ten year class reunion.

                                                                                                                                               //dress

                                                                                                                                           

On a scale of 1 to 10, I'd give it a 5.  A low 5.

I mean I had a nice time, but it was pretty disappointing. 

1.  The turnout sucked.   I think we had around 175 people in my graduating class and about 33 of us showed up.  I felt so bad for our class officers (that hosted) because they said that many people expressed interest but weren't able to come in the end.  Overall, I think the people who didn't come are lazy and anti-social.  Yeah that's harsh, but it's also really annoying.  Like, what the heck else are you doing?

Now I do realize that many of them live out of state (peace out Ohio!) or were on vacation or something of the like.  I suppose that's a valid excuse.  But I had several of my best girlfriends (and guy friends) that didn't even come.  Buncha hermits I tell you.  My one girlfriend that did come is the bomb.  We're really similar though so our thoughts were more like "Why wouldn't you go?"  We got pedicures together and our husbands got along great.  Perfect match. 

2.  The food sucked.  Anyone knows that if you're going to throw a party, you need some really good eats.  They had snacky food like artichoke dip, pasta salad and veggies which under normal circumstances would sound awesome.  However, it was below average in taste.  It was even catered by a local restaurant that is typically delicious, but this time it was a fail.

3.  The music sucked.  Well, I guess the actual songs were good but there were no speakers, therefore it wouldn't go very loud, therefore there was no dancing.  And I need dancing.


Despite the crappy parts, I had a really nice time socializing and catching up with some people.  It's surprising how many of us are married with families already.  One guy even had a ten year old.  TEN YEAR OLD. 

The night had it's awkward moments as I expected, like when my friend wouldn't shut up about her birth story and the Noms at the table were practically falling asleep.  Don't get me wrong, I can talk babies and birthing balls and epidurals all night long, but not when Noms are present.  They'll punch you in the face with their evil stare.

Or the moment when my high school boyfriend showed me his senior picture and all I could think was Seen that before - it hung in my flipping locker for over a year.  Awkward.  Speaking of senior pictures, here is my nametag.  Isn't she so young and innocent?  (I really was!)

So the moral of the story is...

If you're throwing your class reunion, make sure you've got lots of people coming, great food, and loud music.  And maybe even an embarassing game or two.

22 weeks

• Boy, it's a good thing I am motivated to take these pictures because otherwise I would never bust out the blow dryer.  Or shampoo for that matter.  My adorable new stretchy headbands are from AE and I couldn't leave without this geo print headwrap either.

• What's new on the baby front?  Nothing negative, thank goodness.  I am so thankful for another wonderful pregnancy.  We have an anatomy scan in a few days and that's when we find out the sex of the baby! (If he or she is willing to show us!)  Soon after I will be making some kind of gender-related purchase.  What should I get?!

• This wee one is so active.  I feel movement at least every few hours and more recently it's been every couple of hours.  In fact, it has increased in intensity so much that while Jeff and I relax together in the evenings after we put Patrick to bed, he has been able to feel the baby move from the outside.  It's so cute to see his reaction.

• If you're familiar with pregnancy symptoms you know that nose bleeds can be common.  I got one the other day that lasted over 30 minutes!  I should've collected it and given it to the Red Cross for crying out loud.

• Jeff and I have been doing a lot more discussing of room transitions and remodels.  Our contractor should be over this week to get things moving on the portion of our home that resembles Auschwitz.  I had planned on purchasing an entirely new crib and changing table for the new baby but we've decided against it.  We'd rather invest the money in a new twin bed for Patrick.  He seems a little young yet (I would prefer to keep him in a crib until Kindergarten) but he will adjust quickly if I know my guy.

