Sweet for Babycakes

Dear Daddy, or a Day in the Life of The Milk Monster.

2009-11-04T12:45:00.001-08:00

Aren't I cute?

I'm starting to rethink smiling at you before you left for work. Mama's been bugging me for smiles now all day! I haven't let any more out. . . at least not while she's looking.

The bubbles in my tummy still haven't gone, so mama thought it would be a good idea to have some tummy time. You know how I feel about tummy time. Booooooooo. I was so mad I kicked once, then pushed once, and then my world turned upside down. I had no idea what was happening, but mom said I'd "rolled over." I rolled right onto my back 3 times in a row!

Then Mama read me Goodnight Moon 6 times in a row and Pat the Bunny a few times too. Then Mama decided that since I don't really speak English yet anyway, she may as well read me something else so we started in on Peter Pan.

That's about it so far today. I've had two naps, breakfast twice, lunch part 1, 1 costume change, more spit ups than anyone but you would care to know about. And don't worry, though mama did get the kitchen cleaned, took a shower, and made the bed, the pink laundry is still sitting exactly where you left it.

P.S. Auntie Trina took this pic of me after my baby blessing on Sunday. I wish my mom would have moved the bow so it wasn't sitting on top of my head like like that. Its really hard to look coy with a bow right on the top of my head.

Oh Heavens

2009-10-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

Here's what you want to know:

Why is LJ such a sucky blogger?
1. Because her carpal tunnel she developed prior to delivery got worse not better after la nina came.
2. She's tired
3. She'd rather read your blogs than write her own.
4. She's been catching up on missed episodes of 18 kids and counting. Yes, I love quality tv. hahaha, but seriously, I'm fascinated by that family.

What the heck happened with that baby?
1. Baby's happy and healthy
2. Yes we had a c-section
3. The c-section was a walk in the freaking park compared to the 12 hours of serious labor before it. (Not counting those few hours where I couldn't feel anything anyway, why count that!)
4. Recovery from the c-section was also a walk in the park compared to the memory of those awful hours in labor. Most people get breaks in between their contractions. Despite my theory that my grandmother's 17 labors would make me a baby machine, it did not. I was not afforded breaks between contractions. Not a second. Not fun. And yes, my grandmother had 15 children, and 2 stillborn babies. Hence my fascination with previously mentioned quality television.
5. We are so blessed with incredibly supportive friends, family, ward members (that's code for friends in our churchy congregation). And we're doing well. Still trying to figure out how to do this baby thing, but couldn't be happier.
6. Here are some pics of the world's cutest baby
You should check them out.

Before and After. . .

2009-10-10T10:04:00.001-07:00

Before, just a little bug. . .

After. . .

Welcome home little Maisie Lou.
Born one week ago at 7:23 AM.
8 lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long.

More stories to follow. We're madly in love.

Baby's due tomorrow!

2009-09-30T20:31:00.000-07:00

I'd love to type up a little something, but my fingers get numb so fast all I can manage is a sentence or two.

We're:
excited
and ready
-ish.

:)

I feel like

2009-09-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Suddenly my nose has gained about 500lb.

Unfailing optimism?

2009-09-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

“True contentment is a thing as active as agriculture. It is the power of getting out of any situation all that there is in it. It is arduous and it is rare.” -- G.K. Chesterton

I found this quote on someone else's blog. I think it was my happiness project blog. . . I think?

The second hottest weekend of my life. No babies involved.

2009-09-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your sympathies the other day. I guess I failed to mention that most of the day was quite pleasant, which made the tears on the foot of the bed just that much more hormonal. ha!

So what is this second hottest weekend of my life? Also quite hillarious. And from several years ago you can be sure there will be no mention of babies. Except for the mention I just made.

Around here we don't get too many SUPER hot days, and since most of my days are spent in my air conditioned cubicle anyway, it doesn't much matter. But when we have a heat wave of several days in a row, our poor house just can't let go of the heat. That goes for our current house and also our previous presidential retreat.

This particular weekend consisted of first, attempting to go on a training hike but getting to the parking lot and quitting at something like 10 in the morning, and then spending the entire rest of the day floating in Julie's pool while following the shade of the pine trees. When the shade from the pine trees disappeared the three of us sat underneath the diving board. At some point we found ourselves at McDonalds, and someone's toe ended up in someone else's mouth.

WhAT?! That's sick LJ, don't make stuff like that up.

Ok, I won't.

I will say that fateful day was when we discovered one could order our very favorite fried rice to go. Thus ended the second hottest weekend of my life. And has forever blessed many other weekends of my life, as well as probably annoyed people when I sit behind them in the movie theater with my fried rice. Sorry, but not so much that I won't do it again.

