Barefoot & Crazy

New bedroom

2011-03-15T18:34:00.001-07:00

So after we had Colin we decided we needed a king size bed for when he likes to come cuddle with us.... Ok that is what I told Tony..The truth is I just wanted a bigger bed! So we went out and bought the bedroom set below and painted the bedroom the gray color in the picture to the left. (Not our bedroom) I have also bought two of these wall lamps. I love them and I am trying to decide if I should recover the shade.

I am now stuck on the hard part. The duvet cover. I am torn between white, or a blue or pink colored duvet. Decisions Decisions

Holy Crap I've been missing!

2011-03-15T18:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of my baby boy!! I promise to start posting more! We are doing the master bedroom over so I will have lots of house pictures soon! The last 8 months have been crazy but I love every minute of it.

Colin's Birth Story

2010-07-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning I went in to the hospital around 9:30 am. At 10am I received some cervidil and the doctors told me to come back at 7:30 pm and I was going to receive pitocin. So I went and got a couple magazines and walked around Boston for a little while because it was so nice out and then I just relaxed outside on a bench and read some magazines. At about 4pm me and Tony went out to grab some dinner and all through out dinner I was having the worst pains and I figured that the cervidil was starting to work and that I would get my pitocin soon. The pain started to become to painful and was becoming more frequently. So me and Tony headed over to the hospital and it was about a 5 minute walk and it felt like I had to stop every thirty seconds it hurt so bad.

We headed into labor and delivery floor and my doctor came in to do an exam and see if she was going to start the pitocin sooner than later. When she did the exam it turned out I was 4 cm's dilated and my contractions were two minutes apart. She asked if I wanted an epidural because the pain was getting pretty bad. I told her no that I wanted to wait it out. Well about an hour later I was begging for the epidural. Once I got the eipidural I felt great. By 11pm I was 10 cm's dialated and around 12 I felt like it was time to push. Each time I pushed I would hear the machines start beeping because Colin's heart rate was dropping to low. My doctor had me stop pushing and relax for a couple minutes, and then Colin's heart beat went back up. So we tried again and I pushed a little more and Colin's heart rate plummeted and even with me not pushing it was so low and then it was gone. The doctor put an internal heart rate monitor in me and we found his heart beat again but it was low. It turned out that the cord was around his neck loosely but when I pushed it tightened. So my doctor told me that they had to get him out soon and that I would need a C Section. I started crying because I was so nervous and this wasn't how I pictured things happening.

At 2am I got ready to head into the operating room. But at the last minute a girl was rushed in by ambulance and needed a c section asap. So my Doctor went and delivered her baby first. Around 4am it was my turn. They brought me into the operating room and started the c section. At first they told me that it would be pretty quick that they would have the baby out in no time. Well 30 minutes later they were still working on me. They had to put the table vertical for what felt like 10 minutes and I started getting sick. I heard Tony say that the baby was out and it felt like the longest time to hear him cry. Finally I heard a cry and the doctors saying that he needed to go to NICU. So I told Tony to follow the baby and not to leave his side.

About 2 hours later I was all stitched up and back in my recovery room, I was there for about 3 hours and then they brought Colin back to me. He ended up with fluid in his lungs but was doing good! Colin was born at 5:11am and weighed 8 pounds 9 ounces and was 20 inches long. He was the cutest thing I ever saw. Things went well for the next few days and I went home on Monday. On Wednesday I noticed that my incision was looking really swollen and big and it was bleeding a little. I made an appointment for Thursday and went into the Doctors. My Doctor told me I needed surgery immediately. I ended up with a hematoma and some internal bleeding. I stayed in the hospital for about 5 days. I was sent home with a drip line in to let the blood out of my incision and a picc line in my arm so I can give myself some medicine called Humate P which is a type of human plasma. I have been giving myself this medicine twice a day for about a week now. My incision is still really swollen and hurts and I am going back Wednesday to see what the Doctors think. I am praying I don't need surgery again and that the pain and swelling will go away soon!

Update

2010-06-30T07:44:00.000-07:00

As of now, I am going in Thursday morning to start cervidil and then at 7:30pm I will start the Pitocin. Yay its almost time to meet my little guy, I am so excited. I am going to do some last minute stuff today but other than that every thing is done. Yay

One week left

2010-06-25T16:23:00.000-07:00

Monday I will find out if I am being induced Thursday or Friday. I am so excited I can't wait to meet my lil guy!

More room pictures

2010-06-05T04:05:00.001-07:00

The room is no where near finished. I still have a whole wall that has nothing and a book shelf I need to fill! Here are some starter pictures. I also have to back the shades. But it is a start!!

Bedding

2010-05-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

I am trying to decide what I want to do for bedding. I made a dust ruffle from left over fabric that I used for the curtains. I have a couple different sheet colors and I can reverse the bumper. I made the dust ruffle in 3 separate pieces of fabric and then used Velcro to attach it to the crib.

Starting the Baby's room

2010-05-14T18:29:00.000-07:00

I have started putting the baby's room together, I finally finished the rocker yesterday. Here is a picture I promise to update it with better pictures once I find my camera charger! I am looking for fabric for the dust ruffle and blanket and also art work for the walls.

