Monday, June 28, 2010

Anniversary Dinner

We made our anniversary dinner last night (since Mondays is never a fun night to make a romantic meal). We made Fondu together - was a lot of fun, and was nice to switch off whisking the fondu :)

Here is the recipe we used:

1 pound Swiss cheese, grated
1/2 Gruyère cheese, grated
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground white pepper (was 1/2 but we both love pepper)
1 1/4 cups (about) dry white wine
3-5 large garlic cloves, minced

Combine both cheeses, flour, nutmeg, and white pepper in large bowl; toss to coat. Bring 1 cup wine and garlic to simmer in a heavy large saucepan over low heat. Add cheese mixture by handfuls, whisking until melted and smooth after each addition. Mix in more wine by tablespoonfuls to reach desired consistency. Transfer to fondue pot.

For dippables: broccoli, apples, french bread, roasted purple potatoes, steak, and for Nick mini saussages. The only ones we finished were the apples and broccoli. The dogs got quite a bit of meat too. What was best dipping in my opinion was the apples and the potatoes and of course bread.



2 Wonderful Years!


Happy Anniversary Nick!!! It has been an amazing 2 years! I love you so much! The years to follow will be so much fun, adventurous, and exciting! I love spending my life with you!!!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

34 weeks


How Far Along: 34 weeks
How Big is Baby: Around 5 lbs and 19.5 - 20 inches long
What is Baby up to: Baby can recognize and react to simple songs...time to start practicing your lullabies! In fact, baby will recognize frequently sung tunes after birth and probably find them soothing. Less cute news: She now urinates about one pint per day. Get the diapers ready!
Total Weight Gain: +10 - 11 - I have been bad about weighing myself
Best Moment this Week: Always love the kicks!
Movement: Starting to be during the middle of the day when resting my arms/hands on the bump. Also feel a lot when laying down in the evening
Belly Button: Inny. Getting shallow!
What I Miss: Not much...
What I am Looking Forward To: Baby shower this weekend. Also Dr appointment next week which I have a lot of questions
Gender: No idea...



I think the baby is still breach. And has a head under my left rib. Really annoying and uncomfortable. Think I am starting to get tired about being pregnant. Getting excited for labor and meeting the baby!!!!! Really cannot wait!

Also my back is really starting to hurt. And the braxton hicks are increasing. Have realized they get less as I drink more water, so I want to make sure I am drinking enough. Breathing is getting shallower since everything is getting squished.

The kid is kicking a little less, but when it does it is a good one! I get some nice movements after lunch. And when I lay down on the couch in the evening.

Labor Class

This past weekend we had our labor series class. It was both Saturday and Sunday from 9-2 (but we got out early each day). So quick review of the class. Nick found this one to be the most useful.

We went over pre term labor, anatomy, what positions the baby is in and how it is delivered, how contractions feel, breathing to help during labor, what medications the hospital uses, hospital tour, what to pack, c sections, postpartum.

We wen through the stages of labor. I don't know why but it kinda freaked me out - I think it is the not knowing what the pain actually is and I know I am making it worse in my head...well maybe.

They went through different ways to go through labor. They have a birthing ball to use which I think I will find very helpful! I am so bringing the printout of the different laboring positions with me.

Nick is making a list in his head of the things that he will want to bring. He is really getting into it and thinking of all the things that will help me relax. We both want the same things for our birth plan, so I think that helps.

I need to review the breathing techniques they gave us and find something that I think will work. I also want to work on a playlist on my computer - one soothing, one more distracting that I can sing along to, one to pump me up, etc.

I really like the hospital I will be delivering at. They encourage rooming in with the baby and breastfeeding. I like how they go along with what I want for a birth plan. Seems a lot less like a hospital. I get my own room for delivery and postpartum! I like how they encourage walking during labor and no IV unless needed. They have a push bar and a birthing ball in all delivery rooms! I like at birth they put the baby on your chest right away and do all the measurements and looking with the baby right there. Instant bonding and hope to have it help with breastfeeding.

