We Keep On Waiting...Waiting On the World to Change

Georgia's Birth Saga
Installment II

Okay, so the lights go out and me and my trusty 2 man birth team try to wind down. At the same time the intensity and frequency of my contractions goes up. They eventually got to where they were less than a minute apart. The pain from one would just begin to ease a little and before it was over another one would come. I was "coupling" my contractions.  For me the pain was in my extreme lower abdominal region, toward the spot where your legs-attach-groin-area.  It can best be described as a hot knife stabbing like pain combined with the cramping feeling you get if you have been holding in a poop for WAY too long. Sounds fun,huh?  I didn't want to get an epidural too soon and expose little G-Nizzle to drugs during a prolonged labor, because I was worried she would be groggy and a poor eater if I did.  So I was putting that option off for awhile. 
The harder the contractions got, I constantly wanted to change positions. Roll over on my side, sit up on the side of the bed, the head of the bed sucks I want to lay at the foot, put a pillow under my hip, move that pillow, I want to stand and sway, I want to lay back down. It was constant. I latched on to this washrag that found its way to me and I would shove my face into it with every contraction while my inner dialogue was screaming "Make the world go away..."  Also, I really really really wanted a catheter. Weird I know, but I was having what I would imagine to be bladder spasms. I felt like I needed to pee so bad and the contractions wouldn't let me relax long enough to let it go.  Josh and Caleigh journeyed me to the bathroom between contractions which felt like it was 2 miles away. I finally got there and it took for-ev-ver but I peed and was so darn happy about it. Josh exclaimed "She peed!" and Caleigh cheered.  During the bathroom trip I had 2 visitors. One was a very motherly nurse I work with who wanted to check on me. She saw my life was sucking and immediatly started trying to pin down the whereabouts of anesthesia, she knew this girl needed an epidural. Her name is Cindy and I love her for that.  The other visitor, came into the room without knocking (which ummm, I don't think is a good policy for any labor room) I started yelling "No! No! No!" and the visitor promptly left.  I think this was my most I'm-in-labor-and-I'm-crazy moment.

 
After I was back in bed from the bathroom, my nurse Amanda checked me again. I was 3 cm. I was sad about it too. I just knew these bitch contractions were making more progress than that. She asked me if I wanted my epidural yet and I told her no but I didn't mean it. I wanted it bad but I also wanted to be more dilated.  She told me that my contractions were really close together and she thought I should go ahead with it. I told her no again and she understood. She also reminded me that after I did say yes to the epidural I would have to have a fluid bolus that would take an hour, and it would be around another hour after that before I would get any relief. Son of a bitch. (You can cuss when you're in labor)  I rode out the monster waves of contractions just a little while longer and then threw in the towel. Give me the juice! 
It was a very busy night in the women's center that night. My nurse Amanda was in a delivery and couldn't come start my fluid bolus. My other nurse-friend, Danelle, came and started it. I could tell she was having a hectic night and that it was a stretch for her to stop what she was doing to come start my fluids. Bless her heart, I gave her a piece of fudge that another nurse had left for me and told her I love her forever. Labor makes you very grateful.  Well by the time my fluids had infused and I could have my epidural, another gal was getting hers. So I had to wait my turn. A second bag of fluids infused before my superhero Rick CRNA showed up. So by this time it had been two hours since I thought I couldn't take it anymore. A woman's body is an amazing thing! 
Before I started this labor thing, I wanted to make sure my breath didn't stink and that I wasn't making sex sounding noises during contractions. I was failing at both. My best friend forever Caleigh swears that I handled my contractions well and didn't act a fool, but I'm not sure I believe her. When Rick came in, Caleigh and Josh had to go to the waiting room. Sweet Amanda held me while I hunched over for Rick. If you know Amanda, you know she smells like a freshly powdered baby's bottom. She has the best eau de laundry scent EVER. I kept telling her thank you for smelling so wonderful and apologizing for my rank breath that I knew I was blowing all over her with every contraction. She told me to shut up, don't worry about it.