Promotion

2010-05-09T18:00:00.000-07:00

Udder Covers is having a promotion right now for nursing covers. They have a promotion up to $32 off. I bought a nursing cover and only had to pay shipping and handling. The promotion code is Family2010 and I am not sure how long it is running for. The picture below is a picture of the nursing cover that I bought.

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T17:59:00.000-07:00

To all the mothers and mothers to be!!

3D ultrasound

2010-05-03T07:12:00.001-07:00

Saturday we had our 3D ultrasound appointment. Everything looked great. The lady said that my baby was on the bigger side. She said he was around 3.5 pounds already. Yikes haha. It was awesome we got to a bunch of pictures and a DVD. There were some really great shots on the DVD with his eyes open. I think its a great experience to do, and I was so happy to see my little man!

Baby Bump

2010-04-19T09:00:00.001-07:00

How far along are you? I thought I was 28 weeks 3 days. My doctor told me this week I am measuring at 28 weeks 5 days.

How big is baby? the nest says 15 inches.
Maternity clothes? yes, I still have some stuff I can get away with.
Weight – Loss or Gain? gain- about 25-30 pounds.

Stretch marks? None
Sleep: Not good.

Best moment this week: Feeling so much more movement all the time.

Any Movement?: yes alot.

Food Cravings?: I am not sure this week it hasn't been bad.

Food Aversions?: Spaghetti sauce

Belly Button in or out? In

What do you miss: Sleeping on my stomach

What are you looking forward to: My 3d ultrasound 5/1

What was the BEST part of this week?

What was the WORST part of this week? Really bad pain in my groin area.

Weekly Wisdom: Get your sleep!
Milestones: 3rd Trimester!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T06:36:00.001-07:00

The baby will be getting this for next easter!

Double digits

2010-04-01T06:50:00.000-07:00

Only 99 days till my due date. Time has FLOWN by for sure. I can't believe that in only one more week until we begin the third trimester! It's weird because I feel like July is so far away but when I remember that I only have 99 days I know it is not that far away. YAY double digits! Tomorrow I will be 26 weeks, Yikes.

Check out the Design Dazzle blog

2010-04-01T05:09:00.000-07:00

http://designdazzle.blogspot.com/

They are having a Pom Pom Tissue Flower Giveaway check them out these would be cute in a nursery or at a baby shower!

Attic Update

2010-03-31T14:37:00.001-07:00

Here are some more pictures. The rugs will be installed April 11th and then we will be done and all I have to do is decorate! The yellow room is the smaller room and we are going to make that into an office. The larger room we have only painted, we painted it a tan color and right now it is storage but once the rugs get put it we are going to make it a spare room.

25 weeks. Where has the time gone

2010-03-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 21 lbs Once it starts getting nicer I am going to start walking more with Murphy.
Size of baby: 2 pounds.
Maternity Clothes: Jeans. I got a couple tanks but I am mostly wearing larger sized shirts.
Stretch Marks: None but I have been keeping an eye out for them.
Sleep:Horrible: Still not sleeping great. My fingers get really swollen when I sleep and I wake up a lot to pee still.
Movement: The baby is moving so much now. He loves to kick while I am laying down trying to fall asleep.
Food Cravings: Watermelon Sherbet, seafood
Aversions: Spaghetti sauce.
Gender: Little boy
Belly Button In or Out: Belly button is still in.
What I Miss: Doing things without getting tired, and I miss sleeping on my stomach!What I am Looking Forward To: Reaching the 3rd tri.
Best Moment This Week: Getting the paint all picked out.

Tonight we are planning on getting some of the painting done. I ended up picking Annapolis Green by Benjamin Moore. I love it. I have slowly been pulling things together. I ordered paint from Serena and Lily for my accent colors. I haven't decided how I am going to use them yet but I love the color combination. We also bought a closet organizer that I am dying to put together so I can start hanging up clothes and putting toys away.

Paint for the nursery

2010-03-22T14:59:00.001-07:00

I am stuck on colors. The picture on the left/top is Behr Country Mist. The picture on the bottom is Benjamin moore Annapolis Green. The paint on the left is still wet so I think that is why it looks so light, but it is a ice blue color. Also I am painting over blue paint anyways so it is not over a primer. Which blue do you like better?

The attic is getting there

2010-03-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

We painted the stair way, primed the smaller room and put up doors on the small room and the larger room. The paint we used in the stair way is Behr Cottage White. For the small room we are using Behr Moon Dance, since it is a smaller room I wanted it to be bright, the color on the website makes it look more golden than the swatch does. We have still have to put rugs down hopefully that will be done this week.

RIP Papi Boy

2010-03-22T14:14:00.000-07:00

On Friday my baby boy papi died. He was my first pet and was only 3 years old and he was definately a mamas boy. He died in an accident. Murph and I are devastated. Papi was not like any Chihuahua he was crazy, he liked to go on 2 mile runs with Murph and me. Loved people and other animals, hardly ever barked and just loved to kiss everyone. He loved playing fetch with sticks and socks. He was so good around children. It is going to take some time for me to get used to him not being here and I still cry alot when I look at pictures of him.

