World's Easiest Chicken Casserole

This is one of the very first casseroles I learned how to make, and Mr. Smith still loves it years later! 

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

You'll Need:

Cooked Chicken Breasts (or Tenders, whatever's easiest)

Long Grain & Wild Rice

2 Cans Cream of Chicken

1 Can Chicken Broth

Cook your chicken first... the standard 30 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Cut into bite size pieces.

Cook rice per directions (I always use the handy 90 sec Uncle Ben's packets... they are so good!)

Mix together chicken, rice, Cream of Chicken, and Chicken Broth.  (With the Chicken Broth, I usually just use half a can...)

Bake for 35-45 minutes at 350 degrees.

We usually have it with some sort of veggie.

This recipe is very easy to double or freeze and put away for later use...

Preggers Post - Week 26

Baby Smith

"Your baby's eyes — which have been closed for the past few months — are now beginning to open. Your baby's brain-wave activity is also kicking in at this stage in fetal development, which means your little one can not only hear noises but can now also respond to them." says WhattoExpect.com.  He also grows to 2 pounds this week!  Craziness!

Momma Smith

Ugggghhhh.... the tiredness of the third trimester is coming.  I can feel it, creepin' up on me, I swear.  Mornings are a little bit harder to get up for, and evenings are a little bit more sluggish. 

And with Richard Simmons doing his thing, dancin' away in there, I can sense the uncomfortableness people have been mentioning.  Particularly in the bladder region.  And when he lunges forward and catches me off guard while I'm standing up.  Not cool, Little One.  Catch me at the right time and you can feel either a head or booty with your hand on my belly.  And then maybe a swift kick or punch from the Karate Kid to say get off my Momma!  :)

Having about 1-2 Braxton Hicks contractions per week now, and I'm sensing these will only continue as time moves on, right?  Anyone? They are a little panic-inducing at first, I will admit, but then quickly subside. 

Also feeling a little abdominal achiness in the side muscle - or where there used to be muscles - department.  I suspect this is from the growth spurt of Little One and how this constant workout is making me a little sore.  I tried to explain to Sister after last night's Bible Study that it's like an intense ab workout, except with no benefits whatsoever to the fitness of your ab muscles. 

In Other News

Um... how cute is this sign? 

It's an awkward photo, because taking it directly in front was causing the flash to give it a glare, but you get the idea. 

Picked it up from Lifeway this week, and it was love at first sight.  This was the nightly prayer my brother and I did with our parents every night!  A tradition Mr. Smith and I can't wait to start with Little One.  

Curtains are coming in from Target at some point in the next few days, but that's about it with nursery development.  After slinging out painting and furniture assembly so fast, we're taking a breather. 

Third trimester starts next Friday!  Who's excited?  You may even get a belly picture.

Maybe. 

I'm not making any promises.

Wordless Wednesday: Burrito Pets

They are not spoiled.

Not in the least.

Monday Meanderings...

Once again I find myself thinking, How is it Monday morning already?  After a busy weekend, here we are again, ready to begin another week.

Friday night Mr. Smith and I, along with the Carrolls, had a double date at the dollar theater to see "The Social Network."  It was suprisingly good!  Who knew so much drama went behind facebook's history?  What was so funny is seeing how facebook has revamped and modified over the past few years, and remembering how "it used to be."  Sigh.  The glory days, right?

Saturday, Mr. Smith was off to another day of hunting, while I did things around the house and made my 2nd Publix run armed with coupons and bargain shopping list.  Total spent: $100.  Savings: $51.  For 2 weeks worth of groceries!  Not bad, peeps.  Not bad at all, if I do say so myself.  I also snagged some "bonus" items outside the usually grocery list like shampoo (5 for $5), dog food, etc. that were having too good of deals to pass up on.  I'm all about hoarding stocking up these days. 