In LOVE

2009-09-03T07:30:00.000-07:00

with these shoes.

The hottest weekend of my life.

2009-09-01T20:26:00.001-07:00

Yes it was over 100 degrees. But this was the first time I'd been in over 100 degrees while wearing a baby heater. After spending a great day at the temple, then at Julie's with bunches of friends from our churchy we arrived back at home in the late evening to a house that was still over 87 inside.

I ate ice cream
I took a cold shower (which turned into a hot shower as the water ran off of me)
I ate more homemade watermelon sorbet, which hubster made the night before
I drank hubster's iced DC
I tried to distract myself with the TV

And then David put up our miniature swamp cooler in our bedroom.

About 30 minutes later David found me lying at the edge of the bed in direct line of fire for the AC, stripped to near nothing-ness, tears falling down my face, because even though I could feel that the air was significantly cooler, I was still sweating like the pig I so often am these days. I could not cool down.

Hubsters made me go to bed (good thing). I woke up several hours later and discovered that there was something leaking from my former-outer-most-protrusions. Yuckiness. Boooooooo.

These are just some of the weird things that happen to this pregnant girl. You know things are bad when not even the TV can distract me.

Aren't these the cutest ever?????

2009-08-27T09:35:00.001-07:00

I'd LOVE one. Click the link above to enter to win one yourself!

The Parable of my Pregnant Bod or Happy and Sad

2009-08-20T10:49:00.000-07:00

Its a slippery slope.

Doc calls and says I have anemia. Better start taking some iron pills and better drink a TON of water and eat a TON of fiber, so he says.

I start taking the iron pills:

I feel energized!
The dizzy spells go bye-bye!
My hot spells go away, so I can fix my hair and try to look like a hot mama!
I drink tons of water, so my pee turns clear! (you do know pee's not supposed to be yellow right? hahaha!)
I eat lots of fruits and veggies and whole grains (yay fiber!) and the world is a happy place.

Then I feel better and immediately:
forget to take my iron pills!

I feel tired,
I feel hot and tired,
I feel grouchy because I have no energy
I only eat carbs because again, I have no energy
Carbs make me fat, so says the nurse practitioner I saw last week.
Forget about doing my hair, did I mention I have no energy?
and then I cry because I have to go to work/have nothing to wear/I look like death/or have no idea why in the world I would be crying, but lo and behold there are wet spots coming out of my eyeballs.

And then I remember, hello dummy! Iron pills???

It would be great if I could get this cycle to stretch out a bit.
I feel really good now cause I wrote a parable, get the parallel?

Plus I just took my iron pill. :)

A new definition

2009-08-19T21:45:00.000-07:00

This blog is all about stuff I don't want to forget. Stuff I do want to forget doesn't belong. So stuff that cheers me should most definitely be included.

If you have a sec, or are feeling blue-ish watch this. Its not only my favorite hymn, by one of my fav dudes, but it features pics from one of my favorite photogs as well. We've got a book of his that we LOVE.

I just know I'll be back to this vid every once in a while. LOVE it.

And After

2009-08-11T20:37:00.001-07:00

After for now anyway, needs some paint don't you think?

Today Before, Tomorrow After

2009-08-10T21:48:00.000-07:00

Here's the before pic. . .

Yup, you're right, the brick is flush with the wall. Apparently someone didn't like it sticking out half an inch and so "leveled" the wall to the fireplace?

No worries, its all fixed. Hubster fixed it on sat and added a mantle and surround.

Tomorrow's the after.

Drop it like its Hot

2009-08-09T09:57:00.000-07:00

This is baby's favorite song (video from her favorite show, less skanky chicas)

And yes, mama can and does still drop it like its hot.

Dear Babes, and PS. We grow flowers the size of dinner plates here.

2009-08-08T09:34:00.000-07:00

Yes, I was *really* upset by the lovely conversation below. It never occured to me that they were talking about me. Until I turned around and realized we were all alone and their reaction, clearly indicated a guilty conscience. Yes, I am that vain.

But you should know, that's the first really mean thing we've heard. And since we're not officially 8 months along, that's pretty dang good.

Mostly people comment that we're either
A) WAY too small or
B) WAY too big.
The doc and his nurses say we're textbook perfect for size and weight gain. Take that!

I've also had a TON of people ask me how old I am. As if that is now an appropriate question to ask. When I reply that I'm almost 30 people are always

COMPLETELY SHOCKED.

As in their jaw drops. In a Looney Tunes sort of fashion. Again, call me vain, but I don't think that I look jaw-droppingly older, than I am. Must mean that they think I'm WAY younger. And that would be pretty consistent with my pre-preggo days.
And would also explain the pretty common occurrence of stink-eye I've received.

