Preparing for Baby

So when you get pregnant you get into to this mood where you have to sign up for everything that's free, look up every baby website that is known to man and visit these websites and continue to look for free stuff up until it's time for the baby to come. 

I've found that my two favorite websites are thebump.com and babycenter.com

One of the nice things about the bump is that they have a checklist for what you need to do during that week to prepare for the baby. Well, my preparation for this week was making freezable meals. So when you have the baby you already have meals ready to go, just heat up the oven and hello dinner. 

Now, there's not much that I pay attention to on these list, but as you continue with your pregnancy the crazier you get about getting ready for the baby. But I thought this was an excellent idea, so me and my husband spent one Sunday evening making dinners for ourselves. 

First on the list:

Baked Mac & Cheese

This is what I made while my husband made the chili

I don't have a recipe link for this one, it was all him. ;-)

Next,

Chicken Enchiladas

Probably one of the easiest meals I've made. 

And last,

Ham and Peas Casserole

We're going to take another evening to do this again. I'm so blessed to have a husband who 1. Likes to cook 2. Puts up with my craziness and 3. Is so ready to have our little girl here with us. 

I hope these recipes are helpful for you.

Enjoy!

Goal for New Years Eve

Yeah, so I know a lot of people like to reset their goals after New Years but I'm going to try something different.

I'm going to be a new Mummy by the end of November and one of my goals is to be more fit than I was before I got pregnant. And when I say fit I don't mean being a size 0, c'mon get real. What I mean by fit is eating better and actually having muscle on my legs and arms. And heck maybe even a two or four pack! :-p

But then I was thinking why not one up that, why not try to lose the baby fat before New Years Eve?! I have this dress that Jim (my wonderful husband) bought me for our first New Year Eve party. I'm sure you all are giggling right now and yes I know that was about oh I don't know 4 years ago..... (maybe longer but who's counting), I want to be able to fit into that dress. I asked Jim if this was a ridiculous goal, and because my Hubby is so supportive he said no. Deep down I know that it is, but hey it's worth the try right? And if I don't make it to that night, no big deal I have the whole entire year to complete that goal. Positive thinking is always a good thing!

Here's the dress.

One of my favorite pictures of all time, I had no idea that all those people were behind us in this picture, lol it was New Years Eve alright, give me a break!

The dress, and if I do get to the point where I can fit into it again I'm rewarding myself with some new Chucks too and wearing them with the dress. I find it classy ;-)

Brown Sugar Cookies

I found this recipe on Pinterest and had to make them for a family gathering. They turned out wonderful and was declared the best cookies I've ever made. 

A very nice reward indeed!

Ingredients:

2/3 c. butter, softened
1-1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla extract
2-1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 t. baking powder
1 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 c. sour cream

Directions:

Blend together butter and brown sugar.  Add eggs, one at a time; blend well.  Add vanilla; beat until light.  In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with sour cream; mix well.  

Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto non-stick or lightly greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.  Remove to a wire rack; cool.  Frost with Browned Butter Frosting.  Makes 2 dozen

Browned Butter Frosting
1/4 c. butter
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar
2 T. Milk
Cinnamon As much as desired

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden.  Watch carefully as this will happen quickly. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and enough milk to make a spreading consistency.

Enjoy!

Thank you Susie QQT pies Scraps of Life for the recipe.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

Found this wonderful recipe and HAD to try it.

Ingredients:

• 1
  8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2
  cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4
  cup sugar
• 3/4
  teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2
  teaspoon vanilla
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Directions:

  Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. 

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours. Makes 1-1/2 cups (24, 1-tablespoon servings).

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Enjoy!! 

  Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

  
  

  
  

  
  

  nutrition facts

  • Calories43
   
  • Total Fat (g)3
   
  • Saturated Fat (g)2, 
  • Cholesterol (mg)10, 
  • Sodium (mg)28,
  • Carbohydrate (g)3, 
  • Protein (g)1, 
  • Vitamin A (DV%)15, 
  • Calcium (DV%)1, 
  • Iron (DV%)1,
  • Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Homemade Chocolate Syrup

I am not taking full credit of this idea, I got this idea from Pinterest, who then directed me to this blog.

