27 Week bump

These are from work, I had to use the mirror to take the pictures.  Maybe that's why I look so good in them....distorted mirrors...

 

Look, I still have an hourglass

 

Side view

 

 

I just don't have time to update a chalkboard every week.  Where do these people who redo the chalk board each week find the time to do it?  Maybe while I am exercising they are chalkboarding?  That makes me feel good, I'm going to go with that. 

 

How far along? 27 Weeks 3 days

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 17 pounds

Maternity clothes? Swapping in between maternity and non-maternity clothes.

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week? I did a 5K Sunday, and then have been at Zumba class Tuesday and Wednesday

Sleep: Not so good

Best moment this week: Finishing the 5K

Miss Anything? No, I'm pretty good this week

Movement: Yes! lots and lots

Food cravings: None still

Anything making you queasy or sick: The expired milk at work was pretty gross.

Gender prediction: Boy

Labor Signs: No, just some random Braxton Hicks contractions

Belly Button in or out? In....but creeping outward

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Moody

Weekly Wisdom: Drink more water

Looking forward to: The weekend and some naps

26 week bump

 

How far along? 26 Weeks exactly

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 16 pounds....let's hope some of that is water weight leftover from Thanksgiving

Maternity clothes? Swapping in between maternity and non-maternity clothes. 

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week? Much better than last week!  Walked every day over Thanksgiving, walked yesterday, and did zumba class today

Sleep: I keep waking up on my back.  I hope that's okay.

Best moment this week: When I finally had a stranger know I was pregnant and not just fat.  The TSA agent didn't make me go through the body scanner, and I went through the metal detector instead

Miss Anything? No, I'm pretty good this week

Movement: Yes!  lots and lots

Food cravings: Not so much 

Anything making you queasy or sick: An empty tummy.

Gender prediction: Boy

Labor Signs: No, just some random Braxton Hicks contractions (which I didn't know what it was until my friend Jessica told me....I figured it was just me being weird). 

Belly Button in or out? In....but creeping outward

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Weekly Wisdom: Drink more water   

Looking forward to: The work Christmas party - Zac Brown Band is the entertainment this year

Scientists

I'm a scientist.  Specifically, a geologist.  When I explained my job to a classroomful of kindergarteners that my bestie Maria teaches, it was pretty easy.  All I said was that I am a scientist, and that I study the earth.  From what Maria tells me, they were pretty excited and asked her in the following weeks "when is the scientist coming back?"  Hopefully I got some of them excited about science from my short conversation. 

 

Very few females go into the sciences (biology/physics/chemistry/geology - you know, the ones you have to take to satisfy credits in undergrad), mathematics, or engineering.  Only 3/10 graduates in those degrees are female.  It was quite obvious in school when myself, Merideth, and Karen were the only girls in a class of 30 people (and even more obvious when I am the only girl in meetings here with 20 other people).  More power to us, though!  I am proud that my company participates in STEM, to get girls involved in the technical degrees early in life. 

 

Since most of my friends are fellow geologists and engineers, a youtube video link came up frequently to me over the past few weeks. If I have a girl, I hope she follows in my own footsteps and excels in the maths and sciences.  Especially because there are two of us scientists in the house now, since Adam is a geologist as well. 

 

 

 



25 week bump!

 

 

 How far along? 25 Weeks exactly

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 14 pounds

Maternity clothes? Swapping in between maternity and non-maternity clothes. 

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week? has been lacking

Sleep: My dogs take up too much room on the bed

Best moment this week: Finding out I passed my gestational diabetes test!

Miss Anything? My mom.  I pulled out some baby things from when I was a child and made me sad that I can't ask who made them

Movement: Yep - although the baby likes to stop moving when Adam comes to feel

Food cravings: Still not really, but I am looking forward to Thanksgiving food!  Adam on the other hand ate a half gallon of ice cream.  What a fatty. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: An empty tummy.

Gender prediction: Boy

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In....but creeping outward

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Weekly Wisdom: Keep calm, travel on.  With the impending winter storm, we are just going to play it by ear, and hope all is passed by Turkey Day when we leave.   

Looking forward to: Seeing our family!

