"you say it best when you say nothing at all"

We played this song at our reception (the music was a fiasco that I dont want to revisit at the moment) anyway for all of its' cheese I love the song (because I love that kinda stuff). When I came home on Thursday night this is the first thing that popped into my head- our grass was neatly mowed and edged (i am a little obsessed to the point of being irritating about this getting done) and the new shelves had been installed in the garage (well that happened last week)- my husband is wonderful! This was much better than some cheesy card or flowers (coincidentally we did plant some flowers on saturday). Thanks Bri!

Another Pregnancy Crisis

On Friday I had another pregnancy panic attack- don’t worry this one wasn’t nearly as bad as the time it occurred to me that I wont be able to wear my normal 3 layers when I am giving birth- this was a bit calmer.

So here ‘s the story. On Friday I went to visit my OB, normal visit- blood pressure, pee in the cup (well most of you have been there an know), stand on the scale, quick chat the doctor and go home. The appointment was fine (everything looks good), but afterwards I decided to stop at Target. In reality I tried to find the stupid maternity clothes store but couldn’t, so that was an added level of frustration which I attempted to diffuse by going to Target. I bought a dress for church (since none of my skirts fit- bella band cant help the ones with high waists and zippers in the back which happen to be 90% of my skirts) and then went to look in the baby section… the baby section is really big. This is where the crisis occurred- I don’t know what I need to buy for this little guy, there is a lot of stuff out there- what does he actually need?

So this is where you guys need to come in, what do I absolutely 100% have to get, skip the big stuff, I know he needs a crib and a car seat, think about the minute details, what are the things that you either overlooked, or that you didn’t think you would need and absolutely love? What has been a lifesaver for you? What would you recommend every new mom buy?

Little Feet...

I have a slight issue... (super attractive photo)

Let's call the issue "the little guy" or more specifically "the little guy's hands/feet/knees/elbows etc. Most of the time he fine, just moving around in there without any major issues or disruptions, but sometimes... I would say about 30% of the time, he likes to lodge something in the left part of my lower rib cage. Not the right part, just the left. No matter how many times I shift positions, poke him, or just wish he would move he won't, there is something about the left side that he is magnetically attracted to.
My left side is getting really uncomfortable... I feel a bit off center. Any ideas?

Three Little leprechauns

How can you not smile when you look at these little leprechauns?

"Well you look great!"

This phrase, “well you look great!” was one I hadn’t heard much before pregnancy. Let me give you a bit of context. This phrase usually gets thrown into a conversation around the time someone asks my due date. Right now it is becoming pretty obvious that unless I have some strange abdominal tumor I am pregnant, so the due date question comes up pretty frequently. After I let them know that no the date isn’t next month, but in fact sometime midsummer they usually respond with “well you look great!”, at which point I don’t know whether or not to laugh at the awkwardness of the situation or tell them just kidding May 1 is the day! I don’t understand what this phrase is supposed to mean, I understand it is one of those phrases used to fill awkward situations, and let’s face it commenting on when someone is going to go into labor and how much weight they have or have not gained is one of those less comfortable grey areas but still I am scratching my head in confusion. Does this phrase mean- “given that you are growing a human you still look sorta like a normal person”, or does it mean something along the lines of “wow, thought you were ready to pop any day now!”. Hmm… confusing, either way- apparently I look great…

Happy Birthday!

Today is Brian's birthday! Happy birthday Bri, you survived another year! In celebration of the big day he... went to work. Apparently when you reach a certain age birthdays arent quite as much fun as they were when you were a kid!

Happy happy birthday, from all of us to you, we wish it was our birthday so we could party too! Hey!

Stay at Home Moms...

I saw this online and had to share it... more to come on why it made me laugh in a couple of months.

