Saturday

You know those days where it starts out perfect, flows perfectly and then the sky falls out?
Today has been one of those days.
The old saying when it rains it pours, stands true for today.
I don't think there is a right or wrong answer.
I might always wonder if I made the right decision.
I might always wonder if I made the wrong decision.
Eating 3 cookies and some cake did help.

I forgot to post these earlier this week.
HG is very comfortable at Dr Porter's office.
She took her quarters from Uncle JD and Aunt Kendall to CEC after the Dr.
Then she had to try out everything at Gander Mountain.

We are boxing up fall/winter items this weekend.

Then taking the remaining containers to storage.

Hopefully we will have everything in plastic containers soon.

That way, we can go through each and every box.

We're going to get rid of a ton.

Donate to shelters.

Some is just headed for the trash.

Others, it will be boxed nicely.

Trying to make the next move as easy as possible.

We're looking at early December late November.

Which would put me at 6 weeks post par tum.

But to be back in a house again, I'd go the following week!

Poor Copper has his bo-hiney shaved as HG says.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Our cold front is on the way in.

While boxing up HG's clothes, I had to leave out a warm outfit for Monday.

Friday favorites

Chris is back working in Irving right now.

He closes tonight so he was around until 3:30.

He and the little one slept in until 1030 this morning.

Together, curdled in our bed.

I can't seem to sleep late anymore.

I CAN seem to go to bed early though.

A few of my favorite things today.

I made this once again.

This time, I added more cilantro, a large jalapeno and more garlic.

I also put an extra tablespoon of water.

Not a good idea.

Next time, I think I will cut out the water all together.

It was yummy though.

I mixed it with ranch for a salad dressing and a dip.

HG loves anything ranch, salsa, mustard and pickles.

Isn't this mug just the cutest?

I am seriously in love with it.

John Davis and Kendall gave it to us (or me) as part of our hostess gift.

It is from Anthropologie.

I am in love with their house items.

On Dr Oz recently, they made banana ice cream.

It is supposed to be a healthy and dairy free treat.

You freeze the bananas.

Peel, cut and place in food processor (I'm sure a blender would work too).
Add a little vanilla extract.

And dash of water.

Blend.

Once smooth, spoon into bowl and top with nutmeg and cinnamon.

I plan on adding peanut butter and honey next time.

Over all, this was pretty good.

Sure, it tasted like bananas but just sweeter.

Plus, very little fat.

Well of course unless you add peanut butter.

Or Nutella.

Yum.

HG had to wear her princess dress once again this morning.

We had craft time after lunch.

I'm always worried she is going to cut her hair.

Notice the cheerleader pony tail.

And the Gazelle that hasn't moved in a few months.

I can't carry it.

Hopefully soon, it will be relocated once again.

I love love love this candle.

Even when not burning, it smells wonderful.

It reminds me of my Niven Morgan Gold candle that I just couldn't get enough of.

This also was part of our hostess gift box.

The last time I was in Anthropologie, I told Chris I just had to have this candle.

_____________________________________________________________

This is the first weekend in a long time that we don't have anything planned.

Nothing at all.

Chris works all weekend.

May is another crazy month for us.

Chris travels twice for a week plus.

Chicago, Louisville and North Carolina.

We all travel to Houston and Port Arthur for a lighting fast trip.

We arrive in time for dinner on Friday night with our cousins.

Brother's graduation around lunch Saturday.

Late lunch/early dinner party at one of his favorite local Mexican dives.

Leaving early Sunday morning to be in Port Arthur by noon.

The hubby flies out that evening while HG and I make our way back to DFW.

Talk about being ready for a nap.

The little one and I go to Texarkana for Mother's Day weekend.

Visiting my grandfather.

Fishing.

Play dates.

Mother's Day lunch.

Lighting bugs.

Taking Copper for a check up.

Swimming.

Seeing family.

Seeing my Maternal Fetal Specialists

This always makes me nervous.

Always.

Even when everything is going perfectly.

They check and measure for everything.

God's Blessings

The husband and I are beyond excited to formally announce that baby Bell #2 is on the way.

Many of you know, some it will come as a shock to, some knew before the test was even dry.

We decided to wait and announce until the NT Scan was complete.

With HG, i was telling everyone as soon as we found out.

Then this last year happened.

So many tears shed, so much heart ache.

Totally worth the pain and suffering for a perfectly healthy little one.

3 weeks 3 days 5 weeks 5 days

I've taken one or two of these.

