26 weeks

How Far Along Are You: 26 weeks

Weight gain:  131 this am (started at 116.6)

Maternity Clothes: A few maternity tops.

Wedding band on or off: On

Stretch Marks: Nope.

Sleep: Sleeping well overall.  Few nights here and there I wake up and unable to go back to sleep.

Best Moment This Week: BK finally felt Vivy move!  He's been scared to keep his hand of my belly, but he finally manned up and felt her :)

What I Miss:  Nothing.

Does Anyone Know?:  Everyone does now.

Movement: Yes.  Not constant movement. 

Food Cravings?: Still loving my peanut butter.

Anything making you feel blah or sick?:Nope

Gender:  GIRL!!!

Labor Signs:  No. 

Symptoms:   My nose bleeds every single morning. That's about it.

Belly button in or out?:   I have an iny-outy belly button.  I'm sure this sucker will be pocking out for sure.

Mood: Somewhat energized. 

Looking Forward To:  Hearing back from my gestational diabetes test on Monday.  

Overnight Cinnamon-Vanilla French Toast

I love Saturday morning breakfast and this recipe is easy peasy. I probably could have ate more, but thankfully I contained myself and held off.  I gotta keep this weight gain under control.

Overnight Cinnamon-Vanilla French Toast (recipe adapted here):

Ingredients:

For soak:
1/2 loaf Italian bread, cut into 4 (1-inch thick) slices
3 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon, ground.  (I used a tsp of cinnamon. I love it.)

For cooking:
Nonstick cooking spray or butter

For garnish, optional:
Powdered sugar, for dusting
Assorted cut-up fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, kiwi, etc.)

Directions:

Place bread slices in a medium dish. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Pour over bread to soak, coating well. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

When ready to cook, set a wide nonstick pan to medium-high heat. Coat with cooking spray or butter. Once mostly hot, add bread slices. Cook 3-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
Place on serving dishes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Garnish with cut-up fruit and whipped cream, if desired.

Cadbury Mini-Egg Cookies

Happy Good Friday!!  

I can't believe Easter is already upon us and we will soon see it go.  Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays.  Not only do we celebrate Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and raising from the dead which is the most important reason that we celebrate, but oh to the pastel candy.  For some reason candy taste better because the wrapping or candy coating is pastel or shaped in a egg form. Especially Cadbury Eggs.  Cadbury Eggs have always been one of my favorite Easter candies. I always loved sucking out the creamy deliciousness then eating the chocolate.  Its so good!!!  While looking at Pinterest, I came across a recipe called Cadbury Mini-Egg Cookies.  As the pregnant lady that I am, I was in the mood to bake.  I know BK won't any of these and I will be the only one eating them. Ugh.  Hopefully, little Vivy won't become diabetic!  Actually on Monday I will find out the results from my gestational diabetes test that I took yesterday.  Crossing fingers!  On to the recipe.

recipe adapted here

Cadbury Mini-Egg Cookies:

1/2 cup softened butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup crushed Cadbury Mini-Eggs (I put them in a plastic bag and bashed them with a rolling pin being careful to leave big chunks)

1.  Preheat the oven to 375.  In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and the sugars.  Beat in the egg until well combined.  Add the vanilla, baking powder and salt and mix well.  Slowly stir in the flour and the Cadbury Mini-Eggs.

2.  Form the dough into balls about the size of a ping pong ball and place on baking sheet that has been covered with parchment paper.  You can place them directly on the sheet if you prefer.  Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes being very careful not to overbake.

3.  Slide the parchment paper of the baking sheet directly onto a wire rack.  Or if you didn't use the parchment paper, allow the cookies to cool for an additional minute or two on the baking sheet to prevent the soft cookies from slipping through the bars of the wire rack.  Cool completely.  Makes about 2 dozen.

