More cake please :)

It's been a while since I have blogged. Again....oops :)

I am now 34 weeks along and the humidity here is killing me! I look like I just had a bucket dumped over me most days. lol!

Here is a belly picture at 32 weeks and I will be updating the blog soon with a new belly picture(I think he has dropped a little).

We also have just about everything we need for the baby and his room and I will be hanging up the pictures and such as the last touch. I can't wait for it to be done but I keep wanting to rearrange the room...slowing down our progress. Oh well!

I was asked by a friend to make a Hello Kitty cake for her daughter and she specifically asked for fondant. I love love love using fondant but it is also so very temper mental! 

I had more fun making that cake than any other cake I've made since I was working in a bakery over 4 years ago.

Other then that things have been quiet here but my creative juices are flowing and I feel a few projects coming on in the next few days!

Projects...

These are a few things I have done over the past few months.

Baby shower cupcakes (for a boy).

Baby shower cake (for a girl :)

A t-shirt I love but never ever wear...that went from this...

To this...

Made with just these

And this

And this!

The t-shirt bag I found how to make from this youtube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6yDxK68OZc

Pizza or cheese?

Saturday Isaac and I were doing some grocery shopping and were talking about dinner. He wanted something very very cheesy and I wanted pizza.

We decided on, and created this monstrosity!

CHEESE!!

It was a simple 30 minute ordeal with a can of Pillsbury pizza dough, about a cup (maybe a cup and a half) of ricotta cheese mixed with WAY TOO much shredded mozzarella, Parmesan an egg and herb seasonings. Oh, and some four cheese pasta sauce to remind us that we were making a pizza. We baked it and then put more mozzarella on top and baked it some more. 

Holy shmoly! 

It was incredibly cheesy delicious but next time(if we ever dare again) we're going to broil it so the cheesy goodness gets a nice little crunch on top. 

Talk about a weekend splurge!

Catching up

So it has been an unreasonably long time since my last post! I hit my second trimester and just went nuts with all the energy I HAD. 

With doctor appointments for myself and Isaac and summer starting up, school and so many other things, blogging was placed on the back burner. Well, NO MORE.

I'm currently in my 28th week of pregnancy and definitely slowing down because of lack of energy and I just can't be doing as much as I had done a few weeks ago. It's a little hard to handle but a healthy mama and baby are absolutely worth it. :)

I have avoided the baby bump pictures for as long as possible and the requests kept coming. Guilt finally overcame me and I know that one day I would like to look back and say "That was when I was pregnant with Gabriel!", so I took a quick photo this morning for all to see!

I will try to get a better photo with Isaac as well. That will definitely be a keeper.

The discomforts of the third trimester are setting in, but that's all they are...discomfort. My lower back has been aching something fierce and my feet are beginning to swell now and then and achy hips and difficulty bending over have become a constant. On those bad days I make my way to the pool and savor each moment of blissful "water therapy".

Through all of this, I'm so incredibly grateful for mine and baby Gabriel's health!

Lucky is doing great and is so spoiled with all the play time with "daddy".

He has been very attentive to him, seeing my discomfort and helping out with walking Lucky also taking him out and playing fetch until he drops. A tired dog is a very very good dog!

What a fantastic husband I have!!

Isaac has managed to still work out almost every day, pushing through his knee pain and general discomfort. He is going to have surgery to remove the torn miniscus and is working on scheduling a date. He also is continuing with his school classes/pre reqs for the nursing program so he's been very busy these past months.

We've been rearranging our home for our future addition and I think I may have hit the nesting phase because I can't seem to stop finding something to deep clean or completely reorganize and even throw away. 

Isaac and I after sunset paddling :)

With all that we are all happy healthy and continually blessed by God.

A Boy!

So Isaac and I had our regular check up this past Monday and my very first question to the doc was if we could find out the baby's gender. She seemed just as eager as I to find out(I don't know where she gets her enthusiasm doing this over and over, day after day) and because of her diligence, we caught a few glimpses. 

Baby Brennan wasn't being very cooperative! He would move and move but turning back to the same position so we couldn't see anything. The doc finally started to push a little on my uterus to get him squirming more and all he did(in protest I'm sure) was flip over on his stomach(facing my spine as I was laying down) and staying there for a good minute! Holy shmoly if that's not for things to come.... ;)

He looks so cozy! The doc said he kept moving into the farthest corner of my uterus and behind the placenta....time to brush up on my hide and seek skills!

