Weekly Scoop: Baby Watch, Kitchen Adventures, and Life’s Little Surprises!
Happy Sunday, dear readers! As we usher in another week, our home is abuzz with anticipation and excitement. The biggest news, of course, is that we’re officially on “baby watch” for boy #3! With just 10 days until my due date, every morning brings a thrill as I wake up wondering if today will be the day our newest family member decides to make his grand entrance. This late stage of pregnancy is a unique blend of eager anticipation, a touch of discomfort, and immense joy as we prepare to welcome our third son into the fold. It’s a wonderful, chaotic, and heartwarming time, and I’m thrilled to share a glimpse into our world with you.
What’s Been Cooking in Our Kitchen This Week?
This past week was a whirlwind of delicious, healthy cooking, focusing on wholesome Whole30 and Keto-friendly meals that are perfect for nourishing a busy family and a very pregnant mama! From comforting casseroles to quick sheet pan dinners, here’s a recap of the delightful recipes we shared, designed to make your meal planning effortless and your taste buds happy.
Comforting Keto Creamy Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole
On Sunday, we kicked off the week with my deeply satisfying Keto Creamy Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, made healthy. It’s rich, flavorful, and incredibly creamy, proving that you don’t have to sacrifice taste when sticking to your Whole30 or Keto goals. It quickly became a family favorite, perfect for meal prep or a cozy Sunday dinner.
Effortless Keto Sheet Pan Dijon Chicken + Radishes
Monday brought us the ultimate weeknight savior: my Keto Sheet Pan Dijon Chicken + Radishes. Sheet pan meals are a godsend for busy evenings, offering minimal cleanup and maximum flavor. The tangy Dijon mustard perfectly complements the tender chicken thighs and roasted radishes, making for a surprisingly delightful and quick dinner solution.
Flavorful Keto Salmon with Lemon Garlic Aioli
Tuesday featured a fresh and vibrant dish: my Keto Salmon with Lemon Garlic Aioli. This recipe highlights the natural richness of salmon, elevated by a bright and zesty homemade lemon-garlic aioli that’s both Paleo and Whole30 compliant. It’s an elegant yet simple meal that’s packed with healthy fats and lean protein.
Exotic Keto Coconut Chicken Thai Curry
On Wednesday, we journeyed to Thailand with my Keto Coconut Chicken Thai Curry. This aromatic dish is bursting with the vibrant flavors of ginger, garlic, and coconut milk, creating a rich and spicy curry that’s surprisingly easy to make. It’s a fantastic way to add some exotic flair to your healthy eating plan.
Zesty Keto Chicken Thighs with Orange Parsley Sauce
Thursday brought a burst of freshness with my Keto Chicken Thighs with Orange Parsley Sauce. The citrusy, herb-infused sauce beautifully complements the tender chicken thighs, creating a dish that feels both light and deeply satisfying. It’s an excellent option for those looking for a Whole30 and Keto compliant meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Bright Keto Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
Friday’s offering was my incredibly popular Keto Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs. The combination of fresh cilantro and zesty lime creates a vibrant flavor profile that’s simply irresistible. These chicken thighs are juicy, tender, and perfect for grilling, baking, or pan-searing, making them a versatile staple for any healthy kitchen.
Versatile Keto Frittata (Dairy-Free)
We wrapped up the cooking week on Saturday with my delicious Keto Frittata. This dairy-free frittata is incredibly versatile, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even a light dinner. Loaded with vegetables and protein, it’s a wholesome and satisfying dish that can be customized with whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Streamline Your Week with Our Keto Weekly Meal Plan
To help you conquer your healthy eating goals, I shared my comprehensive Keto Weekly Meal Plan this Friday. This isn’t just a list of recipes; it’s a complete toolkit designed to simplify your life. It includes direct links to all the mouth-watering recipes, a convenient printable menu, and a meticulously organized grocery list template. Our meal plans are crafted to take the stress out of healthy eating, ensuring you have delicious, compliant meals throughout the week without the daily decision-making.
Weekly Highlights & Home Happenings on Instagram
Our Instagram has been a hub of activity, sharing everything from home organization triumphs to candid family moments and crucial pregnancy updates. Here’s what kept us busy and smiling this past week:
Pantry Makeover: A Tiny Home’s Big Transformation
This past Sunday, I unveiled a project that has truly transformed my daily life: an incredible pantry makeover! This was my much-deserved Christmas present to myself – a splurge on those amazing Oxo pop-top containers that have been on my wishlist forever. And let me tell you, it was worth every penny! Our pantry, much like our entire house, is quite tiny. Living in a small space means every inch of storage counts, and having a meticulously organized pantry makes all the difference. It’s incredible how a well-organized space can bring such a sense of calm and efficiency to the kitchen. What a fantastic way to kick off the new year feeling refreshed and functional! If you’re looking to replicate this organized bliss, I’ve linked all the exact containers I used, my favorite erasable labels, and even the clever pantry lights Shawn installed, all in this comprehensive post.
Marriage Games: The Epic Trash Showdown
Sometimes, the little things in marriage become the most entertaining. My husband and I have a running “game” we like to play – let’s call it “Who Can Wait The Longest Before Caving And Taking Out The Trash?”. It’s a silent, hilarious battle of wills. And, spoiler alert, I always win! Hahaha! Shawn, being the wonderful hero he is, consistently takes out the trash. Meanwhile, I’ve perfected the art of continually smashing it down to pile on just a little more garbage. It’s a silly but endearing dynamic that adds a bit of humor to our everyday routine.