So for our birth plan here is what I am thinking:
  • I am not against medicine but I want to try as long as possible to not take anything. Would love to go med free, and really want to try, but I am not against getting meds if needed. The hospital has an in between medicine (I forget its name) that takes the edge off the contractions, but you can still feel and move around. It is an injection in the arm.
  • I want to try not to get an IV. I really don't like them and I would like to take in fluids regularly vs getting pumped full of them. I also want to be able to snack...
  • I am happy my hospital does not really do episiotomy. They do massage you during labor and put oil there to help with stretching and not tearing.
  • I really don't want to use a vacuum extraction or forceps. If needed they are fine, but I want to know why they are needed and why we can't wait a little longer.
  • I don't want to use pitocin. I really think it will bring on an epidural. Would like to progress naturally.
  • Would like to avoid a c section.
I know a lot of things will happen and all of this may be thrown out the window. I know Nick will be on top of everything asking the doctor and nurses why is what happening and if we can wait a little longer before we make the next decision.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

First Cloth Diapers Ordered

I am so excited to do cloth diapering! We have decided to go with a 2 size diapering system - or one size if the brand makes one. Mostly AIO (all in one) or pocket diapers. I would like to do some pre folds too - but trying to make Nick's life easy and slowly get him into the cloth diapering system, and the pocket/AIO seem to be the best combo of easiness for him vs disposable. I know these are more money than prefolds + cover, but the ease factor for Nick just makes it worth it.

We are planning to use some disposables at the beginning as we are getting used to life together. Also we do plan on having some disposables on hand in case - traveling, run out, etc. For disposables I plan on using the least chemical diapers out here - seventh generation or the huggies natural ones.

We also plan on using a liner - Nick isn't a big fan of washing a lot of mess. Doing this to make it easier for him and us. We also need to get a sprayer for the toilet to make sure they are as clean as possible before going into the wet bag. Happy we have a steam washer to get these things as clean as possible!

So far I have ordered 4 diapers! These are part of the 2 size system. I like the idea of adjustable diapers as the kid grows so that we don't have to keep many sizes in storage and just seems like they will last longer. I was going to order one more brand, but they are being discontinued today - and a new style comes out next week! So will order some of those when they do - I was the most excited for this one (bum Genius).

So the type of diapers I ordered:

Right now I am ordering gender neutral colors - once we know what the gender is I bet I will get some adorable girl or boy ones

2x Thirsties Duo Diaper
They come in two sizes (I got 2 size one)
size one from 6 - 18 lbs (says 0 - 9 months)
size two from 18 - 40 lbs (says 9 - 36 months)
The diaper comes with snap adjustments to make it fit as the baby gets older.

This shows how the diaper changes size to accommodate a growing baby.
They have inserts that you put in to increase the absorbency of the diaper. I did not order any more inserts, but I know I will.

2x FuzziBunz Perfect Size Diaper

These come in three sizes ( I got 2 Small)
Small 7 - 18 lbs (0 - 6 months)
Medium 15- 30 lbs (6 - 36 months)
Large 25 - 40 lbs

There are adjustable snaps for the legs and waist to make it fit as the baby grows.


The diaper I was really excited for is getting discontinued
The BumGenious 3.0 One Size Diaper!
Will see what they come out with next week. Probably and hopefully is better than the 3.0.

Eeek! Cannot wait to get the cloth diapers in the mail so I can look over them and show Nick how to use them!!! Then when the baby is a few weeks old - maybe earlier - I'll try them out and see what I like the most and order more!

(Oh also looked at used in excellent condition - but Nick isn't a fan of used diapers so we are going with new)

Coffee

Falling asleep at my desk so I decided to get a cup of coffee. Yes it is not as good as the stuff I usually have at home, but its OK. Oh how I miss daily coffee. Smells so good, love the taste, just relaxes me.

I know I can have a little coffee each day, but I have been good usually not having it. But today is a day where I need it to focus.

