Quiet Little Weekend ...

We didnt do anything major this weekend.. just hung around.

It rained on Friday and was pretty gloomy.. so we went out for dinner and had some amazing chicken fingers, fries, and coleslaw.. mmm

Samantha of course approved and ate very very well..

Saturday we went grocery shopping and picked up a little sushi for lunch.. oh it was so good!

I was a cooking machine as well. I really like cooking on the weekends, I have lots more time, and I feel more inspired seems.
I made this Oreo Cake..its basically dirt cake without the gummy worms, and I didnt quite crush all the oreos like the recipe calls for..

I also made Pepperoni Bread..

Here's how I did it:

Pizza Dough

Sandwich Pepperoni

Mozzarella Cheese

Marinara Sauce
Thats it.. I used flour to roll out the dough, and layered cheese and pepperoni down the center, pinched the edges, and brushed the "loaf" with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt

Baked 350 for about 30 m or until I heard cheese oozing out and bread was getting browned.

We had a rediculous amount of Basil in our garden that needed to be used, so I made Bruschetta of course, but I also finally made Pesto to freeze. I just used a recipe from the internet. It called for Basil, Pine Nuts, Olive Oil, Parm Cheese, Salt and Pepper. Done!

Sunday we had Baked Cod with Brushetta and invited my mom over. After that we went for Ice Cream and then headed to the airport.. well, we headed to a business on the side of the runway.. and watched the planes take off and land, Samantha LOVED it.. I dont know why we havent thought of this before! Im sure we'll do it again, it was funny becuase there were a lot of families with little kids/toddlers there..Its a good and free way to change things up!

And that was our weekend..

21 Weeks

21 Weeks
Size of Baby:

Length of a Banana, about 0.5 of a pound, and maybe 10 inches or so long? About same size as placenta is now.
Gender:

IT IS A BOY!!
Weight Gain:
Really not sure! Im getting pretty big, I have to ask Dr’s for total weight gain at next appt..
How am I feeling: Excellent, other than around 7pm some days Im ready to crash. Im feeling great. I’ve been SUPER hungry all the time lately.. which I haven’t been hungry like THIS yet! It seems some days Im eating all the time, which also makes me sleepy.. ha!

Appointments/Events:
Next Appt is October 4th – just a general in and out visit.
Craving:
Cereal.. I swear cold cold milk (with 1 ice cube) and cereal has been a daily/nightly craving.. I cant get enough of it.
Missing:
Seeing my lady parts.. TMI? Well its that time when its already getting harder to bend over to put jeans on, or shave my legs in the shower.. and I know.. Im only gonna get bigger, but I forgot how you become limited on what you can do with a big bulging baby belly in front of you!
Baby Moving:
He is a little kicker… every day.. sometimes after I eat, or at nights when we’re laying on the couch reading to Samantha, he’ll kick and squirm. I tried to have SJ feel it, but I don’t think she could. Im sure she will in a few weeks.
Funny Things:
Samantha has loved singing to my belly, which as I already know is very good for the baby, and he can hear us, and will recognize our voices after he is born, so she sings twinkle twinkle, jingle bells and happy birthday..its so cute!

Special Buys/Finds This Week:
We’re hopefully buying his rug this week! Then I can start getting the rocker, crib, and dresser once that is done.

I made a trip to PBK today.. and I saw some crib sheets, and some other stuff that I really need to wait and see how everything looks in the nursery .. like crib, rug, rocker, before I get ahead of myself..
I bought my first round of Dreft this weekend, for washing some burp cloths that Im attempting to make myself with my sewing machine, and some cute boy fabric I bought.

My fabric.. and a rough attempt... Im getting there!

MOPS

Today was the first meeting for MOPS!

Im so excited for MOPS this year. I joined last year at the end of the year pretty much to try it. And this year I decided to bring Samantha with me for the first time in a "classroom" setting.

I've never had her in daycare or a classroom type setting EVER. We just never had it as a part of our routine. My hubby and I came really close to putting SJ in daycare about a year ago when I went back to full time work, and we decided against it last minute. We have an amazing Nanny, and my Aunt who helps us 2 days a week, and it works for now.

