out + about

charleston aquarium 

paddle boats - james island park

 cupcake on king

piggy wiggly

chicken + dumplings @ virginia's on king

young picasso - children's museum of the lowcountry 

we love eli too.. he is just usually home sleeping with nana :)

beach bug

happy summer!

 i'm soo glad we get to have a long break here at the beach before our big move. 

let summer begin! 

happy birthday ivy!!

happy birthday sweetheart! i love you!

huge thanks to mom, cindy, gen and nana for all the great help!

(cutest cake in the world from ashley bakery. thanks mom & gen!)

39/40

in my inbox yesterday from babycentre.com:

"Pineapple contains the enzyme bromelain which is thought to help bring on labour. Eating large amounts will probably stimulate your tummy, which could also stimulate your uterus."

I'm a little skeptical.... we'll see!

grill guy

so kevin's been grilling pretty much every night.

and it never gets old.

in fact, it gets more awesome each time.

i'm thinking about an indoor grill for his bday (hello boston winter!)

because the best part is, he loves it as much as i do.

lamb kebabs {bottom right} from everyday food magazine

1 lb boneless lamb (i bought 3 lamb chops and had the butcher de-bone and cut them into 1-inch pieces... awesome)

2 tsp fresh lemon zest

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 pint grape tomatoes

bunch of fresh mint leaves

s+p

heat grill or grill pan to medium-high.

in a large bowl, combine the lamb, lemon zest and spices. season with s+p and toss to coat.

thread the lamb, tomatoes and mint onto 4 skewers.

grill kebabs, covered, 7-8 minutes for medium, turning occasionally.

serve with lemon wedges and grilled naan!

(i added some baby potatoes too -just boil them a few minutes first)

green rice {top right} from everyday food magazine

1 cup cilantro leaves

1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves

1/4 cup white onion, chopped

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 3/4 cups water

1 cup long grain white rice

1 lime

in a blender, combine all ingredients except the rice and blend til smooth.

season with s+p.

in a medium pot, heat 1 tsp olive oil over medium -high heat. add the rice and stir to coat.

add herb mixture and bring to a boil.

reduce to a simmer, cover and cook about 15 minutes.

remove pan from heat and let sit , covered 5 more minutes.

add a squeeze of fresh lime juice and fluff with a fork.

pork chops {bottom left}

2 boneless thin cut pork chops

brush with olive oil.

season with fresh thyme, ground sage, s+p.

grill em up and serve with grits & peaches.

soooooo good.

enjoy!

morning smoothie

all of these were everyday food inspired -

don't think any of them follow the recipe exactly.

they're just the way i make them.

1 - everyday smoothie

cup of strawberries & bananas (i use frozen)

oj (enough to cover)

old fashioned oats (a big spoonful. supposedly, this keeps you full longer)

honey (a good squeeze)

ice

blend til smooth.

2 - pineapple banana smoothie

1 can crushed pineapple (8 ounces)

banana

3/4 cup vanilla yogurt

ice

blend til smooth. sprinkle with nutmeg.

3- chocolate banana smoothie

1 pack carnation chocolate instant breakfast (love this when i'm pregnant. turns out my mother-in-law did too... weird)

banana

milk (1/2 cup)

ice

blend til smooth.

4-blueberry parfait smoothie

cup of blueberries

cup of ice

1/2 cup yogurt (i use vanilla)

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup oj

spoonful of honey

blend til smooth. top with granola.

these all serve 1 1/2 :)

enjoy!

ps. my mother-in-law has the cutest napkins!

yesterday

they visited the aquarium. i visited the salon. it was a good morning!

ps. i love instagram!

popsicle

she only eats orange. ok!

instagram

both of my bro-in-laws told me about instagram thinking i'd like it.

it's the coolest!

here's us this morning on the beach (ivy's eating breakfast).

that's a starfish she's got, thanks to kevin's expert catching.

i'm 36 weeks today!

baby stats:

5 lbs, 10 ounces

38th%

hearbeat 128

any boy/girl predictions!?