New Blog

I made it!  Wordpress is very annoyying or maybe im just very computer-dumb.  Anyway,  my new blog is still under construction so dont judge the layout and nik-naks just yet.  My first post is up though!

I may still post here too.  We’ll just see where the wind takes me.

Check me out here.

Big Changes

Some big changes are coming to my blog life pretty soon. I’ve been thinking, and talking, and thinking- and blogging/writing is something I’m really passionate about. I’m not completely sure if I’ll be changing my address, creating a new blog, or getting my own domain- but either way my style and objective is going to change. Dont panic- I’ll update all of my lovely “You and Me and Baby Makes 3” readers so you can keep up with me. And rest assured I’ll always be a “mom blogger” is some respect- but I just feel that there’s a lot to me, and what I have to say, and I’m a unique person that’s not showcasing my originality as best as I could. And for as much as I love blogging- I know I can do a lot better- especially with my background in art and photography.
Stay tuned!!
xoxo

Things I’m Into Lately…

Candles-

I’ve always been into candles but recently I’m obsessed with them. Its like I’m in middle school again and I’m collecting Pokemon cards. (Pokemon is still awesome, thanks) Last week my favorite Sweet pea candle burnt out- so my husband surprised me with Forest and Lavender… I’ve already burnt out Forest… and TODAY I went to bath and body works and oooohhh goodness. They have Marshmellow and Pumpkin Latte 3 Wick Candles… Mega amounts of self restraint was used to not buy them.

How can you not feel calm with little smell-good flames dancing everywhere. I like to light them after I’m through cleaning for the day. It makes me feel so acomplished lol.

MUDDY BEARS!-

Chocolate. Covered. Gummy. Bears. omgsh. I first tried this brilliant candy a year or so ago and I’ve been completley convinced there is no better thing on earth. The problem is only Germans tend to agree with me so they are very difficult to find in the USA. In fact, the store I first tried them in was an international candy shop, and they were straight from Germany. As a gift, last Valentines day, my husband had a local chocolate shop custom make some for me but honestly it just wasn’t the same. BUT!!!! Today I stopped by a candy shop (I always like to check just in case) and looked around. and of course they didn’t have any. The guy asked what I was looking for and I said chocolate covered gummy bears and he said they just placed an order and they’ll be there NEXT WEEK! A happy dance may or may not have happened right there in the store.

Pintrest- I think I have a small problem with being WAY too into Pintrest. Holy cow though, whats not to love? It’s so inspiring if you’re an artist, a DIY person or looking for new recipes. I’m a very visual person and I could honestly spend all day just browsing pins. I’ve found loads of new recipes and around-the-house ideas. Not to mention art and photo inspirations. If you have one- Follow me! http://pinterest.com/daisysmom/

Cranberry Limeaids from Sonic-

Ok, let me preface by saying I drink water like a FISH. It’s all I drink. No lie, I must drink 10-12 glasses a day, AT LEAST. It’s all I drink, especially since now I’m pregnant all of my favorites are not allowed. Wine, green tea, earl grey tea, chai tea, wine, black tea, coffee, wine, lattes… Ah hem… So anyway, sometimes water just doesn’t cut it and I need SOMETHING flavored- especially when I have to choke down a god-awful prenatal that tastes like dirty socks. Cranberry Limeaids are sooooo good. Ahhh and if they put a real lime slice in- heaven.

Although I’m not crazy about Fall, good things seem to happen along with the changing of the leaves. My husband was offered a job he’s been wanting for months. It comes with a nice pay raise and we’re hoping to save up enough to move out in the spring.

We also got to see our newest little addition, on an ultrasound, Friday. I knew right away from her girly profile that she was a girl. I’m a bit bias, but girls are CLEARLY the best 😉

A few days later was Ryan’s 30th birthday and I threw him a surpirse party. I was so happy so many of his friends were able to make it out. It was nice having a night out to celebrate all the good things in our lives.

I’ve finally gotten my energy back and it’s been wonderful. I’m cooking loads of yummy new recipes and getting so much more done during the day. I had my blood taken, which is always an ordeal because of my tiny veins, but it wasn’t so bad. It only took him 3 tries, which is really good for me. I also have my pelvic exam out of the way- so it should be pretty smooth sailing from here on out.