Me and the love of my labor life Rick

Does it hurt getting an epidural? Who cares?!  My advice would be to wait until you think you are about to die before you get one because then you don't give a rip.  Ole Rick could have walked in and threw the epidural at my back like a dart and I still would have wanted to kiss him on the butt for his generosity.  Super long needle to the spine, no sweat.
After the best thing since sliced bread epidural was in and I was laying back down I got the catheter I had been asking for. I loved it and would have kept it for a week. No peeing! Amanda checked me and I had progressed to a 6. Hallelujah!!!  Josh and Caleigh came back in the room to find the sex sound moaning wash cloth eating Courtney gone and a smiling, cheerful Courtney in her place. I told Josh to let all my spectators in the waiting room to come in and visit. Which I would have wanted them all to burn in a fiery hell if they would have came in my room 45 minutes before that.
I felt great, the contractions were totally nonexistent on my pain scale. Now that's the way to do it. If you are knocked up or will be someday: Don't be a chump, get the epidural. There is no gold star, certificate, or medal you are awarded at the end for hurting more than you have to. In the end you get the same prize as the woman who had an epidural, a baby. DO IT. If my epidural were a man I would have ditched Josh and married it. Epidural, epidural, epidural.
So that's where I will sign off. Very comfortable, blissful, anxiety free, catheter loving.

Peace. Love. EPIDURAL.

Waiting On The World to Change

Georgia's Birth Saga
Installment I

The night before my last prenatal appointment I needed a bath. It had become a major ordeal to bathe. I couldn't wash my hair in the bathtub and I couldn't shave my legs in the shower. I felt compelled to shave my legs that night, my swollen legs. I looked like a synchronized swimmer choreographing a routine in 4 inches of bath water. But I guess I had a feeling G was coming soon. That day I had a pedicure and gotten baby feet painted on my toenails. Dr John had taken me off of work the week before because my blood pressure had been high, and I was spilling some protein in my urine. I was so swollen.
The next morning Josh's sister Abi drove me to my prenatal appointment at the insistence of her mom. She didn't think I should go alone even though I felt like I could. Josh was at work so other wise I would have been by myself. We got there and the nurse called me back and checked my blood pressure, it was high. There was protein in my urine again. My pitting edema had move up from my feet further into my legs. My cervix was not opened either. I was really hoping Dr John wouldn't tell me that I needed to me induced. I was certain induction meant a horrible drawn out labor on a pitocin drip. I was also worried that if Georgia was born at 38 weeks she would be small and maybe have trouble nursing, or worse need oxygen and IVs. The nurse had me get dressed after my cervix was checked and go into the ultrasound room, I made a quick detour to the waiting room to have Abi come to the ultrasound with me. Georgia measured 6 lbs 2 oz on ultrasound, which is a give or take estimation. My doctor told me that he could send me home on bed rest but that we would be prolonging the inevitable and putting me at risk for all the nasty things that high blood pressure can do to a pregnant woman. He reminded me of them, and he reminded me that I would be home by myself since Josh was at work. He wanted to induce me. I asked if I could go home first instead of straight to the hospital. He told me I could. I wanted to get all my bags that I had left at home.
On the way home I text some friends and asked them to say prayer for us. I was so worried Georgia would be small and a weak eater or worse have some immature lungs.  I tried to call Josh at work and he wasn't able to hear his phone because he was driving the forklift. I sent a text his tool pusher and told him to have Josh call me ASAP. His tool pusher found Josh's cousin/co-worker/life long sidekick Carl first and told him I was trying to reach Josh. Josh said Carl came running at his forklift yelling "Call your wife! Call your wife"  I would have paid money to see it.  When Josh finally called me we were in an area of sketchy cell phone service so we pulled over in the local strip club parking lot and I told him he would be a Dad tomorrow. He would only be allowed 3 days off of work so I told him to finish his shift for the day before he came to the hospital which would be about a 3 hour drive.  It was hard for him, but Josh stayed at work for the rest of the day.
Once I made it home, I walked in my house and picked up my furbaby Talulah and cried and cried.  Her little world was changing forever and she had no idea. I felt so bad for the little ratfink. Before we left the house I had Abi take one last chalkboard picture of my fat swollen self.

