Happy May…

My obsession with each month continues… 

Happy May every body!

It is…

National Barbecue Month
National Chocolate Custard Month
National Egg Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National Strawberry Month

and…

May 1-7 National Raisin Week
May 3-9 National Herb Week

but don’t forget what the days are…

May 1 National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 3 National Raspberry Popover Day
May 3 National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4 National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 4 National Hoagie Day
May 6 National Crepe Suzette Day
May 7 National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8 National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 12 National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13 National Apple Pie Day
May 14 National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 17 National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18 National Cheese Souffle Day
May 19 National Devil’s Food Cake Day
May 20 National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 22 National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 National Taffy Day
May 24 National Escargot Day
May 25 National Brown-Bag-It Day
May 26 National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 31 National Macaroon day

Pick your favorite and celebrate accordingly – also look for some of the items to be on sale or highlighted at the grocery stores! Maybe you feel like you should just make a blueberry cheesecake on May 26th – I say GO FOR IT!!!

Happy May everyone and I hope this finds you are doing terrific!!

Prego update: 39 weeks

A brief update – not too much for you since I have a serious case of nesting going on right now! But I guess we will see how much comes out once I get going!

Already 39 weeks along! SO… we are super close! No matter what – he is coming very soon and we cannot slow it down. Of course we want him here already (on the outside of me), but yet I find myself sometimes thinking – another week would be good!

The pregnancy started out pretty slow, and now it has really sped up – time is flying and I cannot believe it is almost time for him to join us! More and more I wonder, who will he look like? I think about his little hands and feet – who’s will he have? What color will his eyes be? I hope he looks just like his daddy – but of course when it all boils down, I don’t even care about all of that because he will be just right no matter what.

Here are my dorky little updates like I have done before in categories:

Name:   Since it is so close… at this point. It will be a surprise! We want to make our final decision when he comes. No fear, he will have a name!

Cravings: Sorry to disappoint if you are still holding out and hoping I will finally crave something super weird.  Since my last update, the following has either sounded good to me or once I ate (or drank) it, it really hit the spot!

• very cold water (still)
• still fruit (mainly strawberries and certain apple varieties but this week I bought some watermelon, honeydew and cantaloupe which was so delicious
• raspberry jam with really wheaty and nutty toast or english muffins
• banana-chocolate-walnut bread (of which I am going to bake today with my over-ripe bananas!
• brownies – I made them for something one evening and they were extra delicious
• Greek yogurt (primarily vanilla, but some strawberry, raspberry or blueberry has snuck in there)
• vanilla frozen yogurt – I made some homemade vanilla greek frozen yogurt in our maker and it was good!
• Peanut butter and jelly sandwich with sliced apples
• cheese burger and sweet potato fries
• home-made mexican

Nursery:  It is pretty much set-up!  We have basically everything we need I believe (at least that we know of for now) thanks so much to family and friends here and there of which we thank soooo much! We have been truly spoiled and helped out so much!  We were thrown an awesome baby shower a couple weeks ago which was so fun and we got all kinds of neat gifts for the little guy and also one over Christmas in Oregon – gifts have been trickling in here and there and we are so blessed! He has an awesome set-up and has the best room in the house!

Weight:  ummmmmmmmmmmm….. yep! I am ready to be back down a-lot!

On a silly note: I have to really watch my belly lately!  It sticks out so far!  I have a tendency to hit the handle of my skillet on the stove  (thank goodness this has not caused a mess or injury ).  I have accidentally bumped it into people or things as I walk by or tried to let people by me in a door-way not catching the fact that there is no room for them to squeeze by!

Comments I have received over the past few weeks:

• “If your belly gets any larger you are going to fall on your face”
• “When are the twins due?”
• “Aren’t you going to pop any day?” (this one started a month ago)
• to Greg: “What are you feeding that girl?”  – this particular day we were together at the bank so he was able to experience the kind of comments I get first hand. His reply: “Whatever she wants”…
• “You are all belly”
• “You better pray he can make it out”
• “Wait, when ARE you due?”… “still going, huh?”
• “You are so cute” – nice to hear when you usually get the above!

…that is enough for now, isn’t it? You get the point! I find it crazy that many have comments like the ones above and others  tell me I look great and am small for how far along I am…  so which is it? I guess it really does not matter one bit! At least I can still wear some of my pre-maternity pants and shirts (of which may not look the best or be the most comfortable, but hey – there is power in being able to button something!)

Have a super day! This is probably my last pregnancy update  because it is almost go-time!