• Homemade Chocolate Syrup
• 1 1/4 Cup sugar
• 1 Cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 Cup water
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

In a medium saucepan, whisk together sugar and cocoa powder. Add water and salt and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently.

Bring to a boil and cook for a few minutes, until thickened, continuing to stir. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes, then add vanilla extract. Store in air tight container in the fridge.

To make chocolate milk, add 1 tablespoon of chocolate sauce to a cup of milk and stir until combined.

Thank you 52 Kitchen Adventures for this recipe, it will save me tons of money on my Chocolate Milk Cravings. ;-)

Fall Wreath

I'm really getting into making wreaths and hopefully I'll only get better at doing it!

Materials:

1. Foam wreath (JoAnns $4.99)

2. Hot glue gun/sticks

3. Orange paint/paint brush

4. Leaves

5. Decorative pumpkins

First-

Paint the wreath orange

Then, hot glue the leaves on. I started from inside out of the wreath.

Now, glue on your decorative piece and there you go!

Easy Fall Wreath

Happy Birthday Becky

Each year is another celebration of a Birthday, and every year I get my oldest sister Becky a Mizzou shirt. but this year I switched it up when she became interested in my tumbler. I love my tumbler cup, it keeps my drinks colder than any other I've encountered. :)

My Sister's gift from her loving sister, oh did I mention that my Sister is also pregnant? So I stuffed the cup with fun pack M&Ms. Yeah, I'm pretty much awesome! ;-)

Boo Wreath

Halloween is one of my favorite Holidays and I LOVE to decorate for it, and now that I have a home to decorate I feel like this is going to be the best Halloween, thus far. 

Anyhow,

How I made my Boo Wreath:

Materials:

1. Halloween fabric 1.25 yds {Hobby Lobby} 

2. Foam wreath {Hobby Lobby}

3. BOO letters {JoAnns}

4. Black and Orange craft pain {JoAnns}

5. Paint Brushes

6. Hot Glue Gun

Next,

Paint the wreath black and the letters orange, with the letters I painted them twice and added purple glitter to them.

While the paint dries

Cut your fabric into strips, I cut mine about 1in wide and around 13ins long. This really depends on how thick your wreath is. 

Now,

Tie the fabric around the wreath, make sure to double knot.

Hot glue the letters together and then glue the letters onto the wreath. 

Happy Halloween!

Second Trimester done!

Second Trimester is done, onward to the third and FINAL trimester!

I have to say that the 2nd trimester truly is the "Honeymoon" stage. I had more energy to do things around the house and work. Although I did gain much more weigh and have had swollen feet and lower back pain, but I wouldn't change it for the world. 

2nd trimester our little one has grown so much! We found out that we are having a girl, and she is now so much more active then she was before. We've been gradually working on her room with paint, decor, and new furniture.    

My worries about my 3rd trimester- not getting everything done that I want to be done, will I be a good Mom? Child care.... argh

Excitement- finally being able to hold my baby girl in my hands and for her to finally meet her Daddy. 

{Cheers} to 3rd Trimester!

ABC-123 Part 3

Getting there! Only a {few} more to go. :-D

(Yes I know "O" is missing!) 

More about Maybelline's room.

I'm making a list and checking it twice.

It's never TOO early to start thinking about what you are going to buy/make for your love ones for Christmas. 

This year I'm going to be making majority of our Christmas gifts and I've never been so excited about it. I have to admit that I've gotten most of my ideas (ok all) from my new favorite website Pinterest. 

I've been looking up different and creative gifts for all-  the nieces and nephew, Parents, In-laws, and of course friends. 

Now I'm not going to give away all of my ideas but here are some for the kiddos. 

Bathtub Soap Crayons

Homemade Chalk

230 degrees/15 minutes

Heart shaped Crayons

I have many more ideas that I'm going to keep to myself until the time has come to share. :-) Hope you enjoyed!