 

When I got to the hospital I had labs drawn, my IV was started and heplocked (no icky pitocin infusing!)I was hooked up to the monitors and was surprised to see that I was already having contractions that I couldn't feel! Maybe I wouldn't have a horrible torturous induction after all! Dr John came over and inserted a vaginal cyctotec to hopefully get things moving.  He told me to wait an hour and then begin walking the halls in 10 minute increments resting in between so my blood pressure wouldn't jump up.  Abi and I walked the halls several times while I was anxiously waiting to find out the results of my lab work, specifically my platelet count. When my labs came back I was happy and very, very relieved to hear that my platelets were high enough for an epidural-barely but good enough! On one of my laps through the hospital I stopped at the gift shop and bought a few things. I got Josh a hat that said "New Dad" on it and some pink "It's a Girl!" bracelets to hand out to everyone who would be in the waiting room during my labor.  My doctor checked my cervix again-no change and inserted another cytotec.

One last belly shot! I made G and I fancy matching gowns. Can't be looking like a trick when you meet your daughter.

 

 

As the evening rolled around my mom and dad arrived and took a turn walking me through the halls. The night shift nurses took over.  I am so fortunate to work with the absolute best group of women on the planet who happen to be amazing nurses. My friend Amanda took me on as her patient. For awhile I had been asking God for a certain nurse to be able to be Georgia's nursery nurse and she was working that night! Curly headed sweet Amelia would take care of my baby, I was so happy! Georgia's godmommy and 1/2 of my birth team busted through my room door wearing her godmother cape after finishing up with work for the day.  Josh's mom and stepdad drove in from Nashville.  Not long after that my Josh made it! I was so happy to see my husband and baby daddy, it was very comforting. But the moment was short lived as my mother in law nominated josh to go to the parking lot to meet his dad and show him where our room was.  As soon as Josh got back I made it clear he was not to leave me again for any reason. If proverbially I were a thumb sucker, he would proverbially be my security blanket.

Dr John came back to see me and checked my cervix.  I had only progressed to 2 cm.  Which was disappointing but he was able to break my water. I was really worried it would hurt but it didn't! By that time my contractions had become pretty regular and I decided I wanted everyone to leave the room so I could rest before I really started hurting. Our family understood and they all went to the waiting room.  Well Josh's dad must have been in the bathroom and missed the memo to head on out. He pulled up a chair directly in front of me at the foot of my bed and kicked back like he was at the theater and I was the headliner. If you know Scottie, you know this is so him. He's a nut. I didn't want to hurt his feelings and say "Hey get out" and I knew one person who would be able to get the message across to him. So I sent a text message to Scottie's ex wife and my mother in law, Trish to please get Scottie in the waiting room with everyone else.  Less than 30 seconds later Abi was ushering ole Scottie out. I love him dearly but as any woman who has ever experienced labor would understand, I wanted some downtime. There is no such downtime when Scottie is around!

 

Lights dimmed, time to try to rest.

 

 

Peace. Love. To be continued...

Pre-baby Panic

36 weeks now and as ready as I can be! Mom and Dad bags are packed, car seat in the vehicle, diaper bag stocked with gowns, coordinating blankets, and 2 coming home outfits (one for a birth weight of less than 7 pounds and one for more)  Although I have prepared all the things I can control, I still freak out over the things I can't. Like where Josh will be when it is time to go to the hospital. If he is at work, he will have a 2 1/2-3 hour drive home, which is doable, but he will only have 3 days to be with us. So I alternate anxiety about quantity of Josh time with the thankfulness that Josh only works every other week. So half of the time I will have him home with me, and he will be totally free to devote all his attention to us. 