Probably a lot more than one or two.

They help keep both the baby and myself healthy.

small price for such a large reward.

Without them, I would only have a 20% chance of a successful pregnancy.

Thank the Lord for modern medicine.

Morning Sickness.

With HG, I mainly had it at night.

For a few short weeks.

I did however eat chicken minis each morning from finding out until week 11.

It have helped.

This baby.......

Oh my goodness gracious alive.

It came a little more forceful.

In my 7th week.

I threw up for the first time thanks to water at 6w5d so almost a full 7 weeks.

Liquid makes me sick.

Fried food and pizza saves me.

Body bloated at 7 weeks.

Pants barely fitting thanks to the pregnancy bloat.

At 11w3d, I've gained 1-1.5 pounds.

I'm wearing seabands daily.

Not sure i'm sold on them.

Chewing ginger root gum.

______________________________________

On the last Tuesday of March, I had to phone my doctor.

Seriously felt miserable.

I get sick.

But I don't get to act sick.

I could barely get out of bed.

Couldn't hold water down.

The nurse called in Zofran.

Wow.

Along with Zofran comes side effects.

4/5/2011

The baby was measuring 5 days a head.

Progesterone was sky high.

Given permission to go to Naples, Florida.

Thank goodness!

Trouble scheduling next appointment in 2 weeks due to trip.

It was 3 weeks before I got to see the little Angel again.

At my last appointment, the baby measured 5 days ahead.

The one Tuesday, he/she measured exactly in line with my LMP.

Babies this early and vary quite a bit.

Actually they can vary through out the entire pregnancy.

We had our NT scan scheduled.

The baby was curled in a ball sleeping the whole time.

Maybe if he/she would have stretched out then they would have.

The NT scan is done between 11 and 14 weeks.

.5 mm off.

Sounds silly but for accurate measurements, I was still .5 mm off from the position the baby was in.

We got to see the baby for a minute or two.

The arms and legs were moving.

Heartbeat was going.

Even though I didn't get to see it.

The tech and the hubby did.

I left feeling a bit sad.

I mentioned it today to one of the wonderful nurses that I missed the heart beat on Tuesday and have been worried ever since.

They are amazing and so sweet up there.

The nurse replied back with why didn't you say anything?

I love that they all care so much.

One of our favorite nurses is leaving. :(

Luckily, we can see her in North Carolina.

Unsure of the blob on the left side.

Today, we had our NT scan.

It went perfectly.

After waking the baby up.

He/She was flipping out of control.

I say he/she and I really think SHE.

HG has called the baby "baby seester ____" since she found out.

My due date is around 11/13.

I have to deliver at or before 38 weeks.

That is Halloween.

And a week and a half longer than HG.

Salsa Picante Roja

If you don't follow Gina's Skinny Recipes then you are truly missing out.
Big time missing out.

I made her Salsa Picante Roja recently.
Cold jarred salsa gets old and boring.
Except to my 2 1/2 year old.
I love roasted salsas.
This was super easy and light.


What you need:
3 medium tomatoes, cored and quartered. I buy local farmer's vine tomatoes.
1 jalapeno, stemmed removed and roasted.
3-4 small cloves garlic.
2 tsp cilantro. (The least expensive way to have tons of cilantro is to buy the plant and grow it!)
3-4 Tbsp water.
1 tsp olive oil.
Salt to taste.

What you do:
Add tomatoes, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro and water and pulse a few times in a blender until completely smooth.
Add oil to a deep skillet, then pour in tomatoes. Season with salt and simmer uncovered stirring occasionally, 25 minutes.

Midweek randoms

Copper has his second surgery on Monday.

He is doing good.

They removed some of his hip.

You can see the difference between the two sides.

We decided to go with the one we knew would work rather than risking him going under a 3rd time.

He is almost 11 (May 20) and putting an older dog under that many times is just so risky.

The Vet said his hips were still very tight and looked great otherwise.

He'll continue to be pretty drugged the next week or two.

That will allow him to feel less pain and walk on it.

We are back home and trying to get back in a routine.

HG loved spending time in Batesville and Texarkana.

She is already asking to go visit.

Naples was amazing.

Beautiful beach.

Wonderful foodOh how I could go on about the food.

Awesome people.

Some place we'll definitely revisit.

Looking forward to next year.

And the next.

HG fell asleep after a long weekend Easter evening.

Is it bad that we rolled down the windows and let her sleep?

For two hours.

