly bump. However, at only 15 weeks I hardly have a good baby bump. That is when I discovered these amazing maternity jeans from ASOS. They have an expandable waist band at the hips that allow you to grow throughout your pregnancy. Also, on the inside of the waist band there are two buttons that allow you to shrink or expand the elastic. These jeans are so comfortable I’m gonna buy some more like them! These will also be perfect for that “POST-BABY” time when your regular jeans don’t fit but you don’t want to wear the other maternity pants.

Maternity Jeans

Mamalicious Ida Skinny Jegging – ASOS $58

Maternity Jeans

Mamalicious Ida Skinny Jegging – ASOS $58

 

Another one of my ASOS finds is their T-shirt packs that give you some essential shirts that you can easily pair with jackets and cardigans that you had pre-baby.

New Look Maternity 3 Pack Top - $36.00

New Look Maternity 3 Pack Top – $36.00

New Look Maternity T-Shirt 3 Pack - $29.00

New Look Maternity T-Shirt 3 Pack – $29.00

Here are some of my Top Fall Maternity Looks:

 

Fall Maternity Fashion

Fall Maternity Fashion- Dress– ASOS $47, Jacket– Jessica Simpson $69.99, Necklace– Stella & Dot $79, Boots– Aldo $140

Fall Maternity Look

Fall Maternity Look- Dress– TopShop $68, Boots– Kirstin Cavallarie $349, Necklace– Stella & Dot $69

Fall Maternity Fashion

Fall Maternity Look: Dress– ASOS $86, Boots– Jessica Simpson $99.99, Purse– ASOS $69, Necklace– Stella & Dot $138

Fall Maternity Look

Fall Maternity Look: Jeans– ASOS $58, Shirt– Topshop $40, Shoes– Lulu’s $43, Necklace– Stella & Dot $128

Fashion Uncategorized

A Fashion Mom With A Stay At Home Problem

November 10, 2015

A Fashion Mom With A Stay At Home Problem

My super stylish beautiful sister-in-law is the proud mother of 4 beautiful children! She has recently started selling Stella & Dot Jewelry and has created a Facebook page in which she showcases how to style the Jewelry with different outfits from casual to dressy. Her Facebook page is called “A Fashion Mom With A Stay At Home Problem

A Fashion Mom With A Stay At Home Problem

Be sure to follow her page to get the latest style tips and all the great deals on Stella & Dot Jewelry.

Here are some of her latest style tips:

Stella & Dot Jewelry

The Raven…it’s the reason I fell in love with Stella & Dot….
I love it paired with this casual black dress and this two tone boucle vest

Stella & Dot Jewelry

Today I chose the mixed metal Sutton necklace with a white tee, Mavi distressed jeans and a flannel shirt tied around my waist.
#yesyoureadthatrightisaidtiedaroundmywaist
#houseofbluez
#stelladot

 

Stella & Dot Jewelry

Enjoying this beautiful day outside with the kids sporting the Milana tassel bracelet, boyfriend jeans and comfy sweater.
#flutternewburgh

 

Stella & Dot Jewelry

I am wearing the Starlett again this evening! Paired with a plaid top under an oversized black sweater and distressed denim!

Stella & Dot Jewelry

I’m switching things up today….
Today I paired the Chiara Pendant Necklace with a BB Dakota Peasant top and Mavi rose colored denim….both the top and jeans are from House of Bluez in Evansville, Indiana….be sure and check them out!!
Jodi is amazing at helping pick out things you may not have thought about yourself.
#houseofbluez
#stella&dot
#toselfieornottoselfie
A direct link to purchase the necklace:
http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/chiara-pendant-necklace?s=keynacampbell&

 

Stella & Dot Jewelry

This Stella & Dot Starlett Pearl Necklace really glams up and adds some feminism to this graphic muscle tee….I also chose to wear my pearls from the starburst ear jacket.
Both the necklace and the earrings can be worn 4 different ways to achieve 4 different looks
#dontbeameangirl
#encourageothers
#onwednesdayswehavetaekwondochurchandeatpizza
A direct link to purchase the necklace:
http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/starlet-pearl-necklace?s=keynacampbell&
A direct link to purchase the earrings:
http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/starburst-ear-jacket?s=keynacampbell&

 

Stella & Dot Jewelry

paired the Freya necklace with a plain graphic tee and distressed black denim….off to the doctor this momma goes with a boy complaining of an ear infection… The Freya can be worn 4 different ways. #raisingmytribe #stella&dot To purchase click the link below: http://www.stelladot.com/shop/en_us/p/freya-fringe-necklace

 

Pregnancy

My Pregnancy Journey – 13 Weeks

November 9, 2015
13 Weeks Pregnant

My Pregnancy Journey- 13 Weeks

Last week of the 1st trimester!! Can’t wait to meet this little nugget. Josh and I are still on the path to not find out what the baby will be until Baby Ackerman is born! Luckily the nausea has gone down. But I still get hungry all the time and I don’t want to eat ANYTHING. For someone who used to love food this is very hard, especially when I know I have to eat. Side note: I do eat, a lot. It is just hard process.

Still driving home at 5pm (for my 1 hr commute) is very HARD. I get nauseous during that hour and by the time I get home I do not want to eat anything.

I’m already feeling in the “Nesting” mode and want to have the nursery all ready and done, but got to wait patiently on my slow husband! lol

What is happening to Baby Ackerman at 13 weeks: Peach
• Baby is as big as a Peach!
• Baby is forming vocal cords and teeth!
• Baby is still tiny but has fingerprints!
• Baby’s intestines are moving from the umbilical cord to their more permanent place,  in the tummy.
• Baby is 2.9″ long and weighs .81 oz.

Pregnancy

My Pregnancy Journey – Week 12

November 1, 2015
12 Weeks Pregnant

My Pregnancy Journey- Week 12

This week started off with a big ole cold! My throat was really sore on Sunday and so I went to the doctor’s on Monday just to make sure it wasn’t strep.

What got me through this week was Benadryl and Tylenol. Also, to help with the congestion and nausea, my mother suggest getting some peppermint oil. They were out of the peppermint oil so I got peppermint flavoring in the baking isle. Then I got the sink water steaming hot and wetted a wash cloth and poured some of the peppermint flavor on it. The peppermint along with the steam opened up my sinuses so that I could actually breathe.

Luckily that was one of the fasted colds I ever had because I was feeling pretty good by Thursday. But, then an entire new wave of nausea came over me and it is like it was in the beginning where nothing sounds good to eat, nothing tastes good, everything makes me sick, etc. Next week will be my last week in the first trimester and I hope it gets better.

I also had big plans of returning to the gym this week, but that didn’t happen. Hopefully  I will this week! I just got to get my lazy butt up in the morning!

Baby at 12 Weeks: plum-300

  1. Baby is as big as a Plum
  2. Baby is about 2.1″ long and weighs around 0.49
  3. Most of baby’s critical systems are fully formed!
  4. Baby’s about to enter the growth and maturation stage, in which organs and tissues will grow and develop rapidly (maybe this is the cause of the big bout of nausea)
  5. Baby’s now developing reflexes – if you poke his or her body you’ll likely see movement (on an ultrasound)
  6. Baby’s opening and closing fingers and curling toes too!
  7. Baby’s brain is developing fast