But come next fall I'd like to send Samantha to Pre-School (3 year old program) 2 days a week. I feel like bringing her to MOPS would be a good thing to introduce her to "playgroup" without having Mommy right there.. Of course im in the SAME building as her, and they'd page me or come and get me if there was a real emergency. But I was still freaking out.

She walked right away from me, and started playing.. which I thought was GREAT! But the teacher said she did have a couple sad moments, and then she was fine for the most part. At the end she started crying when someone said "ok all the mommies are coming!" But by the time we walked outside to the car she was gabbing away about how much fun she had, and drinking her juice and acting just fine.

Ugh, I know its the BEST thing for her.. and I feel like it will truly help next year with Pre-School transition. So she did good.. Hey, she wasnt crying at the door and hanging on the gates, right? Must sound so silly to those of you reading who's children are well adjusted to this type of setting.. but its all very new to me! Any advice would be great.. but I think she'll adapt slowly.

On the way home I asked her what she wanted for Lunch and she said "ahhh Turkey".. so I said .. where do you wanna go for lunch? Her response was "Panera!" So I was feeling badly that she cried and had a little bit of a rough time, so I spoiled her and took her out for lunch.

Here she is telling me all about her playgroup and that her favorite toy they had there were the "trucks"
She was a perfect angel at lunch eating her turkey, carrots and bread.. so of course I rewarded her with a big pumpkin frosted cookie.

We headed home and she is now taking a lovely nap while I catch up with work, laundry and some phone calls I cannot make when she's awake!

19 and 20 Weeks Pregnant {Half Way Point}

Weeks 19 and 20

{Im a little behind, but we had a busy week, and a sick baby, Momma, and Daddy}

Size of baby:

Small Grapefruit/Length of Banana/Can of RedBull! (Yikes)
I cant really fathom that he is that BIG already!
Gender:

IT IS A BOY!!
Weight Gain:

Gained another 3lbs since last weigh in.
How I am Feeling:
Feeling generally really good. I have been having sharp pains a few times (scary) so I called my Dr and she said its probably from uterus and ligaments stretching.. and I described what the pain was and where, and after that she said .. I probably shouldn’t be picking up Samantha if I really don’t have to anymore.. (uh-oh…sometimes she just wants me to hold and cuddle her..guess its gonna have to be on the couch from now on) So Samantha will have to already make some adjustments, ha!
20 Weeks: Was fighting off a cold that SJ passed to me, its very challenging being sick, being preggo and looking after a toddler.. oh yea throw in work, and cooking dinners/lunches/breakfasts.. it was a rough week…
Appointments/Events:
Next Appt is October 4th – just a general in and out visit.
Craving:
I’ve been enjoying Cheez-It’s a little too much, and I’ve had some amazing craving satisfying spicy meals this week, including Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers, ahhh love them!
20 Weeks: Enjoying Banana Shakes again… and craving water, and liquids.. which it took a long time to crave that stuff.. a few weeks ago even water was making me nauseous. Ice Cream, Chocolate, Pickles, Savory foods, and Sour Foods, Not a lot is turning me off these days..
Missing:
This week I wasn’t really missing anything specific... okay maybe sleep.
I’ve been waking up to use the bathroom a lot, so Im trying to limit my liquids intake right before bedtime.
Baby Moving:
Movement every day.. and they are getting more defined. Baby is definitely growing in there..
20 Weeks.. little man is active .. I feel him every day. I saw him moving on the outside today! (9-20-11)
Funny Things:
Lately Samantha is telling us how she is going to share all her toys, and she picks out the toys she will share, ha! She still refers to the baby as acups, and she also calls him “brother.”
20 Weeks: Something funny is she offered him a pretzel the other night.. ha!
Special Buys/Finds This Week:
I did purchase a few shirts/onesies/outfits for the little man this past weekend.
I couldn’t pass up some of the deals, and although I thankfully will be getting a truck load of boys clothes from my cousin, Its always nice to have stuff new that I picked out.. I think the “nesting” stage and setting up his room is so much fun!
20 Weeks: Got some fabric storage bins, his crib sheet, and we got an adorable one piece fleece zip up from our Nanny Shea! I have a feeling he might be using this a LOT in February!

