Happy Thanksgiving!

Poor Picked on Chloe.

A few days ago, Chloe got herself stuck on the kitchen rug. She absolutely hates hardwood floors, and will do everything she can to avoid them. Which is exactly why we were so puzzled with how she got herself over here... Notice, no other carpet or rugs anywhere nearby. I tried to call her off the rug, but all she would do is stretch out as far as her little body would go, and still keep her tippy toes on the edge of the rug. I even tried walking further away and calling her. But still no dice. At this point, she is still completely stretched out, and whining because she "can't move." Down right refusing to leave that rug. See her little eyes glowing from around the corner? I thought it was the cutest thing, so figured I would snap some pictures of it before I picked her up and took her to another part of the house where there is carpet. I won't make a habit of that though, since I know Little Miss Smarty Pants will figure that if she wants to get picked up... just get stuck on the rug. This was only a one time exception for her... Since I was the Big Bad Mom and put her on it this time so I could get the pictures. hee hee At least now, I know I have a good "Time Out" spot for her if she ever needs it. She so good, I doubt it will ever get used though. She is such a silly little dog, and is always finding new ways to make me laugh and wonder what is going through that little head of hers!

Let it Snow!

I was starting to wonder if we were going to have a white Thanksgiving. Until now. I actually like it when there isn't any snow on Thanksgiving, and it is still looking like fall. I guess that is just how I picture "Thanksgiving." It is only Sunday, and still have some time for it to melt by then, but by the looks of the weather reports, it doesn't look like that will happen.

For almost as long as I can remember, I have always complained about the snow and remembered how much I HATE it. The only times I remember liking it was when I was a kid, and I was still into going outside and playing in it.

This winter, however, I am having a different outlook on the snow for some odd reason. I'm still not excited about it, and it is still a pain. But I think I am over the "hate" part, and might even like it... as long as I don't have to drive in it.

Thinking about it, I have figured that the only reason I really have hated the snow, is the driving in it part. I am used to driving in the stuff, and have been confident in my driving skills in snow for years.

It is the OTHER drivers out there.

You would think that people living and driving in Utah would know better by now, and SLOW DOWN when that white stuff starts to fall.

But no.

People are stupid and cocky and that is how accidents happen.

Gee, I don't know how this post turned into a venting session about Utah drivers, when it was supposed to be about how pretty the snow outside is, and that Chloe's little coat is the cutest thing ever! My bad!

Belly Update! 28 weeks

Well, here I am at 28 weeks! Please excuse the bad hair day.

I had an appointment today to get tested for gestational diabetes, and also get a shot to help protect the baby from my body attacking him if his blood mixes with mine. Gotta love having O- blood.

The shot stung, and I'm a little tender now, but I'm ok.

And no diabetes! Yay!

I also thought I would add all of the belly pictures I have taken up til now, since I've been slacking on posting them... So there ya go!

It goes: 4 weeks, 7 weeks, 9 weeks

13 weeks, 22 weeks, 28 weeks!

Did Someone Say Cookies?

While Kollin and I were in Hawaii this February, he got his first taste of my family's oatmeal cookies. My dad had made a batch for the trip, and still had some left when we hung out with them.

Needless to say, Kollin LOVED them! I told him that my mom made these cookies all. the. time. growing up, and my dad took over after she passed away. He's getting really good at making them too!

So today, Kollin went out to change the oil on my car. I decided to make these wonderful cookies while he was out there and surprise him when he came back in.

When he was done and came back in the house, the first words out of his mouth were, "mmmm.... coooooookies!" He got very excited that I FINALLY made them since I've been saying I was going to make them since I made the carmels.

They tured out just yummy!

Confirmed! and an update

I had another Dr. appointment today. Everything is looking good and normal. My belly is 27cm which I am told is perfect for being 27 weeks. And the baby is somewhere in the range of 3 to 3.5lbs, which I am told is also good. He had one small concern about my weight, since I have only gained 1lb since my last appointment. After I told him that I do not have any history of eating disorders, I eat (a lot), and I have always had a hard time gaining weight, and keeping it on my entire life, he said that was perfectly fine then and nothing to worry about. Especially since the baby is measuring just fine, moving around a lot and growing at the rate he should be. The Dr. also confirmed that the ultrasound tech had confirmed TWO more times in my second ultrasound that this little bugger is still a BOY as he was going over the results of that ultrasound with me. Apparently the ultrasound tech just didn't tell me that small tid bit... or maybe she did, and I just don't remember (stupid pregnancy brain).

With that being said, this post's question has now been put to rest! And since I have to have an ultrasound every 6 weeks to make sure my cervix isn't shortening, and I don't just drop the baby out, I will be sure to keep checking just to make sure.

I asked him some other questions, and that if it was normal for me to be sooo sore in my pubic bone area, and am I just being a wimp? Over the last week or two, I have been getting much more sore pretty much whenever I move my legs. Anytime from when I adjust my weight while sitting or laying down, to getting up and walking around. He had me point out where it was hurting and let me know that unfortunately that is completely normal, and that the cartilage in the pubic bone is starting to soften and it can be quite tender.

