7 Months

Today marks week 28 of my pregnancy! It continues to progress smoothly and quickly. (Both tremendous blessings that I pray continue to the end.) I am definitely getting bigger. Many people comment that they now know I am pregnant. (Like I was trying to pull a hoax off or something. :o) With the bigger girth, I find that it is getting harder to do certain things. It is also harder to get comfortable and stay comfortable (especially at night.)

As I don't have any other pregnancies to compare this with, I can just go by what I think, but I think this is one active little baby. It is one of the most incredible feelings to have this life moving around independently inside of you. The times that it moves enough to make my skin move is a bit surreal.

I have bought a few more adorable baby outfits. I think that it is a good thing that we don't know the sex, it provides a natural curb to my spending. There are only so many gender natural things out there.

The baby fabric stash is getting bigger as well. I think that is a sign that I better get sewing! I will be sure to post some of the finished results when they become, well, finished.

My Husband, My Love

Forgive the mushy post. Chalk it up to Valentine's Day and pregnancy hormones. :o)

M and I went out for a pre-V Day dinner with some friends from church. Good food, good company, and good conversation made for a very nice evening.

Our actual V Day was spent doing nothing in particular and it was wonderful. I did laundry while M worked on some computer things. We were also able to plan and discuss the soon-to-come craft nook in the lower level. (More on that later.)

Many people asked us how we were going to spend our last kid-free Valentine's, and I am betting this is not what they had in mind. However, I couldn't imagine spending it in any other way. Getting to enjoy the blessing of companionship that my husband brings to me was just what I wanted and needed. I find that the longer we are married (I know it hasn't even been all that long yet) the more content/happy I am just being with M. I guess that is what love means to me.

Foodie Friday: Chocolate Cookie Dough Brownie

"These bars are just so good. And not so good for you."--M on Betty Bars

"I want that bar recipe--I am still dreaming of them."--Deb H. on Betty Bars

When I saw this recipe over at Bakerella I just knew that I HAD to make these bars. Well I have, twice. They are just.that.good. Bakerella stole them from Betty Crocker which means that they are also easy peasy.

1) Buy a box brownie mix that makes a 9x13 pan.

2) Buy a bag cookie mix.

3) Mix brownies according to package directions. And pour batter into greased (bottom only) 9x13 baking dish.

4) Mix cookies according to directions. Take cookie dough and place tablespoon globs on top of brownie batter. Once all dough has been placed, press down slightly.

5) Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes.

6) Make Bakerella's oh so good chocolate ganache. (Heat 6 T butter and 3/4 c. heavy whipping cream almost to a boil. Mix in 12 oz semisweet chocolate until melted.) DO NOT USED CANNED FROSTING AS BETTY SUGGESTS. THE GANACHE IS WORTH THE EXTRA EFFORT!!!

7) Pour ganache over bars and allow to cool. THIS WILL BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, BUT PLEASE WAIT!!!

8) INDULGE YOURSELF!!! (And try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting.)

Love These Woman!!

This past weekend I was lucky enough to hang out with 10 of my college homies. We met up for some eating, shopping, and chatting from around the country. (Okay, just five states, but give me a little creative license here.) I feel so blessed to call these woman my friends. We picked up right where we left off 8 years ago. (And this week I am sure we all have the bags under our eyes to prove it.) Thank you so much ladies for the wonderful weekend. I can't wait until the next one.

Easter Is Coming

And do you know how I know? I bought my first bag of Cadbury Mini Eggs at Target today!!

Mmmmm . . . Pure milk chocolaty, candy coated goodness in a bag.

(What's that you say, Easter is two months away? Oh well, all the more time for me to purchase the goods.)