• My next baby update will be a gender reveal!  So excited!  And then maybe a name reveal?!  We've decided on a girl name for sure, but the boy name is still in the air.  My dad is begging me to go with Reegan.  Like, he's brought it up at least three times.  To which I replied kindly "we don't like it with our last name."  I hate discussing names with my parents - I made sure to tell them we don't give a SHIT.  A SHIT.  what they think of the name we choose.  I yelled that in Red Lobster.  True story.

for your weekend baking

 

 

My cravings lately have included anything with butter and brown sugar.  These two desserts did the trick!  The muffins are my grandma's recipe and they're amazing.  Any blueberries will do - don't worry about fresh picking them.  For the crisp, make sure you head to your local farmer's marker because it's in season and it's scrumptious. 

Blueberry Muffins

 

1 1/2 c. flour

3/4 c. sugar

2 t. baking powder

1/4 c. cold butter

1 beaten egg

1/2 c. milk

1/2 t. vanilla

3/4 c. berries

 

 

Mix the first three ingredients together.  Use a pastry blender to cut in the butter.  Take a cup of that mixture out and save it for the topping.  To the remaining mixture, add the egg, milk and vanilla.  Fold in the berries.  Scoop into cupcake holders (only about half full).

 

With the saved cup of butter mixture, melt an additional 2 T. of butter and pour it over, then mix until crumbly.  Spoon the topping over each of the muffins before baking.  Bake at 400° for 20 minutes.

 

 

 

Rhubarb Crisp

 

1 c. rolled oats

1/2 c. sifted flour

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 t. salt

1 t. cinnamon

1/2 c. butter

4 c. fresh cut rhubarb --> 

(I actually did half rhubarb, half strawberries)

 

 

Place oats, flour, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon in a bowl and mix to blend.  Add softened butter and blend well with a pastry blender.  Arrange rhubarb in a buttered baking dish.  Spread oatmeal mixture on top of rhubarb and press down lightly.  Bake at 350° for 30 minutes.  (My rhubarb had sat around for a week before I used it so it was nice and soft after 30 minutes - you may need longer so just test it with a fork for tenderness)

 

This recipe will also work with peaches, apricots and/or apples!

 

 



the five moms of the waterpark

 

In between throwing out profanities under my breath (the hot ground) and making sure my child didn't drown, I was able to scope out some of the Moms at our local waterpark.  As I was reflecting ever-so-reverently in bed after my evening prayers that night, I decided these Moms distinctly fit into five different categories. 

1.  The Hipster Mom

This Mom is rad to the bone.  She wears a bikini regardless of her body type (which I find awesome) and it's usually some kind of pattern or full of color.  She's sporting like three or four tatoos, an iPhone blasting Guns n' Roses, and a killer tan. 




2.  The All-American Mom

The All-American Mom is a freaking hottie, even after three kids.  She doesn't want her boobs falling out whilst chasing her children so she chooses a tankini, but it's a great color for her skin type.  She pairs it with a fabulous pair of Aviators that accent her perfectly angled bob.  And for some reason, her husband is a complete dork.  (Probably makes six figures though)


3.  The Moo Moo Mom

You know who you are.  You're afraid to show the cellulite that traveled in with your babies.  You're also afraid to wear any other color than black because it's slimming.  You're hair is slicked back in a ponytail from the night before and you're paler than the moon.  Alright girlfriend - we need to have a talk.  I know, you're so worried about making sure your kid looks cute that you don't have any time for you.  So she's in a sundress and flower headband, you're in gray sweats and a Mickey Mouse t-shirt. 

Let me make a hundred few suggestions.  First, go get a pedicure.  You'll feel amazing and you'll want to show them off with some new strappy sandals.  That will lead to a new haircut - just chop it off and go for a pixie.  It will be easy to do in the morning and you'll look incredible.  Third, get a new bathing suit.  Seriously, we understand if you hate your thighs.  So does every other mother on the planet.  Get out there and make an impression.



4.  The Pregnant Mom

So under normal circumstances, I would obviously fall under this category.  Unfortunately, people cannot tell that I'm pregnant so I'm really just a Moo Moo wearing a maternity suit.  It sucks.

