The joys of being pregnant during holiday season: guilt free desserts!

Okay, I know that the more I overindulge now, the more I will pay for it after the baby comes.  That may help some people avoid the temptation to give into cravings and meals that consist of mainly desserts...but for some reason, not me (even though it took running a marathon to get the weight off last time).  I have been "craving" bread pudding for about 2 months, so last night I decided to makes some.  YUMMY!  I made banana chocolate chip bread pudding, and then put a little caramel sauce on it.  Here is the recipe.

The only changes I made were instead of slicing bananas, I used 3 ripe and mashed them and added to initial ingredients; I added a few more chocolate chips; and used about 1/4 less sugar.  It tasted good hot and out of the oven, and great cold for breakfast!  

We have a Christmas cookie exchange tonight, and I wanted something easy, good, and unique.  For years my family has made "CHRISTMAS WINDOWS" that are supposed to resemble stained glass windows.  These are one of my favorite recipes (I have yet to heat up and put between graham crackers, but should) and are super easy.  

Recipe:  1 bag (12 oz) chocolate chips (I used semi sweet); 1 stick butter; 1 bag mini colored marshmallows; powdered sugar.  Heat chocolate and butter in microwave until melted.  Let cool a bit, then add marshmallows.  Put powdered sugar on wax paper, pour the mixture on top, add more powered sugar and wax paper.  Form into a log.  Put in refrigerator.  When cooled down and solid, cut into slices.  Then ENJOY!

  

Good night, sleep tight, don't let the BED BUGS BITE!

To make a long story short (or shorter at least):

1.  About 7 or so weeks ago I started getting red bumps on my skin.

2.  Thinking it would affect my pregnancy, went to my ob/gyn and she thought they were hives.

3.  After about 4 weeks of suffering, blood tests, etc. went back and she got me a referral to a dermatologist.  

4.  He then diagnosed it as really dry skin (which, in part, it was dry skin due to consistent itchy and scratching, and not using any moisturizers b/c I thought I was allergic to everything).

5.  Went away a few days to a conference, "dry skin" got better...came home and woke up with new itchy spots on my legs and arms (and worse than before).

6.  1:30 am did research online and thought it might be bedbugs

7.  Around 3:30pm the day before we leave for Thanksgiving in West Virginia, turn mattresses over and confirm that is indeed what it is.

What do you do about bed bugs?  Well, let me first say that the site I looked at was very informative, but not very reassuring.  I called a pest guy right away and so he came the morning we left.  We have had to put all our sheets and clothes in the laundry (just in case) so for 2 days now we've been having the washer and dryer running ALL DAY (I'll never look at only 2-3 loads the same b/c that will seem easy).  He sprayed some stuff and then let off some bomb thing and would follow up in 14 days...

I didn't have any problems in WV or the 1st night we were home (slept in guest room until we knew what to do).  However, this afternoon have had a few "bites" on my lower back, arm, and leg.  So, I am ready to have a meltdown about it b/c I just want it to be over.  I called the pest guy back and he said to call in the morning and he'll come back to follow up.   The good thing is that he guarantees to get rid of them.  The bad thing is that I am losing my mind and paranoid.

So, here's to praying that the bedbugs go away and the itching stops.

Oh yeah, here's one random thing.  Chris & Logan haven't had any bites or spots.  Since Chris and I share a bed and he didn't have any bites I figured it couldn't be bedbugs, but the site said that sometimes they do bite and one person might not be allergic to the bites and won't react.  Also, for some reason they attack women more often.  Just random fact to know.  

Mystery is solved, but please don't say to me "good night, sleep tight, don't let the bedbugs bite" because now that I know how real and rude they are...ICK!

Train/Elmo cake is done! Ready for the party!

I just finished getting Logan's cake all done!  All right before midnight, not too shabby.  Chris and I even managed to move it to the guest bedroom for the night so Logan won't see it until right before his party tomorrow.  Prayerfully we'll be able to get it back to the table tomorrow without anything breaking, falling, etc.  I am also praying it will all be in tact tomorrow (oreo's, elmo's face, etc.).  

Elmo's face is a little freaky, but I think Logan will figure it out.  The Elmo face is his cake, the one he can destroy, eat, whatever.  The train will be for the 30+ students that say they are coming over to party with Logan tomorrow night.  

I can't believe that my little baby is turning 2!!! Crazy!  His birthday is the 14th (Friday), but figured a Thursday night would be easiest for a little party.  Also, the 13th is when I went into labor, so really the cake is for me for what I went through!  