38 Weeks and Counting: Baby Boy Update!
Tuesday brought a significant milestone: my 38-week appointment for baby boy! We’re thrilled to report he’s doing absolutely great and is still perfectly head down, ready for his arrival. The biggest surprise came during my check-up when I discovered I was already 4cm dilated! I was genuinely shocked. This actually explains those 3 hours of contractions I experienced super early on New Year’s Eve morning. I was up pacing the house, excitedly convinced it was time, imagining what a fun birthday New Year’s Eve would be for him. But around 4 am, exhaustion won, I laid down, fell asleep, and the contractions gracefully subsided.
Now, I almost want him to stay put for just a little longer. The first week of January doesn’t exactly scream “funnest birthday time,” does it? Everyone’s usually partied out, adhering to new diets, sticking to budgets, or recovering from festive hangovers, ha! So, baby boy is more than welcome to stay cozy in there for as long as he needs. And honestly, the timing is working out perfectly for Shawn’s paternity leave. His work allows paid family leave only once every 12 months. Our oldest son, Josh, had knee surgery on January 21st, 2020, and Shawn took time off then. This means he’s not eligible for paid family leave again until January 22nd. Our baby boy is due on January 20th! I had no idea about these rules, so I’m absolutely floored by how perfectly this timing is aligning. Every day closer to the 22nd makes me even more excited, knowing there won’t be a long gap where Shawn has to return to work before he can begin his much-anticipated paternity leave.
“Water Broke, But Not MY Water Broke!”
This past Friday brought a moment of minor domestic crisis that, in hindsight, is quite funny. Ryan was washing his hands when, somehow, the faucet knobs broke off, leaving the hot water stuck on! I desperately tried to turn it off but couldn’t. You can see in the photo how both knobs are in the “off” position, yet the water was still pouring out. I called Shawn three times, completely clueless about what to do, but he didn’t answer (which, with baby due soon, is frankly insane, haha!). My biggest concern was how to explain that “the water is broken” without him immediately panicking and thinking that MY water had broken and I was in labor, haha! Thankfully, my dad, ever the hero, answered on the second ring. I blurted out, “Hi Dad! Not in labor. The bathroom sink faucet is broken and stuck on! I can’t get it to turn off! Help!” He calmly instructed me to look under the sink and turn the knobs behind the pipes to shut off the main water supply to the faucet. It totally worked! I learned something new and very practical that day!
Little Luxuries for Pregnancy Comfort and Well-being
During these final weeks of pregnancy, self-care has become more important than ever. I’ve been indulging in a couple of “little luxuries” that have made a world of difference in managing the aches and pains of the third trimester.
Chiropractic Care: My Weekly Wellness Retreat
Since I hit the six-month mark of pregnancy, I’ve been treating myself to a weekly chiropractic visit, upping it to twice a week once I reached 37 weeks. This has helped me SO MUCH with any general aches, pains, and particularly my sciatica, which often flares up during pregnancy. Beyond the physical relief, those 20 minutes feel like a mini mommy vacation – a precious moment of quiet and focus on my own well-being. This is my first time exploring chiropractic care, and I can now fully understand why everyone raves about it, especially when pregnant. With everything growing, stretching, and loosening up so rapidly, it’s incredibly beneficial to keep my spine and posture properly aligned. If you’re local to Danville, CA, I highly recommend Dr. Michelle at Precision Chiropractic. She specializes in prenatal chiropractic care and is truly wonderful!
The Game-Changing Pregnancy Support Belt
Another game-changer has been this pregnancy support belt I got. It has made such a significant difference in how I carry the baby’s weight, especially while I’m chasing around my two older, energetic boys. I wear it over my favorite maternity leggings but under my shirt. I find that wearing it directly on my skin can be a little scratchy, and having it over my pants allows me to easily adjust it as I sit and stand since it tends to shift a bit. While it’s certainly not the most attractive accessory, haha, the black color blends in pretty well with my leggings. And right now, comfort unequivocally trumps fashion!
Funny Story Of The Week: Ryan’s Laundry Day Adventure
You know those moments when your kids do something so utterly wild and spontaneous that you just have to laugh? This past week delivered one such gem. In the brief time it took me to change out one load of laundry – and mind you, I’m very pregnant and moving pretty slow these days – our son Ryan embarked on an impressive adventure. He managed to go out the front door, turn on the hose, fill up a bucket with water, grab a BBQ spatula, GET NAKED, put all his clothes into the bucket, and was enthusiastically pretending to wash his clothes just like mama! Seriously, you guys, I cannot make this up. This entire elaborate sequence unfolded in under two minutes, I swear. Did I mention it was super cold and rainy outside that day? Our sweet Ryan is forever keeping us on our toes. There’s truly never a dull moment with this little squirrel!
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Wishing You a Wonderful Week Ahead!
This image perfectly captures our lazy Saturday on the couch, cozy as can be. Morning snuggles, cartoons, and warm hot cocoa in sippy cups are some of my most cherished moments. It’s these simple, quiet times that truly fill our hearts.
From me and all my boys – including the little one still tucked safely in my belly – I truly hope you have a wonderfully lazy, cozy Sunday and an even better week filled with joy, good food, and maybe a little bit of unexpected humor. Thank you for being a part of our journey!