15 Weeks



I have this whole weekend to myself and no plans. This is disastrous. There are less than six months until our baby arrives and there is so much to do! Being a first time mom, I'm somewhat on the lost side. What are the priorities? Picking out the crib? Complete a baby registry? Sign up for birthing classes? Clean out the garage to make room in the nursery? Paint the rocker and changing table? Think about a nanny or daycare arrangements for when I go back to work (yes, I am going to be a full-time working mom)? Ignore all responsibilities and surf pinterest on the couch all day? Maybe it is because I am a planner, but without plans I somehow cannot decide what to do! I know decorating the nursery is at the bottom of the totem poll at this point, but that is all I really want to do...I'll blame it on my pregnancy brain (it is a real thing).


Right now I think I just need some quiet time. It is hard to believe that I am already in my second trimester. I'm starting to look pregnant rather than just a woman that needs to get her running shoes on and work off the winter fat. It is becoming more and more exciting every passing day. Husband and I cannot wait for the day that our baby makes his or her appearance. We are planning, hoping and praying for health. 

Quote: Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. ~Erma Bombeck

Baby Size: Our baby is the size of a navel orange, weighing approximately 2.5 ounces and measuring 4 inches!

Weight Gain: I've gained one pound so far, but seems odd since I look bigger than that. It has been really neat to see the transition and proof that there is a baby growing inside of me!

Fatigue: I'm gaining more energy as the pregnancy progresses. I've been starting to stay up in the evenings past 8:00 pm! I've recently been able to stay up until 9:00 pm — party animal!

"Morning" Sickness: Thankfully the zofran that my doctor prescribed is really helping.

Baby Names: We have a boy and girl name selected.

Excited for: Oh my, there is so many things! But right now, I am counting down the days until we find out if our little one is a boy or girl...Only about five or six weeks away!

Thankful for: Husband. He has been so wonderful this whole pregnancy so far. He has been caring and sympathetic. Husband has been patient as cooking has not been an easy task for me with the nausea and aversions. As I am starting to feel better with the zofran, I am eager to get back in the kitchen and cook meals for him. Also, for my dear friend Alison, who is throwing my first baby shower in May!

Help: Moms, if you have any tips on registering for the first time! Please comment below. What items are you so glad you registered for and were there any that were just a waste? Thanks so much!

A Blessing


For years, Husband and I have talked about having our own family some day. We even talked about it back in our dating years. And in the last (almost) five years of marriage we've talked about when the right time would be...well at it seems, now is the right time. But I guess truly there isn't ever a right time, as you hear everyone tell you, when it comes down to practicality. But God knows the perfect timing and Husband and I trust and rest in this fully.

So on January 20th I found out I was carrying an amazing blessing, our little baby! Before taking the at-home pregnancy test, I was anxious. I so wanted the test to be positive, but was preparing myself for a negative — it was our first month trying and almost all of my friends took a few months or even years to see that beautiful positive sign on the stick.

First month trying and with unneeded anxiousness, Husband and I are blessed! Our little one will be arriving at the end of September.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
{Philippians 4:6}


Today is the start of my second trimester and I hope all I hear is true. I'm ready for the glow! The first trimester went by very fast but I really struggled with "morning" sickness, yet it was all-day sickness for me. This past week I went to see my OB for a regular appointment and shared that I was still nauseous constantly and getting sick. Thankfully he was able to prescribe me zofran, and that seems to be helping.

Both Husband's and my families are just as thrilled as we are. We are so excited to meet this little blessing of ours this fall.

Happy (early) St. Patrick's Day!



As you've probably noticed, The Passionate Parsley page has been a little quiet recently, but has been popping up around the web! Everyone is getting ready for their St. Patrick's Day menus. Personally, I don't know what I'll be making this year, but like always, I will be making a loaf of Irish soda bread. This past week I've been so honored that my vegan Irish stew has been featured on three websites!

Check them out (links below each photo):







Check out all three sites for great St. Patrick's Day recipe ideas and I'd love to hear what everyone is going to make this year!