Also a source of worry is that Georgia will be born during cold and flu season. Cootie queen momma in the making. Make fun of me. Call me psycho. Tell me I'm being over protective. I don't give a rat's patoot.  The last thing I want is for my baby girl to get RSV or something worse, end up in the hospital, get poked for labs, have an IV, have a bunch of snot when she can't even blow her nose yet, etc. etc. Inevitably this would all transpire while Josh was at work, just the way our luck runs with stuff like that. So if you don't want to wash your hands, or you may sneeze or cough on my baby, I say this as lovingly as possible: Bug off. I know that she will not live her whole childhood and never get sick, but we will do everything we can to prevent it while she is an infant. And that's all I have to say about that.

You'll find this on our hospital door. Now let me say, we can't wait to show Miss Georgia off, so don't be scared to come see us. We love you, really we do. Just wash your hands without giving me any grief about it.

 

Next worry: Today I went in to Georgia's nursery to put some things away and was having a moment in her closet. All theses adorable clothes we have been gifted and that I have shopped for make my heart flutter! I am about to have a BABY to wear them! But wait...when I was shopping I didn't buy as many newborn sized outfits as I did other sizes. Rationalizing that she won't be that size for very long. What was I thinking?? I frantically count the newborn clothes in the closet. 20 outfits. Is that enough? Will she be newborn size for longer than 20 days? What if she spits up or craps on something and has to wear 2 outfits in one day? Ahhhh!!! As soon as Josh called from work I asked him if he thought I should go to JCPenney tomorrow and buy more clothes. His response? Ever my voice of logic and reason: You can wash her clothes you freaking nut job. THEN she can wear them twice or even three or four times if necessary. Oh, whew! Why didn't I think of that? Now THAT was a close one. Crisis averted.

 

I went to the doctor a few days ago and Georgia weighs an estimated 5 lbs and 14 ounces. I am wondering how much bigger she can get before my uterus starts to contract. I feel like I may be pregnant forever. But I had been told that the last weeks slow down and boy do they. Guess it just gives you time to worry about dumb crap. My puffiness/swelling is pretty good and easily resolves when I rest a little. My blood pressure is still within normal limits, just a little high when compared to my baseline blood pressure from the beginning of my pregnancy. 1+ protein in my urine as a result, but I don't feel like I am going to stroke out anytime soon. So we will just keep carrying on. My plan is to NOT be induced if at all possible. I have different reasons why I don't prefer induction, but I'm not totally close minded about it. Every time Josh leaves for work a planned day to go to the hospital is pretty tempting, but I'm holding out. God knows when she will come and if he wants Josh to be there, he'll be there.

 

I have a couple of predictions about Georgia's personality. I have already mentioned I think she will be a planner like me, since she has been head down ready to make her way through the birth canal for months. My other prediction is that she will not be a morning person. When I wake up for the final time in the morning (not any of the other times I get up throughout the night to pee and eat) she hurts me! Pushes both arms and legs outward as hard as I think she can. It makes my stomach look so deformed and lopsided. Like the Quasimodo of pregnant bellies. I feel like she is saying "Five more minutes mom!" Oh and I think she is going to be a pig. She is making me so so hungry. I wake up every hour to two hours throughout the night to pee and with each wake up my stomach is rumbling and I feel like I haven't eaten in days. So we have many snacks, and eat more than 3 meals a day. So I think she will be a big eater!

 

I'm going to shut up now, Georgia's Aunt Abi is on her way to bring us a Big Mac. Our second supper for the evening.

 

Peace.Love.Panic.

  

Still here, still trucking along!

Oops. I haven't blogged in a long long time. Mainly because I have been napping. The third trimester showed up and this momma got really tired, I guess I'm prepping for the fatigue of post Georgia life. In the mean time, I have had 3 really sweet showers for our girl.

