Sunday, May 31, 2009

Gotta Love Wall Decals…

So, last weekend, I was looking around the internet to see if there were any decals that would add to Chomp’s nursery. And, I found some cheap ones on Ebay, so I decided to give them a try. They actually worked out even better than I thought they would. They add some color and make his room not look quite so sterile/apartment-like. They are completely removable too without any need to paint or get adhesive off. They also coordinate really well with his bedding and other paintings.

Check out Chomp’s trees on his closet doors. (There is one tree on each door, where the doors come together in the middle of his room).

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Gross Out...

I know...total grossness. This is apparently what 38 weeks looks like for me. A horrible pregnancy related rash called PUPPS (feel free to look it up, there's a zillion sites on it) that cover my body. It itches like crazy and looks really horrible. Sad day---I'm sure people who see me on the street think I'm a little bit of a leper. Benadryl and hydrocordizone are my new friends. Also, I have an infection and am on my second round of antibiotics in two months. Goodness pregnancy does really weird things to our bodies.

I promise that once Josh comes home, I'll post a cute pic of the big belly. Chomp and I saw our doctor this morning, and everything still looks good. She goes on vacation for a week starting Sunday morning though, so we are all very, very hopeful that Chomp either comes by Saturday night or waits until at least his due date. We like Dr. Goo!!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

New Blog Picture!

Since we liked the way the snowshoe picture came out, we thought we would do one like it, just more summer oriented. It’s pretty fun!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Cauliflower “Mashed Potatoes”

 

So, I had heard of a substitute for potato where you cook and then mash Cauliflower with all the goodies of mashed potatoes.    As a lover of mashed potatoes, I was interested to see if they actually tasted the same.   I figured that I could get the satisfaction of eating something I love, while getting more veggies.  

Josh and I tried it tonight.  It definitely is not the same texture as mashed potatoes.  I think that they took on too much water.  This is probably my fault.   But, I will say that the taste is really similar, and it is a veggie that tastes like a starch.   That’s kind of nice for those of us who tend to lean way into the carbs.  :)

Anyway, it was really easy.  Here’s the recipe in case you want to give it a go. 

Ingredients

  • 1 medium head cauliflower
  • 1 tablespoon cream cheese, softened
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/8 teaspoon straight chicken base or bullion (may substitute 1/2 teaspoon salt)
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh or dry chives, for garnish
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Set a stockpot of water to boil over high heat.

Clean and cut cauliflower into small pieces. Cook in boiling water for about 6 minutes, or until well done. Drain well; do not let cool and pat cooked cauliflower very dry between several layers of paper towels.

In a bowl with an immersion blender, or in a food processor, puree the hot cauliflower with the cream cheese, Parmesan, garlic, chicken base, and pepper until almost smooth.

Garnish with chives, and serve hot with pats of butter.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

Trying Something New

 

wlw

Josh is very smart.  He knows about this program that should cut down on how long it takes to together a blog spot.   I’m trying it out.   It’s called Windows Live Writer.  Apparently, it is set up like Word.  I write in the text and pictures and then the whole thing gets published.  It cuts down on the pesky time that it takes to upload photos etc.  So,  I’m giving it a shot.   

Camp is soon to be starting again.  There is always something about the end of May/beginning of June that reminds me of summer camp.   It might be the dramatic shift in weather within the last two weeks.  We were cruising along with the lovely marine layer and maximum temperature of 75 degrees, and then the wind shifts, and ta da we are in the 100s again and the haze is back in the I.E..   In just a couple of weeks, the mountains and beaches will be alive with kiddos and families excited to be away from their scheduled days, living it up out in nature.  There are few things better than being outside, breathing and playing on earth!    Have fun, learn experientially, and breathe in the joy! :)

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Almost 37 weeks!



Well, we are almost there! Yesterday was officially my last day of work. So, today I start maternity leave! YAY!!!! I left just in time for the High Desert to move into over 100 degree weather with winds around 50 mph. I planned this pregnancy well :) No more killing my car to drive up and down the Cajon Pass. The girls at work and I had a great Waffle Breakfast (Thanks again Boss Lady Cindy!!!) before I left. It will be sad to not see them every day. I really do love the ladies with whom I work. I have promised that Chomp and I will come visit a few weeks after his birth. So, I'll see them soon!

I went to see the wonderful Dr. Goo again on Thursday and everything is still looking good for Chomp. She thought it was a good idea for me to be going off work. (Secretly, I think that means that she doesn't think that I'm going to make it to my due date, but we'll see). I am seeing her every week now.

Chomp's nursery is now complete. The last remaining items are up on his walls, and we have at least a few packs of diapers and wipes to get us through his first few days at home. My projects for the week (beside getting in a few naps, reading and catching up on the latest movies) are to get our bags packed for the trip to the hospital and deep clean the apartment.

Josh is enjoying his new present. (You should definitely ask him about it if you haven't already). He's in love.

I have been wanting to go to one of our local parks and take some pictures of the belly before Chomp arrives, so today Josh was nice enough to act as photographer. It was really, really warm out. I think we did a great job of getting some shots in quickly and then running back inside. Here's a sampling of the day.







































Sunday, May 10, 2009

First Mother's Day!


Josh surprised me with this pretty bouquet of tulips for my Mommy to Be day! So fun!

This is also my last week of work before Chomp is born! YAY!!!! Thank goodness because it is getting much, much harder to get through a work day. My co-workers are going to celebrate my last day with my boss's traditional waffle breakfast. She makes them whenever there is something special :) Thanks Cindy!

Our Weekend...

We spent Mother's Day Weekend getting a lot of stuff done around the house. We needed to move out a lot of our parent stuff out of Baby Chomp's room and actually make room for him.

It feels good to at least know that if he were to come early, he has a place to live, washed clothes to wear, and space. :)


Here are some pictures of Chomp's room so far. I'm sure that it will change in the next four weeks, but for now, here's where we are.



This is one side of the room.....we took this picture to show off his "night lights" otherwise known as leaf shaped string lights.

Here's one without the lights, but you get the idea of what his side looks like. The little hanging above his room are the letters of his name.
(This is still part guest room). So, here's that side.

The closet. It is more organized than it looks :)

And, the other side of the room with the needed comfy chair, changing table and bookcase. YAY! It just needs few more finishing touches and we'll really be getting ready.