garcon ou une fille?

We're so excited to announce that we'll be adding another boy to our family! 

In many ways, it seems to make sense.  I always thought I'd have three boys and then a girl, so we shall see what God has in store for us.  It's also a little bit of a relief because we already have so many nice boy clothes and toys (being low on money and all).  And I am used to a boy at this point.  You know, wieners and trucks and dirt.  I'm cool with that.

What's most exciting, though, is that Patrick will have a brother!  I can envision them together already. 

I feel so blessed.

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!