Southern at Heart

This has got to be one of my least favorite holidays but I have to say having a little one makes it 100x more fun!
The perfect pumpkin
 carving with papa
ta da! so proud! So, she might not have been a big fan of carving this year as she thought the guts were gross and was sad when they cut into the pumpkin. Big boo boos! But, if she's anything like her daddy and papa she will grow to love it.

We spent Halloween evening with our dears friends. The kiddos had their pumpkin plates to decorate and got a special dinner (which they were all too distracted to eat) and then we headed out and went trick or treating together!


 Kate the princess fairy
Kitty Cat and Princess Fairy
sweet friends
Best Friends
Trick or Treating at GG and Big Papa's house!
The kids could not have been cuter. They were so polite with their "trick or treats" and "thank yous". My heart melted a little more each door we went to! Our princess fairy had the best time ever. So excited to start new tr…

Will and I just finished up our last week in the 2nd trimester. So incredible.

Weeks: 26, did I really just say that? How am I 26 weeks already??

Cravings: I'm finding myself craving sweet and salty things all day long. Nothing in particular though!

Food Aversions: None! :)

Heartbeat: high 150's

Gender: precious baby BOY!

Extras: This past week was a big growth week for our little guy. My tummy popped a little more and I felt every stretch! Forgot how painful those growth spurts are! I am super grumpy these days. Not sure if it's from our two year old who throws the most insane fits ever and makes me crazy, pregnancy hormones, the fact that I'm always tired or what but I apologize in advance if I come off as a grump towards you. I can't help it. I had a great DRs appointment on Monday, all is going well and as of Monday Will was still breech. I am up 14 pounds and I know I'm about to see a new number any day on the scale. I am proud of myself for staying in better s…

This morning we got to see Will on the big screen in 4D! It was just as incredible as it was when we did it with Kate. The whole family sitting on chairs and the couch around to see our boy and he put on quite a show! Kate was pointing out his eyes and such although I don't think she had a clue what she was looking at!

Here are a few pictures of our precious boy!

He was being shy with his hands in front of his face
awesome shot of his arms and legs! Toned baby!
He has his big sisters button nose...and those lips! SOO precious!!
here he is snuggled up against his hands with is knees curled up another snuggle bug!
Here is big sister during her 4D session.  Being the drama queen that she is!
From now on our little man will be working hard to pack on the pounds. I'm making his job easy with providing an excellent diet and special treats. Christmas is coming baby boy! We're gonna have you chunky in no time!

On a more serious note, I will never cease to be amazed by pregnancy and the…

Let me just say that I'm not really a chili fan but this recipe has made me one! During one of my weekly trips to Tarder Joes I stopped by in the back to see what they were sampling one day. It was their cornbread over turkey chili and it was fabulous!

The weather is finally cooling down a bit {knock on wood} so last night I finally made it!

Super easy and only 4 ingredients!


















2 bags of Jasmine Rice (cooks in 3 minutes in the microwave)
2 cans of Turkey (or beef) Chili
1 bag of shredded cheddar cheese
1 box of cornbread

I made a 9x13 batch which would easily serve 8

Step by step:
first layer is rice
pour chili over rice
sprinkle cheese over chili
















Pour cornbread mixture over cheese and pop it in the oven!
I cooked mine at 350 for 35-40 minutes.
Your cornbread will determine how long you cook this dish for since everything else is cooked!
















40 minutes later your house smells amazing and dinner is ready!














Slice... or scoop 
 and enjoy a ricey, chili, cheesey meal topped off with cornbrea…

It's been a month since I started my crazy To Do list and I've been kicking butt and taking names ever since! Nesting is a wonderful thing. I'm feeling very accomplished thus far even though there is still a ton to do before we bring another little Andrews into the world. 
Kate's room is finished with the exception of her custom window shades that are being made now and the sewing machine that I need to get out of there asap. Oh and the walls are still bare, I need a mirror and artwork but other than that it's ready for her!
We will be starting the nursery next month along with the lovely master closet remodel.
 Two months left to get all of these items checked off. Because, come January I am resting and going to soak  up every last second with Kate and enjoy our one on one time!