But oh how I have missed coffee. Think I am going to order some Kona coffee for after the baby is born so I can really enjoy it! Touring a coffee plantation and bringing home some pounds really made me love good coffee! YUM!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Tiring Weekend

We got a lot accomplished this weekend!

Saturday and Sunday we had our labor class. Started at 9 and was supposed to get out at 2. But we skipped lunch and breaks and got done around 12:30 on Saturday and 11:30 on Sunday! Got a lot of useful information - will update later about it.

Both days we went out and grabbed lunch after the class.

Oh something odd that happened when we were touring the hospital (I plan on bringing it up at my next dr appointment next week) - we were standing in one of the delivery rooms and my back started to hurt real bad. Then I started sweating so much. Ended up sitting down and felt much better. Was definitely strange.

Saturday my back was killing me every time I did something. Eventually took a tylenol and it started to get better. All I wanted to do was lay down and stretch it out. But I did clean out both cars!!! Nicks was horrible. Would not believe all the wrappers, receipts, old printouts of directions, etc that I threw away. My car wasn't as bad - just a lot of cd cases and some garbage.

Sunday I was very productive! I cleaned out our 'office' area which was holding a lot of stuff from the closet project. Also cleaned out most of the stuff from the guest room so it is pretty much usable! So nice to get those things done. We still have sanding to do in the 'office', but there is now room!

Sunday we also went out and picked up an AC for our bedroom and installed it! Had it on last night and it worked well. We arn't planning on using it often - just on really warm nights. And when we have the baby in our room. So the kid will probably stay with us in our room until the weather gets cooler so it can sleep in its own room.

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Master Closet Project

So we are pretty much done with the master closet project. I want to add a few more shelves here and there (winter sweaters, stacks of T shirts, for pants), but I would say we are 90% done and it is very usable. So happy to finally have the closet mostly done!

We will add flooring when we re-do the flooring of the upstairs. Dealing with sub flooring right now - no biggie.

Our closet before hand. Very tiny tiny - the size of a coat closet. I absolutely hated it. I could only really fit my clothes in it and Nick had to use one of the spare bedroom closets - which gradually migrated to our bedroom unto the rack I put up to store foldables and such. The picture is kinda spotty - I had to grab the camera since I wanted a before picture, I think it was dirty and covered in drywall dust.



Here is Nick and his dad working on the framing - and a picture of the framing with a wall behind it! (pictures taken in February to give a sence of how long this project took)


Then they put up the walls! Really made it feel real. These pictures are after all the spackling, sanding, more spackling, more sanding, priming, and painting! These were taken in early April







We started to add shelving in mid April and gradually added more as we decided what we wanted. We have been using the closet for over a month and so love it, just never added pictures. Today I found all of our clothing and put it in, as well as organized the shoes (put off season under the bed). As stated before, we have ALOT of T shirts. Need to go through them - but so many sentimental ones.

This is what the closet looks like as you enter. We have an entry way where to the left is storage for off season clothing. Yes not totally cleaned, but been wanting to get pictures up! The shoes on the ground, I need to get another shoe rack for that wall. We may add a high shelf, but not sure. Kinda cramps things if we put something there, I think.


More pictures of the main clothing wall, and the main shoe rack! Off season shoes and fancy shoeshoes are in a container under the bed. Thought if I don't need them now or if I don't wear them often I don't need them out! I like the idea of only keep out what you use/need.




On the wall opposite the hanging clothing, we put up drawers. These took longer to do than we ever thought. First only bought 1 to see the quality and see if we really were going to use it. Then we bought the other 3. One of them came broken, so we had to return it. And you know how things go - took about 2-3 weeks to return it. They hold undies, socks, tank tops, etc. (wow I need to clean my camera lense). We are adding a shelf to the top to stack more things (Nick's jeans, shirts). I will use the shelf that the drawers create since I am shorter :) . The top shelf will be where that top bar is.