Daisy, my almost 17-month-old, is becoming such a confident, independent little toddler. I’ve tried taking her to play-places several times since she began walking. She’s always too intimidated by the older kids, or too sensitive to being accidently shoved or tripping. Usually, she’d just hold on to my leg and watch the other kids play. Today was a rainy, chilly day, so we all went to the mall to use their wifi and walked by the kids play area. I let her go and she had an absolute blast. I was so proud of her. She climbed up the little stairs to the slide and went down all by herself! Sometimes even waiting in line behind other kids waiting her turn! She wasn’t intimidated, in the least, by the older kids running around. She just played and laughed and did her own thing. I resisted every urge to hover over her and just sat and watched. I was so proud.

I can’t believe I’m getting another little girl! How great is being a mom!?

an envelope absolutely, positively has to be there overnight

It’s a… GIRL!!!!

My little Daisy is going to have a little sister!!
I’m completely over joyed at the thought of my little…GIRLS… being best friends their entire lives.

Everything looks great. Daisy even pointed at the ultrasound screen and said, “Baby!” She seems to have Daisy’s profile and round peanut belly. We even got to see her little fingers and toes. How amazing is it that she’s been growing inside me this whole time?

Sleepovers… painted toes…princess disney movies and sweet kisses and cuddles every night. What could be better?

The Soup

We had our first Fall-like day yesterday. I actually had to pull out a long sleeved shirt, for myself, and a jacket for Daisy. Sad day.

To warm us up, I made Broccoli Cheddar soup… FROM SCRATCH. There may be a domestic goddess in me yet. 😉 This probably isn’t a big accomplishment for most people, but trust me, I’ve always been kind of clueless when it comes to this house-wife-mom thing. Our first apartment looked like a bachelor pad- and I’m pretty sure my husband and I lived off frozen pizza, beer and take-out the whole first year. Not to mention the many clothes I dyed or ruined in the washing machine. Really, I’m no where close to that bad now. I make a lot of yummy fish and lots of greek salads. I’m getting pretty awesome at laundry and found my fav detergent and know how to dry clothes where they’re soft without fabirc softener. Oh yeah. But seriosuly, I’m just not naturally wired to be ordered and conventional. I’ve always had my head in the clouds a bit- and been more about tattoos, art and being free spirited- but hey, it’s why my husband loves me.

But because I love HIM, and I’m about to be the mother of TWO, I’ve been working really hard at being a better home-maker. The thought used to make me cringe, but when I think about it, I WANT my husband and kids to be excited for the meals I make and always have their clothes smelling extra great. (Those two things just scream “MOM” don’t they?) Naturally, I’ve always been lost at cooking. Not so much that I’m a bad cook, I just don’t know what to make. A few ingredients have always scared me. Anything with flour or any kind of broth or stock intimidates me. (I’m crazy. I know.)

However, with the help of my new obsession, Pintrest, I’ve found 100’s of new recipes and I’ve been so inspired to make delicious things. I’ve always been IN LOVE with Panera’s Broccoli Cheddar soup. It’s pretty expensive for a bowl of soup and I can’t afford it often. So when I found this recipe I was pretty excited. EVEN though it had flour AND stock in it.. I decided to face my fear and do it… And oh my gosh it was SO good! If you’d put it in a bread bowl I’d never have known it wasn’t from panera.

PANERA BROCC CHEDDAR SOUP
1/4 cup butter (I used a soy butter spread, tastes the same)
1/2 chopped onion
1 clove garlic
1/4 cup flour
1 cup half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 cups chicken stock
1/2 lb fresh broccoli, chopped
1 cup carrot, shredded and chopped (I had baby carrots I just finely chopped)
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cardamom (I didn’t use this because I didn’t have it and didn’t want to buy it lol)
8 ounces grated sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces grated Colby jack cheese (I used a mix of colby jack and monterey jack)
Salt and pepper to taste

Sauté the onion (and garlic) in the butter over medium heat. Remove the onions (you can actually leave the onions in there- I did.) and add in the flour, stirring constantly. Add in the half and half, milk, and chicken stock. Bring to almost a boil.

Add the onions back in, along with the broccoli and carrots. Simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes.

Season the soup with the salt, pepper, nutmeg, and cardamom. Stir in the cheeses (and you can play around with the amounts; use however much or little you like) and let simmer for 10 minutes longer before serving.