We are so very excited to be having a baby boy and now things seem so much more real as we give him names and I try to visualize his face as a little boy and grown adult. I'm also doing quite a job of worrying myself silly, but that's the momma in me I'm sure!

"Guys, come on!"

When the name has been chosen, we will post ASAP!

Look at that noggin!

It's been a while

The past few months have been full, exciting and....nauseating. 

Since we are expecting our first,

 I have enjoyed the pleasures of morning(more like ALL DAY) sickness. Thankfully the worst has now past! 

My energy levels have gone back up, almost back to normal and I have an itch to be creative and it's time to get back to blogging.

The end of February Isaac and I had the opportunity to fly back to Phoenix and celebrate the union of Hannah and Luke. Their wedding was so beautiful and time went by much to quickly!

We visited family and friends while there but one reunion I was so looking forward to, did not happen. A storm back east caused the flight to be cancelled (sniff) but most importantly they were safe and sound. 

We love you guys!

The Bride and Groom :)

All the siblings chilling at the reception

My handsome brothers and Husband

The amazingly BEAUTIFUL Bride!

After two weeks of going non-stop we headed back home. Kimera came back to Germany with us and stayed with us for four weeks! It went way to quickly as well and I wish she could have stayed longer. :)

Kimmy and I at a Spring training game in Phoenix

Kimera is enjoying her hot dog/braut in Nuremberg Germany

Trying on our new masks from Italy

Lucky is savoring Kimmy's love...he misses her too!

While she was here we did some traveling in Germany and saved her last weekend for a trip to PARIS! It was a fantastic city with so much to see and do!

Sitting down to try some delicious French cuisine.

The Louvre

Now life goes back to "normal" for Isaac and I.

This week...

I completely failed at choosing an ingredient for this week but I do have a favorite recipe I have to share.

It's called Beef stir-fry but I call it 

Beef and Broccoli

Beef and Broccoli before adding the sauce mixture.

Here is the link to the recipe...you must try!

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/campbells-kitchen-beef-stir-fry/detail.aspx

It's such a simple and delicious dinner! I have to make it for Isaac at least once every two weeks, and I always make sure to make enough for left overs.

:)

Baby oil, BABY!

So here is another little tid bit I learned from a friend this past year.

I tend to get razor burn, a lot. Especially during the summer when I am encouraged to shave more, due to bathing suit time, shorts and sleeveless shirts. 

I cringed at the thought of jumping into a pool and having the razor burn catch on fire from the chlorine! OUCH!

So, as recommended, I decided to give baby oil a try. 

I just applied it right after a shower before I toweled off. 

Come to find out there are directions on the Johnsons Baby oil bottle for adult use. 

Silly me. 

Once I started this regiment, razor burns never show up anymore and I have silky smooth skin!

It's a common home staple for all you moms out there...so how can you go wrong?

Ingredient of the Week: Friday

It's Friday! 

Today I made a Mexican type dish that I had thrown together off the top of my head one day and has now become a favorite for us.

Mexican type dish...with Jalapenos!

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 can black beans, drained

1 packet of taco seasoning(for a healthier version try out this homemade seasoning http://allrecipes.com/recipe/taco-seasoning-i/detail.aspx...it's delicious!)

1 package of corn tortillas

Shredded cheddar cheese

1 to 2 Jalapeno peppers, diced

1 tomato, diced

1 head of lettuce, sliced

1/4 of chopped green onions

sour cream (I use greek yogurt in place of sour cream)

Oil spray

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. On large cookie sheet or flat baking pan spray olive or vegetable oil then place as many corn tortillas on sheet that will fit but lay flat. Spray corn tortillas with oil. Place in oven for 15 minutes or until golden and crisp(flip tortillas if necessary)

2. Use medium size saucepan and place over medium high heat. Throw in ground beef and cook until brown.

Once ground beef is cooked add taco seasoning, diced jalapeno peppers and black beans and let simmer.

3. Place cheese and beef mixture on tortillas then place tomatoes, lettuce, green onions and last but not least, a dollop of sour cream on top. Enjoy!

Ingredient of the Week: Thursday

Today I was a little unprepared so I improvised with a recipe I have used before.

Today I made......let's call it.......Spicy salsa Chicken.

Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts

1/2 cup of salsa

1/4 cup tomato sauce

1/2 onion, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

2 Jalapenos, chopped

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

salt and pepper to taste

I threw everything in the slow cooker and let it cook for about 4 hours then served over Couscous. It was so yummy and spicy! I used HOT salsa to keep spicy spicy. :)

Ingredient of the Week: Wednesday

Today I made 

Jerk Chicken,

only with a pork loin instead. This recipe is fantastic and I have used it so many times, changing things up each time. 

This time I used two jalapeno peppers(with seeds) and of course changed the meat from chicken to pork...and threw it in the slow cooker. :)

I snatched this recipe from Anna's blog, The Recipe Box. 

http://justasgoodrecipebox.blogspot.com/2011/10/jerked-chicken-marinade.html

Enjoy!

Ingredient of the Week: Tuesday

Today I made,

  Jalapeno Chicken!

 http://allrecipes.com/recipe/jalapeno-chicken-ii/detail.aspx

I wanted to keep it more healthy so I change things around. 

 

Here is my version :)

Ingredients:

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, halved and pounded

1/4 cup lemon juice

Season salt

2 fresh jalapeno peppers, diced(I left seeds in)

1/2 package cream cheese, softened

toothpicks

Directions:

1. Season chicken breasts with season salt to your liking, place in a dish with lemon juice. Cover and let marinate for 2 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

3. Mix diced jalapenos and cream cheese, stuff into chicken and close up with toothpicks.

4. Cook chicken in preheated oven for 30 minutes or until done. Serve with rice and enjoy!

We both loved this recipe so it's definitely a keeper!

Ingredient of the Week: Monday

It's Monday! 

Enough said.

Today I decided to try

Jalapeno Soup

Ingredients:

4 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 1/2 cups milk

2 cups chopped celery

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves minced garlic

2 cups cheddar cheese

1 to 2 Jalapeno peppers diced.

Optional- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts diced.

Directions:

1.In large saucepan, over medium high heat, saute celery, onion, garlic and jalapeno pepper with butter or oil. Remove from pan and cook diced chicken when done add vegetables back in.

2. Turn to high heat. Mix cornstarch in chicken broth and pour over vegetables and chicken stirring until thickened. Add milk.

3. Remove from heat, stir in cheese. Serve!

On a side note: If you like your soup more thick you can add extra cornstarch to milk before pouring into soup mixture. AND if you don't want chunkies, place soup into food processor or blender after cheese is added.

This recipe is very flexible and you can add and delete to your liking! 

I Used two Jalapenos and that was pretty dang spicy :) If you don't like spice try it with green chilis.

If you try this I would love to hear thoughts and any changes you made to suit you!

Ingredient of the Week

I have decided to challenge myself this week.

Dinner in our house has become, same old, same old and it's time to spruce things up and get creative!

One ingredient used for every meal...for a week

(well, work week that is. Monday through Friday).

For this week I chose the JALAPENO.

Let's do this thang!

Cornstarch

Being on the thrifty side of things, a household remedy for things like makeup are so welcome!

A friend of mine was talking about the bags under her eyes, and I had to ask,"What bags!?". She then told me that after she applies her foundation she brushed on cornstarch under her eyes to prevent makeup from melting into all those lovely lines and to help keep a fresh look all day.

Yup. Plain old cornstarch you find at the Grocery store.

Genius!

I always have a problem with my mascara and eye shadow building up in the lines above and below my eyes. So I look like I'm wearing yesterdays' make-up. Yuck! 

Now I apply the cornstarch around my eyes and t-zone(where I have more oils) after applying foundation. 

I must say it has done wonders!!!

Peek a boo!

Update

I have fallen behind with my blog these past two months but have every intention of getting right back into it. :)

This past December Isaac and I were able to enjoy much more time together with the holiday work hours, frequenting a few Christmas markets and enjoying the delicious food!

Unfortunately we did not receive snow for Christmas this year but growing up in Phoenix...I was used to it!

Two days after Christmas we celebrated our 3rd anniversary by cleaning house and running errands! lol! Starting to feel like an old married couple!

New years was calm and quiet for us. Watching a few movies and eating a heavy meal before our 2012 diet began.

Isaac is taking two classes this semester and I'm desperately trying to get everything in line so I can start full time this semester as as well.

Other then school and a healthy lifestyle for the year 2012, we hope to travel to a few more European locations.