Nick is using the area under the drawers for his shoe storage - need to get another shoe rack for here. You can see the hole in the wall. This is a crawl space access. We are going to keep it accessable by building some removable shelves (with a back to close it off) that recess into the space. Why waste usable space?


Oh this project is taking forever. Started around January and is almost complete! Just was a lot bigger project than we thought - Nick's first drywalling experience, took us forever to figure out how we wanted things orientated in there, just took forever putting things together. Was also hard to time with Easter, Baby stuff, etc. But hey it is usable and that is all that matters!

But I love it and completely worth the wait!

So the list to finish the project:
Get floors installed...eventually (ok this may be a while, maybe a year when we do the whole upstairs)
Close up hole with removable shelving unit
Add mirror to back of door
Get shoe racks
Little more organization - especially for the top shelves
Add a few more shelves here and there.
The entry way where we are storing off season clothing - add a bar for long hanging items (dresses I don't wear often)

Oh and the room only has one light bulb - I am surprised how well it lights everything up! And the closet does have sky light. Makes it nice for looking in there during the morning/day. Need to make something to put over it to block the uv lights so they don't fade our clothes and shoes.

Friday, June 18, 2010

I am an oddity..

Most pregnant women hate the heat. But I have always loved the heat! Love it! I would take a 90+ degree day over a day under 10 degrees any day! The only thing that kills me recently is the humidity. But I still love the heat. Today it is going to get up to 90 and I am excited!

The funny thing is - pregnancy is supposed to make you hotter, but I tolerate the heat much better than Nick. Hmm...

Thursday, June 17, 2010

33 weeks!


How Far Along: 33 weeks
How Big is Baby: Around 4.5 lbs and 19 - 19.5 inches long
What is Baby up to: Things are heating up inside as well: Baby may grow up to a full inch this week alone, and his brain is developing like crazy. Pretty soon, he'll be able to coordinate breathing with sucking and swallowing. Also, his bones are hardening, and he's started to keep his eyes open when he's awake.
Total Weight Gain: +9 - 9.5ish
Best Moment this Week: Always love the kicks!
Movement: Starting to be during the middle of the day when resting my arms/hands on the bump. Also feel a lot when laying down in the evening
Belly Button: Inny. Getting shallow!
What I Miss: Not much...
What I am Looking Forward To: Baby shower in a few weeks! Labor Series class this weekend!!!
Gender: No idea... But thinking girl lately. Baby feels like it is up higher.

Dr. Appointment this week. Was with the doctor I don't like. I am not seeing him any more tho! But the baby is head up. I think he/she likes to flip around a lot. Lately I think I have felt its head. And today during a meeting I swear I felt an elbow or knee poking out! Was very exciting!! Right now I am getting some awesome kicks real low.. Way of the baby saying HI to the world!

Also want to do some shopping for the baby, but wanting to wait until after the shower. So hard wait! I think I am going to start buying some cloth diapers online! Have some added to my amazon.com cart, just haven't purchased it yet.

Want to start going to church again. I really liked growing up religious, and want to do the same for this baby. Just having a hard time figuring out the god parents thing. And find a church that we like and want to belong to. Such hard decisions....


Luna was great at agility last night!!!!

Luna made me so proud at agility last night. She is a scardy dog and has to take everything slowly, in many small steps.

I was able to take her leash off since she is building confidence and I can recall her ok. and keeping treats in my hand does wonders for keeping her around and not wondering. I think this helps a lot with her confidence building.

I was able to send her to a jump from 2-3 feet away!!!!!! HUGE HUGE HUGE accomplishment! Yes the jump was only 4 inches, but still a big achievement! I threw the biggest party for her when she did that! She was so proud of herself!

We are also working on our serpentine move (ok putting their collar in your hand). We have done so many reps at the first step and she is starting to get it and if I hold my hand out she puts her neck in it! Love it! She does catch on fast. She is a smart dog!!!!! So in class I did it and she came right up to my hand in the right body placement!!!!!