Just so you know, I do look a lot different. But generally I feel pretty good, maybe not about how I look per say, but I do feel really good physically. We've been getting along really well. Hopefully we'll get along even better when our spirits are not sharing the same house. :)

PS. We grow flowers the size of dinner plates here. No joke. I think you'll like it.

Can't wait to meet you!

So I overheard an interesting conversation last night

2009-08-02T12:45:00.000-07:00

I was standing in the produce section of Lucky's last night looking for a salad (pre-packaged of course, cause that's how I roll.)
I hear a man and a woman chatting behind me, nothing out of the ordinary. Just chit-chat, and then a "at least you don't look like that!" and some laughter.
I turn around to put my salad in my cart, look up and realize I'm ALONE in the produce section with these two who are laughing, and looking my way. When I turn around they immediately stop laughing, and turn and walk/run away.

Really nice. This after a breakdown the night before when I discovered stretch marks on my belly. And I thought the hormones weren't getting me. I've been got.

And I hope that chick looks like this when its her turn to have a babe.

Thank you google images for this lovely pic.

More Yum!

2009-07-07T19:09:00.000-07:00

These days we're eating zucchini at practically every meal. Our new favorite??

Zucchini Soup - from Allrecipes.com

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)

* 2 tablespoons margarine
* 2 onions, chopped
* 2 potatoes, peeled and diced
* 8 zucchinis, chopped
* 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
* 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
* 4 cups chicken broth
* 1 cup whole milk
* 1/4 cup dry potato flakes
* 1 tablespoon soy sauce
* 4 tablespoons chopped fresh dill weed

* add to recipe box Add to Recipe Box
My folders:
* add to shopping list Add to Shopping List
* Customize Recipe
* add a personal note Add a Personal Note

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large frying pan, melt butter or margarine; add onion and saute until translucent. Add diced potato, zucchini, thyme, rosemary, basil, and white pepper, and cook for 5 minutes.
2. In a medium-sized cooking pot, add broth and bring to boil. Add zucchini/potato mixture; reduce heat and simmer about 15 minutes.
3. When cooked, puree in food processor or blender in batches. Return to cooking pot, add milk and bring just to boil, but do not boil. Add instant mashed potato flakes and soy sauce and stir well. Adjust seasonings to taste. Garnish with dill weed. Soup may be served hot or chilled.

Dear Baby,

2009-07-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

We're about to enter our 3rd trimester. Holy freaking cannoli. That's crazy.

Can't say I'm having many cravings, though sugar has hit a new all time favorite level.

Can't say I'm feeling miserable, so far, so good.

Can't say I'm really feeling the nesting bug either.

I can say that we see you moving every day. That's weird, but much cooler than just feeling it.

I can also say I'm being taken over by this strange urge to cook. And keep on cooking. I'm talking breakfast, lunch and dinner. That's right, I'm actually waking up early to do things like cook oatmeal with berries and honey, or omletes with cheddar and yellow peppers, or make an all natural smoothie with only fruit (of various kinds) and a teeny bit of milk to liquify. This is unheard of for me. As a matter of fact, I believe I can say this has never, ever, ever happened to me. And your pops is thrilled I'm sure, as he was previously coming home at 7 pm to start cooking dinner.

So a couple of recipes I've recently found and DO NOT WANT TO LOOSE. If you're looking for something yummy to make, try either of these. If I can do it heaven knows anyone else in the world surely can too.

These are both from a new-to-me blog called Pinch my Salt

Blueberry and Strawberry Buttermilk Cake
Adapted from a recipe in Gourmet

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons unsalted butter (1/2 stick), at room temperature
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries
heaping tablespoon of raw sugar (demerara, turbinado or Sugar in the Raw)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees, butter and flour a 9-inch round cake pan (or spray with Baker’s Joy or equivalent).

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt; set aside. In a separate bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until pale and fluffy, about two minutes. Add vanilla and egg and beat well. With the mixer set to low speed, beat in 1/3 of the flour mixture. Add half the buttermilk and continue beating on low speed until incorporated. Scraping down sides of bowl as necessary, beat in another 1/3 of flour mixture then remaining buttermilk. Finally beat in the last 1/3 of the flour mixture until just combined.

3. Scrape batter into the cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Scatter blueberries and strawberries evenly over the top of the cake batter then sprinkle with raw sugar.

4. Bake until cake is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for ten minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool until warm. Invert onto a plate. Serve with whipped cream and fresh berries on the side.

Yum yum fake apple pie. I finally made a pie crust right!

Galette Pastry:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 t. salt
1/2 cup chilled butter, cut into pieces (one stick)
3 tablespoons ice water

Put flour and salt in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until the largest butter pieces are the size of peas. Add water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing to mix. The mixture won’t look like it’s holding together, but pinch it, and it should stick together.

