Oatmeal Pancakes (my healthy breakfast this morning)

I woke up with a hankering for pancakes, but lets face it. Pancakes do not get the best wrap nor do they give you any real nutritional value. Enter the Oatmeal pancake!
The original recipe came from the Fat Smash Diet but it has been modified to not be a runny mess (trial and error people). In the past, oatmeal was not something that I would go for, but now as my adult tastebuds have changed I love it and am always looking for new ways to eat it. (I still can't eat it plain-I don't care for bland)




Oatmeal Pancakes (makes 2-3 pancakes)
1/2 cup dry oatmeal
2 egg whites
approximately 2-3 oz of yogurt (any flavor you choose)
Note-I add cinnamon for metabolism benefits and a little more flavor.

Stir the ingredients. Throw it all in a blender (I use my bullet) and use it like pancake batter. If it is too thick then add some more yogurt, but if it is too thin add more oatmeal.

I usually make mine with vanilla yogurt because I always have that in the refridge, but I have made it with blueberry and strawberry (even tossed in some of the fruit cup up fine-OMG). Sometimes I throw in a teaspoon of chopped nuts too.
Top with fresh fruit and agave or honey or cheap a little with sugar free syrup.
You can also add a drop or two of pure vanilla extract or maybe coconut or almond for a different flavor. The options are endless.

Note: This is an altered (slightly) version of the Fat Smash Pancake but are so good that even people not on a diet will like. (for kids I have been known to throw in a tablespoon of mini dark chocolate chips. 

29 weeks

Dress from Delias (last year but it is online on clearance right now)
Belt from Target


How far along? 29 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss:  Doctor said almost 2 lbs so we will say 13 lbs.
Maternity clothes?  No. At this point, I might not.
Stretch marks?  Nope, still religiously using the Belly Oil.
Sleep: Icky. We did get a new King size bed because I was driving my husband nuts with my moving trying to get comfortable so hopefully my sleep will get better. Baby B has decided that his new favorite time to be active is about 4-5 am. HE HURTS!
Best moment this week: I am actually going to pick a worst moment-the blood glucose test.

Have you told family and friends:  Yes.
Miss Anything?  Being comfortable in my own skin or being comfortable period.  
Movement:  He is a mover.
Food cravings: Fruit again, although I would really like a doughnut (so can’t wait for vacation).
Anything making you queasy or sick:  garbage in the summer time
Have you started to show yet:  Yes.
Gender:  BOY.
Labor Signs:  No
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy.
Weekly Wisdom:  Watch what you eat. This is not the time to stuff your face. It is the time to monitor what you put in your baby’s system.
Looking forward to:  Finishing out the stenciling and canopy. 

a BF

Lol. not really. But I did have some issues today. So, first off my air conditioner unit was a frozen igloo, (my air downstairs has been in the 80s when it is set at 68...hmmmm....first problem. Then when we open up an air vent we see water leaking everywhere...hmmmm second problem, a weird looking "icing" on the garage floor...hmmm third problem). So in the 90 degree weather, my air has to be turned off. A pregnant lady in 90 degree weather with no air=CRANKY. Then, I ran out of my prenatal vitamins so I called them in at Walgreens early this morning. At about 5, I went to pick them up..."I am sorry Mrs. Boak but we don't have those right now and won't til Monday." What?! No phone call, no nothing to let me know earlier so I could do something or call my doctor. By that time, doctor's office is closed. So, while they did call two other pharmacies to try to find it, all they could offer me was you will have to wait till Monday. Today is Friday, so no prescription vitamins till Monday. Seriously?!

28 Weeks

How far along? 28 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss:  12 + lbs.
Maternity clothes?  Nope, still rocking the dresses.
Stretch marks?  No it is the Belly Oil.
Sleep: Ugh. Ugh. Ugh. Between a growing belly that kicks me in the middle of the night, a dog who hogs the bed, and just and uncomfortableness in being in bed sleep officially sucks.
Best moment this week: Getting more stuff for the baby’s room (I just look forward to those boxes sitting on my porch). Hanging up stuff in the nursery. My mom coming home (she and my aunt took a trip to Arizona and Oregon to see my aunt’s daughters and grandkids. Giving my dad his “Grand Dad’s Diaper Duty Service Tool Belt”. He was proud as a peacock.