Don't worry, we were outside on the patio.

The hubby told me to run for his camera.

I told him no way was I getting close to that yakking bird.

So this phone shot will have to do.

They are beautiful birds.

They are extremely annoying birds.

Imagine 4:30 in the morning.

Every morning.

Peacocks waking you.

They sound like crying cats or infants.

HG gets so excited when they get on Poppy's fence from his neighbors yard.

Also, notice how green the tree and honeysuckles are.

Everything is such a deep color of green from all the rain.

Never a dull moment in our life.

HG has learned to raise the head rest.

With her toes.

I'd turn around and she would make this silly face. Western Week at MDO.

The classes are learning about Texas.

I tried really hard begging her to look at the camera.

Not so much luck.

We drove through some terrible weather.

The husband said I was like a little wiry dog.

I just knew we would see a tornado.

There were warning all over East Texas on Monday.

I know so many were effected by these serious storms recently.

Please say a prayer for them.

Some still don't have power.

My dad was lucky to only have his out for about 12 hours.

Many houses flooded.

Roofs ripped off.

Streets flooded so people can't come and go.

Trampolines on roof tops.

Trees on houses and cars.

Prayers so that they find their strength while cleaning up and rebuilding.

Easter

We braved Easter weekend and headed east to Texarkana.

My brother and soon to be SIL's shower was Saturday.

The munchkin was coming home on Saturday.

We wanted to visit my grandfather.

It just happened to all be Easter weekend.

And every storm around managed to hit Texarkana.

Unfortunately, that has been the story for about 2 weeks now.

Yes, the Easter bunny brought pickles.

Uncle John and Aunt Kendall filled her basket with money.

Quarters to be exact.

HG's request.

We had a lovely weekend.

Saw many old friends.

Spent time with family.

Great Easter lunch.

You know it is going to be good when your Aunt orders one of everything on the appetizer menu.

YUM!

The hubby and I forgot our camera on Easter Sunday.

Imagine that.

When back in Texarkana next week, I will download from the parents.

Hailey was of course in her ballerina dress.

She had to wear it.

Along with her hot pink shoes.

Mia told me to let her wear the shoes, they showed her personality.

And she LOVES them.

HG had a cone and Whit (my grandfather) had a vanilla milk shake by the pool on Easter.

Oh how we love that man.

Oh how the entire town loves that man.

He really enjoyed our visit.

HG talked his head off.

And wondered about his milk shake.

It made me realize that she hasn't ever had a milk shake.

Always tell your loved ones how much they mean to you.

We are continuing to pray for a miracle.

She had to open her chocolate bunnies.

Then line them up so she could see them.

I couldn't bring myself to buy her the large chocolate Easter bunnies.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend.

It is hard to imagine that this is probably our last one in Texas for a while.

But so exciting at the same time.

Eggplant Souffle

I have been wanting to share this recipe for a while now.

It's my grandmother's recipe.

I just got the recipe today.

She was so excited to share.

I will go back for seconds and thirds.

Great for a brunch.

Or side dish.

Or main dish.

1 eggplant

2 eggs

3/4 c bread crumbs

1 T butter

1/4 c grated sharp cheese

1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

Dash nutmeg

1/4 c milk

Bread crumbs

Peel and cube the eggplant. Boil until tender, drain. Separate eggs, beat whites until stiff. Mix all ingredients., folding in egg whites last. Place in 8x8 inch casserole dish and cover with bread crumbs. Bake in 325 F oven for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Piper's shower

This Saturday, the hubby and I hosted my brother and soon to be sister in law's shower along with a few mutal friends.

What a great time!

Kendall and John Davis were so excited and thankful for each item. Having cake with Poppy.
Cake Princess.

Water bottle labels are a must!

Lots of great friends.

Amanda Raney Horton catered all the food and wonderful punch.

She owns Flour Child Fine Foods and does an AMAZING job.

Fried Brie with chipolte raspberry topping.

Proscuitto and Fig flat bread.

Almond cookies with royal icing.

Gourmet pimento cheese.

Roasted sun dried tomato hummus with fresh pitas.

Assortment of cheeses and oh so yummy fruit.

To die for cake from the Bakerman.

Half chocolate.

Half white.

I've had 4 slices in 2 days.

HG making her toddler bed with her matching blanket.

The diaper wreath I made for Piper's hospital stay.

Adorable little basket from her Aunts, Uncles and cousin.

Piper's diaper cake that HG and I recently made.

P is for Piper.