 

Go ahead...you know you want to make some.  P.S.  it was literally an egg hunt to find these.  I guess that's what I get for making these the last weekend for Easter candy :)

 

Sour Lemon Pie

Spring has finally sprung!  Well, its officially spring even though it doesn't feel like it here in Wilmington.  I think Phil the groundhog lied,ha!!  Today has been chilly and dreary which means being lazy.  I did however go to Wal-Mart...my hell on earth.  I ABSOLUTELY HATE Wal-Mart. I swear, my blood pressure rises as soon as I enter the parking lot.  I go once every 2 months...I rather pay a little extra at an actual grocery store vs going into that cluster of a place.  I had to pick up a few things that is less expensive there than going to Harris Teeter. 

Before going, I went through my recipes on Pinterest to find a lemon dessert.  I absolutely love lemon and since this weather has been up and down, I decided I wanted something light and refreshing to eat as a sweet treat.  I will probably have to take this pie to work so I don't eat the whole thing.  Plus, I have my gestastional diabetes check on Thursday. I surely don't want to spike up my levels!

This pie is really simple.  If I can make it, anyone can.  I'm not the best person to be in the kitchen.  I figured I need to improve my skills so when Vivy becomes older we can make fun things together.  I always enjoyed making desserts with my mom...especially eating the raw cookie dough or batter :)  I hope to have the same memories with her.  Anyway, on to the dessert.

First, get all your ingrediants together.

Combine your flour, sugar and salt in a medium sauce pan over medium heat.

Slowly add your milk and stir until sauce thickens and becomes bubbly. 

Remove from the heat.  Add 1 cup of the milk mixture to your egg yolk and combine before adding it back to your mixture.

Add your butter, lemon juice and zest.

Fold your sour cream into your mixture.

Combine everything together then pour into your 9 inch pie crust.  I got the already made Graham Cracker Crust.  I'm not about to make my own pie crust :)

Let cool and then dive in!  Add whip topping if desired. 

Sour Lemon Pie: recipe adapted from here

1 cup white sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups milk

1/2 cup sour cream

3 egg yolks

1/4 cup butter

1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest (I would use 2-3 lemons to add a little more lemon flavor.  I only got 1 lemon and wish I bought a couple more)

1/4 cup lemon juice

1 (9 inch) pie crust, baked if you are making your own.  You can go the easy route and buy a graham cracker crust.

Directions

1. In a saucepan, combine sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir on medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat, and cook and stir 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
2. Beat yolks slightly. Gradually stir 1 cup of mix into yolks. Return yolk mixture to saucepan, and bring to gentle boil. Cook and stir 2 more minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in butter, peel, and juice. Fold in sour cream.
3. Pour filling into baked pie shell, and cool. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Fun purchases

My poor checking account has been taking a big hit lately.  I told myself I'm going to give myself until May then I'm just going to stop so I can bring my account back up before Vivy arrives.  I think every new mom goes through this...right??  I want to make sure she has the cutest clothes, toys and room decor.  You can't put $$$ on cuteness!!  

We were suppose to go to Nashville this weekend to see Maroon 5 in concert, but made the difficult decision (on my part) to sell our tickets and use that money to put towards her stroller and car seat.  I hate that I can't see the oh so cute Adam Levine, but priorities come first.  We decided to go with the  Peg Perego Primo Viaggio Sip 30-30 car seat and the Peg Perego Switch Four stroller...hopefully it will meet all are needs.  

As for the toys, I purchased several of the Lamaze brand based on their ratings.  I was surprised how big they were. No one mentioned that in the comments, which is fine..they are really cute.

I also got her some little sunglasses that I got from work.  It is very important to protect those little eyes from all the UV rays.  Did you know that the majority of your eye damage happens by the time you turn 18?  Train your child early so they will always want to wear them.  Adorable!!!  We are going to have the cutest little girl :)

Sunglasses

24 Weeks

How Far Along Are You: 24 weeks

Weight gain:  128.8 this am (started at 116.6).  I got sick last night so I lost a few lbs.