But for those of you pregos perfectly endowed with the 32-week basketball-bump (and there are a lot of you - it's like you can't be at the toddler section of a waterpark without having a 2nd or 3rd or 4th on the way), flaunt it.  I love the suits you have chosen - they're colorful and flattering.  I know you all want to be in a two-piece because it's more comfortable and I think you should go for it.  Who cares if some people are scared of pregnant bellies and all their popping belly button glory.




5.  The Old(er) Mom

There aren't too many of you in the toddler section, but you stand out if you're there.  First of all, congratulations - I'd kill myself before raising my 21-month-old at age 40.  There's something really compassionate about you.  Weather it was that you chose your career over kids for a while, or you just didn't find Mr. Right until you were in line at C.J. Banks, you're really into being an appreciative Mom and I love it.

It sort of sucks because you're still rocking a flat torso but you choose to cover it up.  Your tankini is usually black but I've seen it in royal blue and purple too.  Gross?  May I suggest a bandeau top in peach and a bottom in black?  Go for it.




{I'm sure I missed some of you Moms out there, but I'm looking forward to finding you and making up crazy stories about you.}




 

summa

Wow, it has been scorching hot up in here!  Other than doing a little bit of Mama Bear worrying - making sure Pat is loaded down in sunscreen and hydrated, I don't even mind.  And he sure as heck doesn't either.  

My dad and his crew have been busy planting tomatoes, peppers, gourds, and pumpkins.  Patrick and I have been visiting them every few days to annoy them check on their progress.  He loves to distract Aunt Lindsay the most.  Uncle Chuck even gave us a ride in the "biiiiiiig tractor."  The sweet corn will be ready for the 4th - my taste buds are already buzzing. 

We got to hitch a ride back to our vehicle via the wagon.  Nothing like a 90° breeze and dirt blowing in your face.

 

Memaw's house is always fun with cousin Lukas. 

 

I promise I still have a baby daddy.  And I still love him very much.  But this is where he's been spending his summer, so if we want to see him, we have to go to him.

Lucky bum got to ride in the combine while Daddy and Uncle Joe harvested the barley. 





 

Here we are at Jackass Hill annoying visiting more friends!  They have a big pool and animals and golf carts and 4-wheelers and watermelon and the list goes on.  We had such a blast over there.  See this radio flyer?  We bought one the next day.  Best forty bucks spent so far this summer.

 

Hope your summer is going great!  They're calling for a lot of stormy weather this week so we're going to have to use our imagination for indoor activities over here.  Or we'll just go to the Mall play place, which is far more likely.

my favorite posts of all time

Don't even attempt to read these posts unless you have a good amount of time and have absolutely no distractions.  They are awesome reads, I tell you, AWESOME!  I'll start with the least emotional (or those with no emotion at all) and end with the criers.  Get your tissues handy.

{Just click on the picture to read!}

Tisse is adorable, down-to-earth, and all-American  She married her High School sweetheart and they have a young daughter together.  This is her crazy-long list of favorites for her baby - everything from gear, nursery, hygiene, etc.  She also has links to her fave pregnancy items and postpartum items.  I find it really helpful as we enter into baby number two-dom.  NOMS, just ignore this one. 

 

 

 

Milk-Friendly is a blog designed for breastfeeding support.  It's written by an ever-stunning redhead who presides in Hawaii with her hott surfer husband and three beautiful boys.  This is the story of her struggle with breastfeeding her first son and how she got back on track to be a dedicated nursing Mommy.  Oh yeah, and all kinds of cute nursing clothes to boot.

 

 

 

Once you start reading Bridget's blog you'll never stop.  She is in one word, amazing.  This is her love story and it is a very unique one.  Long story short - she ended up marrying her college professor (who had previously lost his wife and was left behind with their four children).  It's a crazy-romantic story, complete with a chapter written by her husband himself. 

 

 

 

Candis is one of the most genuine women I have ever met on the bloggy network.  Well, I haven't met her but you get to know these people and they're your BFF's but they don't know it.  This is the birth story of her second child.  It is so heartwarming.  And yeah, I bawled.