If you don’t have a food processor, put the flour and salt in a large bowl and whisk to combine. Cut the cold butter into small pieces and toss with the flour mixture. With your fingertips, quickly rub the butter into the flour mixture until the mixture resembles very coarse crumbs and there are still some small chunks of butter left (you may also use a pastry cutter). Add water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing and tossing with a wooden spoon. When the mixture just starts to clump together, continue to the next step.

Dump all the flour and butter pieces out onto the floured counter or board, and gather it and press it together into a disc shape. At this point, the dough can be wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to a couple of days. But we are going to roll it out immediately. If you do refrigerate it, let the dough sit out at room temperature for 10 minutes before continuing to the next step.

Roll dough out into a large circle, making sure to add a bit of flour on top and underneath the dough occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the counter. Try to roll the dough as evenly as possible to about 1/8 inch thick. The circle doesn’t have to be perfect and if the dough starts splitting and tearing, just patch it together as best you can. Most importantly, work quickly and make sure to keep the counter underneath lightly floured to prevent sticking! The circle will get big! That’s what you want.

Now gently wrap the dough around the rolling pin and transfer it to the sheet pan. Try to unwrap the dough so that it is somewhat centered on the pan. The pastry circle will overlap the sides of the pan by quite a bit, that’s what you want. Now dump the apple right into the center of the circle and spread them out a bit.

At this point I usually drop a few little pieces of butter over the tops of the apples. It’s up to you.

Next, just fold the edges of the pastry over the apples, sealing any holes that appear along the edges as you go. You want to seal the holes and cracks so that the juices don’t escape while it’s baking. The pastry shouldn’t cover the apples completely in the center.

If you want to try to make it look fancy, go ahead. I don’t. I just fold it up and hope for the best!

Finally, I beat one egg with a splash of water and lightly brush the pastry with the egg wash. Then I sprinkle a bit of sugar over the whole thing. This is optional, but it looks nice!

Happy Dishwashing Independence Day!!!

2009-07-05T18:47:00.001-07:00

Fact: We have lived without a dishwasher (voluntarily) since we moved in. I was positive they'd go on sale for the 4th of July. David was so excited we had to go to Lowe's on the 2nd of July to scope out our options. And since the folks at Lowe's love us so much, they let us buy it early.

And since we're so smart and did our tile work before we inserted our appliances,

David had to do a little of this. . .

And a little of that. . .

Before. . . and After. Don't worry, no Chrissys were harmed in the making of this kitchen. She was just hanging out in the front yard.

Tada!!! Its officially the BEST 4th of July of David's life.

Confession: I am guilt free.

2009-06-30T20:34:00.001-07:00

Before I tell you this mini story, please note: I really haven't had any food cravings at all.

Last week dear Molls and Ashley came over for our first domestic party night. Strawberry freezer jam. Its delicious. Not going to lie. So delicious that I was tempted to eat this entire jar. It looked like a pudding cup.

And so I did.

I ate it.

I remembered the lemon sorbet I'd made the week before and realized that the sugar content in that freezer jam was minuscule in comparison.

The confession?
No you haven't heard it yet. The confession is that I didn't feel one bit guilty.

Not one teeny tiny bit. Even though I'd teased the hubster relentlessly for eating jam by the spoonful.

What can I say?
He was right.
Its worth it.

PS. In case you were wondering, no the freezer jam was not made from home grown strawberries. Our strawberries still suck. However, even so, I still recommend making your own jam. Its a miracle in a jar.

Belly? Check!

2009-06-29T20:14:00.000-07:00

Sorry poor bloggy

2009-06-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

I promise I haven't completely forgotten about you. Trouble is, now that I'm approaching the 3rd tri, I can't handle sitting in my chair for too long. After work, and then an hour long commute home (thank you 101, you SUCK) you can forget about the blog being updated.

So, just know I'm loving you from afar.

Graduation - or How did I get so old?

2009-06-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

The babiest MacD graduated yesterday. I realized that I could have graduated AGAIN with Mameron. Our graduations were almost exactly 12 years apart. Only I graduated on Friday the 13th and he graduated on the 12th.

Waaaaah! Its so sad!

David's a pretty good photog huh?

Magic Zucchini Plant

2009-06-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

When we went to Hawaii we had one, barely there Zucchini. When we came back, we found this!

I made one humongous and delicious loaf of zucchini bread. My FAV!!!

This represents the bulk of our Strawberry harvest.

They are tiny and taste disgusting. And by the next morning they were all moldy. Yum.

I've been informed that there are not enough pics of the hubby's face. . .

See the thing is that he hates having his pic taken. This isn't the most recent pic, but we still look the same. :)

and so does the dog. :)