Maternity Clothes: Finally broke down and purchased a few maternity tops from Old Navy.

Wedding band on or off: On

Stretch Marks: Nope.

Sleep: This week I am waking up anywhere from 2 am - 4 am and not able to go back to sleep until an hour or so before my alarm goes off :(  I even got up at 4 am the other morning and ate a bowl of cereal.

Best Moment This Week: Still feeling a little movement when I'm lying down.  Not much.  She's a relaxed little one.

What I Miss:  Getting my 8 hrs of sleep.

Does Anyone Know?:  Everyone does now.

Movement: Little movement

Food Cravings?: Not much food craving this week.  

Anything making you feel blah or sick?: Something got to me last night.  I'm not sure if it was the BBQ, carrot cake or the 3 big glasses of pink lemonade that I had last night but 3 hrs after eating I was throwing up.  Not fun.  I thought I would go through this pregnancy without getting sick.  I was wrong.

Gender:  GIRL!!!

Labor Signs:  No. 

Symptoms:   My nose bleeds every single morning.  Not a full on nose bleed, but when I blow my nose it is nothing but blood.  Disgusting I know, but this has been a daily thing since January.  Doesn't do it during the day which is weird.  Plus, I've been pretty tired this week.  I think work has something to do with that one.

Belly button in or out?:   I have an iny-outy belly button.  I'm sure this sucker will be pocking out for sure.

Mood: Tired.

Looking Forward To:  I had my Dr's appointment on Wednesday, 3/13/13, and everything went well.  Her heartbeat was 154 and my iron count increased which is great.  I did not want to have to be on an iron supplement.  Also, I'm measuring where I'm suppose to be.  Overall, great report.  I go for my gestational diabetes test on 3/28/13.  Not looking forward to that.

Finally!!

This past Saturday afternoon I was laying on the couch watching t.v. and had my hand resting on my left side of my stomach.  All of a sudden I felt Vivy kick.  Scared the stew out of me.  Little girl has a good kicking leg!!  B was taking a nap so missed the experience.   She didn't want to move anymore after that.  This morning (Tuesday) around 4:30 I was woken up by her moving.  I was on my left side and rested my hand on the right side of my stomach and chick-a-dee was going to town.  She was moving around for a good 10 minutes.  I couldn't help but keep my hand there feeling her.  Absolutely incredible.  Again, Brian missed it.  He was sleeping in the guest room and I almost called him from my phone so I wouldn't get up, but decided not to.  He'll get to feel her eventually.  I am officially convinced that I am pregnant now, ha!!

Brody and the beach

B and I attended the 8:45 church service this morning and afterwards we decided to let Brody run carefree at the beach.  We live 10 minutes away from the beach and we hardly ever go...sad, I know.  I hate having to give him a bath afterwards, but he was overdue for one so we might as well take him since he loves it so much.  It was slightly chilly, but we all had a good time.

 Happy Boy!

 Brody and Daddy playing

What a beautiful morning at the beach.  Boo is now all cleaned up and loving on his favorite baby!

Happy Sunday and enjoy the extra daylight :)

Wall Decal

We've been on a hunt for a wall decal to put over Vivy's crib that we both like for a while now.  After several days and hours, we found this on Etsy.  I placed the order on Sunday and it arrived in less than a week.  I was hesitant on placing the order since you really aren't sure if the colors were going to work.  Was the pink going to be too pink or will the brown work??  Well, I have to say I'm very pleased in the way it turned out.  It was a slight pain putting it up, but we or, should I say Brian, got it up on the wall pretty straight.  We are very pleased.

23 weeks

How Far Along Are You: 23 weeks

Weight gain:  128.8 this am.  Ugh    (started at 116.6)

Maternity Clothes: Not yet, but soon!

Wedding band on or off: On

Stretch Marks: Nope.

Sleep: Sleeping through the night. 