Fresh home-style guacamole…

Greg loves guacamole… he really really likes this stuff!  He puts in on all kinds of things.  When he dips a chip in the bowl, you can bet that a significant amount of guac will be gone because he piles it on. He puts it on everything mexican, sandwiches,  eggs, in some soups and more…

When I went to the store the other day (unfortunately the local one that does not have guacamole… unless you count guacamole “flavored” dip as close enough – we don’t)  I walked by the avocados and decided to pick some up so I could make him some… It took a couple of days for them to be the perfect ripeness but then we were in business.  As for what I did:

I put the avocado flesh (about 4 of them) in a bowl with a tad of lemon juice (I would have used lime if I had any), then added a little bit of diced tomato, one jalapeno, some chopped onion and a little bit of a sweet yellow pepper that I had… oh and I put a tiny dash of garlic and onion powder – that is it that I recall.  Then I used a fork and mashed it all up!

Here is the result and of course, we ate it! It was pretty good if I say so myself! It is really quite simple! One word of advice, it brown very quickly, so some kind of acid is needed to keep it longer – but I would plan of eating it right after you make it. Even with some lime/lemon juice and the tightest of tight sealing – it will brown by morning.

 

Avocados are healthy too! They contain healthy fats, potassium (more than a banana), vitamin E, folic acid, B vitamins. Eat up… maybe not like 10 a day, but you know!

Happy April…

Yay for April…

and what a month it will be… for this is the month our son will be born! 

Besides, that (which is the most exciting) all month we can “celebrate” April being…

National Fresh Celery Month
National Pecan Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soyfoods Month

yipeee…

and incase you are an egg salad type of person, you will love that it has  a whole week dedicated to it…  April 12-18th

As for some individual days this month that I picked out because they were yummy or just plain funny or odd!

• April 2 National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (oh yes yes yes!!!) I love it!
• April 3 National Chocolate Mousse Day
• April 6 National Caramel Popcorn Day
• April 7 National Coffee Cake Day
• April 12 National Licorice Day
• April 14 National Pecan Day and hot cross bun day
• April 15 National Glazed Ham Day
• April 16 National Eggs Benedict Day (in honor of my sister)
• April 18 National Animal Crackers Day
• April 21 National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
• April 22 National Jelly Bean Day (in honor of my late wonderful g-ma)
• April 24 National Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day
• April 25 National Zucchini Bread Day
• April 26 National Pretzel Day
• April 27 National Prime Rib Day
• April 28 National Blueberry Pie Day
• April 30 National Oatmeal Cookie Day

Now, of course I am wondering what day our little one will be born… we will just have to wait and see!  Happy April every one, I hope this finds you having a wonderful 2012! Can you believe that it is already this far into the year?

Happy March…

I can’t belive March is here already… seems like we just started 2012!

So, as you have already picked up on, I am pretty obsessed with what each month is all bout – on a pretty basic level of course… nothing too crazy!

So, without further delay…

March is…

National Caffeine Awareness Month (I have been aware of this for about 8 months now, as you can guess why)

National Celery Month

National Flour Month

National Frozen Food Month

National Noodle Month

National Nutrition Month (one fun reason I am happy to be a March baby!)

National Peanut Month

National Sauce Month

As for some individual days… I picked out some of my favorites…

• March 1 National Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
• March 2 National Banana Cream Pie Day
• March 4 National Poundcake Day
• March 6 National White Chocolate Cheesecake Day
• March 7 National Cereal Day (oh yes!! I was totally born on National Cereal Day! )
• March 8 National Peanut Cluster Day
• March 10 National Blueberry Popover Day
• March 11 Oatmeal Nut Waffles Day
• March 14 National Potato Chip Day
• March 15 National Peanut Lovers Day
• March 19 National Chocolate Caramel Day
• March 23 National Chip and Dip Day
• March 26 National Waffle Day
• March 31 National Clams on the Half Shell Day (just had to add this one because it made me laugh for some reason… seems like there should be a song about this!)

I hope everyone has a happy March! Tune in next month and you will learn more than you want to know about April!

Prego update: 33 weeks

33 weeks and growing!

I am very slow to update and blog – but hey who isn’t busy and has time to sit at the computer all day?   I’ve been feeling great still and have been enjoying “nesting” and trying to get the house somewhat organized.  We have lived here a little over a year and I still have boxes packed and too much unorganization for my liking. But, what does not get done, just won’t and I have been trying to realize that it is just OK – no matter what. When it all boils down, it does not really matter.  I still enjoy making lists and at least attempting to cross at least one thing off for the day!

Here is a brief update … again in categories for simplicity like my last update!

33 weeks along!

Have you picked out a name?  still no name!

Cravings: Still no odd cravings or weird combinations have crossed my mind, but some of my ”cravings” have remained the same with some additions! I feel as though they are getting overall “unhealthier” as the time goes… so I am trying not to go super crazy!