 

 

 

Oh my goodness, Lauren is such a classic beauty.  She lives in London but travels all over Europe (and beyond) for her husband's job.  This is the story of the announcement of the gender of their twins that they were expecting - it's so pure and joyful.  Keep reading her other posts because there is a happy/sad ending to it all.

 

 

 

This is one blog that I can really relate to - Jess is a fellow farm wife with two boys.  She is able to stay home with them, and her posts are full of tractors, mud and God.  Her faith is contagious! 

 

Her and her husband went through a tragedy before having their boys - this is probably the saddest story you'll ever read.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lakeside

 

Ohhh Lakeside, you beatiful little thing.  Situated right on the shores of Lake Erie, it's got to be one of Ohio's best kept secrets.  I had heard of the town but had never been, probably because it's practically hidden.  When a few teachers and I went out the other night they decided to show us this place.  We parked and began walking. Within minutes we were inundated with cottages, gelato shops, bicycles with baskets, music and island-like charm.  It was like Narnia!  Just walk through a wardrobe and BAM!  A new world.

After visiting that night with friends I knew I had to come back, Patrick in tow.  Parks and beaches and Fun with a capital F were written all over this town.  So off we went!  We took my cousin and her son along for shits and giggles. 

First we hit up the park.  We decided it must have been designed by a mother because it was fenced in with only one entrance.  NOMS, you wouldn't understand.  This is huge.  It's also specifically designed for younger kids because the huge slides and big-kid swings are outside of the fenced-in area.  Good thinking, keeping those tall kids away.

Oh yeah, this park also featured a gigantic sandbox complete with every shovel and castle mold ever created.  It was really the first time (besides that crappy time) that Pat has ever been in sand.  Watching his face while he adjusted to the texture was adorable.

These boys were in heaven.

sand seats.  genius.

After almost two hours at the park, we changed diapers, put on swimmies and headed down to the water where we were planning on settling in at the beach.  But then we saw it.  A Splash Pad.

This was also fenced in and was covered in shooting water, fountains and plastic crocodiles.  My cousin and I were actually pissed at this point saying to each other - now why didn't we bring our suits? 

Really though, it was that cool.  The pure joy on their faces was palpable.  They were screaming, laughing and smiling so big.  What a wonderful sight!

But being the busy boy that he is, Patrick noticed the pool next door so we had to march over there to check it out.  It was only a foot deep but still made me nervous as heck when he wanted to get on his belly and crawl around.  That moment where you're trying to smile at all the other Moms like "I got this" but really you want to scoop them up to safety so you do and then your kid screams bloody murder and does the "stiff as a board I ain't goin anywhere" move?  I was there.  The plan was to wait until next summer for some arm swimmies but I am buying a pair ASAP for my little risk-taker.

one word:  LOVE.

 

Can't forget about my other munchkin in utero. 

 



Finally, it was time to hit the road.  Holy smokes I was exhausted.  I kept worrying that it was too much for Patrick, like he needed to rest or sit down or something.  When we started driving away I thought Crap, he's going to zonk out and ruin his night of sleep. 

Wrong.  He talked the whole way home.  Garrekk?  Sadie?  Watee?  Yeah.  Yeah.  One, two, one, TWO FREE TWO.  Truck?  Tractor?  Ride tractor?  Daddy?  Forklift?  Park?  Park?  Slide.  Green.

The.  whole.  way.  home. 

what's been filling our days (& our bellies)

Oh heyyyy!  Yeah, I've been MIA.  Get over it.

Little Pat and I have been so busy.  This guy never stops moving!  And the weather has been amazing (despite some cooler days and some rain here and there).

Our days could pretty much be summed up in three words:  water, popsicles, and parks.

