Less than two weeks....but who's counting?

Less than 2 weeks until the D-day...the Due date!! We are on pins and needles and soooo anxious. I keep meaning to take pics, but you know when I think of it? Once I've already put on my ill fitting pajamas! I'll spare you the pain of having to see that. But I did get 2 comments today at work that it looks like I've dropped. That has to mean something, right?
I still feel awesome though!! I had progress last week at my appt. and I'm hoping for even more tomorrow. Hopefully I'll remember to take a pic and post it.
I still have a few more things to get done...well, that I am hoping to get done before her arrival -but if they don't get done? Ehh, least of my worries. I got the majority of my presents out last week. I have bought 95% of everything for Christmas.
This weekend we have to put the car seat in the car and I need to wash a couple more things. And I need to mail out the last of my gifts and finish up my purchases.
AND....AND....
I got a new stove!! Woo hoo!! I'm so excited to cook on it. My current one is pretty old and crusty. It was time for a new one. I'll post pics after we get it in.
I feel like I have a million things to post - my mind is running a million miles a minute. But for now, I'm going to bed. Goodnight Friends.

Oh...Hello Govena'

That is British for Governor.

Tonight I was invited to the Governor's Mansion for a reception. The receiption was held for the keynote speaker at tomorrow's Rotary event, State of the State. The mansion was beautiful! I was thrilled that I was invited to go. I am really enjoying being involved in Rotary...a bit too involved this week maybe. I went to our meeting this morning, the reception tonight, tomorrow is the luncheon and tomorrow night is our Charter night party, which I chaired. I'm so glad that I still feel good and can pretty much keep up, although I know I'll be really exhausted come this weekend.

**Disclaimer - I did not meet the Governor.

On another note - how freaky is this bear??

Thanksgiving

Hope everybody's Thanksgiving was full of blessings.

Ours was very nice...it was quiet with just Tony and I, but it was very sweet. This year we did something new with the turkey. I bought a turkey from a co-worker who had raised it. Farm fresh....sounds delish right? Not as much as I had imagined.
First of all, I'm kind of reverting back to first trimester food issues...not NEARLY as bad, but some things are really grossing me out...like the fact that we had to still pull out some broken feathers....then after cooking it and the breast and thigh registering the right temp Tony started cutting into it and it was like we hit an artery! So much blood. I'm not sure why it cooked so unevenly. It's not like this is the first time that we have cooked a turkey!
I talked with the guy that I bought it from today and he said perhaps the butcher didn't drain it properly. But who knows. Either way - we cut some breast meat off, ate dinner, then stuck the whole thing back in the oven. Tony carved it later in the evening, but a lot of it was tendony (not sure if that is a word - but you get the picture) and tough. We still have enough for leftovers though.

I had to work today but as I was getting ready at 4:30 AM!!! I decided, why not go shopping on my way? Join the craziese?!? There were 2 items in particular that I was gunning for - and I got 'em, so it was worth it to face the black Friday crowds. Most important of the 2 was the crib mattress. I think we now have everything for the baby.....

Lovely Love

Today Tony and I have been married 9 years!! We couldn't wait last night, so I opened my present early - a Nook Color!!! I was shocked - I never would have guessed that Tony had gotten me one! It is very cool. I already got a book on it and was surprised at how easy it is to read on - not at all like a computer screen. Then today I got beautiful earrings and a matching braclet....needless to say - Tony did good!!
Tonight we went to dinner at Armando's and had a really nice time.

Here's a photo recap of the past years:

Fall 2000 - Shortly after we started dating

Clear Lake, Iowa Summer 2001 - first road trip together

Washington DC 2002

Summer 2003 - UP of Michigan

Graduation Dec. 2004

Jenni and Rob's wedding - 2005

2006 - Craig's new condo party

New Year's - Ringing in 2008

March in Italy - 2008

Fall 2008 - Rockies game

Moab May 2009

May 2010 - Twins Stadium

There are more recent pics of me and Tony - but they are from Will and Andrea's wedding in Oct. and I don't have any of them yet - as soon as I do I will post them.
It's fun to look back on these and remember all the great times we have had and how many more great times lay in front of us.
I wish I had time to put these into some kind of slide show - maybe I'll learn how to do that some time soon, since I'll probably want to do something like that with pictures of the baby.