I love this blog!

2010-03-19T06:57:00.000-07:00

http://mecookingcreations.blogspot.com/

Mary Ellens blog is one of my favorite food blogs. I love that she makes food that I always serve at my house. I love to cook steaks, pork and risotto and she has so many recipes for these items. I have been making some of her recipes for a while but I keep failing to take pictures and blog them. Try out some of her husbands marinades they are to die for.

Doing the Attic Over

2010-03-15T11:39:00.000-07:00

We have a walk up attic that is pretty big. It is already split into two rooms. One room we are going to make an office and the other side will be an extra bedroom if we have alot of guest.

Here are some pictures of one side. We are doing one side at a time because we have some much stuff up there for storage. We have put up the walls and primed it. We are going to paint the stair way Cottage White. We have not decided on a color for this side yet. We are waiting to paint because we have to put the doors on and the rugs. We are going to put rugs down on the stairs and in each room.

Aww I love my brother

2010-03-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

He made these for me today while he had down time. Jay is teaching a graphic design class all week. I gave him a bunch of ideas and he is going to make more tomorrow!

Jay also got me this for my birthday for the nursery. It goes great with the colors we are using.

23 weeks

2010-03-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I finally got on the scale I am up 20 lbs yikes. I hope my Dr. doesn't yell at me.
Size of baby: I had an ultra sound on Tuesday and the baby weighs 1 pound 4 ounces.
Maternity Clothes: Still 2 pairs of jeans. I got a couple tanks but I am mostly wearing larger sized shirts.
Stretch Marks: None thank god
Sleep:Horrible: I can't get comfy. My hips hurt so bad, and I have been getting stuffed up so I am snoring and it is driving Murphy crazy!
Movement: The baby goes crazy with any pressure on him. He kicks if the dogs lay on him.
Food Cravings: Watermelon Sherbet, seafood
Aversions: Spaghetti sauce.
Gender: Little boy
Belly Button In or Out: Belly button is still in.
What I Miss: Bending over is getting tough, and I miss sleepin on my stomach!
What I am Looking Forward To: Reaching the 3rd tri.
Best Moment This Week: Seeing Murphys face when he felt the baby move! Such a good feeling.

I love this blog post

2010-03-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

This post from Baby Rabies makes me so excited!

So you’re going to be a Boy Mom…
December 31, 2009 Jill
I know that feeling, that excited but scared shitless feeling when the ultrasound tech tells you they see that extra bit of anatomy. “It’s a boy!” Your heart stops for a moment.

“But what will I do with a BOY?” you think to yourself, never daring to utter the thought out loud because, well, you *are* ultimately happy that it’s healthy… but… but… you don’t know how to raise a BOY.

You’re going to be a Boy Mom, and you’re going to be okay. In fact, you’re going to be great. You’ll love it so much that you’ll never be able to imagine NOT being a Boy Mom. It doesn’t matter that you LOVE being a girl, that you embrace every opportunity you get to dress up, do your makeup, get your nails done. It doesn’t matter that you much prefer shopping for shoes to browsing the sports store. Your love for all things zebra print, pink and soft does not mean you can’t and wont develop a love for “little man” clothes, toy trucks and OshKosh overalls paired with a toothy grin and muddy knees.

Being a Boy Mom means slobbery kisses and hugs that start with a running leap.

Being a Boy Mom means saving hundreds on clothes, even if only to spend that amount or more later in life on ER visits.

Being a Boy Mom means developing a keen eye for bugs and coming to terms with the fact that sometimes they can just be considered an extra helping of protein.

Being a Boy Mom doesn’t mean you won’t continue to be squeemish about things like spiders, it just means your squeels will be entertaining to the boy who taunts you by trying to eat one.

Being a Boy Mom means being the builder of block towers so big they lean and topple, leaving you both in stitches.

Being a Boy Mom means developing a very watchful eye while changing diapers, always on the lookout for that surprise pee stream attack.

Being a Boy Mom means having the pleasure of watching your son learn from his father, and then reminding his father that at a certain age they will start to repeat the F word, even if that F word is shouted at a TV during a sporting event.

Being a Boy Mom means you’ve been given the tremendous opportunity and challenge to raise someone who will grow up to be a respectful, loving and kind man. He may break hearts, but hopefully, with your guidance, he will do so gently, and ultimately he will make some lucky partner very, very happy.

Being a Boy Mom may mean giving up the fantasy of getting your nails done together after a frilly tea party, but it’s replaced by so many fun future memories that you can’t even begin to think up because right now you just don’t know what to do with a boy.

Don’t worry… it will come to you.
This was inspired by my reaction to learning that one of my best friends is having a baby boy. Immediately after she told me the news I teared up and replied, “You are going to LOVE IT! Boys love their mommas SO much!!” I was truly so happy for her, and I had to smile when her response was, “Really??” I so remember that feeling. For some of us girls it’s a little scary venturing into the world of boys, but we just haven’t experienced just how wonderful it can be yet. I know she’s going to be an excellent Boy Mom, and I can’t wait to meet the little guy.
I’ve been a Boy Mom to Kendall for nearly 20 months
And I’d love to hear what being a Boy Mom or a Girl Mom means for you

Shout out!