10 Things Not to Say to Stay at Home Mom
1. When the kids are older, do you think you'll get a real job?

2. How June Cleaver of you!

3. Oh, so you don't work?

4. Since you have extra time on your hands, could you whip up a few dozen brownies for the bake sale tomorrow?

5. All day with your kids? I can't even imagine.

6. I'm jealous. I wish my husband were rich so I wouldn't have to work either.

7. What do you do all day, anyway?

8. I'm sure you're not the only one who's ever wasted money on a college degree.

9. That explains why your son is so clingy!

10. Weird. I assumed your house would be superclean.

Yummy Cupcakes

The other night when I couldn't sleep/breathe (see previous post) I ran across this recipe and it looks DELICIOUS! I really really want to make these cupcakes... now I just need a special occasion (I thought about making them for Brian's birthday since he likes cupcakes and strawberry frosting but we always make chocolate mint sandwich cookies for his birthday and why break a long standing tradition). I think Easter might be right occasion...

Tender Lemon Cupcakes

Makes 48 mini cupcakes or 24 regular cupcakes

Pre-Heat oven at 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with wrappers.

12 Tbsp unsalted butter, room temp
2 1/4 cup sifted flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 C sugar
3 large eggs
3/4 C buttermilk
1/2 tsp lemon extract
Zest of one lemon OR 1/2 tsp dried lemon peel

1. Combine flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
2. With an electric mixer or upright mixer, beat butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
3. Add sugar; beat well.
4. Reduce speed to medium; add eggs, one a time, until fully incorporated.
5. Reduce speed to low; alternately add flour and buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Stir in lemon peel or zest.
6. Pour batter into lined cupcake pan. Bake for 15 minutes for mini cupcakes, or until cake bounces back when gently pressed on. Cool in pan before removing and replacing on a cooling rack.

Sprinkles' Strawberry Frosting

Makes enough to generously frost 1 dozen regular cupcakes or 24 mini's

1/2 C whole frozen strawberries, thawed
1 C unsalted butter, firm and slightly cold
Pinch of coarse salt
3 1/2 C powdered sugar
1/2 tsp lemon extract

1. Place strawberries in small food processor, process until pureed.
2. Beat together butter and salt on medium speed in a upright mixer, until light and fluffy.
3. Reduce speed and slowly add powdered sugar, beat until well combined.
4. Add lemon extract and 6 tablespoons strawberry puree (save any remaining puree for another use). Mix until well blended. But do not over mix or it will incorporate too much air.

Sick...

I am sick... and it's Sunday... and tomorrow is Monday, which means I am flying back to Pittsburgh. This is going to be a long week.

CJ decided to keep me company... she is a bit hard to spot in this photo, but if you look closely you can see a little black blob with her head hanging off the edge of the ottoman, what a funny cat.

see... sick.

In attempt to be supportive during my bout with sickness Brian and CJ decided to join me for a nap... funny thing is they were the only ones that could sleep (they could breathe)

Mac #3

I got a new mac… that’s right a new one. What was wrong with the old one? Well not too much, but after almost three years it wasn’t what it used to be. So this morning we headed to look at the new macs, and wouldn’t you know- the MacBook Pros were recently upgraded… so as of this afternoon I am the proud owner of a brand new MacBook Pro. While we were at the store (about to get ripped off on yet another Mac) I tried to convince myself that a PC would do- they are cheaper, readily available, and I hear just as good. I couldn’t make the leap. I use a Lenovo every day at work and it has confirmed my thoughts on PCs, so I stuck with Macs and so far I love it just as much as the other two I have had. So Happy Early Birthday/Congratulations on the Baby present to me (sorry Di I just couldn’t stick with the PC).

Stuck...

I am currently trapped in the Charlotte, NC airport. I feel like Tom Hanks in the movie "The Terminal", I may never get to leave...

Why am I in the Charlotte Airport... well funny you should ask. Since my job requires I fly to a far off land (okay Pittsburgh) each week I spend a lot of time in airports and on airplanes. not usually pleasant but pretty uneventful... but not this week. There was a slight mishap with my ticket home and I ended up needing to take another flight... one with a layover...yeah. I hate layovers. Anyway I am currently sitting on the floor in the Charlotte Airport wishing I was home. On a positive note, the flight attendants on US Airways have been much nicer than the anyone affiliated with American Airlines (cant be worse) so that makes this less than pleasant experience a bit better, and on top of that I bought some delicious Mango sorbet in the airport... mmm... sorbet.