{found this image on Google, and thought it was pretty funny}

No pics of me this week, I know Im slacking..

Weekend Wrap Up

Our weekend started off pretty good..

Samantha and I had MOPS on Thursday, and her fever broke, and she was feeling/acting MUCH better.. so I took her and she had a ball playing with the kids, eating donuts and juice and running around. Next week she'll go into a classroom for MOPS.. so Im hoping she does well.. (a little nervous)...

If she took a good nap, I told her she could help me make cupcakes for Uncle's Birthday... and when she woke up thats just what we did.

I even got out a stool so she could "help" me. I filled the cake liners depending on which one she wanted me to do next.. she thought that was the greatest thing in the world to be up by the counter with Momma. While they were baking I let her clean/play in the sink while we waited.
Uncle had requested Peanut Butter Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting.
I found this recipe for the CUPCAKES.. I just used the "cupcake" part of the recipe and since we were all a little sick/exhausted.. I just got a can of Milk Chocolate Frosting for the top, and I had some fall leaf sprinkles.
On Friday I just made Sugar Cookies with Fall M&M's too.. just in case some people didnt like Peanut Butter...
They were all packaged and ready to go!
On Friday it was out to see Uncle at his "school"
Samantha was all bundled up, it was a gorgeous drive, and beautiful campus.. she had fun picking and throwing acorns before we ate dinner. A bunch of our family members came too .. and we all sat and ate Salisbury Steak, Mashed Potatoes, Carrots, and Salad.. It was like a college cafeteria style dinner, and everyone sang Happy Birthday to my brother, it was funny!

We took a walk around after dinner, saw his room, and this cute little chapel off the hallway where his "dorm" is..

Saturday... No pics.. Momma was sick as a dog, fever, sore throat.. chills.. oh AND pregnant.. I've never had a cold AND been pregnant at the same time.. Thank goodness Grammy took Samantha for the morning.. I couldnt even get off the couch.. It was awful.. I was popping Cough Drops, Gulping down OJ and Hot Tea.. and Thank Goodness woke up feeling a little better Sunday.

We went to the grocery store, and I found the ONLY medicine she'll willingly take for me.. Little Noses' Suckers (for sore throats).. she only had a few licks.. but the point was, it was "medicine" so if anything made Momma feel better .. ha!

Its always a challenge having her sick.. b/c she gets so spoiled namely at nighttime, with being held, or having her head rubbed, or ending up in our bed.. so finally last night (Sunday.. she went to bed easy.. and we didnt hear from her till 7am this morning.. thank you Jesus!!!)
Sunday afternoon she took a good nap, then I ran out (feeling good) and got her Halloween costume. She keeps saying she wants to be a dinosaur.. and this looked pretty close to me! I love the feet!!!

We had my Mom and one of her dear friends from Colorado who was visiting us this weekend over for dinner.. and we had a little bonfire till it got dark.. Samantha LOVED Momo (as we call her).. She was cracking them up all night! Momo what a great visit!! Please please come again soon! I hope to take a trip to see you when the kids are older!! Mathew has never been to Colorado.. and I think after we visit, he may want to relocate.. (not kidding)

And of course a nice cozy dessert... Country Apple Dumplings.... which Im told by the hubby, that they are sooo good even better than the ones he gets back home in the Amish Country..

Simple recipe from Allrecipes.com... love love these..

I serve them in a bowl with cream ... amazing...

So glad SJ is feeling better, and I just have an annoying cough now and lingering sore throat.. It was a rough couple days/nights..thankfully they are over!

Sick Day...

Not me, Samantha.

We were up from 1am till about 4-5am then again at 7:30 for the day.

I cant remember the last time she was sick, so in this madness I guess we can consider ourselves lucky...

She had a fever around 102.. and runny drippy nose.. Which means she cant sleep, cause she has to concentrate on breathing through her mouth. So she kept waking herself, and us up.. all night poor thing...