2010-03-01T05:35:00.000-08:00

I wanna post a link to my friends Ria's new photography blog. She has posted some pictures of our friends babies and I can't get enough of them.

http://riamackenziephotography.blogspot.com/

Here is her actual website. She has great prices!

http://www.riamackenziephotography.com/

Some cute summer tanks

2010-02-28T10:16:00.000-08:00

Here are some cute casual tanks from Old Navy. They are very cheap around $7. They are having a sale on maternity clothes so if you are looking for some casual tanks or layering tanks check them out they are all on sale!

A life saver

2010-02-27T06:23:00.000-08:00

I have been trying everything for my horrible pregnancy skin. I tried neutrogena but that did nothing, I tried pro active face wash and that made my skin worse. Then I tried Dermalogica Ultra Calming cleanser it has worked miracles. Just two days after using my skin started to clear up! I always had great skin so I was getting discouraged when it was breaking out so much. I recommend this to anyone who is having breakouts it is great!!

I picked out paint. YAY

2010-02-25T09:10:00.000-08:00

I have been painting little squares all around the nursery this week. I have finally decided on a paint color. Benjamin Moore Annapolis Green. It is a blue color and I am going to have it lightened alittle. I have decided that the accent colors are going to be a green and a navy blue. I think it will look very nice with white furniture. I can't wait to start painting!

Starting on the furniture.

2010-02-23T10:49:00.000-08:00

Babies R Us was having their "Trade-in Event" where you could bring in an old stroller, car seat, crib, etc. and trade it in for a 25% off coupon that could be used towards a brand new stroller, car seat, crib, etc. So we figured we would stalk craigs list for free items to bring into BRU for the trade in event. We found a used car seat for free on craigs list and used it towards our changing table. We ordered the Delta Soho Changing table in white.

My mom has been very generous and told me she would pay for our crib. We picked out the crib from the same collection.

I feel very relieved that I have this picked out so far! Now it is paint time.

Half way - 20 weeks

2010-02-19T12:45:00.000-08:00

How far along? 20 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 11 pounds.
How Big is Baby?: Average size: about the size of a Cantaloupe
Maternity clothes? 2 pairs of jeans and 1 pair of khakis. Still don't shirts yet/
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I wake up alot almost every hour to pee or change positions.
Movement: Stills little movements
Food cravings: Lemonade and now sherbet.
Food aversions: Spaghetti Sauce
Symptoms: headaches, and my morning sickness is bad still.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I am looking forward to: My 3d ultrasound.
Weekly Wisdom: Fluids, Fluids, Fluids
Weekly Joy: Ordered our Crib and dresser.

Almost half way!

2010-02-12T16:10:00.000-08:00

I am 19 weeks today. YAY

How far along? 19 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: I have not gotten on the scale in a while I am thinking probably 9-10 pounds.
How Big is Baby?: Average size: 6.5 in, 10.5 oz, the bump says about the size of a mango.
Maternity clothes? 2 pairs of jeans and my mom bought me some shirts but I haven't worn them yet.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I wake up alot almost every hour to pee or change positions.
Movement: Just flutters.
Food cravings: Lemonade and mushrooms and now sherbet.
Food aversions: Not really
Symptoms: headaches, and my morning sickness is bad still.
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I am looking forward to: My 3d ultrasound.
Weekly Wisdom: Fluids, Fluids, Fluids
Weekly Joy: Being so close to 20 weeks, and getting our stroller.

My mom is a very bad influence

2010-02-10T10:03:00.000-08:00

My mom said she fell in love with a stroller and I just had to have it. She called me to tell me she was picking it up and that since she is buying the baby furniture she would pay half of the stroller as a birthday present to me. I can not turn down a chance to split something so of course I said ok. Well she bought it and send me the link.. umm hello I love this stroller and I am so happy she picked it out! I can't wait to get it.

Papi and Selena

2010-02-08T13:15:00.000-08:00

Papi is our original puppy then we got Daisy (not pictured). Selena was being given away because the owners could not take care of her anymore and we had to take her. She looks just like Papi and is on the left.

My latest sewing project

2010-02-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

I am making a baby sling. I just started it this week and I only worked on it for about 2 hours. I still have to add the straps and buckles and the top of it but here is the base. I am using the pattern from Simplicity # 3712.

