Adam + Ana

So my brother got married a couple weekends ago, and I wanted to post a few pictures...Adam and Ana are an amazing couple and I'm so happy for them!! It was great having the whole family together and we had a blast in Columbus, OH.....IO!!

Soon-to-be sister in law at the bachelorette party!! Yes, I have to say I got some crazy looks from people at 1am in a  sports bar....but hey, I couldn't miss this!!

Rehearsal dinner was at Huntington stadium during a minor league baseball game...such a fun idea!

Dad and his girls...

Baby Kruse's first baseball game!

Great looking family!

Mom and her girls at the wedding

Standard cousin picture!

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Gorgeous bride and groom

First Dance!

New recipe and fav website...

Wanted to share my new favorite recipe...so easy, healthy and filling!!
Zesty Black Bean Burgers
1 can drained black beans (smash with a fork)
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs (or cracker crumbs work too)
1/2 cup chopped red onions
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper
1/2 can drained corn
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
salt and pepper
**you could also use 1/2 packet of taco seasoning instead of the above spices**

Combine all ingredients and form into patties (should make about 4 burgers) and bake on a greased cookie sheet, 7-10 minutes on each side at 400 degrees. You can also use a skillet or gas grill, although you will probably need to use foil if you use the grill so your burgers don't fall apart!! Enjoy : )

I also wanted to share this great website I found....it's called http://www.zulily.com/ and they send you updates every day with deals on adorable children's boutique clothing, maternity gear, and classic toys!! You do have to sign up in order to receive the sale updates, but there is some really great kid's stuff at amazing prices...check out the smocked dresses- so precious!!!

Third trimester is here!

So I am now 30 weeks pregnant and really having a hard time believing how fast this pregnancy is going....feeling pretty good and looking forward to meeting my munchkin in less than 10 weeks (hopefully!!) I'm definitely sporting the preggo waddle and Tums have become my best friend! This baby is still incredibly active and although I'm now getting some pretty aggressive rib kicks, I'm absolutely loving this time in my pregnancy....quality bonding time! Here are some recent pics:

30 weeks

Finished quilt

Daddy putting together the crib

Catching up....

Sorry for the month-long blogging hiatus...we have had a very busy May, but I promise I have kept up with the belly shots! I am now almost 29 weeks pregnant.....how has 7 months gone by so quickly?? I've still been feeling really great- starting to feel a bit massive and bending over and shaving my legs has become quite a feat, but excited that I only have 11 weeks to go!! Here are some photos of our May happenings...

The whole family at Adam and Ana's wedding shower...25 weeks along!

Finished cabinets!!

Shoe cubbies!!

Another S.J.K. project...outdoor dining table and bench!!

Nursery progress...May 19th

The beginnings of my quilt....love it so far!!

26.5 weeks....now that's a baby bump!!

The next few pics are of our trip to Marathon Key, Florida...babymoon!!

Day #1 of vacation....27 weeks pregnant and in need of a tan!!

Gotta love any chair that makes you feel so small!!!

Key West with Quentin and Elaine

Sunset in KW

Gorgeous sunset view in KW

7 months pregnant and waverunning!!

Bare bellied it for a couple days!!

Last night in paradise- this is the view from Spencer's aunt and uncle's place....so hard to come back to reality!! More group shots as well as shark fishing pics coming soon...yes, you heard me right, and we have proof!!!

What a difference 6 weeks makes!

Today at 23 weeks vs 17 weeks....baby (and mommy) is GROWING!!!

22 weeks!

I had my 22 week appointment yesterday an everything looks great!!! My doctor measured me for the first time and I'm right on track for a late August baby! The heartbeat was strong (and LOUD), 140 beats/minute...and Dr. Garrett got to experience firsthand the activity of this little one! She got a pretty good kick as soon as she put the monitor on my belly : )  I'm still feeling great and pretty excited that I've been able to start jogging again- up until now it was incredibly uncomfortable but I think now that the baby is farther up, it has relieved some of that pressure. We'll see how long it lasts but I'm thankful for at least a few weeks of some good jogs.

This is just cute : )

We were sitting on the deck last week and I went inside to get something...when I came back out, this is what I found:

I guess my chair looked more comfortable than laying on the deck!