Congratulations Em!

My little sister Em was recently accepted to... BYU!!!!!!!!! Way to go Em! She worked hard to get in and is going to have a blast. Congratulations Em!

Dear...

Dear Random Tummy Toucher,

Why do you think it is appropriate to reach over and pat/poke/tap my stomach in the elevator/airport security line/cafeteria/grocery store? Do you think patting my tummy is going to result in a pillsbury doughboy reaction, good luck, or bring some joy to my day? Trust me when I say, you keeping your hands to yourself is appreciated and the best option. Feel free to comment on how round I am getting, how my due date must be fast approaching, or about how many children you have. I would love (well maybe not love) to hear about all of them, but please do not reach over for the tummy pat. I know that it is fun to feel the little guy kick, and yes if you poke him hard enough he will react (trust me his dad has already tried it), but please restrain yourself. Think of my tummy as a one of those zoo enclosures with the sign that says "do not tap the glass"- do not tap the tummy- look, dont touch. Dont try to wake the little guy up, rub my tummy for luck, or congratulate me by giving me a tummy pat- I dont like it, and if I could, I would have the little guy give you a hard kick in the palm.

Thanks a Bunch,
Peeved in Pittsburgh

Way to Go Little Dude!

Several baby updates (arent you in love with these).

The little dude (that is what we are going to call him) now weighs 1 pound and we can stop with the annoying fruit comparisons (read what to expect when you are expecting to understand). Way to pack on the ounces little guy!

The little dude loves to kick... all the time... especially on airplanes, in meetings, and around 2:30am

bonus changes never cease to bring excitement to my otherwise sedate weeks!

Arent People Peachy?

This morning as I was driving to the airport (I don’t think I can even post about how much I hate airports, airplanes, or Mondays) I heard and interesting story on the radio. Apparently in an effort to deal with the state budget crunch, texas is going to start increasing the percentage of traffic fines sent to the state. Seems simple, but this means that the fines are going to go up a bit. The reporter interviewed several individuals in line at city hall paying their tickets and they were OUTRAGED! One woman said that increasing the traffic fines would directly result in less money for her to spend on food for her children. Another man spoke about how the state was stealing money from hard working families, and that increasing fines would lead to greater strain on social services. While both of these may be true, I was left wondering why none of the people interviewed considered slowing down, rather than letting their children starve. I am in complete agreement that the state increasing traffic fines is crummy, irritating, and that I would rather spend my hard earned money on something other than a ticket… but at the same time… I could slow down, not park in fire lanes, and generally not be an idiot behind the wheel. Why is taking personal responsibility for one's actions not an option? No one makes you speed, no one makes you run the red light, and no one has a gun to your head and forces you to park in a fire lane (well unless you are Jack Bauer)- why is acting responsibly and following the rules not an option. Anyway I was irritated by the time the story ended. I popped in a mix CD and listened to Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, and Click 5 the rest of the way (I love that you think I am kidding about my mix cd).

High School is AwEsOmE!

Over the past few weeks I have heard from several people that “high school was the best time” of their lives. This has left me scratching my head and wondering why I didn’t go to their high school. Don’t get me wrong, I am not bitter about my high school experience- it was down right peachy, but I am still confused about what makes that period of life, the one with acne, awkward first dates, and PE, the best time in someone’s life. Don’t get me wrong, there are some days when given the chance I would much rather be in algebra class than on an airplane, in a meeting, or paying my bills, but other than those few moments, I don’t think I would go back. Can you imagine how much worse high school would be if you had to go back with your current life experience? Imagine the bright purple eye shadow, cheerleaders, high school dances, worksheets, and lunch if you knew that someday not only would you know how to properly apply makeup, but that $10 an hour would seem minimal. I would have rolled my eyes more often, laughed at more of my fellow students, and generally been more impatient with the process. Thank goodness I wont be going back to high school.

Congratulations Brad and MaryAnne!

My wonderful friend MaryAnne and her husband had their second child today- Congratulations Brad and MaryAnne. MaryAnne was kind enough to let me know that childbirth wasnt as bad as I think it might be- so that's good news.

Congratulations!