Then I sent her over a jump that was higher than 10 inches (trying to force her to slice the jump at an angle). And she did it eventually! We were using the cookie jar game (high value treats in a glass jar - this time roast chicken, sometimes leftover lunch meat). Once she got it we ran to the jar and she got a huge happy reward!

Still having issues with the dog walk, and the same issue has translated to the A Frame. Ugh. But the dog walk was really low. We did a lot of work on it - She gets so afraid of that thing. Once she gets going she is fine, but it is the get going part that is hard. We found that the cookie jar game helped with this also. Getting better but not great. I really see her as a jumpers course runner - she is starting to love jumps, loves tunnels, loves the tire jump, looooves the shoot, loooves weave poles.

Oh here weave poles are looking good. She knows what to do and does a good job!

So for a scardy dog - she is turning into a good agility dog! She has fantastic muscles and is so fast. I know once she gets used to everything and builds confidence, I wont' be able to keep up with her!

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

What to watch now...

So Nick and I have been watching Angel the series on Netflix watch instantly. We both have thoroughly enjoyed it. Season 4 and 5 wern't as good - but still enjoyable. I heart Joss Whedon! We found it interesting on how many of the actors that are in firefly are in Angel. He does enjoy to use the same actors - or is it the actors who love to work with him?

Overall, the series is not as good as Buffy (which I want to re-watch now!) but is still really good. Has some awesome dialogue, fun makeup, and in general a good story. Yes it is about vampires and deamons, other dimentions, etc. But makes for a good story.

It was nice to get caught up in the series. I didnt' watch it much once I was in college - so I watched the first two or three seasons at home with my parents and sister. The last few episodes I didn't watch much - was messing around with my computer or working on cross stitch. I do need to re-watch the last episode. But, I love the last line of the series - Angel saying "I don't know about you but I wanna slay the dragon!"

Now since we are in the summer, we have to find something else to watch. Any suggestions? I know I so want to see Glee - but it is on the "Very Long Wait" list on netflix. True Blood Season 2 comes out next week and I hope to watch it - going to hold onto our disks to return so we can hopefully get more than one disk at a time.

Oh and I know Eureka starts in July. As does being human (a bbc show about a vampire, warewolf, and a ghost), which I highly recommend to watch - entertaining. Cannot wait for Eureka to start -- July 9th!!!!

So what other shows should we be watching or put on netflix queue? Other shows I love are Bones, House, The Office, 30 Rock, Ugly Betty (so sad no longer on), Pushing Dasies (so sad got canceled), The Terminator (another sad it got canceled, was getting good!), Dollhouse (another one that got canceled as it got good - GIVE JOSS WHEDON TIME HE WILL DELIVER!), Dirty Jobs, Deadliest Catch. Not a fan of reality shows...

Monday, June 14, 2010

Not a bad weekend...

Even tho this weekend was another in a row of rain/overcast/cold, I did enjoy it. We did some relaxing (which seems to happen with a gloomy day).

Saturday I organized our linens for the dining room. Pretty much realized I was keeping platters in different places and moved some out of the closet to be combined with the others above the coat closet area that really isn't a closet. I need to get a little ladder to store over there ot make it easier to get things out of it and not use the bar stool... No I am not climbing on the bar stool anymore. I also finally put all the things away that were sitting on top of the dryer for months. Still need to organize recipes/cooking magazines/cookbooks. Took the dogs to get their nails trimmed. We also went to lowes to return the storage container(shelf/drawers) we bought for the closet that was broken - simple and easy. Went to Target to get some picture frames. Stopped by Nick's grandparents and dropped off wedding photos almost 2 years after the wedding.

We were supposed to meet Nick's cousin for dinner, but that fell through. Went to a bbq joint - over a 30 min wait - no thank you. Went to a mexican place. Was yummy. Not sure if I would get what I got again (chicken in a chipolte sauce - wasn't spicy and very oily). Nick got what he always gets - fajitas. Opted to get sopapillas for dessert - was a total dissapointment - they were like fried tortillas - not the billowy sopapillas I have had before.