Nursery progress has begun!

We have started getting the nursery ready!! We have the yellow paint up (the bottom half will be gray bead-board), and I'm about halfway done with the bedskirt! Here are a couple pics of the beginnings of our modern, gender-neutral, hip nursery : ) I included one of my GPhiB girls out in Chicago last weekend as well! Belly pics coming soon....

Half-baked!!

20 weeks

So we are officially halfway through this pregnancy!! Sort of scary to think about how much we still have to do to prepare : O I'm feeling great, thankful that the weather has been so great so I can be outside walking a lot (Lucy is thankful too!) This baby is ACTIVE....Spencer has started to be able to feel the kicking a couple times a day, and I normally don't go 20 minutes without getting a little kick, nudge or headbutt from this peanut!! We're headed to Chicago this coming weekend to catch up with some college friends so I'll post more pictures next week. Spencer also wanted me post the pic of the nearly finished laundry room cabinets...just trim and hardware and we're done!! Uncle Jim would be so proud : )

Birthday #28

We celebrated with some friends and family last night at Scotty's...I have to say, this is probably the first alcohol-free birthday celebration I've had in ten years!! Thank goodness my friends are great at making up for my soberness ; ) I experienced THREE, yes THREE interesting renditions of "Happy Birthday!" I love you guys!

Group shot

Sisters

The girls

Not sure about the look on my face but this was the only belly-shot I have!!

18 week ultrasound!

So we had our 18 (and a half) week ultrasound on Friday...the one where they check all of the anatomy, genetic markers, and gender (NO, we did not give in to temptation!) Seeing our baby swim around was so amazing...I wish there was a more original word for it, but it truly was "amazing." Now I have to make a small confession...up until now, I've absolutely loved being pregnant but have to say I've been sort of preoccupied with fears of gaining weight, my body changing in ways I had no idea were possible, my skin looking crappy, my emotional outbursts and my lack of will power when it comes to kettle chips and Reese's Cups. I had some major guilt on Friday after getting the opportunity to watch our baby wiggle for almost 15 minutes (we had an amazing ultrasound tech!!) for being so worried about these things. People have said to me from the beginning: "Abby, don't worry about that stuff...you're growing a BABY," and until now, I never fully listened to them. I'M GROWING A REAL, LIVE, BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY BABY! It feels great to really grasp this reality and to embrace these changes, knowing that I'm doing the best I can. Our little one is now 1/2 a pound and about 6 inches long and is measuring exactly on our due date, August 24th. The heartrate was 167, and all of the anatomy looked great (yes, nurse friends, a four-chambered heart and no signs of cleft palate, or masses.) I'm also feeling the baby kick- A LOT...Spencer hasn't been able to feel it from the outside world yet, but I think within a few weeks, he will be able to share in my amazement : ) Now onto the pictures....thanks for listening!!

Profile pic...if you look closely, with my tongue sticking out!

Nice and comfy...Indian style!

"Hi guys....I'm having a great time in here!"

New favorite recipe...

So for those of you who don't know, I love to cook and bake and am hoping to use my blog as a means to share recipes, as well as update you on the Kruse happenings!!
Here's my new favorite (I'm actually eating it right now)...it's actually a recipe from my friend Katie Rozelle. It's healthy and easy...BONUS!

Amish-baked Oatmeal

1 1/2 quick cooking oatmeal
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar (I prefer brown sugar, but white is fine too)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup butter (or you can use applesauce for a low cal option)
1 egg

Preheat oven to 350. Mix all ingredients and spread in greased 9 X 13 baking dish. Top with 1/2- 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (blueberries, bananas, and apples are all great) and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are brown. Immediately spoon into bowl and top with milk and brown sugar if desired.  ENJOY!

17 weeks and counting

17 week belly shot and my new toy!! So excited about getting started on the nursery bedding...wish me luck : )

4 months pregnant!

Just wanted to post an updated belly shot and some pics of the progress of Spencer's laundry room project...he just has to install the doors and trim and then he's finished! Next on the DIY project list...NURSERY! I've been feeling really great the past few weeks...thankful the weather has been warmer so I can be outside a little more and hoping spring (and my daffodils) are here to stay!!