Our first shower was a diaper shower, and it was a success! 1303 diapers to be exact and a bunch of wipes and butt paste. Woo Hoo!

 Then we had the sweetest themed, most beautiful "Georgia Peach" shower and got so many things for Georgia! Not to mention the all the peach themed foods and drinks were delicious. I'm still dreaming of peach dumplings and a peach Nehi soda.

 

And last but not least, my sweet girls from work hosted a shower for our little pumpkin. I am so lucky to have the coworkers that I do!

 

All this showering lead the the result of Georgia's room being complete. And I am IN LOVE. So many people have asked "What's your theme?" Well sorry, but it isn't Dora, Pooh bear, or Disney Princesses. I guess you could call my theme Fabulous, because that's how I feel in her beautiful nursery. My husband and Daddy-O helped me so much with all my big ideas, couldn't have done it with out them for sure.

That's it in a nutshell. I'm proud of it, took all these pictures of it before there is crayon on the walls and puke stains on the carpet.

 

We have also had a 3D ultrasound done since the last time I blogged. I was so excited, but worried we wouldn't get the face shot I was hoping for. When the ultrasound tech asked if I was ready to look at her face I almost told her no. It was a little overwhelming to think I was about to get to see her. But I went through with it. As soon as we got a good look Josh was hitting my leg gesturing wildly in his own form of sign language to communicate to me that she had my nose and looks just like me. I was hoping she would be a little mini Josh. I can't wait for her to actually be here so we can see more of her features. Fingers crossed for Josh's hair, he had the cutest stand straight up fly away baby hair. Which as adult hair is straight as a board and grows super fast. I'm also hoping she has Josh's attitude, a patient one.

 

 

 

Now that we see how baby Georgia looks, let us talk about momma. I had been loving my bump, having fun picking outfits to wear, and been receiving compliments like I didn't even look pregnant from behind. Needless to say that's over with! It was like 34 weeks was a magic fairy godmother wand that worked in reverse. Wide nose, puffy face, swollen feet...just to name a few. Now people say things to me like "Are you still working?" and "You look ready."  It was all good fun when G made my boobs bigger, but this whole lard ass swollen look isn't as appealing.

 

The blissfully pregnant, isn't this fun, sure you can take my picture days.

Here we are in the days of my feet hurt, I can't wear my jewelry or feel my fingertips, and I haven't seen my own crotch in weeks.

 

Pretty sure this terd will be worth it though!

 

She has been head down for months now (a planner like her mom) so hopefully delivery is smooth sailing. Only one major concern. Since I take aspirin to thin my blood everyday, there is a chance my platelet count (platelets have to do with making your blood clot) could be low when I show up at the hospital for delivery. If that is the case, I can kiss any hope of an epidural goodbye. Which I know I would live and learn to walk again, but not even having the option is a little, okay a lot, freaky. When Dr. John called me and told me I had MTHFR, my first thought was concern for my baby. Instantly after that my inner dialogue screamed "Son of a gun, those are the girls that don't get epidurals!" Then right back to worrying unselfishly about my baby.  I have been pushing this fear to the back of my mind since there is absolutely nothing I can do about it, but the closer D-Day gets the scarier it is. 4 weeks and 5 days to be exact. Jesus take the wheel.

 

Aside from that worry, Josh and I have been staying at home on purpose as much as possible. We have gotten so much accomplished around the house and last week he was home we didn't even eat out one time! We are so enjoying our last stretch of down time before G-Love turns our planet sideways. I have become tearful more that once that the Josh and Courtney era is coming to an end. Sounds weird, and it is not that I'm not ready for my daughter to be here but Josh has been my #1 for a long time and the switching of focus and priority is just a little sad, in a sentimental way. I am so so so so (insert a lot more so's here) thankful that we have been together for all the time we have and have made the most of it. I have enjoyed every second of building my relationship with him and I know we are ready for the next level, level Georgia. Bring it on, we will only love each other more!