Did a lot more on Sunday that I did on Saturday - Put away a lot of laundry. Nick put together the drawers, I put things in them. Hung up all our clothing. Realized what else we want to do with the closet (how many more shelves). Made blueberry muffins. Made a lemongrass marinade for chicken for dinner (was really yummy). Vaccuumed upstairs and the bedroom walls, and surfaces. Oh we also painted the alphabet for the baby's room - base coat done! Now to start decorating the letters!

What I didnt' get done:
weed - too rainy and cold and gloomy
freezer meals - just wasnt' up for it - may this week
cleaning - got preoccupied doing other things and the weather just kinda killed my motivation

Things I realized I need to buy over the weekend
Storage thing for shoes under bed - going to put off season and dressy shoes in it - ones I don't use often
Mirror for closet
Mirror for our bathroom
Decoration shelves for living room (floating shelves)
Frames for retro cocktail prints for living room

Friday, June 11, 2010

I hate carpet

OK, after Luna having diarrhea, I know I want to get rid of the carpet upstairs. I hate cleaning carpet. It is so gross since you never know how clean it is. We have gross Berber carpet. I want hardwood so badly up there. I will probaby get some rugs to put down in the hallway and in the bedrooms. I am hating the carpet so much I almost want to rip it up and use subfloor - like we are using in our closet.

Time to start saving for it!

I hate carpet - it isnt' much of a price difference than hardwood - well depending on what you get. Why do people use carpet anyways?

But the only reason to keep carpet is that it is soft in the middle of the night, the dogs like to play on carpet more than hardwood, it is a bit cheaper and cheaper to install...

Oh the list of things I want in the house are never ending... And I soooooooooooooooo want a fence!

Parenting for Newboorn class

So we took a parenting for a newborn class for the past two Thursdays 6:30 - 8:30. I really wanted to take it so Nick would know a little more of what is normal and how to do things since he hasn't been around babies much.

Some of the stuff I found informative:
How to swaddle
How to sooth a crying baby
When to call doctor
Medicines
Appearance of a newborn right after birth
What the hospital does with newborns - encourage breastfeeding, encourage staying in the room with us, put baby on my chest after it is born and all test done on my chest - no taking baby away!
What is normal for sleeping/behavior
Hospital Stay

Things not so useful:
How to change a diaper - I understand some people need to know this, but I do, and we want to cloth diaper so not so useful.
SIDS stuff - I had already done my research (thanks to thenest and thebump)
Car Seats - I had done my research (thanks to thenest and thebump)
probably more but I can't remember now

Wonderful night sleep...yeah right

Ick. Last night I had horrible heartburn! We got home from the parenting newborn class, and I had some heartburn. Thought it was from the pizza we ate right before we left. So I had a little ice cream, which usually does a good job soothing it. Was fine for a while. Went to bed I was fine. Woke up with the worst heartburn around 2am. Could not go back to sleep. At least Nick was nice enough and went downstairs to grab me some tums. I am really really trying not to take too much medicine, but I think I may have to try some Zantac. Oh I was in pain, but didn't want to get out of bed - hoping I would fall back asleep and not notice it.

Now that I think about it, last night I had a horrible night sleeping. Woke up with heartburn at 2am, baby was awake too and dancing around. Eventually fell back asleep. Luna woke me up at 4:30. I let her out (she only peed). But was really happy and energetic. Went back to bed. She was still moving around, but thought it was because something was outside, or the birds singing. Could not fall back asleep due to the birds and baby being active. Sort of fell asleep around 5 or 5:30. Woke up at 6 and Luna has diarrhea. Took both dogs outside. Fed the animals. Cleaned the carpet in our bedroom where she made a mess. Barricaded the dogs downstairs so they don't make a mess of the carpet. Layed down for 30 min. Dogs started barking at an animal outside (sounded like a cat). They responded to my quiet from upstairs, YEA! Alarm went off. Got up.