Have you told family and friends:  Yes.
Miss Anything?  Feeling like a human being. I feel like a little of my identity is slipping away as all I talk about (or all people want to talk about) is the baby.
Movement:  Tons, sometimes so hard it hurts.
Food cravings: Sweets. It doesn’t help that my husband has this incredible sweet tooth and just loves to “feed the baby” which means it is going into my mouth.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Seafood smells, yucky.
Have you started to show yet:  Yes.
Gender:  BOY.
Labor Signs:  No
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy, but at a point that I can’t wait to get it over with because I feel miserable because of the aches and pains.
Weekly Wisdom:  Exercise, it will make you feel better.
Looking forward to:  Taking a trip with my husband and spending some one on one time with him. It is much needed. It is probably going to be a couple of weeks since Jeffrey just found someone to do finance, and she has to be trained. But it will be nice to have some time with him. 

Pizza Rolls

This is the blog I found this recipe on. But I just looked at the recipe and then did my own thing.

http://whataboutpie.blogspot.com/2010/10/pepperoni-rolls.html

1. I used Pillsbury pizza dough from a can because that is what I had. 
2. I cooked up some sausage and onion, green pepper because my husband likes supreme pizza. I would have thrown in some black olives if I had had them in the pantry. 
3. I melted a little butter and added chopped garlic and spread it on the pizza dough. Then I added some fresh marinara I had on hand (I always try to keep some in the freezer). 
4. Then I sprinkled on some oregano, Italian seasoning and basil and a dash of crushed red pepper for some heat (we love spicy).
5. Then I added pepperoni (we use turkey-frankly because we can't tell the difference)
6. Then I added Fat Free mozzarella. I didn't measure I just put it on the pizza till I thought it was a good amount. 
7. Then, roll it up. 
8. I put mine back in the fridge for a while because my husband wouldn't be home from work  for a while. 
9. When I got it out, I brushed more of the garlic butter mixture on the roll.
10. Then, I popped in the oven. 
11. I baked it on 350 for about 25 minutes, then turned up the heat to 375 and baked about 15 more minutes. 
12. I did let it sit a couple minutes before I cut it. 
13. My husband dipped it in Ranch (lots and lots of ranch).

1. Note: my pizza roll doesn't quite look like this one as I pinched the edges to create a good seal and the pizza dough isn't as thick as the frozen bread.

Apple Pizza

I have to say I didn't even really get to take a good photo of this thing because it was snatched right up. My husband loved it.

I found this website Moms Crazy Cooking and there are some great recipes on there. I normally do my own thing in terms of recipes but with this one I pretty much stuck with the recipe except I substituted the brown sugar for Splenda brown sugar so you actually use less, fat free cream cheese, Omega 3 peanut butter, all purpose flour and I made my own glaze (partly because I forgot to pick up some) I just made the glaze from powdered sugar, milk and vanilla. I don't measure, I just judge by eye and consistency. I have included the link here.

These are pictures from a second one I had to make because my husband loved it so much!!!

Daddy's Diaper Duty Service for Father's Day

Daddy's Diaper "Duty" Service Belt

What you will need:

A tool belt-I purchased this one at Home depot for $14.99

Write Daddy's Diaper "Duty" Service or Belt or you could even do Dad's, Grandad's, Papa, Papaw, whatever comes to your mind.

Then you just fill it with items a new daddy possibly might need.

This one is filled with:

(starting with the items purchased at a Dollar Store (which I highly recommend looking at first).