Congrats and a Belly Update

Last night my friends Renata and Jason had their baby girl!!! So exciting! I can't wait to hear all about it - Welcome Adalai!!

34 weeks 4 days

Absence - Where have I been? Wait....where have you been?

I've been so bad about blogging....but I haven't been the only one (you guys know who you are....those bloggers I depend on for weekly entertainment!!!). But I have good excuses -
Second weekend of Oct. - home to New Mexico for baby shower.
Third weekend of Oct. - Minneapolis for Brother in Law's wedding
Got home from Minneapolis on Sunday the 17th and had to fly out to MD that Monday - Friday. Then I flew out that next Sunday for Ohio, came back Monday night and left again on Wednesday for MD. I was exhausted!! I wanted to cry on that last trip to MD - really not looking forward to the plane ride and hotel....but everything went well. And it's always so GREAT to see our friends in MD!!! I couldn't help but cry when I left....on top of being super emotional already, saying goodbye to friends and knowing I probably won't see them for a long time....I just really miss our friends in Maryland.
This past weekend Tony flew to Duluth to go deer hunting with his dad and brothers. (And he did get a deer!!) My mom flew up to stay with me and we had a wonderful time!! We got to go to a couple of Crap (craft) fairs, which were actually really good! We mostly just shopped and ate out. It was great - but too quick and there are never enough hours in the day.
On Sunday after I took my mom to the airport I did one of the activities I love most in the world - I went to Barnes and Nobles and got some coffee and read magazines!! It was so relaxing. Then I went home, turned up the Frank Sinatra Christmas CD and started to put out my Christmas decorations. I know it's kind of early, but I figured I better do it now while I still feel up to it.
We started Lamaze last week. It's not just a lamaze class - they teach you all kinds of things, like the stages of labor and all that good stuff. The video's were not for the weak...and I am weak! I wanted to throw up but then started laughing and couldn't stop. Of course Tony only egged me on by making comments. But the best part about it is getting to spend time together during the week. Things are always so crazy, it seems like we always have something to do, so the class is really nice in that respect. We are also going to take a baby prep class in a few weeks, which I think will make us feel less anxious....perhaps.
I can't believe it's going to be Thanksgiving next week!! We don't have any big plans - we are just going to stick around home and I'm going to cook. It's always nice to have that day together just to eat and relax.
I'll try to be better about the blog and updates! Hopefully tomorrow I'll remember to take a pic of the belly BEFORE I put on pj's (which usually happens the minute I walk in the door) to post for my 34th week.

Three brothers - this was at the rehersal at the church. Tony was practicing reading out loud.

All the siblings - this was at the rehersal dinner in downtown St. Paul. The neighborhood was amazing!! I told Tony if we move to the Twin Cities that this area is where I want to live!

Nursery

We made so much progress with the nursery. It feels like we got so much accomplished this weekend! It was the first weeked I've been home ALL WEEKEND since the beginning of October.

Here are some pics. Of course I haven't decorated yet, but my mom is coming up this weekend, so I'm hoping we'll be able to get some of that completed.

I love this furniture....I think it matches really well even though we bought it at 2 seperate locations. We still have a few things to get....we need a mattress and a car seat and a stroller, but at least we've come this far. I was kind of getting panicky about our procrastination.

I can't believe I'm almost 33 weeks.....and I still feel really really good! I would say 9.5 out of 10. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and to not feel this good...but here's hoping. We get to have another ultrasound in a couple of weeks and I'm eager to see what she looks like again.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

These are great fall cupcakes/muffins (if you don't put the icing on them)- VERY pumpkiny.



I got this recipes out of Martha Stewart's Cupcakes Cookbook.

3/4 C unsalted butter, room temp.

1 2/3 C all-purpose flour

1/4 C fresh sage (optional)

2 t. baking powder

1 t salt

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t freshly grated nutmeg

1/8 t ground cloves

1 C canned pumpkin puree

1 C packed light-brown sugar

1/2 C granulated sugar

2 large eggs

Oven 325 degrees. Rub muffin tins with butter and dust with flour. Melt butter in a saucepan over med-low heat. Add sage now if you want. Occasionally swirl the butter until golden brown. Pour into a bowl to stop the cooking, leaving any burned sediment behind.

Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In another bowl, whisk together puree, sugars, eggs, and butter mixture. Add flour mixture and whisk until just combined.

Fill tins three-quarters full. Rotate tins halfway through cooking (20 minutes).

Cupcakes can be stored overnight or frozen up to 2 months.

When ready, dip top of each cupcake in icing, then turn over quickly and let set. Keep at room temperature.

Brown Butter icing:

1/2 C unsalted butter

2 C sifted confectioners' sugar

2 t pure vanilla extract

2 T milk, more if needed

Melt butter in a saucepan over med. heat, swirling pan occasionally, until nut brown in color....about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Add confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and 2 T. milk, a little at a time, just until icing is spreadable. Use immediately.



Baby likes Metal

I have a little metal head living inside me. I've never gone out of my way to listen to heavy metal...until now. I can't change it from the metal station, for fear I will miss the awesome sounds of NIN or 5 Finger Death Punch. Seriously - Bad Company is one of the best remakes I have heard in a long time.

So I'm attributing this change in listening preference to the baby. She must really like to rock out, that is the only answer. Don't get me wrong, we still listen to classical when I cook. But in the car - it's the heavy stuff.

Easy Pickled Jalepenos

We have had a really good turnout of jalepenos from the garden, so I decided to pickle them. Tony eats pickled jalepenos on almost everything anyways. This is super easy and they turned out great.

Wash and put your cans and lids into boiling water.

Bring to a boil:
2 C Vinegar
2 C Water
3 crushed garlic cloves

You can slice your jalepenos or leave them whole. Pack your jar as full as possible. Really make it tight - then pour your vinegar mixture over them. Seal the jars and double boil for 10 minutes.

Almost 26 weeks

I feel like I have grown this week. My body is a bit achy too. Maybe the baby is going through a growth spurt!! I am really feeling her more these days and I can't wait for Tony to feel it too! I keep thinking it will happen any day.

Berger's

Last Saturday morning I was sitting at the kitchen table drinking my coffee and listening to NPR just like every good Saturday morning. Then I remembered that I had brought home Berger cookies from Baltimore! As I opened the package the lady that was being interviewed on NPR started talking about how one of her favorite things about Baltimore (the interview was about everything along the I-95 corridor) was Berger cookies!!! Errie coincidence? It just reinforced what a great purchase I made!
What are Berger cookies? They are shortbread with a thick heaping of chocolate on top!! So good!!

There is kind of a funny story behind the purchase of them though - it involves Irene, Baltimore City, a parking cop and Luckies, my favorite old corner shop right by where we used to live. Needless to say I ran out of the store to keep from getting a ticket while Irene stayed inside and bought my cookies and a new toothbrush for me. Then I realized I didn't have enough to pay her back....I'm lucky to have such good friends who forgive so easily and understand that these are the things that happen when you are with me.

Maryland

A couple of weeks ago I went to Maryland for work. Meaning I got to see friends!!! I know, the point of the trip wasn't to socialize, and I did get a lot of work accomplished, but the best part is getting to see people I miss so much. And I was really excited that they got to see Pregnant Melissa.

Here's a picture of Heather, Brooke, and Gary....and soon, very very soon, Baby Mackenzie!

Jesse and Renata

Me and Jen

I always intend to get more pictures - then forget to bring out my camera!!! Visit Jesse's page here for a few more pics.

Pickled Beets

I've done a lot of canning these past few weeks. Bordering burnout....but I just keep trying to think about how much I'll appreciate it this winter.
Here are the pickled beets I made. They came from my garden! My mom and grandma have made these my whole life...but this was my first try. This is their recipe.

First wash and cut most of the stems and most of the roots (but not all - they are going to peel off anyways).

Boil without peeling until the beets are tender (approx 20 mins. You will know when you stick a fork in them). Transfer to cold water, peel, quarter.



Mix the following together to boiling:

2 C. Sugar

2 C. Water

2 C. Vinegar

1 t. cloves

1 t. allspice

2 T. cinnamon

Wash and boil your cans and lids. Pack the beets into jars, pour mixture over the beets. You should probably stick a knife into the side of the jar to get some of the air out. Seal the jars. For this recipe you do not have to double boil.