Best Moment This Week: Starting to feel movement while sitting or lying down!

What I Miss:  Really wanted sushi this week.

Does Anyone Know?:  Everyone does now.

Movement: Yep. See BMTW.

Food Cravings?: Darn sweets.  That's why I'm up in my weight.  Gotta cut back or this poor child will be born with diabetes!!

Anything making you feel blah or sick?: Nope.

Gender:  GIRL!!!

Labor Signs:  No. 

Symptoms:   Nope.  Feeling great!  Actually road my bike this afternoon after work and it felt wonderful.  Build up my leg strength :)

Belly button in or out?:   I have an iny-outy belly button.  I'm sure this sucker will be pocking out for sure.

Mood: Happy

Looking Forward To:  My next Drs appointment, 3/13/13.

Can't Control Myself.

I'm having the hardest time NOT spending any money on Vivy.  Honestly, I am going to have nothing to put on my registery.  I guess my baby shower will be nothing but diapers, wipes and gift cards.  I am holding off on getting a pack'n play, swing and glider in hopes someone will make those purchases for us.  It's undecided if I'll be returning to work after she is born so I want to go ahead and make purchases that will be handy in the future so we won't have to buy them then.  I'm thinking I will go back after my 12 weeks maternity leave and work through December, but come January I will be a full time mommy.  Again, not official...just in talk.  I am so glad I'm financially able to buy all the things I want for her.  B and I have separate checking accounts so everything in that nursery, I bought myself, which I feel pretty great about.  He has bought all the 'big' purchases so I figured it was my turn.  Couldn't ask for a better to spend my moo-la!!!  Here are my recent purchases.

 

Britax Baby Carrier

 

Baby Doll 

 

3 Sets of burp clothes 

 

Tub

 

Bibs 

 

More bibs 

 

I think we are good on bibs 

 

Table Lamp 

I have made several other clothes purchases from Baby Gap and a posh consignment sale called Whale of a Sale.  I did buy several Ralph Lauren outfits.  In a previous post I mentioned I bought the Avent bottles but decided to return them back to Amazon and got Dr. Brown's glass bottles instead.  Dr. Brown's bottles are suppose to help reduce colic.  Anything to do to have a happy baby, I will take it!!  This child is one lucky little ducky!!!

Cinnamon Toast...

This chilly Saturday morning I woke up wide awake at 4:30 am.  I blame it on falling asleep at 7:30 pm, on a Friday night, while watching The Hobbit.  Brian and Brody slept in the guest bedroom, which has been a nightly thing for about a month now...I have to use too many pillows and Brody has no where to sleep.  Poor little guy.  While lying in bed, awake, I got on my phone playing on Pinterest and came across a recipe for Cinnamon Toast.  I really wanted to get out of the bed and make it right then, but talked myself out of it and waited until 7 am.  The recipe is easy as pie and so delicious.

First you want to preheat your oven at 350 degrees.  While that is heating, go ahead and grab your butter so it will soften.  The softer your butter is, the easier it will spread on your bread.  You probably can use I Can't Believe Its Not Butter...that always seem to spread nicely.  Go ahead and grab your bread.

I went with two slices since I was the only one eating.

Combine your sugar and cinnamon.  I used 4 teaspoons of sugar and add however much cinnamon to your taste.  I prefer a lot of cinnamon.  Love it!

Add your butter.  However much you want.  I would at least spread it all over your sliced bread.

Add your cinnamon/sugar mixture.  I used a teaspoon for each slice.

Place your bread on a cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes.  After the 10 minutes, turn on your broiler for about a minute or so, be sure to watch it so it doesn't burn.  Pop it out of the oven and you will have yourself a perfectly backed Cinnamon Toast

 Perfect Saturday morning breakfast, Recipe adapted here.  I had my toast with vanilla greek yogurt, mango, starberries and a glass of milk:)  Happy Saturday!