• A bib with food catcher
• "Toxic" waste masks (written with Sharpie-I think there were 10 in a bag.
• a box of disposable diaper bags ("Toxic" Waste is written on that too)
• A poncho (purchased two in a bag- "Toxic" Waste Clothes Protector)
• a small book (purchased two in a bag)

Items purchased else where

• a onesie -this one says Daddy's Little Monster purchased at JcPenney
• a shark/dolphin toy
• Baby wipes travel bag
• a small BPA free bottle
• Protective glasses
• A pacifier and pacifier attachment (BPA free-both items)
• small bottle hand sanitizer

• Items already had:

• clothespins for the nose
• Earplugs
• plastic tongs (to remove toxic waste)
• plastic gloves

The two items that got the most laughs were the small bottles of Tylenol and Jack Daniels. 

I ran out of time but some other items for consideration:

• a burp cloth
• a small travel set of baby items-lotions, shampoo, etc but check the ingredients first
• a couple diapers
• a jar of baby food (organic or homemade)
• spoons
• small blanket or binky
• a toy (one that they can chew on- watch out for BPA)
• some sort of butt paste (Organic preferably-warning most people like Desitin but it contains parabens)
• wash cloths
• 
  

Oreo Fluff Dessert

I originally saw this recipe for this stuff on pinterest. However, the link was broken and you couldn't get to the recipe. So, I looked it up and found many different ways to do this and as always adapted it to my own ways of cooking.

Ingredients

• 24 Oreos -crushed- however next time I won't crush all of them as fine as I did. I will take about 6 -8 of them and let them be more chunky crushed than fine. (If you want to decorate the top with more oreos  then you will need more. Of course if you are a lover of oreos you can add more because this isn't even a whole pack (plenty left over). 
• 1 small white chocolate jello instant pudding -I used the sugar free, fat free version for my husband
• 1 8 oz. container of Cool Whip- I used the sugar free version
• 2 cups mini marshmallows
• 2 cups cold milk (I used skim)

Directions

Whisk the pudding and milk together for about 2 minutes. 

Fold in the cool whip. 

Add in the crushed oreos. 

Then mix in the marshmallows. 

Let set in the refrigerator before serving. I let my set about 2 hours before digging in. 

Enjoy. Soooo good! 

27 weeks

How far along? 27 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss:  12 + lbs.
Maternity clothes?  Nope. I love being pregnant in summer-DRESSES, DRESSES, AND MORE DRESSES.
Stretch marks?  No.
Sleep: It is officially yucky. Our bed is no longer big enough for the three of us (since our little yorkie likes to lay the opposite of us and takes up more room than either Jeffrey or I do).
Best moment this week: I have to say this week has been hard but if I had to pick a moment it would have to be ordering the bedding and crib skirt and multiple other things. I love getting things for the nursery. This week has been difficult because a couple days after the Grand Opening, the finance manager was killed in a horrific car accident that ejected him from his car. It has been rough on Jeffrey because now he is taking on two jobs-finance and his GSM job. It has also been really hard on the rest because some of them had been with Paul for a decade or more. They lost not only an employee but a friend.

Top from Belk (you can't tell it here but the sides are ruched with ties)
The capris are from Goody's

Side note-I was using a new chalkboard pin...I guess the blue doesn't come through well. If I remember (lol) I will take a couple new pictures with a new sign.

Have you told family and friends:  Yes.
Miss Anything?  No pain in my legs. My legs and back hurt constantly, especially if I sit down for a while. (I may have to up my 3 miles to like 5 or 6).
Movement:  He is my little kicker. Last night I laid down and he started pitching a fit. I mean kicking and giving me this pinching feeling. So I thought he didn’t like the way I was laying so I rolled over trying to appease him but he still kept on. Finally, I had an air bubble come up and he settled down. He was trying to let me know he was uncomfortable, and I did my best to fix it for him. Jeff thought it was amazing how he was already communicating with me.
Food cravings: Fruit and sweet stuff. I love cantaloupe and strawberries and frozen pineapple. Yum…mix fruit with yogurt and granola, and I am in heaven. I swear I could eat that at every meal and be a very happy girl.
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Seafood smells, yucky.
Have you started to show yet:  Yes.
Gender:  BOY.
Labor Signs:  No
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy, but anxious. I want to finish the nursery. In fact, Jeff wants to spend his father’s day working on the nursery. I was like you need a break but he is determined to do a little bit on it. I told him we could hang things and work on the peg board.
Weekly Wisdom:  Live life. Live life to the fullest. Never take a moment for granted. Never take your family for granted. Never leave angry. We are not guaranteed a tomorrow, so we must make everyday count.
Looking forward to:  Well since the accident, our vacation has had to be put on hold, and while I still secretly hope we will be able to steal away for a few days, I don’t know when. I am looking forward to getting my crib bedding, and chair, and baby room accessories. I still must find an armoire.