18 Weeks

2010-02-05T07:20:00.000-08:00

How far along? 18 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: up 7 -8 pounds.
How Big is Baby?: Average size: 6 in, 8.5 oz, about the size of an onion.
Maternity clothes? 2 pairs of jeans.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I wake up alot.
Movement: It feels like there is popcorn popping in my belly.
Food cravings: Lemonade and mushrooms.
Food aversions: Not really
Symptoms: bloated, headache, morning sickness is bad
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I am looking forward to: My 3d ultrasound.
Weekly Wisdom: Get lots of sleep and fluids
Weekly Joy: Find out that we are on TEAM BLUE

17 weeks

2010-01-29T07:09:00.000-08:00

How far along? 17 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: As of yesterday up 7 pounds.
How Big is Baby?: Average size: 5.1 in, 5.9 oz, about the size of an onion.
Maternity clothes? 2 pairs of jeans but i've only wear them on the weekends.
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I wake up at least every hour to go to the bathroom and to change positions.
Movement: It feels like there is popcorn popping in my belly.
Food cravings:Lemonaide and mushrooms.
Food aversions: Not really
Symptoms:bloated, cramps, acid reflux, morning sickness is bad
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I am looking forward to: Finding out in 4 days if I am having a boy or a girl.
Weekly Wisdom: Get lots of sleep and fluids
Weekly Joy: Feeling the baby move.

Almost 16 week pictures

2010-01-19T10:01:00.001-08:00

We had a nurse come to the house today to take our blood, urine sample and blood pressure for our Life Insurance. This is what ten pounds looks like. I am almost 16 weeks. Most people don't gain 10 pounds this early. I hardly have a bump it just looks like I've gained alot of weight. Excuse what I look like I just woke up.

Donuts

2010-01-19T09:53:00.001-08:00

Last week at work a guy I work with came in and asked if I wanted anything from Dunkin Donuts. I said ya can you grab me a donut. He told me "you don't need a donut you need to eat healthy" and walked away. So I was mad all day and I went home and made my own.

Ingredients (food network)

1 orange, zested
2 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 container (8 large) store-bought buttermilk biscuit dough
Peanut oil, for frying
1 cup Coconut (I added this because I love coconut)

Directions

Place zest, sugar and cinnamon in a paper bag and shake to combine.

Place oil in a deep pan until it comes about halfway up the side of the pan. Heat oil to 350 degrees F.

Slice biscuit dough in quarters and roll into balls to form 24 donut holes (or use some to make full sized donuts). Working in batches, place donut holes in hot oil and fry until golden, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the hot donuts to the paper bag and shake to coat with orange sugar. Serve immediately.

Champagne Chicken

2010-01-19T09:45:00.000-08:00

(Recipezaar)
Ingredients:

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup butter
2 tsp olive oil
1.5 cups champagne
1 cup whipping cream
1 tsp ground rosemary
I cup mushrooms (I added these because I crave mushrooms lately)

Directions:

Pound chicken and dredge with the flour, salt and pepper
In a large skillet, add butter and olive oil over medium heat, allow butter to melt.
Add chicken and saute 5 minutes, turn over and add the champagne. Continue to cook for 12-15 minutes
Saute mushrooms in separate pan once cooked set aside.
Add the cream and rosemary and cook until thickened. Once thickened add mushrooms.
Remove chicken and place on your serving plate. Pour sauce over chicken and enjoy!

My First Quilt

2010-01-08T16:08:00.000-08:00

I made this for my mother. It is pinks and browns. It took a while because I would only do 1-2 hours a day here and there. I took a class down the street from my house and they showed me how to put it together. I am going to take another class to learn a different style.

Craigs list Find!

2010-01-07T14:52:00.000-08:00

Only $60 with tags still on it! First baby purchase that wasn't clothes!!! Murphy loves to run and he kept telling me how he wanted a jogging stroller so he could run races with the baby. So I couldn't turn this deal down.

13 week Ultrasound!

2009-12-28T11:46:00.001-08:00

How far along? 13 weeks 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: Gained about 4 pds

How Big is Baby?: about 3.5 inches

Maternity clothes? Not really, 2 pairs of jeans but i've only worn them once

Stretch marks? No

Sleep: I wake up at least every hour to go to the bathroom.

Movement: None

Food cravings: Pink Lemonaide

Food aversions: Not really

Symptoms:bloated, cramps, acid reflux

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I am looking forward to: Finding out if my baby is a boy or a girl

Weekly Wisdom: Just Relax and try not to stress.

Weekly Joy: Reaching the 2nd tri!

Baby Murphy

2009-11-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

I had my first ultrasound on 11/17/09. My next one will be 12/28 I can't wait!

This post is only going to be two words

2009-11-17T08:26:00.000-08:00

HOLY BLOATING!!!!

RIP PAPA

2009-11-17T08:20:00.000-08:00

Saturday night my papa passed away. It has been very difficult to deal with. My family is flying in from California on Thursday morning and the wake is Thursday and the Funeral is Friday. He was the best and I can not even put into words how great he was. He will be missed and I love him so much.

.

Today I am 5 weeks 2 days

2009-11-08T15:12:00.001-08:00

How far along? 5 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Down 1 pd
How Big is Baby?: The size of a lentil bean
Maternity clothes? No
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: I wake up a lot to go to the bathroom and then I wake up really early and stay up.
Movement: None
Food cravings: Not really
Food aversions: Not really hungry right now
Symptoms:bloated, cramps
Belly Button in or out? In.
What I am looking forward to: Definitely the first sonogram and being able to tell the world that there is a baby on the way.
Weekly Wisdom: Relax and do not worry!
Weekly Joy: Giving my brother his birthday present and a bib that said I love my Uncle. My mom, dad and sister were there and they were so excited!

