Baby #2 is on the way! Plus a delicious Chicken & Shrimp Gumbo recipe the whole family will love.

Dun da dun... that's right! We are pregnant!

 Baby #2 is expected in July 2015. We are just over 3 months pregnant and everything is going... well it's going. I had some spotting early on due to a blood clot that formed after implantation, so we have been playing it safe. Which meant no sex for two months (that's a blast) or horseback riding (less of a struggle). I've steered clear of spin classes and heavy plyometrics. I've been sticking to light jogs and my PUMP class with very little weight. It has been stressful more than anything just hoping and praying the little guy - or girl, makes it.

Our last appointment, however, put us in the clear - at least we hope. The blood clot has disappeared and the baby is growing as it should be. It has been a pretty incredible experience seeing the baby every visit. We only had two ultrasounds with McKinley - the standard 12 and 20 week views. Having the opportunity to see the baby develop every 2 weeks is surreal. This past week we could see the spine and it was kicking already at just 13 weeks! Its truly a miracle. In another 4 weeks we will know what the sex is - let the nesting begin!

With this change in our lives will come a change in our fitness routine. I have been teaching PUMP at the YMCA here in town since we moved - close to 6 months now. Starting next month I will be teaching a prenatal class. I am so excited to expand my fitness knowledge into this area. I will work throughout my pregnancy - health willing of course. After the baby is born I will also be teaching a postnatal class. I will post exercise and recipe tips as I have in the past to help Moms going through their pregnancies stay fit. Fitness at pregnancy and right after delivery is some of the most important time in a Mom and child's life. We have the distinct responsibility and opportunity to teach our children the importance of health and fitness early on so they learn it as a part of their lives, not just an obligation. Check back in for updates and workout tips for Moms-to-be!

I will leave you with a comforting winter crock pot recipe to help you end your week on the right foot:

Chicken & Shrimp Gumbo

Minutes to Prepare: 15
Minutes to Cook: 360
Number of Servings: 6

Ingredients
Chicken Thighs, 5 boneless
Jumbo Shrimp, frozen, cooked
Reduced Sodium Canned Diced Tomatoes, 1 can
Low Sodieum Chicken Broth 99% Fat Free, 3 cups
Water, 4 cups
Okra, frozen/raw, 1 cup slices
Large white Onion, 1 cup, chopped
Green Pepper, 1/2 cup chopped
Brown Rice, long grain, 1 1/2 cups cooked
Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning, 2 tbsps
Slap Yo Mama Cajun Seasoning, 1 tbsp
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
Cut up all your veggies and sausage links. Set aside. In a large crock pot add 3 cups of broth and 4 cups of water.
To the broth add the chicken thighs. They will become pieces as it cooks and gets stirred.
Next, add tomatoes, onions, bell pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic, oregano, cajun seasoning, and celery salt. Turn on low and let cook for 5 hrs.
At the end of 5 hrs stir and break up chicken and add in the okra and shrimp, allow to cook about 30 minutes.
Add in the rice last.*
Stir and serve. Yummy!

*Since this makes so much and we always have leftover we add the rice separately since it doesn't freeze as well. When we reheat it later we make fresh rice to add in!