Future Craft in my Dear Sweet Hubby's Future

http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2012/06/simple-kids-lemonade-standpuppet.html
If you have never checked out her blog, you need to do so. It is amazing!

I love this idea from her blog. This is definitely something that I want to have Jeffrey make our little one. I am sure that Kaitlyn (even getting ready to turn 8) would like this. I was thinking about all the chalkboard pieces and after seeing what she did with the cardboard I love it. I want to get some kind of crate (like an old wood milk crate type thing) to put all the signs and pictures in and another for props. For the props, I would like to put them in those big gallon freezer bags with labels (pictures for the little one and words for Kaitlyn).

Possible stand ideas:
Puppet-need to get puppets
Ice Cream-need cash register, play money, and play ice cream, apron
Lemonade-need cash register, play money, apron
Doctor/Vet-need cash register, play doctor suit and accessories-have a hook on the inside for the coat, stuffed animals
Grocery-need cash register, play money, maybe a little hat and name tag, play grocery items that can be set up in an old repurposed bookcase
Photo-need cash register, play money, camera, pictures for decoration, props
Toy shop- need cash register, play money, toys
Post office-need cash register, play money, mail box, (maybe even make a mail drop off out of cardboard), stationery, stickers (for stamps), mail bag, play mailman outfit
Flower shop- need cash register, play money, vases, artificial flowers, ribbons (already pre cut so no scissors)

I am loving this so much I want my husband to make one right now!!!!

26 Weeks

How far along? 26 Weeks
Total weight gain/loss:  11 + lbs. (During my Dr. appointment this week they said I gained two pounds since my last 4 week appointment; for a total of 11 for my 26 weeks).
Maternity clothes?  No. I am still wearing my clothes but I stay away from buttons except for a few pairs of pants but in the summer dresses and skirts (especially the jersey fabric stretch ones from Old Navy-I have them in almost every color) are my main staples.
Stretch marks?  No.
Sleep: It is getting a little sketchy as the baby has decided it wants to kick during the night and my legs and back hurt.
Best moment this week: Only gaining 2 lbs for the 4 weeks. No seriously, my husband’s (GSM) Honda stores grand opening. I loved meeting everyone, and it was a great event for his company.

Dress from Ross

Have you told family and friends:  Yes.
Miss Anything?  Going out?! I feel like all I really want my husband to do is come home one night and say lets go sit on the patio somewhere and listen to music. Just because I am pregnant does not mean I am a leper and just want to sit at the house all the time.
Movement:  Tons. He loves to react to his daddy’s voice.
Food cravings: Still fruit. I adore good cold yogurt. But I have to have something sweet-my Russell Stover sugar free chocolates are a Godsend. lol
Anything making you queasy or sick:  Seafood smells.
Have you started to show yet:  I say yes but others say no. I still think it depends on what I am wearing. I wore a black dress with a red belt for Jeff’s company’s grand opening and no one knew I was pregnant or even as far along as I am. 

Dress from JcPenney

Belt from Kohls

Hair piece from Icing

Gender:  BOY.
Labor Signs:  No
Belly Button in or out? In.
Wedding rings on or off? On
Happy or Moody most of the time:  Happy, but I find my patience a little testy over silly little things (can’t find the remote that wedged itself in between the cushions of the couch, an Etsy transaction that won’t go through-the computer about took a tumble across the room)
Weekly Wisdom:  Enjoy time spent alone with my husband. Cherish it.
Looking forward to:  A VACATION! (I know, I know. Technically, I am on vacation from school right now but Jeffrey has to work). We are planning to hit the beach in a week and half (but still haven’t booked a room yet-lol-due to my husband’s procrastination. I am not necessarily looking forward to this but wanted to through it out there. I have my 28 week glucose test coming up right after we get back from the beach. I am hoping and praying that everything goes well. I have had this test before when I was like 18, although I had to have my blood drawn multiple times after multiple hours so this seems a little less than what I have done. But I remember it making me so sick, and I hope it doesn’t go that way this time. I also hope it shows that I can “safely” indulge in sweets for the rest of my pregnancy. 