Anyway, for those of you who can't join us tomorrow, here are the pictures, wish I could save you a piece!

Baby Showers means craft time!

Our church must have something in the water, because I've been to a lot of baby showers recently.  Personally, I love it!  After receiving a hooter hider from a friend when Logan was born, I decided I would begin to sew some myself.  Here is the tutorial I have been using.  I also added material in the inside corner of the latest one so it can function as a burp clothe.  

Since I am sewing so much, I also ordered my own labels  on etsy.  Since Chris sometimes calls me Vaness I figured I'd use that name.  

I am still embroidering onsies, so I put a picture of the latest I have worked on.  I like to put the baby's name on them, but I don't want to post those on here for privacy.  

And finally, the last thing I am working on is pacifier pockets.  I saw some (also known as pacifier pods or pacifier purses) in a high-end children's store this summer in Santa Monica.  A few weeks ago I found this tutorial online.  I added a strap on the back so it can be clipped to a purse or diaper bag.  I will modify a few things next time.  Her tutorial was great, but I messed up a few things and had to hand stitch a little because I was confused.  Probably my lack of sewing experience.

All in all though, I am having so much fun with my sewing machine.  I can't wait to start sewing dresses for our little girl!!!     

Logan's birthday is on Friday, we are having a party with cake and balloons on Thursday night.  We invited our students to come if they want.  I am going to be making a 3-D train cake and a small Elmo face for Logan's cake he can destroy.  I did all the baking on Saturday, and then froze the cakes so that I can take them out on Wednesday morning and decorate that night.  I ended up making 6 boxes of cake mix!  Should be enough...although college students are always hungrier than I think!  I'll post pictures of how that turns out later this week (assuming it turns out well!).

 

Baking Soda and Hives

During one of my late night/early morning itch fests due to my hives, I did some online research at 4am.  I wanted to see what other "home" remedies people had tried and worked to help relieve the pain and itchiness with hives.  I'm come to accept that I may be allergic to my hormones because of this little baby girl, so my fate may mean that I have hives until she is born.  In any case, I have stopped eating nuts, strawberries, and melons.  I should eliminate chocolate next because I've seen on some sites that it can be a common allergen.  

Anyway, I saw on one person's posts online that whenever their hives would break out and itch they would put a little baking soda in a little water and then rub it on the hives.  So, this is what I have been doing for about 3 days now.  

I am happy to report that it helps with the itching better than anything I have used (which includes the cortisone prescription my doctor gave me).  The hives haven't gone away entirely, but seem to subside now and then in places.  I have had a few new ones pop on (2 on my neck, one large one on my face near my eye, my upper legs), but mostly still arms and hands.  

I am thankful for the relief I have received from the baking soda and have stopped using the other creams and will just keep using this for now.  So, that is the hive update for anyone who was wondering.  

We are having a GIRL!

Click on the individual picture to get a close up of what I typed in to explain each picture!

We had our doctor's appointment this morning and are excited to announce that Logan is going to have a baby sister!  Baby looks healthy (heart, brain, spine, bladder, etc.).  The doctor asked us if we wanted to know the sex and we said yes.  Then she asked what we wanted.  I said I would be fine with either a boy or a girl, but I just figured it was a girl.  Chris also has thought it is a girl.  Maybe it is the hives, and with Logan I had acne that made us think it.  Although, I've thought that all along.  When I was pregnant with Logan I was convinced he was a boy, and just had the same feeling this time that it was a girl.  I do hope Logan has a brother someday, but I think he will be so sweet with a little sister!  

We aren't going to announce her name until she is born (yes, this is hard for me to do).  One, we haven't totally decided, and two...it just will be a fun surprise we think!  So, I scanned our ultrasound pictures and then put them in photoshop and have tried to outline what I think the doctor said the pictures are of.  Here is our pretty little princess...ha, that sounds so funny to say.  

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

As I am researching for a talk I am giving at our weekly meeting next week, I came across this article written by John Piper (my talk is about dating, not about abortion just to clarify...I just came across this and felt compelled to read).  

Even last night as Chris and I were going to bed, we were talking about the election and then talking about abortion.  As we were discussing it, I felt this little baby kicking me.  Life is so precious.  Tomorrow we find out if we are having a boy or a girl and there are pros for having either, so I am excited either way!  I pray that this child is safe and healthy, and that I will be too (so far so good, despite the hives).  Amazing to be talking about something that directly affects so many unborn children, while my unborn child is very much alive saying "here I am mom!".  