24 Week Bump

24 Weeks along! 

How far along? 24 Weeks and 1 day - baby is the size of an EGGPLANT!

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 12 pounds

Maternity clothes? I splurged and finally got some maternity jeans and a pair of maternity work pants.  Same shirts/dresses though

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week?  Zumba yesterday, and on the cruise, walking and did the stairs

Sleep: The cruise I slept well, actually.  Boat rocked me to sleep

Best moment this week: Relaxing on the beach in Mexico with friends

Miss Anything? I sure did miss wine and non-virgin drinks on the cruise

Movement: Yes, active baby!

Food cravings: Not really.  Adam had his own pregnancy craving and asked me to bring him home pie and ice cream.....this coming from a man who never eats sweets

Anything making you queasy or sick: An empty tummy.

Gender prediction: Boy....I just got my baby shower invite from Maria in the mail.....soooooo adorable!  I can't wait!

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In....but creeping outward

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Weekly Wisdom: Take a vacation before baby! 

Looking forward to: Thanksgiving with family.

 

 



Bump watch

Check this out....1 week difference.

Also, I do have to say...while it isn't easy, and you feel weird, and you sacrifice your body....its pretty amazing to think I am growing a person inside me.  When I feel the kicks and jabs it is creepy, and yet soooo awesome.  I just am amazed that I can feel our little baby moving around.  I can't wait to meet this little person we have made.  But I am content to wait until March - we still have so much to do!

 

Excuse my jean marks...this was at home last week.

 

I felt a lot of stretchiness on the cruise....so I took a new pic...this was a couple days ago.  Whoa.  



Garden revamp

New front garden!

 

Before:

After!

 



 

 

21 Week Bump - Halloween!

Today is Halloween!  The plan is to hand out candy to the hordes of children who walk the streets (seriously, we get a ton of trick or treaters)

 

 

How far along? 21 Weeks and 2 days

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 8.5 pounds

Maternity clothes? Still just regular clothes, and belly band when I need it for pants.  I'm holding out as long as possible to get maternity wear.

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week?  Zumba and walking

Sleep: I've been very  uncomfortable......stilll

Best moment this week: When we saw our little baby on the ultrasound!  It was so awesome to see the little smurflet

Have you told family and friends: Yes, everyone knows. 

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my back! 

Movement: Yes, active baby!

Food cravings: Not so much this week - but been eating Halloween candy

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, I feel better.

Gender prediction: Now my guess is boy, after the ultrasound.  But Adam is keeping me guessing - some days I think girl, others I think boy.  Find out at Christmas!

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: I don't think I have any this week.  

Looking forward to: A cruise with friends in a couple weeks!

Worms n Dirt

I went to a Halloween party on Saturday, and brought Worms n Dirt as a festive dessert.

 

 

 

Yum!

 

This makes a big batch:

 

2 packages oreos, ground in food processor

2 packages instant vanilla pudding

1 package gummy worms

 

Layer the oreos and pudding, with worms on top of the oreos layer

Colorado/Utah trip

A week full of hiking in Colorado and Utah is how I spent my mid-October.

 

It was so cold most days.

 

But we saw some good geology.

 

Horses

 

"The Palisade" in the Cutler formation

Delicate Arch in the Entrada Sandstone

This baby has seen the snow!



Halloween!

I was a fairy.  Got my outfit at Goodwill and doctored it up a bit, and the wings from Party City.  I made my hair wreath and wand from stuff at Michaels. 

 

 

Fun night!

 

 



Bump Watch: 20 Weeks!

Well, we missed a few weeks of pictures again.  Things just get crazy busy, and field trips happened (I was in Colorado/Utah the past week - I'll put up pics soon).  We met a milestone though - I am halfway through my pregnancy!  We also find out whether it is a boy or girl this week (well, Adam does - I will find out at Christmas at my baby shower/gender reveal - love my Maria). 

 

 

 

How far along? 20 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 7 pounds

Maternity clothes? Still just regular clothes, and belly band when I need it for pants.  I'm holding out as long as possible to get maternity wear.