Healthy Chicken Wrap

I love wraps. My favorite is the Guilt Free Wrap at Chili's with a side of black beans (which I can only ever eat half because the wraps are so big, and the beans are very filling). But I can't run out to Chili's whenever I want so I make wraps at home.

Note: This is for one tortilla wrap. You can adjust it however you need to, adding or subtracting any ingredients you like or don't like. I really don't do measurements.

Ingredients:

• La Tortilla Factory Tortillas-High Fiber, Low Carb (80 calories)
• Laughing Cow Wedges spread on the tortilla (35 calories-I like the Light Mozzerella, Sun Dried Tomato and Basil the best but the light Creamy Swiss or Light Garlic and Herb is good too and if you are feeling a Mexican wrap type of vibe go for the Light Queso Fresco and Chipotle)
• Next I spread a little horseradish spread over the Laughing Cow
• If you want you can add a little Light or Fat Free Ranch over the tortilla (my husband likes this step).
• Then I add the chicken (usually cut up breast that I have pre-cooked, but you could also use a rotisserie chicken as well. I just sprinkle some on the tortilla. 
• Then, I add the thinly sliced deli ham (only on my husbands, I skip this step for me but he likes his sort of like chicken cordon bleu.
• Then, I add Fat Free cheddar cheese (again only on my husbands-I don't care for cold cheese)
• I do add a sprinkle of Hormel bacon pieces for some extra flavor.
• Then, I add lettuce, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms (only on mine)
• If I have hard boiled eggs I will add some of those to it. 
• Then I just roll it up and put in the fridge for a while before cutting it in half and usually eating it with spicy brown mustard. 

I just made myself hungry for a wrap.

I think I might do either a Mexican-with chicken, rice, beans, maybe corn, pico, salsa, lettuce, tomato, onions, guac and the Queso Laughing cow or a Buffalo Chicken with chicken mixed with a wedge of the plain Laughing Cow cream cheese, Red Hot sauce, onions, celery, lettuce, maybe tomato. 

or 

Pre Baby Moon Planning

Be forewarned, very picture heavy.

So, it is June,...and I am off for the summer. Which basically means I sit at home all day with nothing to do (lol).   (it isn't like I have a nursery to finish, a ton of house remodeling projects, a new pool, etc). However, since the moment we saw the plus sign on the pregnancy test I have been in over drive thinking of ways to make this pregnancy special and unique (because it is-to us). Since this will be my only one (I WILL NOT, I REPEAT WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN), I wanted to make it special for us with lots of memories. So I begin this blog to document our journey. I had pre-bump pictures taken. We take weekly photos with the chalkboard. AND....I have talked my husband into a BABYMOON. He is teased about it at work because most of the guys are older and have never heard of such a concept and the few that have wives who are pregnant are like "Don't give my wife any ideas." lol. While I would love to go somewhere really, really tropical like the Caribbean or really fun like Las Vegas we can't see spending that kind of money at this time since we are knee deep in remodeling projects and a baby that is due in less than 100 days. I guess I shouldn't complain too much. My husband did spoil me with 3 trips last year.
The first to Las Vegas...to get married.

My husband looks like a vampire next to me...lol

Then, he took me to Jamaica...

Boy what a trip...having to wait til Jeffrey's passport arrived after a series of delays (it arrived the morning of the flight) and having to wait til he got it to book it. Then having issues with the booking and having to be up til almost 5 am to get it booked. Then having a flight delay that caused us to miss our connecting flight...after running through Atlanta airport...but my husband adores me and wanted me to be happy...so we finally got there.