{im trying everything!!}

She hates medicine..so she fights us, and we basically have to force her to take it, which I feel bad about but what choice do I have?

She woke up and was a little better.. fever was around 100.. and she was running around.. (leaking all over the place... as we were armed with wipes and tissues)... Now she passed out on the couch, and im trying to get some work done, for work, and home, (i've got laundry going, and chicken soup cookin')

Im praying this will not linger too long.

I was supposed to take her to the MOPS open house tomorrow morning and meet my friend and her daughter there.. Looks like I may be going solo..

Happy Birthday to My Momma...

On Saturday we had My Momma over for dinner and a little birthday celebration.

Hubby made tuna on the grill for he and grammy, and a little grilled chicken for me and Samantha (I was NOT feeling like fish at all)..

We also had fresh steamed broccoli and beans from our garden

And homemade Gnocchi! - Its a recipe from my mother in law.. so so good.. Basically leftover mashed potatoes, added an egg, flour and some fresh parsley and fried.. mmmm

And we had to have cake!
Samantha loved singing to her Gee Gee.. and she helped her blow out her candle!

I told her to let me see "the face"... before she could have her cake.

My my .. she certainly has this look down!

After dinner, our town was having a little festival.. dancers, free samples, music.. It was pretty nice. They opened the Firehouse and let kids go on the firetrucks, have stickers, free ice cream and even ride around our town on a real firetruck!

She sat in her first firetruck... and loved it.

A theatre group was performing outside of the town hall and Samantha was loving watching and clapping and dancing.

We stopped at the park on the way home, and then headed back for bathtime and bed.

It was a good weekend!

Happy Birthday Grammy!!!

The Week & Tortellini with Tomatoes and Herb Dressing

Recipe & Weekly Randoms

It was pretty cool at the beginning of this week, and I was loving wearing furry shoes, and sweaters and raking leaves.. fall is here.. well at least it was for a few days...

We had a pretty good week,

My lovely Erin Condren planner finally arrived, and I cannot wait to start writing in it!

She also sent some personalized labels, tags, goodies and coupons!

I love being organized, and since our family will be plus one in a few months, I know Im gonna need a good planner.. and it doesnt help that its so colorful, girly, and contains tabs, stickers... ahh I digress.. I really like it, can you tell?

Here is a recipe I made that required me to buy 1 ingredient.

Which was - Tortellini!
My friend Kristen's Mother in Law hosted the sweetest Bridal Shower for me a few years back, It was such a wonderful event, and I still to this day remember all the sweet details and yummy foods.

One food that was served was this..

Tortellini with Tomatoes and Herb Dressing

1 1-lb package frozen or 2 9oz. refrigerated cheese tortellini

1/2 c olive oil

1/2 c fresh basil leaves

1/2 c fresh parsley leaves

1 clove garlic finely chopped

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 tso ground black pepper

1/8 tsp salt

4 plum tomatoes, seeded and diced

1 small onion finely chopped

1. Cook tortellini according to package. Drain well and place in large bowl. Toss with 1/4 cup olive oil (while hot) and leave it to cool to room temp.

2. Prepare Herb Dressing: In food processor with chopping blade, process basil, parsley, remaining oil, garlic, vinegar, pepper and salt.

{loved using fresh basil and parsley from our herb garden}

Thats one thing I'll miss when its snowing!

3. Toss Herb Dressing, Tomatoes, and Onion with cooled tortellini.

4. Serve or cover and refrigerate until ready to use

Makes 8 servings.

Its kind of a summer recipe, but its so good.

The fresh basil, parsley and tomatoes from our garden made it so tasty!

18 Weeks - Its A.....

18 Weeks
Size of baby: Small Grapefruit

{photos of cookies from themacs blog}

Gender:

IT IS A BOY!!