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week?  Whew, it's been a few weeks since I wrote this, but Zumba, walking, elliptical, and a bunch of hiking on my field trip are all a part of my routine. 

Sleep: I've been very  uncomfortable.

Best moment this week: Well, I guess the best moment the past few weeks was beginning to feel movement!  So weird feeling, and so cool.

Have you told family and friends: Yes, everyone knows. 

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my back! 

Movement: Yes, active baby!

Food cravings: I wanted pizza one night, and also last night I mixed in a cut up pickle with my mashed potatoes. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, I feel better.

Gender prediction: Girl 

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: Rock super cute outfits and makeup, don't be frumpy! 

Looking forward to: Our ultrasound!  Adam will find out if it is a boy or girl tomorrow! 

Just another day

at work!  Rocking the belly band

 

 

17 Week Bump

Here we go, 17 weeks.  Next week I'll start my 5th month...crazy! 

 

 

How far along? 17 Weeks

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 3.4 pounds 

Maternity clothes? Regular clothes only, but the belly band with work pants.  That's why I wear dresses a lot at work.  It's more comfy. 

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week?  Zumba classes, treadmill, walking outside, elliptical, and bicycle have all made their appearance the past two weeks

Sleep: I've been uncomfortable.  I am trying to sleep on my left side but I really am a back sleeper.

Best moment this week: Seeing some friends at a birthday party last weekend for a 1-year old and being crafty with another friend.  Also, decorating a duck at work.  

Have you told family and friends: Yes, everyone knows.   

Miss Anything? Sleeping on my back!   

Movement: Not yet - but I think I feel something.  Just not sure if its baby or stomach bubbles.

Food cravings: Nope, still not yet.   

Anything making you queasy or sick: Just my toothbrush still.    

Have you started to show yet: Yep, looks like it.  I'm going to delete this question next week...it's obvious the answer will be yes.   

Gender prediction: Girl.  

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: Take a walk when you feel tired at work.  It will perk you up.   

Looking forward to: The weekend!  Adam is home this weekend, yay! 

Seriously?

I read the forums on the What to Expect app, and I am just mindblown by some of the people on there.  Seriously. 

 

Co-sleeping?  WTF, this is ridiculous.

EDITED.... as an addition to co-sleeping being ridiculous, the latest information from the CDC shows that it increases the risk of SIDS. See the article HERE . 

 

"Attachment Parenting"?  also stupid

 

Glad that this is my kid, and I get to raise it how I want!  Good for everyone else who does those things that I find weird.  But Hell No, that is not happening in my house.

 

I never write on those forums, since I don't care to get into long drawn-out conversations with people I don't know.  But still, I read these things, and think, wow, you are posting and asking for advice on how to get your 11 year old kid to sleep in their own bed.....maybe you should have tried that 11 years ago....

 

 

-----Rant over -----

Halloween Decoration

I made awesome broom/wreath for Halloween.

 

The spiders are glittery :)

 



15 week bump

Whoa, what the heck happened?  I have missed the past 3 weeks of taking pictures.  We got busy.  Well, looks like there is starting to be some belly showing here!  Check this out!

 

 

How far along? 15 Weeks, 1 Day

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 1.5 pounds 

Maternity clothes? nope, regular clothes only.  However, I did go buy some of those belly band things at Target to go over your jeans/pants. 

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week?  Zumba classes, did a 5K last weekend, and still doing the stairs/walking at lunches

Sleep: Much better

Best moment this week: Well, I guess the last best moment was my ultrasound where it looked like a baby.  That was last week though. 

Have you told family and friends: Yes, everyone knows.  Plus my boss put it on the powerpoint at a huge work meeting, so he helped spread the word to everyone I hadn't told.   

Miss Anything? Wine!  Had home cooked Italian at my neighbors house and a glass would have been nice.   

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Nope, still not yet.   

Anything making you queasy or sick: I gag on my toothbrush now.  I think the mint is grossing me out.   

Have you started to show yet: Yep, looks like it.  The baby has moved up for sure and stomach is getting hard. 

Gender prediction: Girl.  

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: Wear dresses, they're cute and comfy.   

Looking forward to: Next week's appointment where we hear the heartbeat again. 



