Baby Boy's Name

New Look

Thanks to my sweet sister-in-law for a super cool Christmas gift...a gift card to Designer Blogs.

I love the new fresh look.  I hope you do too and will be back for the 

OH SO EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

Baby boy's name!!  Want to guess, leave me a comment.

Get it right and well, you get bragging rights.

Pregnancy

Most of you know by now that the Atwoods are expecting another little one. We are SMITTEN again!! We found out in October and have been over the moon. We had been praying and asking God for this miracle, soon after we lost Chai. God was so gracious to answer our prayers. He gave us time to heal, re-situate our lives back in TN and start a church plant. His timing is always better than mine...of course.

Since finding out we were pregnant, it has been a whirlwind. I have been horribly sick for 7 weeks now, with some good days mixed in there. Trev has been amazing. He has been so helpful with taking care of the kids, the house, the meals, whatever is needed. On top of that leading a church and doing that well.

We knew after our pregnancy with Chai, that my body would have a hard time carrying past 21 weeks. Last time we made it to 27 weeks. So we immediatly found a high risk practice with Vanderbilt and were quickly referred into there MFM (Maternal Fetal Medicine) group. They set us up quickly with a doctor.

Side note: Dr. Fortner (my doctor) walked in with a Duke landyard on and hails from Duke's MFM, which is the practice we were with in Durham. She was not our Dr, but she worked with all the doctors we saw during our time and the doctor who delivered Chai. Such an awesome answer to prayers asked many, many months before.

Because Dr. Fortner knew the doctor who delivered Chai, she was very comfortable moving forward with Dr Ransom's (Doc who delivered Chai) recommendation to surgically put a cerclage in my cervix at week 12-14.

So, two weeks ago at 12 weeks, we went to Vanderbilt and Dr. Fortner put a cerclage in. This comes with its risk, but they far outweigh the alternative, which is do nothing and see if it holds. Been there done that, no thank you. We will go back in a week to have an ultrasound to see how the stitch looks, if it is holding, etc. Then we begin serial ultrasounds from there. I am nervous with every twinge of pain, every unknown discomfort, basically everything I have NO control over. It is a daily battle to keep my mind on the promises of God and trust Him fully. Chai's death made me fully aware that I/we are not immune to the curse of sin and brokenness. BUT, I have every confidience that God desires life over death. I pray His will be done.

We find out in just a few short weeks, maybe next week, if the tech will sneak a peek (I am not above asking), if its a boy or girl. We have names, which we will share once we know for sure. Trev and many others are convinced its a girl, because of the horrible morning (or ALL day) sickness I've had. The boys also are hoping for a girl. They think I'm outnumbered and a little girl would help. They are sweet and oh-so-excited about this little person. I'm am content with either. But I wanna know NOW!! I love being able to call our baby by name.

Hopefully check back soon for those all-too-exciting belly bump pictures. I cant wait to show him/her off!!

Peak At New Home

Our Home

Breakfast Nook Before and After

Living Room Before and After

Entry Before and After

Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf, Tilapia and Grilled Veggies

Well we are finally settled into our new home and getting more settled into our new normal in Murfreesboro. I have to admit it has not come nearly as easily as I wished it would. It has felt like vacation for a couple of weeks and that we will be leaving this place and coming home any day. However, this is home. I say that not with sadness but with much excitement as Trevor and I talk about life in this "new" place. Even though Trev and I have both lived here previously, we come back as changed people with changed hearts for this great city we love. Continue to pray for us as we love and live with our neighbors, friends and City Church.

Let's talk food...Making my way around a new, much bigger kitchen has been fun but also intimidating. We ate lots of grilled meats and veggies (right out of Grandpa's garden) for the first week. It was nice not to dirty a kitchen and just toss it all on the grill. This week I have cooked and baked in my new kitchen. I'm learning my way around it much better and feeling more comfortable.

Grilled Tilapia, Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf and Veggies

Tilapia

4 tilapia fillets

EVOO for coating

Salt and Pepper

Cayenne Pepper

4 slices of lemon or lime

Coat the tilapia in EVOO. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and cayenne to taste. Place it in a casserole dish. Put one slice of lemon or lime on each piece. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.

Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf (click for recipe)

I got this recipe from the Gluten Free Goddess. It is so easy and so yummy. Since I found it, I have made it 4 times. Its a must have.

Grilled Veggies

1 green bell pepper

1 red bell pepper

1 zucchini

Asparagus

EVOO

Salt and Pepper

I realize this is pretty self explanatory, but just in case you have never grilled veggies...it is this easy. Slice up your veggies, coat them in EVOO and salt and pepper. Put them in a grill pan and cook until tender, yet still slightly crunchy about 20 minutes.

Enjoy!!

Settling In

Oh how I long to be back. Packing, moving to another state and unpacking has all together consumed my life. I do long to be back in the kitchen creating and blogging about it. Please be patient...do not give up on me...I will be back.

XOXO