YAY

2009-11-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

On October 30th Murphy and me found out that we are expecting our first baby! Right now our estimated due date is July 9th! We are so excited and nervous, I have never seen Murphy so excited in his life! Here is how I found out I was pregnant.

I was laying in bed with the worst pains in my stomach so I got up and took a bath; Murphy started the heating pad for me. I got back into bed with the heating pad and feel asleep for about an hour. Murphy is finally out of the house and I get up and I'm peeing on the stick like it's my job. I look at the test, which is one of those strips that you order online. I see a line and my body starts shaking! I then drive like a maniac to cvs, I was going down a street that had construction going on and they told me I couldn't go down I told them to screw and kept on driving. I get to cvs I am looking all nasty in my sweats and sweatshirt and I am walking to the counter shaking and carrying 5 types of tests. The lady gives me the weird eye and I bolt out of the store.

I get home and take about 5 tests. They all have faint lines but the digital says pregnant!
I panic. I have no idea what to do because I am home alone! I pulled myself together, put the test in my purse, and drove to Murphy’s work. The whole time I am driving I am pulling it out and looking at it. Meanwhile I get to work (me and Murph work together) I have to put my bag through a metal detector because we work at a jail and I am freaking out that they can see it on the screen. I walk into Murphy's office and the first thing he says is who let you in with your pocket book Jenn? You know you can't bring those in! I told him I bribed the guy working the metal detector because we were in the same academy together and I would kill him if he didn't let me bring it in. So we sit down and are eating some soup and just talking, and I am shaking like a cold chichihua. Then I take it out of my bag put it on his desk and ask him when we should tell our parents. He flips out and starts getting teary eyes (and blames it on his soup) and just keeps saying how happy he is. We finish our lunch and I have to head home to get ready for work. Murph must have called me about 20 times in 2 hours to check up on me.

At work, I'm not working. I keep looking at the test. I probably looked at it every minute of every hour. I just wanted to take the test out and wave it in the air and show everyone but I was good and controlled myself. Holy crap I am going to be a mother!

Halloween

2009-11-05T05:59:00.001-08:00

We love Halloween. We used to live in Salem MA and it is crazy there. The whole month of October is packet with tourists. We still cover our house with pumpkins and decorations and dress up. We even dress up the dogs for when the kids come trick or treating. The kids love it!

Wow I am a bad blogger

2009-11-05T05:45:00.001-08:00

Ok I will try to update you on everything that has been going on lately. October 18th was our one year anniversary. We went up to North Conway for 3 nights and stayed in a cute B&B. Here are some pictures, we did alot of hiking and walking around. It was so peaceful and beautiful up there this time of year. We had a great time!

Wow I have been busy

2009-09-15T18:59:00.003-07:00

I haven't been on in a while I have been really busy at work. But I found this great find today at a Thrift/Antique store so I wanted to share. $75 can't beat that price!! It is in really good shape.

Risotto, how I love you!

2009-08-25T19:02:00.000-07:00

I love risotto and I add anything I have in the house to it!

My favorite Risotto recipe
(makes about 4 servings)

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 onion, diced, divided
1 pound portobello mushrooms, sliced
2 tablespoons butter risotto / 4 tablespoons for scallops
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon truffle oil
1 cups Arborio rice
1/3 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese, grated
A couple pieces of asparagus
1 pound of scallops
32 oz box of chicken broth, low sodium

Heat the chicken broth in a medium saucepan and keep warm over low heat.

Heat 2 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 onion, cook, stirring, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the rice and stir quickly until it is well-coated and opaque, 1 minute. This step cooks the starchy coating and prevents the grains from sticking. Stir in wine and cook until it is nearly all evaporated.

Saute mushrooms, in 1 tbsp of olive oil. Saute for 5 minutes until lightly browned, season with salt and pepper. Drizzle in truffle oil then saute 1 minute then remove from heat and set aside.

Lightly season asparagus with salt and pepper. Place in oven on 350 for 25 mins.

Season scallops with salt and pepper and cover scallops with 4 tbsp of butter and place in oven on 350 for 15 minutes. Then broil for 1 minute on each side to lightly brown .

Add 1/2 cup of the warm broth and cook, stirring, until the rice has absorbed the liquid. Add the remaining broth, 1/2 cup at a time. Continue to cook and stir, allowing the rice to absorb each addition of broth before adding more. The risotto should be slightly firm and creamy, not mushy. Transfer the mushrooms, scallops, and asparagus to the rice mixture. Stir in Parmesan cheese, and two tbsp of butter cook briefly until melted. Top with a drizzle of truffle oil.

My obsession with baby stuff

2009-08-25T18:49:00.000-07:00

I have started making my friend some stuff for her son, she is due any day now. I have bought so much fabric and yard, that it is going to take me forever to finish it all. I have crocheted two blankets, made some onsies, and some bibs. I have just started sewing and crocheting so it is going to take me some time to get better.

