16 Weeks Already!

In honor of my 16 week doctor's appointment today I thought I would share a belly shot with the world.  I really do not feel like I have a baby belly yet - I would swear it is just leftover fat from before.  And in my defense, a little pouch runs in my family! At least that's what my mom says, and if there is an excuse for belly fat, I'll take it! :) 
I gained 1.5 lbs from my last appointment, but still -3 overall since my first visit.  The baby's heart rate today was between 155-160 and the dr. said that between 110 and 160 was normal, so we are on the right track! They don't really measure anything else at this point so I suppose that no news is good news for now.

I did schedule my 20 week ultrasound today and I am really excited to find out if it is a boy or a girl.  I wanted it to be a surpise at first, but Len really wants to find out and I think it will be fun to start collecting "stuff" and finalizing names :)

Here is the belly:

Gotta run! Today is a dear friends birthday and to celebrate we are going out to dinner at Annie Bailey's in Lancaster.  I have been so excited that I was checking out the menu already! Happy Birthday Junes!!! Love you girl!

Cheesy Chicken, Tot and Broccoli Casserole - and an Announcement :)

I have had a major hankering for tator tots lately.  Mostly I have been enjoying them loaded with ketchup, but when I came across an idea online for a casserole with tots, I knew I had to make it.  This is a definite mom recipe, and not one that is going to win any culinary awards, but if you have kids you'll thank me :)  I most apologize for the lack of pictures.  I was starving and forgot to take one until I had already placed some on everyone's plate.  You'll still get the idea...

I made this recipe even easier by using a rotisserie chicken that I had picked up at the market.  The poor chicken was made into chicken sandwiches, Cheesy Chicken, Tot, and Broccoli Casserole, AND a batch of chicken stock.  I mutilated it, but feel good that I used the WHOLE thing. 

Cheesy Chicken, Tot, and Broccoli Casserole

Ingredients:
1 can campbell's cheddar cheese soup
1 can campbell's 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup milk
1 pound cooked and cubed/shredded chicken (I used a rotisserie but feel free to cook some and cube)
2 broccoli crowns cut into florets and stems cubed (uncooked!)
About 1/2 bag of tator tots frozen - I ended up using a bit more
8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
Pinch Salt
 1/4 tsp Pepper
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
 1/2 tsp Dried Parsley

In a large bowl, combine soups, milk and spices.  Whisk until smooth. 

Fold in chicken and broccoli.  Place in the bottom of a 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish.  Place the tator tots in an even layer on top of the chicken mixture.  Top with the shredded cheddar cheese. 

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and cover with foil.  Return to oven and bake another 20 minutes.  Remove foil and broil for 3 minutes just to give the tator tots a little more crispness and make sure that the cheese is all melted.  Remove and serve!

I served this with texas toast and the whole family loved it.  I was afraid the husband would think I was crazy, but once he mashed his tots into the casserole, he was a happy man. 

On an exciting note, I want to share that my husband and I are expecting our third little one in the end of July!!  I hope this explains the sporadic posts for the last couple of months as well as the tator tot obsession.  I have never experienced food aversions like the ones I have during this pregnancy.  I think I lived on fruit and vegetables for a whole week because NOTHING else sounded remotely appetizing. 

I am officially 16 weeks along, and feeling great so I should be back in the kitchen full swing - although there will probably be some weird cravings to satisfy so bear with me :)