So 4-5ish hours of sleep!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

32 weeks!


How Far Along: 32 weeks
How Big is Baby: Around 4 lbs and 18 - 19 inches long
What is Baby up to: Ready or not, baby's getting ready to emerge. She's probably in the head-down position by now, with her bottom facing up. This is the comfiest way for her body to fit in your increasingly cramped womb and will make her eventual exit (only a few months away now!) much easier. (If she's still head-up, don't panic -- there's still time for a flip before birth.)
Total Weight Gain: +8.5-9ish
Best Moment this Week: Always love the kicks!
Movement: Lately in the evening. When I get up in the middle of the night the baby is always active.
Belly Button: Inny. But with squishing I can get it out. Found it interesting of how clean I got it!
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach.... Bending over easily
What I am Looking Forward To: Baby shower in a few weeks!
Gender: No idea...

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna

Made this over the weekend and it by far is one of my favorite lasagna recipies. Very simple, and oh so tasty! And Vegetarian! Sorry no picture...

What I usually do is roast the red peppers at some point when we are grilling. Steam them in a brown paper bag. Peal and de-seed them. I have found it is better to rough chop them than leave them into strips. I freeze the roasted red peppers to make this a lot of times when they are on sale. This really cuts the prep time.

This one 13x9 pan was 3 meals for us! So made for a lot of cheap and yummy meals. Definitely re warm in the oven - the crispyness is so much better. And this recipe is best the day you cook it.

Bell peppers were on sale this week - so I am planning on making it again and freezing it so that we can have a few freezer meals once the baby is here!

Roasted Red Pepper Lasagna
4 medium sweet red peppers
9 lasagna noodles
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 1/2 cups fat-free milk
1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese - I use more
Cut each pepper into quarters; remove seeds. Place peppers, cut side down, on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 20-25 minutes or until skin is blistered and blackened. Immediately place peppers in a bowl; cover and let stand for 15-20 minutes. Peel off and discard skin. Cut peppers into 1/4-in. strips.

Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions; drain. In a saucepan, cook red peppers and garlic in oil for 1 minute; add the tomatoes, parsley, sugar, basil and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes. In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, salt and nutmeg until smooth. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Spread 1 cup pepper sauce in a 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Top with three noodles, 1-1/2 cups pepper sauce, 1 cup white sauce and 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese. Repeat layers. Top with remaining noodles, white sauce and pepper sauce. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Let stand for 15 minutes before cutting.(I add the cheese before cooking since I looooove burnt cheese)

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Baby's Furniture Delivered!!

Yesterday the baby's furniture got delivered and set up! So exciting to get it all there! Have to re-adjust some of it so that the closet door opens all the way and who knows what once we get the glider....

I also want to get a small bookshelf for the room. Now that we have furniture in it, we know we can't fit much else in it since it is a small room. Not sure if there is even room for a glider, but will see and try to fit it in.


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Pathetic Bath Dog Time Photos

Have seen these online and find them so cute...so I remembered to take some pictures while I was giving the dogs a bath on Monday!

Penny had a bath first (she knew it was bath time and I had to drag her into the bathroom....she just hates bath time)



Next Luna. I got her into the tub, but she jumped out. From watching Penny's bath, she didn't want one either.




31 weeks!


How Far Along: 31 weeks
How Big is Baby: Around 4 lbs and 17 inches long
What is Baby up to: Baby's going through major brain and nerve development these days. His irises now react to light, and all five senses are in working order. (He won't pick up anything from his nose until after birth, though -- smell is transferred through air, not amniotic fluid.)
Total Weight Gain: +8ish
Best Moment this Week: Always love the kicks!
Movement: Lots! Afternoon and evening. Also in the middle of the night.
Belly Button: Inny.
What I Miss: Sleeping on my stomach....
What I am Looking Forward To: Baby's furniture getting delivered on Monday!!!
Gender: Right now no idea...still thinking girl..but no idea