Spaghetti-corn Relish Salad

2009-08-25T18:41:00.000-07:00

Spaghetti-corn Relish Salad (BHG)

Ingredients

1 14- to 16- oz. pkg. dried multigrain, whole wheat, or regular spaghetti
4 fresh ears of sweet corn, husks and silks removed, or 2 cups frozen whole kernel corn
1 small cucumber, seeded and chopped
1 small summer squash, chopped
1 small red onion, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced ( did not use)
1 large red sweet pepper, chopped
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. celery seed (did not use)
Not included in original recipe : 1 package of chicken tenderloins, grilled

Directions

1. Cook spaghetti, with 1 tablespoon salt added to water, according to package directions; add sweet corn during the last 3 minutes of pasta cooking time. Use tongs to transfer ears of corn to cutting board. (If using frozen corn, drain with pasta.) Drain spaghetti; rinse in cold water and drain well. Cook chicken on grill until fully cooked and put to the side.

2. Cool corn until easy to handle. Hold corn upright. With fingers away from knife blade and cutting down the length of the corn cob, cut off corn in planks.

3. In large serving bowl combine cooled drained spaghetti, cucumber, squash, onion, celery, sweet pepper, and chicken

4. In jar combine vinegar, oil, sugar, dry mustard, celery seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover; shake well to combine and dissolve sugar. Pour over spaghetti mixture (you do not need to use all of it, I did not); toss to coat. Gently fold in corn planks. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Makes 8 servings.

I love this bedroom

2009-08-14T06:42:00.000-07:00

Everything about this room just says calm and relaxing and romantic to me. I saw this on the HGTV website. If you can check it out on there you should. The linens pop great against the color of the wall. I really want my room to look like this!

Hilton Head and Savannah

2009-08-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Shark Week

2009-08-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

In honor of Shark week

Murph and his friends scuba dive at least once a week. But they only shark dive once or twice a year. Here are some pictures from last years trip. Their next trip is in 2 weeks! Yikes you won't find me diving with those sharks!!

1st Anniversary Help needed

2009-08-03T17:57:00.001-07:00

We are looking to go away for a night or two for our first anniversary. We don't really know where to go. Here are some options we are thinking of:

1. Staying at Hotel Marlowe which offers: Champagne and sweet treat upon arrival in your Deluxe guestroom. $50.00 credit for room service or Bambara restaurant.Extended checkout; relax until 3:00 pm. And we would see a show.

2. Wentworth by the Sea in NH: Breakfast for two at the Wentworth Dining Room, Dinner for two at the Wentworth Dining Room, Bottle of chilled champagne, Complimentary turndown service ,Complimentary late checkout at 2pm .

3. MGM grand at foxwoods for some gambling, a show and dinner.

Creamy Chicken Lasagna

2009-08-03T17:48:00.000-07:00

Creamy Chicken Lasagna
(Pleasure Cooker)

12 no-boil lasagna noodles
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 package portabella mushrooms ( I used a package of sliced mushrooms)
1 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 boxes cream cheese (room temperature)
2 cups mozzarella cheese, divided
1 chicken bouillon cube
2 teaspoons Italian seasonings
1 teaspoon garlic salt
ground black pepper
1 jar of Vodka Sauce

Put chicken into water and boil, once boiling cook for 20 minutes (Check chicken to make sure it is cooked), then shred.

Saute mushrooms and onion in 2 tablespoons olive oil until soft, adding garlic at last minute.

In large bowl, combine chicken, veggies, cream cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, italian seasonings, garlic salt and pepper. Dissolve the bouillon cube in 1/4 cup of boiling water, and add to chicken mixture.

Spread 1/3 of sauce in bottom of 9x13 pan, and top with 4 noodles. Spread half of chicken mixture on top, then 1/3 of sauce, then add another layer of 4 noodles, then rest of chicken mixture, then noodles. Top with remaining sauce and sprinkle with remaining cup of mozzarella. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 45 minutes, then uncover for 20 minutes.

Me

2009-07-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

Murph did not tell me that he had the camera and caught me in my daily night swim haha.

I need these now!

2009-07-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

I need these curtains and that is all I am going to say. You can find a better picture at http://www.carrierandcompany.com/portfolio/forge_river_guest.php

My new favorite summer scents

2009-07-15T10:33:00.000-07:00

This sun and sand is the ultimate summer candle. It smells like sun tan lotion and will remind you of being at the beach and covered in Coppertone suntan lotion.

Beach walk is so good I have this in my kitchen and I love the smell. It has a very clean smell to it.

Midnight cove is my new favorite favorite! It smells so refreshing and I have this in my bedroom and in my car. It makes me think of a summer night in a beach cottage with the windows open.

The Pact

2009-07-15T10:25:00.000-07:00

I read this book over the last two days. I thought it was a good read just like most of Jodi Picoult's books. She keeps the stories very interesting and does very good research for her books. I recommend it. Here is the summary.