5K race day!

I did a 5K with some friends this morning - the Run or Dye one.  Packets of color thrown on you by everyone.  It was a fun and exercise-filled way to start off a Saturday morning with friends. 

 



14 week ultrasound and appointment

This time it looks like a baby.  It kept jumping around.  The ultrasound tech asked me if I wanted to know what it was, and I said no.  When he went to check out what the gender was, I put my hands over my eyes so I wouldn't peek either.  The doctor also said I am all good to go!

 

This was in the middle of one of the jumps it did (I couldn't feel it moving though, just could see it)

My younger brother sent this along after I sent him the picture.....HAHAHAHAHA



12 Week Bump!

Well, here comes the 2nd trimester!  Everything looked good at my last appointment, so as you can semi-read from the photo, we will be telling more people this week.  I am headed to the beach in NC to relax, and will tell everyone while I am there. 

 

 

 

How far along? 12 Weeks, 1 Day

Total weight gain/loss: Plus 1 pound 

Maternity clothes? nope, regular clothes only

Stretch marks? No

Exercise this week?  Zumba classes, elliptical/stair stepper at different times, walking mileage - worked out 5x/week.

Sleep: Much better

Best moment this week: Hearing the heartbeat on the doppler   

Have you told family and friends: Only immediate family and close friends still, but as you can see, plan on telling everyone while at the beach!

Miss Anything? Wine 

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Nope, still not yet.   

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope!    

Have you started to show yet: A bit of bloating, and I can see some actual baby bump forming.  I think its pushing my stomach fat up so its more visible...sigh.

Gender prediction: Girl.  

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: Don't be afraid of telling your boss like I was.  They're fine with it.   

Looking forward to: Telling my grandma this weekend on the phone.  I am so excited for her reaction. 



Pros and Cons

The pros and cons of a baby bump, based on your original starting body type.

 

Pro: No one has ever asked me if I was pregnant.  Translate - I do not have a big stomach that makes people think I am pregnant when I'm really just unfortunately shaped.  That is a big bonus for me.  Not to say I don't have any squishiness in my midsection, because I do, I just don't look pregnant when I'm not. 

 

Con: I will have to wait a little while to show off the bump!  It's not something I can immediately begin wearing cute clothes with. 

 

That was my rant for the day!

 



Week 10

The days keep moving along, and everything seems good so far!  This week, I had some subsidence of nausea, which was a fantastic relief.  However, it hasn't left completely, I got a nice wave of it following some avocado eating.  I also had the Harmony blood test drawn, and the genetic carrier testing.  Hopefully everything comes back healthy.  

How far along? 10 Weeks, 3 Days

Total weight gain/loss: minus 1 pound - put on about a half pound since last week. 

Maternity clothes? nope, regular clothes only (and they still all fit comfortably, no tightness).

Stretch marks? No
Exercise this week?  Zumba class twice, and should have 6-8 miles in by tomorrow (end of week count for mileage).

Sleep: No more peeing at night!  I have been a nap fiend though.

Best moment this week: Heading to the pool with friends soon!   

Have you told family and friends: Only immediate family and close friends still.

Miss Anything? Lunchmeat - I could use a Jimmy John's sandwich! 

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Nope, still not yet.   

Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling better!  Although that avocado yesterday did a number on my stomach.   

Have you started to show yet: Bloating has subsided, and no bump yet (at least, I can't tell a difference between the two pics I've taken).   

Gender prediction: Girl.  

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: Declutter your home before baby arrives - do you really want a house where you kid is in danger of crap falling on them in any room?  

Looking forward to: Getting a bigger bump & sharing with everyone else

LIttle Smurflet

So people always refer to their growing babies as beans, peanuts, types of fruit, etc.  I decided that a baby smurf would be a smurflet (like a piglet), and that is definitely a funnier name than bean.  Hahaha.

 

So this week, I haven't taken a photo.  Nothing has changed in me, so I will wait til next week to see if there is some growth.  My nausea has subsided some this week (yay!) but I am still quite tired.  I am also on a mission each weekend to declutter our house in preparation for the baby (although most people say I don't have clutter - but usually those are just people who have mountains of junk in comparison).  I cleaned up the garage yesterday, and organized the shelves in there.  Now today is lazy laundry day and house cleaning.  I've also started looking at nursery ideas online.  So many choices!