 

End sappy rant here. Just want to make sure when Georgia reads this someday she knows how much I love her Daddy and that relationships are worth time investment and work. The end, fatty fatty two by four signing off.

 

Peace.Love.We're on the downhill slide.

 



 

 

 

Truckin' right along!

We are 24 weeks today and I am still feeling great. My belly button has popped out and I hate it! I have always had a weird problem with my belly button. Josh loves to stick his finger in it because he knows it makes me feel like I want to puke on a person and now that it is popped out I get my belly button touched ALL the time. EWWWWW. During my ultrasound this week, my doctor kept rolling the ultrasound wand over my belly button and if I wasn't getting to look at my sweet Georgia I would have been able to take it. So if you see me at the grocery store and have the urge to touch my belly, go right ahead but please avoid my belly button or I will have the uncontrollable urge to throw up on you.

Ankles have started to be swollen at the end of some days if I have been on my feet too much. Drinking lots of water and cashing in a lot of foot rubs from my devoted husband :)

The past little while has really brought on the heartburn! Old wives tale says that means a head full of hair. I don't really believe those kinds of superstitions but a baby with flowing locks of hair would be a nice consolation to all this heartburn.I was bald as an onion until I was 2 years old. Josh on the other hand had the fuzziest hair that stood straight up all the time. I hope our baby looks just like Josh!

Here is our most recent look at our baby girl! Her face is on the right and her arms are up by her ears. Her leg bone measured long this week and a lot of people I have told about this say she will be a basketball player. Nope, I think we will use our long legs for dancing thank you. Georgia Love is weighing in at 1 pound and 6 ounces. Every night before bed Josh lays his hand on my belly to feel her move. Our favorite part of the day, sweet moments!

 

I.LOOK.SO.BIG. I have had several people tell me that I look bigger in pictures than I do in person, whew! However, today in JCPenney a lady asked me when I was due and then told me I was going to be huge before I delivered and she sure hopes I make it. I initially had a lot of trouble finding cute outfits to wear, but now I have outgrown all of my sweatpants. Now THAT is a problem! Every girl, pregnant or not, deserves a good pair of fat pants! I have been wearing Josh's boxer shorts around the house most of the time and he is complaining he never has any clean underwear. Hey we all have to sacrifice here. Oh well, we are just fat and sassy and happy that baby G is growing away!

 

 

I am also SO very happy to report that I haven't bled/spotted in almost 2 whole weeks. (now everyone knock on wood!) I am thankful thankful thankful for this stress reliever. Since my joyous 12 week milestone I have been alternating between bleeding and spotting most everyday and it was making me worry because it was always for NO reason. I couldn't ever justify it with a cause like heavy lifting or being on my feet to much or anything like that. I was mostly afraid of my placenta detaching from the uterine wall (medical term: abruption) since I would have an increased risk of that being a MTHFR-er, and also afraid of incompetent cervix which is where the cervix can't support the weight of a growing baby causing delivery way too early. I just did my best to push the worry to the back of my mind and take it easy if I thought I needed to. On the worst day for my bleeding I called my doctor's office and they wanted to see me. We couldn't find any cause for it other than the irritation of a vein on my cervix (cervix is very vascular during pregnancy) he gave me some antibiotics hoping to help with any inflammation that may be causing it. He told me to pay close attention in case I started to feel any pressure (incompetent cervix worry) The antibiotics helped, but didn't take it totally away. But as of today I can say it has "stopped" and hopefully for good, lots of prayers for peace of mind have gone up with this little issue!

 

Enough about me for today.

 

 

Peace.Love.Fat Pants.

 

Fall is in the air!

