Prego Belly

Poor kid #4. This is probably the second picture of my ever expanding belly that I have for this pregnancy. I think with Ethan I had Curtis take monthly shots with SIGNS telling how far along I was. Well at this point I'm not exactly sure how far I am, and the only times I've really known is at my appointments. My next one is this week, so I'll know for a few hours and then probably it will get pushed back behind what's for dinner and where is the Han Solo guy??? Where??? I went to the wrong office for my first visit, an office where the bathroom door didn't lock. That may not seem like a big deal but it's a REALLY BIG DEAL. So after a few weeks I finally made it to the right office, where the bathroom doors do lock, and I was probably 16 weeks or so. But this office is not all roses either, because they want me to bring my urine to them in a cup, a cup which I have had to carry around all day in my purse next to my granola bar. I've never had to do that before and it's just odd.

Regardless of all that, our family is getting really, really excited for this little girl. I get numerous kisses on the tummy, and snuggles, and songs from my four men. Eli prays to 'bless our baby that she can be part of our family.' So far she is really active and moving around alot. So... going to google baby names:)

Random, happy things

1) Blogging- It's so therapeutic. It's even more therapeutic to read friends blogs and laugh so hard. I've always been a journal keeper and this is another way to document and remember moments (without scrapbooking:))!!




2) My garden - Thanks to my gardener mom who sent me (another) gardening book for my birthday. Curtis put together the boxes for me and it is so exciting to go outside each day and see what has come up. I have 24 squares total with tomatoes, pumpkins, carrots, onions, some different flowers, beets, potatoes, broccoli,beans, and some herbs. Ethan and Eli both have their own squares, Eli planted pumpkins and Ethan planted some apple seeds he has been saving all winter from apples that we ate. They are actually coming up. We had to put up a fence because of all the deer and critters around here.The last square is a compost pile. I think stuff is growing there too but it grosses me out so I haven't pulled anything up to see.



3) The Nutrimill - We got a check a few months ago from the moving co. reimbursing us for everything that had been broken in the move. Even after I whined and complained that money can't replace my special memories with whatever object broke (maybe it was because of all the whining???) Curtis gave me the entire check to do with as I pleased. So I bought the nutrimill and I am amazed that a machine so small can take a grain of wheat and pulverize it into fine, fine flour. The biggest hit with the kids is German pancakes.
Jonah having "a little taste" of flour


German Pancakes


6 TBSP butter
6 eggs
1 c. flour
1 c. milk
dash of salt

Preheat oven to 450. Put the butter in a 9x13 pan and put in the oven while you mix the eggs, flour, milk and salt (I use a mixer). When butter is melted, pour the egg mixture into the pan. Bake for 18 minutes until edges are puffy and brown. Slice and serve with syrup, jam, or fresh fruit.

Yogurt Syrup
I found this on a blog while I was blog hopping and it is so yummy. It's almost caramel-y. I should probably give credit to someone but I can't remember the blog name only that they also had a recipe for Cafe Rio sweet pork salad that was really good.

1 1/2 c. white sugar
1 c. plain yogurt (I used vanilla yogurt)
1/2 c. butter
3 TBSP corn syrup
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

Combine first 4 ingredients over medium heat. Bring to a boil for 1-2 minutes while whisking. Remove from heat and add baking soda and vanilla, and mix well(the baking soda will foam up so use a large sauce pan). I kept the leftover syrup in the fridge and then just warmed it up in the microwave.

Dad's Day

Curtis got to :) speak in church on Father's Day this year, and last year, and I'm pretty sure two years before that one, too. I think it's because it's obvious what a fabulous dad he is. Despite being up early to work on his talk, I think it turned out to be a great day.