I'd been on a search for a water table that wouldn't cost an arm & a leg.  Looks like that's impossible, but I did find one at Kohl's for around $40 which seemed reasonable enough, especially since I had a gift card to make it half of that cost (thanks Heather!!).  The toys that came with it kind of suck so I added some of my own measuring cups and funnels and other various trinkets.  Much cooler if I say so myself.

Obviously we've also had the baby pool out.  And I really mean "we."  Patrick doesn't let me get away with rocking on the porch - he points next to him and says Mommy?  Like I can say no.  So I've been teaching Patrick how to kick water out, turn the hose on and off, and how to fill the pool back up.  We're gonna hear it from the hubby when he gets the next water bill.  Sorry babe.

No showers and no make-up has been personally filling my days and I couldn't love it more.  I swear I went three days last week without a shower.  No judgies.

We've literally gone to every park in the vicinity (15 mile radius) of our home.  Three times or more.  Patrick's at a good age for them because he can climb all of the jungle gyms and loves slides and swings.  There was one time where he went to climb on some monkey bar-type apparatus and I panicked like a Good Mom - but I couldn't reach him seeing as he was like seven feet in the air so I had to scream to some random Dad to resuce my child.  Thanks tall guy!

Scarfing fresh fruit has been a go-to snack for us.  The stores are getting shipments from much closer geographies these days so the cherries, watermelon and cantaloupe have all been scrumptious.  Don't get me wrong, we're having our share of not-so-healthy snacks as well like freeze pops (a classic), ice cream and a recent craving for chocolate chip cookies forced me to bake some...and eat several.

Other items on the menu have been chips & salsa as well as anything grilled.  Can I please tell you how amazing my grilled chicken breasts are?  The secret is in the seasoning - McCormick's Rotisserie Chicken.  Don't be afraid to load it up.  I pair the chicken with fried pineapple and rice pilaf.  Even Pat can't deny it's goodness.

Welp, Happy Summer Solstice Day!  Don't get too excited.  Today is officially the longest day of the year - from this point on the days will get shorter.  Booooo.

20 weeks

 

• Halfway point.  What?  The weeks are flying around here.
 
• Biggest change:  I can no longer sleep on my stomach.  This is a bummer (but nothing I can't live with) because I am a serious stomach sleeper.  Now I have to stay neatly in the "running man" position. 
 
• Baby movement is making every day brighter.  Those little pushes from the inside make me weak in the knees.  I feel it in the car while driving and when I finally sit still during the day.
 
• The baby is the length of a banana.  I love that these prego websites compare my gift from God to a fruit.
 
• Something that's been on my mind is where this baby will sleep its first few weeks of life until he/she is moved to their crib.  I used the Fisher Price Rock 'n Play with Patrick, but it's sooooo low to the ground.  I had to sleep on the couch to be at the same level as him and it just didn't work.  My ultimate goal is to have something that is high off the ground (our bed is really tall) so I can grab the baby, nurse, and put baby back to sleep all within easy access.  Plus, I just want the baby right next to me.  Anyways, I found a bassinet!  The floor of it is adjustable so I can bring it to the top.  

graco travel lite

• A few other items I'm looking into:  a wipes warmer, new swaddles, Boon lawn and twig for bottles (whenever we get to that point). 

 

 

 

• Since my surgery put exercising on hold for a while, I haven't really stuck to my plan.  Now that it's all good and healed (and I got the OK from the OB - haha..) I'm back to it.  Although instead of once a week, I'm trying for four times a week.  (Mondays - warm-up + shoulders & obliques...Wednesdays - warm-up + back & butt...Fridays - warm-up + biceps & legs...Saturdays - warm-up + yoga)
 
• No real symptoms other than some back pain, and I think that's more from my boobs doubling in size the moment I read the pregnancy test. 

• Weight gain is at 4 pounds thus far. 

• Nothing else to report other than I am feeling so happy, happy, happy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

it's canning season!

Fear not!  You can do this!  I know canning can seem intimidating but my hope is to make it fun and approachable by giving you step-by-step instructions on preserving your very own jam (any kind you please!)  And for those of you experts out there, spare me the comments about doing it wrong.  Even though there are certainly "rules" that should be followed, I think every person finds what works for them.  So here's what works for me.