Chris and Emily, teenagers from two neighbored and very close families, have been as close as siblings since birth, but as teenagers their relationship develops into a romance. When they are seniors in high school, however, both families are called to the hospital: Emily is dead at seventeen from a gunshot to the head, and Chris says the two had intended to carry out a suicide pact.
Every other chapter is a flashback to Emily and Chris's childhood life, leading up to the night of Emily's death. Some scenes include flashbacks on Emily and Chris's life while they were young (best friends) through their teenage years as lovers. It is revealed that, as a result of dare made by Chris to go into a men's restroom, Emily is molested as a child. It is also discovered that she was impregnated by Chris, but she never revealed it to him. It is also revealed in flashbacks that Emily's feeling for Chris were more sisterly, yet she felt pressured to be with him in a romantic way due to the closeness of their families. She also felt uncomfortable having sex or being touched due to the molestation. It was all of these things that made her suicidal.

If we buy a vacation home

2009-07-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

It will have stairs that look like this. I absolutely love them and I want them now. These stairs were featured in the Absolutely beautiful things blog. I just think these are so different and would make a beach house pop and it is different from the normal blues and whites you see in a beach house! love it

Raspberry Squares

2009-07-09T07:23:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg yolk
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup walnuts, chopped
1 1/4 cups good-quality raspberry jam

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mix the butter and sugar, then add the egg yolk and mix well. Add the flour and walnuts and blend well, but keep the mixture a bit crumbly.

Put half the mixture into a greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan. Bake for 20 minutes, and then remove the pan from the oven. Spread the jam evenly over the top, leaving about 1/4-inch from the sides. Crumble the remaining dough evenly over the jam and pat lightly. Bake for another 20 minutes. Do not cut until the dish is cooled. Serve after cooling.

Wagon Wheel Pasta

2009-07-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

I needed something different for my July 4th party. I was sick of the same old pasta salad with Mayo. This was really easy to make and I made it the night before. It has alot of cheese in it which I love! It was a big hit and everyone loved it. Don't mind the picture I put it in tupperware the night before.

Wagon Wheel Pasta Salad
(Cara's Craving)
1lb wagon wheel pasta
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 10oz package frozen corn ( I used 2)
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
8oz shredded Mexican-blend cheese
1 1/2 cups salsa
1/2 cup olive oil
3-4 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp cumin
1-2 tsp chili powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
freshly ground salt & pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 avocado, diced

Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, tomatoes, salsa, and cheese. Add the cooled pasta and mix well.

In another bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin and chili powder. Pour over the pasta salad, add the cilantro, and mix well. Season to taste with salt & pepper.

I cooked mine the night before so I added the avocado the next morning.

Baby blanket

2009-06-30T05:57:00.000-07:00

I finished my first baby blanket. I learned how to crochet about two weeks ago. This one is for my friend who is due in August so it is a light blanket. The one I am working on now is going to be thicker.

Our House

2009-06-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

When we bought the house we knew we would have our hands full. The previous owners did not put anything extra into the house and everything was very cheap. Every room downstairs was painted white, everything upstairs was painted blue. The kitchen and all the bathrooms had blue Formica counter tops, which we are slowly replacing. So as you can imagine we have alot to do, but we are taking it very slow! This is what we have started so far!

Previous owners

our Living room, we still need to hang some pictures

. Previous owners

our dining room, very messy

White chocolate coconut chewy cookies

2009-06-24T09:58:00.000-07:00

White chocolate coconut cookies
(adapted from Bakingblondes' Coconut Toffee Chews)

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 Large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups flaked coconut
1/3 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350

In a large bowl wish together flour, salt and baking soda. In a mixing bowl cream the butter until smooth. Add brown sugar, and white sugar and mix until well blended. Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended and light in color.

Add the flour mixture 1/4 cups at a time just until blended. Stir in the coconut and toffee chips. Chill for 30 minutes in the freezer. Using a scoop, drop dough by rounded scoopfulls onto ungreased baking sheet.

Bake for about 11 minutes until golden brown. Cool on cooling racks.

Alton Browns' cookies

2009-06-24T09:47:00.000-07:00

Alton Brown’s Chocolate Chip Cookie

2 1/4 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 egg yolks, slightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup unsalted butter, melted in a pan on the stove
2 cups chocolate chips ( I split the dough and used 1 cup chocolate chips, and in the other dough I used 1 cup white chocolate chips and 1/2 cup macadamia nuts)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees*.

In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the melted and cooled butter, sugars, egg yolks and vanilla until combined.

I added the flour mixture in 1/4 cup at a time to the butter and egg mix. Mix well and then add the chocolate chips.
I then put my dough in the freezer for 30 minutes I used a ice cream scoop and placed the dough on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 12 minutes.

Big papi and Daisy duke

2009-06-23T18:46:00.000-07:00

papi as a puppy

Papi an old man

Daisy a puppy

Daisy an old lady, in her tutu that my MIL made haha yikes!

My First ever post

2009-06-23T18:38:00.001-07:00

Ok I really have no idea what I am doing, I have never posted on a blog before. But my husband and friends always tell me that I should have a video camera follow me around because funny things always happen to me. So since MTV didn't offer me enough $$ to be on The Hills a blog is the best way to get my daily stories in! Barefoot? Because I hate shoes and love being barefoot, and crazy well sometime my life is just a little crazy sometimes.