To keep up with the list...

How far along? 9 Weeks, 5 Days

Total weight gain/loss: minus 1.6 pounds.  I don't get it, I am eating more normally these days without the nausea.  I figure if at my 12 week they are concerned, they'll let me know. 

Maternity clothes? nope, regular clothes only.

Stretch marks? No, but I did start using cocoa butter
Exercise this week?  Zumba was cancelled all week :(.  7.7 miles for 5K training though

Sleep: Waking up at night to pee, and taking naps when I can on weekends!

Best moment this week: When I didn't feel like crap when I woke up/throughout the day! 

Have you told family and friends: Only immediate family and close friends still.

Miss Anything? I miss my mom always, so she will always be in this category, but I have been talking to her more this week. 

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Not really.  I guess I haven't really had that I'VE GOT TO HAVE THAT feeling yet.  Although I did enjoy my lemonade last week, I can't really say it was a
"gotta have it" feeling - more of an impulse buy at the store. 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Feeling better!  But I can't look at pizza, ugh disgusting.  I think it's all that grease.   

Have you started to show yet: Bloating has subsided, and no bump yet.   

Gender prediction: I think it might be a girl, just based on everyone's thoughts.  I love all the texts I am getting from the people who know, it makes me feel so loved.  

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: Get things done when you feel good!  I felt great and cleaned tthe garage and did laundry/cleaned the kitchen/bathroom.   

Looking forward to: Getting a bigger bump & sharing with everyone else



Baby Bump!

Sooooo, I am pregnant!  I've always been a cutesy, crafty person, so I ALWAYS want to find unique ways to do things.  So, I found a cute way to tell Adam I was pregnant.  I took a gift box, put some blue and pink tissue paper in, and added a positive test with a little note.  Once we had our 8 week ultrasound, we also told our immediate family and close friends.  We are going to wait until later to tell everyone else since we are getting chromosomal testing and also to be out of the first trimester.  I have been doing a lot of "drinking" at happy hours and girls nights in the meantime.  Sprite with lime = gin and tonic, and watered down white grape juice = white wine .  Although my wine concoction was a little off-color - I needed more water!

I wanted to save the memories of my bump growing, like so many people do, so I took a note from the girl with the chalkboard and made my own!

 

 

How far along? 8 Weeks, 5 Days

Total weight gain/loss: minus 1 pound

Maternity clothes? nope, regular clothes only.

Stretch marks? No
Exercise this week?  Two Zumba classes, and 8 miles this week for my 5K training

Sleep: Waking up at night to pee, and taking naps when I can on weekends!

Best moment this week: Our 8 week ultrasound where we heard the heartbeat, and shared our news with family after that. 

Have you told family and friends: Only immediate family and close friends - we recorded the heartbeat on video and shared via Facetime and Skype since all our family is out of town!

Miss Anything? I miss not feeling sick most of the time - morning sickness is just me feeling nauseous all the time.

Movement: Not yet

Food cravings: Lemonade

Anything making you queasy or sick: Every time I eat I feel queasy afterwards, but I feel queasy when I don't eat too. 

Have you started to show yet: Just a little bloating, no baby weight yet.(seeing as I lost a pound, I can't be!) 

Gender prediction: Seems like everyone we know wants us to have a girl, so I am kind of thinking it might be - although before we told family, I would have said boy. 

Labor Signs: No

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: Both - a mix depending on how nauseous I am.

Weekly Wisdom: Buy a ton of ginger ale, it seems to help me.  Nap as much as you want! 

Looking forward to: Not feeling sick and tired, getting a bigger bump & sharing with everyone else

 

It's hot out there!

Mid-July is upon us, and it is HOT!  I mean 100 degree days are the usual here.  I am thinking it will shape up to be a good month though, lots of new things at work, maybe some vacation time, and enjoying some lazy days.

 

I also have to thank my bestie, MARIA!  She sent me the most beautiful birthday gifts from Italy - a post on those to come!

