Nursery is Complete - Month 9

week 37

The Nursery is Done!

Karl and I are so excited to have the nursery done. We totally love it. Sure, things got moved around some from what we had first thought to fit the crib, but the room is still really cool to us. I walked upstairs the other day and saw Karl sitting in the new glider looking around the nursery. He just smiled at me. I didn't really need to ask what he was thinking because I could tell by the look on his face.

Baby Koester's nursery is complete...just need him/her in it:)

Life is about to change majorly for us, but in a really good way. And before we know it, there's going to be an actual body filling the room. I can't quite wrap my mind around it all yet. Sometimes I wake up forgetting I'm pregnant and then soon realize I'm just a few short weeks away from having a baby. The house now is so quiet and soon it's going to be filled with shrieks and crying spells.

I'll be changing our little baby over here... a lot...

And sometimes I'll go for a walk and see all the little kids running around in the neighborhood and get really excited to play with our baby soon. How fun to go on walks and just enjoy being a little family. Or I think about family get-togethers and how fun they'll be. Our baby is going to be so loved by so many people.

So excited to read all these books to our little bundle of joy

Yes, a huge part of me is still scared because I don't know what to expect and I know change is coming. Change is always scary. But I can't say there was a change that happened I didn't grow from or look back on and think, that totally ruined my life. It just takes time to adjust and I need to remember to give time....time. Because this baby is going to such a great addition - I know it!

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Chicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo

Quick chicken recipe with flavor

Chicken and Lemon-Broccoli Alfredo
serves 4
recipe found in Better Homes and Garden

Tasty chicken!

4 small skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Salt and pepper

8 ounces mushrooms, halved

1 tablespoon olive or cooking oil

1 lemon

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 10 ounce container refrigerated light Alfredo pasta sauce

I also added in zucchini

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In large skillet brown chicken and mushrooms 4 minutes in hot oil, turning chicken halfway through.

2. Meanwhile, shred 2 teaspoons lemon peel; set aside. Slice lemon. Add broccoli and lemon slices to skillet. Cover; cook 8 minutes or until chicken is done (170 degrees).

3. Place chicken and vegetables on plates. Add Alfredo sauce to skillet; heat through. Serve with chicken. Add lemon peel and pepper. Makes 4 servings.

Karl's reaction: "Ohhh, this is good. What's in this? I like the alfredo sauce a lot."

My take: Too easy not to make again! Very good! 

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Perfect recipe for St. Patty's Day (or a Sunday dinner)

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage
serves 8
recipe found on All Recipes.com

Awesome dinner!

4 large carrots, peeled and cut into matchstick pieces

10 baby red potatoes, quartered

1 onion, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces

4 cups water (I used 2 cups of water and 2 cups of beef broth)

1 (4 pound) corned beef brisket with spice packet

6 ounces beer

chopped up garlic

1/2 head cabbage, coarsely chopped (I put this in for only 20 minutes at the end!

1. Place the carrots, potatoes, and onion into the bottom of a slow cooker, pour in the water, and place the brisket on top of the vegetables. Pour the beer over the brisket. Sprinkle on the spices from the packet, cover, and set the cooker on High. (I did 6 hours on high and that was good enough!)

2. Cook the brisket for about 8 hours. An hour before serving, stir in the cabbage and cook for 1 more hour.               

Cooking it up in the crock pot

Karl's reaction: "Could have used more carrots but the corn beef IS AWESOME. Okay...and maybe add some mushrooms."

My take: Holy tasty. A little on the salty side for me, but really good. The meat was incredibly tender.

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