If you're a first-timer, you'll need to acquire a Ball Blue Book for Preserving as well as all of your "gear."  Your book will tell you everything you'll need, as well as how to preserve anything under the sun.  My mother-in-law is the hero that got me interested in canning - she bought me my book for Christmas several years ago and also helped me gather and purchase my canning must-haves. 

June starts my personal canning season because strawberries are on.  I am a strawberry jam freak, and preserving it seriously saves us money.  Seriously.  But this just starts my journey - I move onto green beans in July, tomatoes and peaches in August, and finish up with applesauce and apple butter in September.  Along with canning, I freeze bell peppers, banana peppers and sweet corn.  That's what my family uses, but the possibilities are endless when looking to fit your family's needs.  It also doesn't hurt that my Dad grows all of these fruits & vegetables for his produce stand, so everything I need is literally at my fingertips.  Just sayin.

It's important to get produce as fresh as possible and to can it as soon as possible.  We have a Berry Farm about twenty minutes from our house so Pat and I ran over there in the morning to pick our berries.  I probably had close to seven pounds - it only took us 20 minutes to pick them and it only cost $11. 

This part takes a while - cutting off each and every stem.  Use a good paring knife.  If the berries were big I cut them in half (to make the mashing go a little quicker).

Recipe:  Strawberry Jam (with added pectin)

 

2 quarts strawberries

1/4 cup lemon juice

7 cups sugar

1 package powdered pectin

 

 

 

When you read your Blue Book it will tell you all the science behind pectin so I'm not going to explain it here.  In short, it makes everything "gel."  There are a couple different kinds - low or no sugar (which was really handy when I made my Dad's low-carb batch) and classic.  It's nice to have both on hand.

After you've gotten your berries de-stemmed, get out your water-boiler canner, fill it three-quarters high with water, put the lid on and turn the burner on high heat.  It takes forever for that water to start boiling.  Once it begins to boil you can turn it down - it really only needs to be at a low boil.

 

Another thing you can do at this point is to begin heating your jars & rings.  There are a few ways you can do this but my MIL taught me to put them in the sink with hot, soapy water.  Your lids need to be simmered in a separate sauce pan.

 

 

 

 

Now it's time to mash your berries.  Choose your milling method based on the consistency you want your jam.  I like mine pretty chunky, so I use my old fashioned food mill (a hand-me-down) to wean out the juice and then add the chunks back in.  But heck, you could put the strawberries through a food processor or a manual food mill.  I've even used my Pampered Chef hamburger chopper or a potato masher.  Anything to get 'em broken down. 

 

 



Once you have your mashed mixture, add your pectin and lemon juice.  Pour it into a pot to cook (usually about 15-20 minutes total) and gradually add your sugar as it dissolves.  I use a standard pot but man oh man I would kill for a Le Creuset dutch oven.  I've heard that if you cook your jam in one of those babies, it doesn't even foam. 

 

 

Once your jam is cooked, begin ladeling it into your jars one at a time as you take them out of the hot water.  Leave 1/4 inch headpspace.  Clean any residue off the tops of the jars to ensure you get a solid vacuum seal.  Carefully place your jars into your canner, replace the lid and process for 10 minutes.

 

 

 



Remove and place on a towel (not touching).  This is my favorite part because you'll hear the POP! from the jars sealing.  Sometimes it happens within seconds and sometimes it takes a couple hours.  Whatever the case, wait 24 hours before touching them.

If you're planning on gifting, fabric jar covers are a nice touch.  I found these at Wal-Mart - 12/$1.00 in the clearance section, but I've even gone to the lengths of purchasing fabric and cutting it myself (pre-baby obviously).

You did it!  You're done!  This canning stuff is a pain in the ass process, for real.  It's exhausting, but you'll only get better with time.  Remember, practice makes perfect!