Weight Gain:

Gained another 3lbs since last weigh in.
How I am Feeling:

Feeling generally really good. I have been having sharp pains a few times (scary) so I called my Dr and she said its probably from uterus and ligaments stretching.. and I described what the pain was and where, and after that she said .. I probably shouldn’t be picking up Samantha if I really don’t have to anymore.. (uh-oh…sometimes she just wants me to hold and cuddle her..guess its gonna have to be on the couch from now on) So Samantha will have to already make some adjustments, ha!
Appointments/Events:
Today.. was a big one! Had a LONG ultrasound, taped by DVR, showed all the hands, feet, legs, organs, brain, heart, made sure all parts were there.. And clear as day.. we saw a little something between his legs.. that’s right we’re having a BOY! Im so so excited! I would have been just as excited for a girl, but now we get to experience both genders, and I am so thankful for that.. He’s very healthy and very active! I guess the early movement should have tipped me off that it was a boy!
Next Appt is October 4th – just a general in and out visit.
Craving:
I’ve been enjoying Cheez-It’s a little too much, and I’ve had some amazing craving satisfying spicy meals this week, including Cream Cheese Jalapeno Poppers, ahhh love them!
Missing:
This week, I had a really bad day at work.. so I was missing alcohol! Ha! A large Margharita or Pina Colada would have made things a lot better. I just am trying to focus on what is most important and that is my family and this baby.. its been a couple days, and I feel better already, but it was a bad bad day..multiply that by zillions of hormonal changes, lets just say I was a mess.. tears were shed…
Baby Moving:
Yes. Same amount of movement, on Sunday 8-28-11, I felt it moving and put my hand on my stomach, and actually felt something from the outside! I don’t remember feeling on the outside with Samantha THIS early! And every day since.. I feel him/her on and off..this baby is super active!
Funny Things:

Just today we told Samantha the baby was a boy.. now she points and says to my tummy.. "boy".. and I tell her yeah, thats your little brother! They are gonna be so cute together..
Special Buys/Finds This Week:
Swaddle Blankets – I bought a ton of these in North Carolina before Samantha was born, and she STILL uses them. I know it is money well spent … and they hold up so nice, are breatheable, and I’ve used them for everything since she was born.

{18 Week Shot - 9.5.11}

Today was an incredibly big day for us, and we feel so blessed to not only know its a BOY, but get another clean healthy report for our little growing bean!

Now its time to break out the trucks, cars, and blue and green colors that I've been secretly praying to do.. God is so good.. Thank you Jesus for this wonderful day!

Lovely Labor Day Weekend...

We had a great Labor Day Weekend...

(I was secretly wishing it away though.. since we find out tomorrow whether we have another sweet girl on the way, or a baby boy) But we had a great weekend, really.
Saturday we just hung around the house and it was pretty hot out..I did laundry, and we had yummy pork chops on the grill...

We started out Sunday morning at the Zoo bright and early.

We have a Zoo membership.. so sorry readers if the zoo pictures start to get real old..

Its a great place we discovered to take Samantha where she can run, play, and it never gets old.. Seeing the same animals over and over again...
She loved when the Sea Lion would come up for air.. she was screaming!

Sweet Lambie in the petting zoo section...

The "horsies" never get old either..

And we usually end our trip with a train ride.. she prefers to ride by herself on rides now, its really funny to watch her..

Labor Day was my kind of day...weather wise it was only about 64 degrees and dark cloudy skies.. I was so excited to put on my jeans and a sweater.. In the morning we ran to Target and the grocery store.. and Miss Samantha was up since 5am...yes you heard right..

I tried EVERYTHING to get her to go back to bed.. by 5:45 I gave up, and we were up for the day...she NEVER does this.. so I knew she would pass out by 12 noon..and she did.

It was just one of those moments.. we havent had one in a LONG time, I guess we were overdue..

She slept till I woke her around 3pm..

Then we headed to a small local Carnival/Fair where we promised her we'd take her on more "rides"she's got the ride bug, she loves them...and going by herself too... on her 2nd train of the weekend...

And she and Daddy won a new stuffed "gator" as she calls him..

We came home ate some of Momma's spaghetti sauce, showered early, and she is in bed.

Its cooler tonight supposed to be low in the 50's!! Im looking forward to good sleeping..