House & more...
Have rugs cleaned
Clean living room window coverings
Clean kitchen window coverings
Scrub baseboards/touch up with fresh paint
Clean out "baby" cabinet in kitche…

My Boutique is one of the many vendors who will be part of an awesome fall boutique that is coming up in two weeks. Check out the post on my boutiques blog to find out more info.

http://theritzyglitzyboutique.blogspot.com/

I would love to see all of my So Cal friends there! Support an awesome foundation while you shop!
After all, Christmas is just 64 days away!

Last week our moms group met at Irvine Park for our weekly play date. It was a crisp fall morning that was filled with sitting on wet pumpkins, watching other kids go on pony rides, playing in the dirt and going on the choo choo.

So excited to ride the train
gooshie little face!
Kate and sweet Ellie waiting for the train
Kate and her BFF, Ava
spying on the choo choo
As if we didn't see enough pumpkins, we went to an awesome pumpkin patch by our house today. The girls were far more excited about the amnials (as Kate would say).. aka the petting zoo and the bouncy houses...Again, I will let the pictures do the talking.

this smile cracks me up

little farmer girls
pretending to swim..or float
cracking up
After the pumpkin patch, the Golinos came over for a bit to play and then we had family date night at Wood Ranch. I snapped a couple pictures of the girls playing in Kate's room. So precious!

Dr. Ava checking Kate's heart. Such a good patient
"Kate, it's Elmooooooo!"
…

Happy Viability Week to our little man! I am always relieved when I make it to this week. The chance of survival if born right now is 50% where as if he was born before this week, the doctors don't even try to save the baby. Of course we pray that William cooks in my belly until he is considered full term but I did breath a sigh of relief on Tuesday when I made it to 24 weeks without any problems!

Weeks: 24

Cravings: Believe it or not, there hasn't been anything in the past couple of weeks that I just had to have. I do find myself searching the kitchen and baking lots of sweet things though. We're cruising along and I know that my husband is thankful for no crazy cravings that have him going out in search of.

Food Aversions: None! Yes, I am feeling like a normal person again! :)

Heartbeat: still in the 160's.

Gender: precious baby BOY!

Extras: I'm feeling great and love feeling our boy get stronger with his kicks and thumps. I have no idea what position he is in right …

We're growing..slowly

My momma and I went to the taping of the results show last night for Dancing with the Stars. It was a total last minute thing and we had a BLAST! I've been to almost all the different shows filmed at CBS studios except for Dancing with the Stars. I was so stoked to finally get to go!

We went to The Grove for a quick snack before taping
Laurie, momma and I in Lacey's trailer before taping Laurie is Lacey Schwimmers mom...if you are not familiar with the show she is one of the professional dancers and her partner this season is Chaz Bono who by the way is an absolute sweetheart! Laurie has been a friend of my moms since elementary school and I happen to adore her too. It was so fun spending the day with you, Laurie!

Chaz, Momma, Lacey and me!
right after filming
With Tony Dovolani
with my favorite...Rob Kardashian  His booty is about the same size of mine. Thatta boy Rob!
backstage with momma
I could go on and on about how cool it was an how sweet everyone was. One of my favorite parts (…

Our girl is two.
  T.W.O!
:::::insert tears:::::

Are all the years going to fly by like this? If so, I'd like to kindly ask God to press pause so I can soak up this time a little more. I need to soak up these baby cheeks, the sweet kisses and little words that no one understands except me. I'd gladly fast forward through all the crazy temper tantrums but for the most part, I'd like to freeze and keep life that way it is now. Our little blond haired blue eyed baby doll is blossoming before our eyes with a personality that has us rolling of the floor with laughter (..most days!)

The birthday girl was greeted in the morning by momma singing "happy birthday" to her. So glad no one else was around to hear me sing to her at 6:30am! We got dressed and met Mimi and Papa for breakfast for "chip chip panpates" as Kate requested.



We went to Mimi and Papas house after where Kate found her big birthday present..
Her first car! Watch out world!


After that excitement …