It was DELICIOUSLY perfect for a chilly day. It made about 4 servings but next time I’ll double it so we can have leftovers for lunches (yeah we were hungry- we ate it all lol) I was a little over eager and burnt my tongue. I also had a melt down because I left the half and half at my mom’s house and dramatically sent my husband out for more… (I totally pulled the ‘pregnancy hormones’ card on that one- for the first time!;) )

Anyway, I’ll keep you updated on my domestic success. I have a few more new recipes lined up this week, including an oreo and peanut butter cup, no bake pie for Ryan’s birthday (MMM!)- so send me all of your Martha Stewart vibes~

August 30, 2011

Last Tuesday my husband and I celebrated our 3 year wedding anniversary!

That morning Ryan, Daisy and I had a sweet little picnic breakfast at, of course, our “bo-garden” where we had our first kiss and were married.

While we were eating and Daisy was running around- Ryan surprised me with such a special gift.

My big, burly, husband with his rough, guitar-playing hands MADE me a charm bracelet! I’ve been giving him the “hint” for a while but I didn’t expect him to MAKE me one! It’s by far the most precious gift I’ve ever gotten. I got him a cigar that had aged 3 years… My gift totally paled in comparison.

Daisy was thrilled daddy let us climb down the rocks to play in the creek.

What a fantastic guy I married. He’s such a great dad.


3 wonderful years and 1 and a half babies later!
xoxo

Happy 16 Month Birthday, Daisy!

I really love having a toddler. Actually, I’ve really loved every stage of “Daisy”. The whole first year I kept waiting for that stage that I always heard mothers moan over. “That Stage” that you just can’t stand and want to pull your hair out 24/7. Yes, newborn was an adjustment but it was over really fast. When I was first pregnant I pictured “newborn” being like an alarm clock going off every 2 hours. I’d lay there and try to ignore it or hit snooze. But, don’t hate me, I really never minded THAT much getting up with her. Of course, I also had a f a n t a s t i c husband who got up with her if I was too slow on the draw.

Then teething hit around 5 months and Daisy surprised me with her first, shiney, little bottom tooth. I was so proud I shed a few tears. She’d fuss a little in the night but as long as NetFlix was nearby, rocking her back to sleep was actually kind of nice.

People told me “She’s good now, but it’s over when she starts crawling and walking!” Crawling and walking both came and she only became more fun. Now I could finally sit her down and she’d follow me like a little puppy.

Recently, she surprised and confused me by throwing tantrums. “Maybe this is ‘the stage’ I’d heard about.” I thought. Honestly, They haven’t been that bad. We pretty much just nip them in the bud and full on fits of rage don’t happen that often.

Toddlers are so much fun. Daisy runs and plays outside. She throws balls and eats her food all by herself. She’s able to communicate what she wants and doesn’t want. She’s constantly giggling and being a ham.

Maybe I just lucked out and have an amazing kid- or maybe I’ve eased up a bit and I’m less of a hovering, drama queen over everything. Maybe it’s both. Parenthood definitly teaches you to take things day by day. I’ve loved every day with my sweet, precious little girl. I truly adore her.

Happy 16-month-birthday, Daisy-Baby!

15 week checkup

The space between doctors visits seems to be getting shorter and shorter… Or maybe this pregnancy is just FLYING by way faster than my first.

The first 2 weeks into last month I’d only gained 2lbs (through my entire pregnancy.) I was expecting to get yelled at for it but to my surprise when I weighed in at the doctor’s office I’d gained an addition 3lbs! Sheesh that’s 5lbs in one month. I guess it’s good, and it tells me that Newbie is growing. I finally have my appetite back and have been going “new recipe” crazy. I’m still “one-nap-a-day” tired, but I’m starting to wonder if that could mean my iron is low. I guess we’ll see when I get around to a blood test.

Baby’s heartbeat was strong and good and I’m measuring at 15cms, respectively. Daisy spent the morning with Ryan’s sister while I had my dreaded exam. It wasn’t that bad, I’m just a baby when it comes to pain, if you haven’t noticed.

Our first ultrasound is scheduled for next week! Up until now I’ve been dead-set on NOT finding out the gender of this little peanut. Ryan agreed with me for about a week and then decided I was crazy and he’s definitly finding out, even if I’m not. Now, I’m thinking maybe I want to know. We’ll see how I’m feeling on that day… He seems to think it’s a boy, while I’m leaning towards a girl.. BUT I was convinced Daisy could be boy up until- well, she was born. So my track record with gender predictions isn’t that great.

We’ll see!!
xoxo