He is awesome though, he never gave me the impression that he thought I was being a wimp. He is always more than happy to answer all of my goofy first pregnancy questions, and I am so happy with how understanding he is! Since I know he has to probably deal with the same thing all. the. time... He still treats me like a real person with real feelings, and not just patient #xyz. I really need to get some more belly pictures, and sorry for slacking on that! It will happen, and they will be up almost as soon as they are taken! Until then, I guess just use your imagination in picturing my 27cm belly. hee hee!

Carmels!

When I was little, one very fond memory I have with my Mother was making homemade carmels. She would always make carmels for us to take to school for our birthdays (back when kids were still allowed to take homemade treats), and also all through the holidays.

I remember standing on one of our kitchen chairs next to her at our stove "helping" her make the carmels. I remember one time I dumped an entire glass of water into them, which ruined them. Mom just said that I would at least know why you don't do that for the next batch.

After a while, she started branching out and making her own candies. Toffee, and tons of different chocolates. She had her own little candy business called "Alice's Treats," and even got to the point where she would have her friends over and they would have candy teaching sessions.

A year or two after she passed away, my family went around to all of her close friends' houses to give them a Christmas present and thank them for being there for her and us when she was sick. When we went to Christie Mabey's house, she said she had actually just made a batch of my mom's toffees earlier that day! She gave each of us a BUNCH of it. I was so close to crying, because I never thought I would taste my mom's treats again. Thank you Christie!

Anyway... I've been thinking for a while that I've been wanting to get back into baking and cooking. I figured I would start with baking, since that is what I remember the most clearly from my mother's teachings.

So I decided to try my hand at making the carmels yesterday. I have never attempted it before by myself, and the last time I participated in making them was long before she passed away. Surprisingly enough, I remembered more than I thought I would!

Very simple ingredients.

Also easy supplies.

...plus a thick pot. (my mom's was thicker, but I made due with what I had)

Boil, boil, boil....

Testing to see if it's done!

Pour into a buttered pan, but don't scrape the pot!

Scrape the pot into a separate bowl, so the stuff that is extra cooked doesn't mix with the softer part.

Let cool, cut up and wrap! (I actually ended up using a pizza cutter to cut the strips as I was going. Much easier than the knife.)

Enjoy!

I think they turned out pretty good for my first time by myself! Next projects... Mom's chocolate chip, and oatmeal cookies! MMmmMMMmmm....

A B C

A- Attached or Single: Attached B- Best Friends: Kollin and my Sava. C- Cake or Pie : Grandma Richen's cheesecake...mmm... D- Day of Choice : Whatever day I can spend with my Kollin. E- Essential item : My phone, and of course, Kollin. Can't function without him! F- Favorite Color : Pink... but who doesn't already know that? G- Gummy worms or gummy bears: Bears. Unless they're the sour worms... yum... H- Hometown- Salt Lake City I- Indulgences: Chocolate J- January or July: I guess July. It's warmer, but can be too hot at times. K- Kids: Expecting my first! L- Life is incomplete without: Family, Kollin, Friends and Chloe. M- Marriage Date: TBD N- Number of siblings: 1 brother, 2 sisters, 2 step sisters and 1 step brother. And also a bunch of in-laws. O- Oranges or apples: Apples, even though I'm allergic. P- Phobias: Swallowing pills and throat cultures. Q- Quotes: "Loving the world around you fills your heart with a tender joy." R- Reason to Smile: Feeling my baby roll and kick inside me, and every day when Kollin gets home from work. S- Season: Used to be summer, but now I'm leaning toward fall. T - tag 3 friends: Callie, Anne and Kelley. U- unknown fact about me: Honestly, I can't really think of anything. My life is pretty open now days. V- very favorite store: Hmmm... at this moment in time... Babies R Us. Ha ha! W- worst habit: Clicking my nails. X- xray or ultrasound: Ultrasound! Y- your favorite food: I'm pregnant... I've got too many to list right now. lol Z- zodiac: Libra

We Need a Second Opinion

Yesterday Kollin may have brought up a good point. We were looking at my first ultrasound where it showed the outdoor plumbing for our little gummy bear. Kollin isn't completely convinced it's a boy, and thinks some of the plumbing may be a part of the face. You can kind of see a nose and maybe lips right next to the area. I looked again after this and still think it's a boy... because what else could that be? Since it's kind of off to the side of what we're thinking is the face, I'm not really sure what Kollin is thinking it is. So how about you guys take a look for us here, and give us your opinions of what you think? Stem or no stem? He or she? Phoebe or Phoebo?

Woofety Woof Woof! (Happy Birthday!)

My baby Chloe is 3 years old today! I can't believe how the time has flown by. She has had quite the adventures in her short little life...

Just a little pup.

Then she met her boyfriend, Moo.

And they got busy.

And she had a LOT of kids.

All of this, by the way, was over a year ago, even before she was 2. She was such a good mama.

Since she spent about the first 2 1/2 years being raised with pit bulls, she is quite the little toughie. She was the queen of the house, and let them know it by kicking them off the doggie beds and hogging them to herself. (Still while pregnant too)

Yet, she always finds time to snuggle me when she knows I have needed it. She is such a good dog and can't believe that I was blessed to be her mom! She is such a sweet spirit in my house, and look forward to many more years with her.

Happy Birthday my baby girl! I love you!

Now to see how she reacts to her little brother once he is born.... eek!