Rhubarbs.....they're here!!

Ahh, finally it's time for rhubarbs!! I've been waiting and waiting and I finally found some at the farmers market. I was so excited! So I finally had all the ingredients to make strawberry rhubarb jam....so good!!

2 cups chopped strawberries
2 cups chopped rhubarb
5 1/2 cups sugar
1 box powdered pectin
1/4 cup lemon juice

Bring everything but sugar to a boil - add sugar - bring back to a rapid boil and boil for 1 minute stirring constantly.

This is going to be a fav. I'm going to get more rhubarb next weekend and try to make a pie....everything Garrison Keller talks about rhubarb pies my mouth waters - so I figured I'll give it a try.

Oh, and another thing I got at the farmer's market? Roasted Green Chile...now it's not Hatch, but it's something. It is actually really tasty, we are almost done with the bag that we bought on Sunday. It's another sign that fall is just around the corner!!

Kirby in training

So I figured with the baby coming I really need to start training Kirby. It's not that he is a bad dog...it's just that we never really trained him. He just gets super bad on leash because he has leash fear. This is not because we never socialized him. When we lived in B-more he went to the park EVERYDAY to play with other dogs. Without his leash on. Big problemo now because I want to walk him without him flipping out! It gets scary and dangerous the further along I get.
So I bought a Cesar Milan book.

And I started out training. It really only consists of repition. We walk every morning before work. I love walking in the mornings because it is cool enough for both of us and there are less people/dogs to run into. So right now I am focusing on him not pulling on his leash - but walking beside me. He does better some mornings than others. But he is making some progress.

I also bought a shock collar - which I have yet to use! I guess I'm a little freaked out about it....it is supposed to shock him every time he barks. I think I'm going to take it back and get the other kind though - the kind that I can control when it goes off.

The root of the problem? We never told him he was a dog! He has been treated like a child....and I know - it is a disservice to him. But all we can do now is try to make everyday a new day and be better dog owners...

Graduation Present

My parents bought me this for graduation:

YEAH!!! SO EXCITING!! I have been in need of this for a while...especially after the homemade bread debacle. Isn't she a beaut?

I Graduated!!

A week ago last Friday I graduated from grad school....such...a...relief!! I really can't believe it's done - the past two years have been really difficult - emotionally, mentally....just kind of draining. The whole time we have lived in Colorado has just been non-stop for me. Working, going to night school, homework every weekend. I am so glad I am through (well, for the time being, but more on that later). But looking back - I did it at the right time in my life. Being in the part time program at DU really gave me an opportunity to meet some really great people. And I am glad that I waited to go back - I'm not sure if it meant more, but I felt like I could really contribute more from my experiences. Don't get me wrong - there were times when I was FLAT OUT miserable and wanted to quit. I'm so glad I didn't. I'm happy I got this degree before my baby is born - that way I can focus on her and not worry about the other million things (I will worry about well over 1 million things, but they won't have to do with grad school).

Last weekend was just wonderful though! My family came up - Amy, Mom, Dad, and my grandma, and my  friend Beth. We had such a nice time, and it meant SO much that they came to see me graduate. I really had not wanted to do it....but my mom talked me into it and I am really glad that she did. Everyone was so proud...I guess I was just feeling like this was something that I did....like grocery shop every weekend, but my family being here made me realize it was so much more and it made me feel proud of myself. I'm not sure if that makes sense....

So for now my college days are through. I have my nights and my weekends back!! I already have a book list and a movie list going. And I want to start watching TV shows....and sewing and cooking and baking...thingsI have dreamed about for 2 years. And of course, priority #1, start decorating the baby's room!

Newest family member

Wanna see a picture of my new nephew?

This is Boots and I want to snuggle with him. So does Kirby.

We are having.....

A GIRL!!!

She was very cooperative during our ultrasound and we are so happy we were able to find out the gender. But even more important than the gender is that our little girl is perfectly healthy. Everything looked great in the U/S and she is growing at the right rate. We are just so thrilled!!

Here's a picture of our beautiful baby girl!! Even just looking at it now thrills me beyond belief. This is the best thing that has ever happened to us! Isn't she amazing?!?