• fruit in general, still grapefruit and all berries
• colby-jack cheese and crackers
• tortilla chips and peach mango salsa
• very very cold water – or should I say ice with a little water in it
• Cookie dough AND the fresh baked cookies, but it is nice because just a few cookies taste good, then my craving is over
• vanilla frozen yogurt
• good ol’ vanilla yogurt
• peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of milk

Needless to say, lots of things sound so good lately!  However, a few of the things that I ate earlier in the pregnancy when I had a little nausea do not sound good… like a specific kind of Cliff Bar and a certain restaurant in town where we ate lunch at a few times… and a few other things I know when I see them… so no thanks on those for sure, but I am glad none of my favorite foods have been ruined for me!

Nursery:  YAY! Big changes here. He has a crib with a matching dresser on order, Greg got me a nice glider/recliner/swivel chair and put in a new light!  It is really coming along and I love to just go sit in there!

Weight:  ummmmmmmmmmmm….. yeah, “we” are still growing, just seems like one of us a lot more than the other   It seems like some people say I am small for how pregnant I am, but others say the exact opposite – whatever, just whatever!  I am up a grand total of 25 lbs already I believe… and still have a ways to “grow” so they say, but who is keeping track anyway and did I type that?

Roughly about 7 weeks to go and he will be here!

Random:  I am trying not to freak out that ”D-Day” is approaching more rapid than I thought it would……………………… but really, is freaking out really going to help? probably not.

Happy February…

February seems to be quite the contrast from January … January was all about the healthier stuff for the most part. I guess by February, people are sick of their diets and “new years resolutions”

On to February!

Happy…

American Heart Month

Canned Food Month

Great American Pies Month

National Cherry Month

National Hot Breakfast Month

Chocolate Lovers Month

National Snack Foods Month

National Grapefruit Month

 

As for some of my favorites for the individual days of the month:

February 3 : National Carrot Cake Day
February 4 : National Homemade Soup Day
February 10 : National Cream Cheese Brownie Day
February 16 : National Almond Day
February 22 : National Cook a Sweet Potato Day
February 23 : National Banana Bread Day
February 24 : National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 : National Chocolate-Covered Peanuts Day
February 27 : National Chocolate Cake Day and  National Strawberry Day

 

Happy January…

Ok, so I know that I am slow – January is almost over, but… January is pretty extra exciting… look at why!

It is…

National Hot Tea month

National Oatmeal Month

National Soup Month

National Diet Month

National Retail Bakers Month

National Wheat Bread Month

International Gourmet Coffee Month

 

all of those in one month? A good month for all kinds of yummy things… ok, dieting may not be yummy, but if you look at it this way, everybody is one a diet actually… it is just what you eat!

 

Happy January, enjoy it!

 

 

Prego update: 26 weeks

So I know I have not had a blog update in a while… but it has been pretty busy around here for me. I have not been doing a ton it seems like, yet I stay busy… and that has not involved doing anything on the computer. I mean it – It was off when I sat down and I am not totally sure how long it had been off.  I have been neglecting the screen and spending more time trying to stay caught up on the simple tasks like laundry and dishes (of which can really pile up in a hurry… especially when the dishwasher does not work and we eat 3+ meals a day at home). I guess I have also been working too, can’t forget about that – the jobby job.

Anyways, all is going well and we are getting more and more excited for our little boy to get here!

Here is a brief update arranged into a couple categories for simplicity!  

26 weeks along!

Have you picked out a name?  I am amazed at how often we are asked this question around these parts…. no, we have not named him yet as strange as that is to many, but that will be decided/disclosed on his birth-day I am pretty sure as we just need to see him to make our final decision!

Cravings: I have not had any extreme cravings… or at least to the extent of which people talk about… I have not craved peanut butter and pickle sandwiches or any other odd combination of foods, but looking back over the past couple months I can tell you what has sounded and tasted really extra good:

• strawberries
• grapefruit
• honey crisp apples
• colby-jack cheese and crackers
• tortilla chips
• gum
• very very cold water
• toast with marionberry or strawberry jelly

At the beginning of the pregnancy, I went through a phase where nothing sounded that good… so this list is just what has sounded extra good lately. There are many others however, but those make the top of the list.

Nursery:  I have managed to clean out his room to empty status – before we called it the “temptation room” because it consisted of all kinds of things for chaco to get into.  It was a combination of my closet, storage room, laundry staging area, space to put stuff to sort and much more.  As for the nursery, we don’t have a theme or scheme, just an empty room which believe me is big time progress so far!

Weight:  oh yeah, “he” is really growing these days…  ok, we are, but seriously, at our latest ultrasound he was already in the 80th percentile so the doctor says he will be a “big boy”…. we will see!

But really, we are getting more and more excited… I feel like my belly has really just started to pop out.  I don’t really feel pregnant yet… like the miserableness people speak of and all that… but I try not to listen to all the negative side of pregnancy. I am trying to have my own pregnancy and honestly enjoy it as much as I can.

It is all just a miracle!