And to close out the year, we took a Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas with my bestie and her hubby.
(Which was actually supposed to be a 4 night cruise to Key West and Cozumel but they had boat issues and had to dry dock the boat and the only other cruise that would fit everyone's schedule was the 3 night Bahamas cruise). We had sooooo much trouble with Carnival and even though it was my husband's favorite cruise line-after that cruise we will not be cruising with them again. They have yet to refund us for the Key West/Cozumel cruise and it has been over 6 months...There was only one thing to come out of that cruise that was good (winkwink). He will be here in a few months.

In my tall heels, you can tell from one picture to the next how high (lol)

 Our Excursion-the ABSOLUTE BEST PART OF THE WHOLE ENTIRE TRIP!

 The Atlantis

Formal Dinner Night



So I guess I shouldn't be too disappointed that we are just heading to Myrtle Beach for a few nights. (Thur-Sun). But I will tell you (because I am the ultimate planner-especially when it comes to going places) that these are musts:

• my husband playing a round or two of golf (he has worked so hard to update our house and complete the baby's nursery to make me happy, and he needs a break and some de-stress time)
• 2 doughnuts from Dunkin Donuts (I usually allow myself to have a doughnut only on special occasions, such as a trip as they are of no nutritional value. And I have to admit that I have already had one for the year-my husband got one for me after we found out the sex of the baby). But I want a toasted coconut doughnut and a "hamburger" doughnut (one of those with cream filling and chocolate icing heated in the microwave for about 10 seconds or less) Yummy. 
• Dinner at Capriz at Broadway at the Beach-I stumbled upon this by accident but once I saw it I knew we would have to go. We celebrated Jeff's Birthday/Valentines at Brazil type restaurant that I like to call the buffet that comes to you in which waiters circulate with trays of meat for you (so yummy). Well this is a branch of that type of restaurant but it has an Italian flair (which is my husband's favorite)
• Exploring Broadway at the Beach
• A walk along the newer Boardwalk
• Walking along the beach at night
• I am sure there will be more once I get there.

My First Shower...is planned!

So my mother calls me to let me know that my first shower is planned for July 29 at the church where I grew up. Originally, they had asked if it could be like August 19. I was like noooooooo as I didn't want to struggle with opening gifts like I watched another girl do who still had 6 weeks to go. Luckily, my parents are going to be gone on a 2 week Alaskan cruise with a group (mostly family) in the middle of August so I am hoping to get most of the showers out of the way in July or first week or so in August. (I am sure the one that my colleagues will throw for me at school will be in that first or second week of August since that is when we go back to school). I just do not wish to be so big and bulky that I can't get down to the presents or have a hard time with them. This is a fun time, and I want to enjoy it, not be huffing for breath as I try to dig Baby B's presents out of a bag or box. I looked up when it was a good time to have showers and a lot of people had theirs around the 30-34 week mark. (July 6-August 3) for me. So I know the date for my church shower, and I have a estimated guess about when my shower will be at school, so now it is just deciding about our family shower. (I secretly hope they want to do it on a Sunday and do a Sunday brunch kind of thing because I love brunch food). It is my favorite! I could eat brunch all the time. I know they will ask my opinions as I am a party planner deep in my heart. I am hoping for something like...

My Baby Boy's Nursery

Originally, this was the first picture that I came across that I feel in love with. I loved the all-white as I hate those baby nurseries. While some can be very cute, (I have seen a Dr. Seuss one that was over the top adorable) those kiddy like rooms were not what I saw in my vision. My vision was white. All White. 

When I came up with a list of words that I would want people to use to describe my baby's nursery they were:

White

Antique

Rustic

Vintage

Clean, Serene, and Calm

Peaceful

Memory-filled

Then I stumbled open this picture. I feel in love with the stencil and decided that it was something that I wanted to do. I love the metallic look of this one. I also fell in love with the bedding. Not necessarily the colors but the fabric and the length mixed with a vintage crib (which is why we chose to use a Jenny Lind). 

Then, I stumbled onto this one. Again, the bedding was very much the "look" I was going for. I was also impressed by the repurposed buffet as the changer.

My baby boy's nursery is coming together piece by piece. So my inspiration board looks like this.