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!