10 weeks

I am not going to start posting belly pictures just yet, although I probably could because my waistline has already started expanding, much earlier than it did with Lauren. I came home from work last night and Brian said “your belly is already starting to poke out.” In this cute excited voice. I was like yep it sure is! This weekend I will probably pull out more of my maternity clothes. I have pulled out a few of my sweaters and a pair of jeans, but I only have one pair of work pants that I can wear right now and I just don’t like the thought of wearing those 4 or 5 days a week.

Other than that I don’t really have an update as far as the pregnancy goes. I don’t go back to the doctor until the 14th. What I can tell you is that the morning sickness is getting better. I was sick constant for a week and since then it has seemed to just come and go. It is more going than coming now and for that I am grateful. I also have been on an emotional roller coaster the past several weeks. I just don’t feel like myself. One minute I am good and the next I am well, let’s just say not good. I cry at the drop of a hat and just feel like everything is going crazy around me. I shared this with a friend yesterday and let me tell you it made me feel so much better. Her words of encouragement and understanding were more than I could have asked for. I feel much better today and I hope that I just continue to feel better and better. So thank you Kim for all of the kindness that you have shared with me.

Class of 2010 - Kayla

A couple of weeks ago I got to do my second senior shoot.  This is Kayla.  Her mom works with Jen, my friend who I did the engagement shoot for a while back. 

When we were doing Jen's shoot I was looking for some really cool grafiti, if only we would have went like two streets over from the railroad tracks we would have found some.  Jen figured out where it was, after the fact, so I decided to try it out on this shoot since we were already there.

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.






Not really much to report on this past week. We were busy with the holiday and going to Branson for 4 days. I hope that you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Last week I did not wait until the very last minute to pack for our trip for Branson. I did not think that I would have ample time because Brian would be home for work and would be able to entertain Lauren and help me get dinner ready while I packed. Well my poor husband did not have to work over 12 hours the day before Thanksgiving because the grocery store that he works in was not understaffed and crazy busy. So since he had to work late I was not a good wife and did not pack most of his stuff. :) and we certainly did not go to Burger King for dinner.

The night before we were to leave at 6 in the morning I did not wake up at 12:30 wide awake and not be able to go back to sleep until well after 3:30. So I did not work on several blog posts and schedule them to post while we were away and I also did not order two new lenses for my camera! Luckily the lack of sleep didn’t affect me too bad and I was still up and ready to go and drove the entire 4 hour trip to Branson.

After being gone for several days I am not way behind on my blog reading and I have no idea when I will get caught up since I have two photo shoots that I need to finish editing and I have a wedding that I am going to shoot this weekend. AGH!! I am shooting my very first wedding this weekend and I am NOT terrified. I mean a wedding is a big deal and someone likes my work enough to let me capture this very special day for them. I hope that I do a good job. I don’t have any lighting and the church is really not lit the best so I am not so sure how this is all going to work out. Oh jeez! I was stressing before but now that it is getting really close I am stressing a lot!

Colorful Chicken Alfredo

Colorful Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 quarts water
8-10 bouillon cubes
1 quart water
1 tbsp salt
1/2 lb farfalle noodles
1/2 cup reserved chicken broth
3 tbsp butter
1 cup half and half
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp salt and pepper each
1 tbsp butter
1 red bell pepper
1 green bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
6 leaves fresh basil chiffonade

Directions
Place rinsed chicken and 8-10 bouillon cubes in a large pot and cover with 2 quarts of water. Bring to a boil and simmer over medium heat for 20 mins until chicken is done. Remove chicken to a cutting board and let sit until cool enough to handle, then cut into bite sized pieces. Strain the broth and save 1/2 cup. Keep the rest of the broth in the fridge (up to 1 week) or freezer for later use (great for making rice!).

Boil farfalle noodles with at least 1 quart of water in a large pot with 1 tbsp salt for 11 mins (or according to pkg instructions).

In a small saucepan, heat the 1/2 cup reserved chicken broth and 3 tbsp butter over medium heat until the butter is melted. Add 1 cup half and half, 1 clove minced garlic, and 1/2 tsp salt and pepper, each. Stir to combine, then slowly whisk in the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Let simmer, whisking occasionally.

Slice bell peppers into matchsticks. Melt 1 tbsp butter over medium high heat, then saute bell peppers for about 5-6 mins. Add in chopped chicken and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine flavors. Turn heat down to low and pour the cream sauce over the chicken and bell peppers. Stir to combine- let simmer.

Chiffonade the basil, drain and plate the noodles, then toss with the chicken, bell peppers and sweet alfredo sauce. Top with basil.

Adding to my collection

For my birthday I told Brian that I wanted a new lens for my camera, I just wasn't sure which one.  I knew that I wanted a zoom lens so that I could get closer to my subjects without being right on top of them.  So here it is 20 days later and I have finally ordered not one but two lenses.  I have decided to get the Tamron AF 75-300mm f/4.0-5.6

And the Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6

Tamron seems to have pretty good lenses.  I have used one before this past summer and they speak highly of them over at I ♥ Faces.  I can't wait until they arrive.  I am so excited to start playing around with them and see what they can do!!