Anyway, this article was really really good.  Jesus is so amazing and so full of grace, so even if you are reading this article and have had an abortion, or encouraged someone to have one...there is hope and forgiveness!  Praise Jesus!  I hope you take the time to read it.   

My friend's thoughts on the election...

I wanted to share this with all of you because I thought it was so well written.  Just click on the title above and it will take you to her blog.

A New President

This election has been very interesting.  I think even more interesting is how people are responding to the results.  

I will admit, I voted for McCain/Palin.  The biggest issue for me is the abortion issue.  I can not in right conscience vote for someone who will support the killing of innocent babies.  I do have concerns about how this will all play out with Obama in office.  

However, with that said, God is in control.  I choose to put my hope and trust in Him regardless of who our President is.  I feel blessed to live in a Country that I get to have a vote.  

Just like I don't think we can blame Bush for everything going on right now (economic, war, etc.), I don't think we can expect that Obama will have either all the answers, or will somehow ruin our country.  Give me a break!  

My biggest prayer right now is that God will be glorified.  I do pray that Christians who voted for McCain will respond in a way that is honoring to the Lord, because I've already heard and seen stuff that makes me sick to my stomach.  (I realize that a lot of Christians also voted for Obama, and so know that I am not assuming if you are a Christian you had to vote one way or another, I am just making a note about some of the responses I have seen).

May Jesus be the source of my peace, hope, and fulfillment, and may I seek to honor Him in all that I do, say and think!

Obama, I will be praying for you as you lead our Country!  Congratulations.    

Princess Leia and Yoda, Halloween Costumes

I got a sewing machine for my birthday (thank you Chris), and have been putting it to good use!  Maybe tomorrow or another day soon I will post some of the stuff I have sewn for baby showers, but for today I wanted to post pictures of the Halloween costumes I made!

I wanted to spend as little as possible, but still make Logan look like Yoda and me look like Princess Leia.  I went to Jo-Ann's Fabric and got all the soft flannel on sale.  I think I spent a total of $15 for fabric, thread, and Logan's face paint.  I didn't have a pattern and I also have never sewn clothes, but I just kind of figured it out as I went along.  

Hives

I think this marks day number 15 that I've had hives.  I am sure people are sick of seeing my status updates on facebook talking about hives, but if they'd just go away then I wouldn't talk about them.  There isn't anything "new" that I can figure out that would have triggered these itchy annoying bumps (no new foods, soaps, etc.).  I talked to my doctor and it can sometimes be common during pregnancy to get hives or a rash and not ever know why.  Sometimes it goes away in a few days, weeks, or sometimes they don't go away until the baby comes.  It could be caused by changes in my hormones, or I am all of a sudden allergic to something that I have never been allergic to before.

I was taking benadryl last week to help with the itching and pain, but my hands got pretty swollen and when I stopped taking it the swelling seemed to go down.  So, I am thinking I may now be allergic to benadryl as well.  It is too bad, because at least the benadryl helped me sleep at night, now I just toss and turn and itch...and get up a few times to put ice on them.  

Last night Chris and I went to a Phoenix Suns game and I started getting new hives while just sitting there. Maybe it was the guy next to me and his overly strong cologne, or maybe it was the fabric that my arms were rubbing against.  On the way home I just started crying because I see no end in sight and even though I "know" itching won't help, I still itch now and then...the result is beautiful scabs on my hands and arms.  As if I need anything to help me feel less pretty when I'm pregnant.

Anyway, I've probably said enough.  I know that God is good and that God could take them away if He wanted, but I also know that His grace is sufficient in times of suffering.  Is this suffering?  Sometimes it seems like it.  Although, I do know that there are so many people in the world (probably in my own neighborhood) that are experiencing suffering to a much higher degree than me.  So, perhaps I should stop talking about the hives and just take my frustration and pain to the Lord.  

I've decided to start my own blog.  I figured there are a few reasons for this: 

1)  when I need an outlet to write down random things from my day  

2) to keep in touch better with all my fabulous family and friends that don't live nearby  

3) a place to post pictures of the kiddos (Logan, and this other sweetheart that is on the way), sewing projects, my pregnancy, etc.  

So, we'll see how successful I am at updating my blog...here's to trying!