 



July

We have had a good July so far.  Mine started out with a fun girls night at a local cantina, and continued with a 4 day weekend for the holiday.  Adam's family was in town for the 4th, so we have been enjoying our time with them.  We set off fireworks to celebrate (as did my entire neighborhood - must say, we put on a good show.

 

In other news, our upstairs guest bathroom is finally done - we had to replace a leaky toilet, so now all is well.  Now, to get ready for the next week, MY BIRTHDAY!, and then off to PA on the company jet for a few days after that.

 

Ta ta

Grilled Pizza

Who knew you could make pizza on a grill?!  How cool!

 

I got some dough from the grocery store, rolled it out, and went for it.

Put the dough on the grill, let one side singe, bring it inside, put toppings on the side you cooked, and then back in the grill to melt!

 



Asian pork sliders with cole slaw

I made these sliders for a quick, easy, weeknight dinner.  I purchased some shredded pork from the local store, and then seasoned it with teriyaki, soy sauce, and honey.  Put that on the bun, and top with some cole slaw (which I made with red cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli, topped with light mayo, honey, and lemon).

 

Delish!

 



A Bit of Gardening

Here are a few of my plants this year.

 

Basil going strong

 

Cucumbers surviving

 

One of three tomato plants

New this year - Lemon Tree!





White Pizza Dip

I made this dip for a girls night recently.  I got the original recipe from here.  I modified it a touch for my taste, since I think it may have been a bit salty for me the way it was originally written.

 

Ingredients:

8 oz shredded mozzarella (1 oz reserved)

7 oz shredded provolone

1 pint roasted cherry tomatoes, halved

1/4 cup fresh basil

1/2 tsp basil

4 cloves garlic, pressed

1.5 blocks cream cheese, softened

 

Mix all the cheeses and herbs together until well mixed.  Add the tomato halves and mix again.  Top with remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake in 350 degree oven until bubbly and top is golden.  Serve with crackers or bread

 

My verdict?  Delicious, but use it in a fondue pot, it was annoying to reheat :)

 

 



Pollo Tacos Fresco

Chicken tacos for dinner this week!

 

Heat tortillas in the microwave for 30 seconds, and assemble your tacos!  I used shredded chicken mixed with salsa, queso fresco, avocado, lettuce, and pico de gallo for ours.

 



Cheddar Baked Chicken

I needed a quick meal for chicken, and I wanted one that I hadn't made before (chicken gets boring).  So, I put some cheese crackers in the food processor, coated the chicken in them, and baked the chicken at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Served with some honey mustard, and it turned out great.

 



Bridal Shower Gift

I was looking for a unique bridal shower gift, and found some ideas online.  I was able to replicate them for myself, and give them away as a gorgeous gift for a good friend.  I used a newsprint idea for one gift, and then the second was the personalized sharpie on a piece of ceramic-ware.

 

Here is the ceramic piece - I wrote with sharpie, and then cooked the piece in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, and then left it in the oven while it cooled down.  Seems pretty permanent to me!

 

I decided to use a plate with a pretty print already on it - the oven baking did not hurt the blue butterflies at all!

 

 

Beach trip

Adam and I took a beach vacation to the beach we used to live at, and his family came to join us for a portion of the time there.  We had a great time in the waves and building sand castles, and Adam and Jason did a bunch of fishing.

 The ocean and the shells!

Adam's half-sister with the sand castle we built 

Adam's big fish he caught!

 

Sunset on the beach our last night there.  I walked down and sat on the beach for a long time watching the waves.  

Cake!

Here it is again, the blackberry cream cheese filled chocolate cake.  This is the one I took to work for the bake auction - it sold for $300 dollars!

Recipe: 

1 box chocolate cake mix

 --- follow directions on cake mix, but add 1 more egg that it calls for ---

2 packages cream cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

blackberry jam

 

Cook cake as directed, let cool

Mix cream cheese and powdered sugar together

Once cake is cooled, fill with blackberry jam on one layer, cream cheese icing on the next.  Finish by icing the cake with cream cheese frosting, and decorate with ganache as needed.