Saturday night I had a dinner date with two of my fav's: Mrs. Bremmerman and Mrs. Shepherd.  We are so excited at her return to The Ham!  Nothing feels as good as dishing about all things girly with these two.  Might I mention we also tried Flip Burger?  After an hour wait, this pregnant lady was rearing to go with that menu.  Their mushroom & swiss burger, with fries and fried pickle chips are to die for.  Finish it off with one of their famous milkshakes - all three of us had the Krispy Kreme, which really did taste like a donut.  Wonders upon wonders!

Mr. Smith and I ran errands on Sunday, such as exchanging the crib mattress at Babies 'R Us, and crossed several "To Do" items off our household list, like putting up updated smoke detectors.  You know - the stuff you don't think about until you're bringing a life into the world.  :) 

Preggers Post - Week 25

Baby Boy Smith

He is about 9 inches long and a little over a pound this week!  And his lungs are beginning to develop. 

Baby Smith is also a dancing machine.  He likes to dance in the mornings (after I start sipping on my one rationed Coke), right after lunch, during our Childbirth classes (maybe he's getting excited?) and at night in bed when I'm lying on my back.  Mr. Smith also felt him - that's twice now! - last night as Baby Smith gave him a resounding high five. 

Momma Smith

I'll give you one guess who I am in this video: 

Beware if you make me wait any amount of time before serving me my food.  "Hangry" is the term I like to use.  Hungry + Angry = Hangry.  Some might say it resembles The Hulk right before he turns green with rage. 

In Other News

We just returned home from our 3rd Childbirth Class.  Where we watched The Video.  I may never be the same again.  Sometimes it's better not to know, yes?  The girl beside me recommended watching some more at home... just Google "Live Birth" she said.  Rather joyfully, I might add.  Kudos to her. 

Mr. Smith arranged a tour of the new UAB Women and Infants Center with our moms (& my dad) this week, and it was fabulous.  I have to say that the facility is beyond impressive... and I don't just mean their updated Room Service Menu with dishes by renowed Chef Frank Stitt.  Who is from Cullman, might I add.  Gotta brag on the ole hometown whenever possible....

Wordless Wednesday: Snow at the Family Farm

Isn't that pretty?  Courtesy of Mom.

Weekend Wrap-Up with some Favorite Gals

I'm a little behind in schedule with yesterday's Holiday, so bear with me. 

After a fabulous weekend catching up with some of my favorite gals, I realize how lucky I am to count each of them one of my nearest and dearest.  Mr. Smith was off in New Orleans with Groomsman duties of Mr. Mooty's Bachelor Party - no worries - he returned safe and sound Sunday morning, albeit a litte tired and mumbling something along the lines of "I'm not as young as I use to be." 

Saturday morning was spent over a relaxing brunch at Jackson's with my C-Town BFFs.  As mentioned previously on this blog, we get together twice a year to rehash, review, and refocus with each other.  And by this I mean gossip, dish details of married life, and inquire about all things pregnancy. 

Group Pics are a must!  See that burgeoning belly? 

Later that day, I visited a dear friend from grad school, Mrs. Lybrand and her newest addition, Miss Libby, to bring them some dinner and get some snuggle time (read: practice time) with that 6 lb. bundle of joy. 

Please note how "big brother" Gehrig sat protectively by me while I held her the entire time.  Most of the time he was in my lap as well.  Fingers crossed Cooper doesn't get any wild hairs about pulling this routine come Spring time. 

At his annual vet's visit yesterday, the Beast was up to 76 lbs.  Not exactly "lap dog" material, but don't tell him that.

Special thanks to Mrs. Lybrand for putting up with my 2 hours worth of The Spanish Inquisition.  I just like to get all the facts, folks.  Especially when it's about to happen to you, in say, a little over 3 months. 

Saturday night was spent with another favorite gal of mine - Sister.  She swung by and picked me up for some delicious Mexican at Iguana Grill before having a movie date with her Husband. 

And since we're talking about favorite gals, this sassy lady wanted to make sure she as included: 

Doesn't she just beam love and adoration at you?