Fall is definitely the favorite season at the Hollowell Headquarters. I love the weather, foliage, and the holidays. Josh gets buck fever and dives head first into another hunting season. 2 years ago, we had our wedding on a beautiful fall day. It is actually Fall Eve right now (not QUITE fall yet) but I can feel it coming! Last week, under my direction, Josh took a few maternity pictures of me before he left for work again. He did such a good job! I may just turn him into a picture whore like me before it's all over with.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make & Freeze Meals

Today I didn't have to work and Josh has left me for the rig. I am waiting on some fabric to come in the mail before I fire up the sewing machine again and I was struck with a case of boredom. I started pinteresting, a favorite time killer of mine, and saw some pins for make ahead meals. I have contemplated doing this before and well today was the day! I cooked for a couple of hours this afternoon and the result is a small stock pile of home cooked goodness for the first little while after G-baby gets here. Josh and I are notorious for eating out, not even because we want to, just because we forgot to go to the grocery store again. We really aren't even satisfied when we go out. We have burned ourselves out on all the restaurants Corning has to offer at supper time. So hopefully I can have a marathon cooking spree again before my pregnancy ends and have even MORE food in my deep freeze!

 

Here is what I came up with today: 3 meals of Autumn Pork Chops, 2 pot roasts, 2 meals of potato soup, 3 meals of chili, 2 meals of Creamy Chicken and Chive Sauce, and 1 meal of poppy seed chicken.  Recipes anyone? Here they are! (*Before I start, Georgia's godmommy Caleigh went on a cookbook queen run after all her wedding showers and she is responsible for sharing the majority of these recipes with me. She is a good gal to have around.*)

 

 

Autumn Pork Chops  This is one of the easiest to make ahead. (I ate it once at Caleigh's house, it was really good!) All you need are 4-6 boneless pork chops, sprinkled with cinnamon. Put in a freezer bag with 2 cups of apple juice. Thaw the night before you want to prepare. Once thawed, cook in the ole crock pot on low for 10 hours.

 

Pot Roast   Also an easy one, this will just save me the time of going to the store and chopping up the vegetables. My favorite recipe for roast is what I used. Place roast in freezer bag, add 2 envelopes Lipton Onion Soup Mix, chopped potatoes, and chopped carrots, and 1/2 cup Root Beer (makes it tender and juicy!)  Thaw before placing in crock pot on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

 

Potato Soup  One 30 ounce bag of frozen shredded hash browns, 32 ounce container of chicken broth, 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 tsp pepper, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 8 ounces cream cheese. Put all the ingredients in a freezer bag except the cream cheese. To serve: thaw and place in crock pot on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours. One hour before serving, add cream cheese. Garnish as desired.

 

Chili  Well I am sure this one goes without explaining. Make chili and freeze it. Just use your favorite recipe.

 

 

Creamy Chicken and Chive Sauce  Love this one, which Caleigh gave me the recipe for! Melt 1/4 cup butter and stir in one 0.7 ounce package of dry Italian salad dressing mix. Stir in one can of condensed golden mushroom soup and one 8 ounce package of chive and onion cream cheese. Place 4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts in freezer bag and top with sauce. To prepare thaw and cook in crock pot on low for 4-5 hours. Serve over cooked pasta or rice.

 

 

Poppy Seed Chicken  5 cups chopped cooked chicken in bottom of 9x13 freezer safe dish. In a medium bowl stir together 1 can cream of chicken soup and 1 cup of sour cream. Pour over chicken. In separate bowl melt 1/2 cup butter. Add 1 1/2 cups crushed Ritz crackers (I use the roasted vegetable crackers Ritz makes) and 1 tsp poppy seeds. Sprinkle over chicken and sauce. Cover dish and place in 2 gallon freezer bag. To prepare, thaw and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (This one is also a Caleigh recipe! Aren't you jealous she isn't your best friend??)

 

 

Anyways, that's all folks. I have found through my internet research that you should double bag before freezing and get all of the air out of the bags to avoid freezer burn. I am hoping to have another burst of nesting momma energy and do this again with some different recipes.

 

Peace. Love. Make & Freeze.