7 Months

Here I am, 30 years old, following our lovely dinner at the Mona Lisa Fondue restaurant. Aunt Tina watched Paco and they had a great time watching CARS, two times, I might add. He did NOT want to get ready for bed but after she convinced him that he didn't have to go to sleep he was okay.

Here I am with Paco and my 7 month pregnant belly:

A New Tradition?

Here is one of my families favorite meals. Perhaps this will become our New Year's Day Tradition?? It would be a good one!

JAVANESE DINNER

Place ingredients in bowls on the table in order listed. Serve with hot rolls and honey.

Serves 12.

Chinese noodles-2 large cans
Rice-2 c. dry, cooked until fluffy
Chicken-cooked and diced (2 whole chickens)
Gravy-6-8 c. needed
Green onions-2 bunches cut in circles
Celery-1 1/2 c. diced small
Tomatoes-1 1/2 c. diced small
Pears-canned, 1 1/2 c. diced
Pineapple-large can crushed
Cheese-2 c. grated
Chicken-again
Gravy-again
Coconut- 1 c. shredded
Peanuts-1 c. finely chopped (or any nut you want)

We divide up the list and have each sub family group bring certain items. It's fun and a great way to use up extra turkey from Christmas!

Snow Day

Our first "snow day" and first full day of Christmas Break! The girls are outside playing and Paco is helping his Granddad plow the parking lot of the church.


Doctor Appt Update - Weight gain is great - not even 2 lbs so feeling really good about that. So far I've gained 19 lbs.

Bad News - I failed the One hour glucose test so I have to take the 3 hr one next Friday. Really bummed about that. Scored a 169 and it needed to be 140 or below. Sigh. Babe's heartbeat was beating away - high on the sugar rush, I'm sure.

It took FOREVER to get to Meridian this morning. The roads were so bad and traffic was very slow. Roy drove me so I didn't have to worry about that.

Off to do some baking!

Merry Christmas!

My Day

I am a December babe - a Christmas baby born today, Dec 20th, and brought home from the hospital in a red Christmas stocking. I love it!

My day started out wonderfully with hubby making pancakes for us. Taylor is out of school so she and Paco joined in on the fun!

Roy took the kids with him and I got some things done around the house this morning before going to lunch with my parents. This is a long standing tradition of me going to lunch with either my Mom or both of them on my actual birthdate since we celebrate on Sundays. I got a nice tub of Body Butter!!

Came home, finished my wrapping and took a little nap before working on other odd jobs that never seem to get done with a two-year old "helping" me.

Tonight, we are going to The Nativity Story at Edwards with my parents and all my children and I can't wait. I have potato chowder and wassil on and homemade bread to boot!

I love my life today and am so thankful for the life God has given me - again.

Recipe - Wassil

This is the best Wassil recipe I have ever had!! It's the standing request on "What can I bring to ________ ." There is nothing like having it simmer all day in the crock pot and the aroma just shouts, CHRISTMAS!!!

WASSIL

1 gallon apple cider
1 qt. Orange juice
1 qt. Pineapple juice
1 C. Lemon juice
24 cloves
4 sticks of cinnamon
1 C. Brown sugar

Bring to low boil, reduce heat & simmer for at least 45 minutes. Makes great in a crock pot on low all day. I put the cloves in a little basket I have for such an occasion. Sliced oranges &/or lemons adds a pretty touch if you want.

You can refrigerate and start it again the next day or so. Yes, I'm getting ready to make some now. Can't wait for tonight!!

3rd Trimester and More

Week 27 has begun and with it the last of the 3 trimesters for this pregnancy. It's going by so fast this time. I haven't even begun to think about going through baby clothes yet. Of course with a move happening before baby arrives I'm thinking it will all get done at once.

So, right now, el bebe weighs over 2 pounds and total length is nearly 16"! He's a mover and let's me know he's here often (like I could forget!).

I have another appointment next Friday (22nd) and will take the glucose test and get my RH- shot. Fun times, huh? Not sure I'm looking forward to being weighed before Christmas but guess it doesn't matter. tee hee.

House Update Things are progressing nicely for us. It's obvious the Lord's hand is in this and making things happen. To come up with extra money this time of year is next to impossible and yet, HE is working it all out! The money is basically in the bank for the lender to see we have it for the down. Interest rates have come down since our initial application so we get to save an additional .25 percent on our loan AND all we're waiting for are our W-2 forms for 2006! According to the broker and others who have their hand in this, there is nothing holding us back now. Praise God!

Christmas Baking is happening around here. Yesterday was my main baking day (every 10 days) and today is the overflow on the sourdough bread I make that sits over night and then all day today before baking it and having fresh delish bread from the oven at supper tonight. Ahhh. With Christmas carols blaring, Paco dancing and tearing things up, I am able to get some things done.

A little different this year Roy and I decided to change things up a bit with the presents this year. Instead of names being on gifts, we drew numbers from a bowl and assigned each of us a number. So, I can wrap presents and nobody will know which gift is theirs until Christmas Eve morning when we open! It adds frustration and excitement to the mix and we'll see how it goes! Trying to keep Paco out of the presents is a little work but I'll stand firm!!

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!!!

Dec 11th Already?

I can't believe it's only 9 days til my 30th birthday and 14 to Christmas!!! YEAH!!

I can't sleep. I have this two-hour or so stretch most nights and this is one of them. Last night, however, I didn't have one and it was wonderful! I had a grapefruit but that didn't hit the spot like it usually does. Who knows, huh?!

I was looking at our calendar and we don't have a free night til after Christmas!!! While terribly busy, most of it is fun and was our choice to begin with, sans basketball games.

With the exception of a few Moxie Java cards, I am DONE shopping, completely! The kids are done for the most part and WHO KNOWS about my dear hubby, bless him. He has my birthday AND my Christmas to take care of.

Now, I should be addressing those Christmas cards...

25 Weeks Already

Boy, time is just flying here! I had a doctor's appointment and everything seems to be going great! Blood Pressure is fantastic, no infections or sickness, weight gain on track, baby's heart beat is --- beating! 153 beats this morning. Lots of movement from the boy and measuring right on track!

We had our first "big" snow last night. Big meaning it stuck to the ground and was pretty and made a slick mess of the roads and made traffic horrendous but alas, such is life! It's been pretty cold here and is expected to continue to be very chilly. By chilly, that is hovering in the 20 degrees here. Brrr!

Christmas prep is underway! YEAH!! I've been baking and cleaning for Christmas and am excited to have my parent's 36th Open House on Sunday. Love the people and company and yes, the food.

Troy's basketball season is underway with one win under their belts and a game tonight and tomorrow night. Melynda's season ends Monday so not too much overlay, thank goodness.

Went to a fun Pampered Chef party last night and was able to get the lifetime guarantee roaster for the hostess price! WHOO HOO! That's about all I could get as we're trying so hard to save for the down payment. More on that on Monday!

Happy Weekend!