Happy New Year!

Every year instead of resolutions, we do family goals! Some years we do better than others on keeping the goals but we have crossed a few big ones off of our list in the past. For example, two years ago at this time we made a goal to run the Hawaii half marathon, a year before that it was to sell our Gilbert house and buy a new one...I am a firm believer that anything can happen if you write it down and put your mind to it.

This year we have a long list, from spiritual to financial, of things that we want to accomplish in 2011. Included in the list is my personal goal to blog more and, even though he is just four weeks, Jack has a few goals of his own:

• Double his college savings account in 2011 
• Read at least 4x week
• Play hard, sleep hard (preferably a span of 6-8 during the evening hours)

Wishing all a safe and Happy New Year filled with hopes, dreams and goals for 2011!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

We had a great first Christmas introducing Jack to family and friends. Such joy we felt having him with us to celebrate the season and all that it stands for. This year I didn't quite get the Christmas cards out but we did a photo shoot for birth announcements and a Happy New Year card so hopefully those will hit the mail soon.

A few of my favorites:

First Week Photos

Introducing Jack Lloyd

I can hardly believe over a month has gone by since my last post! I am happy to announce the arrival of BD Baby, Jack Lloyd, born on December 1st at 2:22 p.m. Jack was 7lbs and 19.5 inches long. Here is what I will remember to tell Jack about his birthday:

• On Monday, Nov. 29th, the Dr. wanted us to head to the hospital to deliver you! You were not in a good position but my blood pressure was creeping up...Your Dad and I actually told the Dr. that we "weren't ready" and asked to wait until Dec. 1st. This was the first night we slept in weeks, knowing that we would meet our boy on the 1st! We were told that we would have a C-section.
• Before we went to the hospital on the 1st, we went on a long walk and I went and got your Dad a big breakfast (I wasn't allowed to eat) so he would have strength during the day.
• Your Oma & Opa beat us to the hospital...and we later found out that Opa had already been to another hospital with a kidney stone. He didn't say a word because he didn't want to ruin your birthday!
• Grandma & Grandpa S. dressed up for the occasion! I am told that Grandpa took his tie off sometime during the surgery.
• You were delivered by the best Dr. in Phoenix (according to your Momma) who was the Chief of OB Staff at the hospital. This Dr. asked us if he could pray with us prior to delivery so we joined hands and prayed for your safe arrival. I was told later by the nurse of 20 years that she had never seen him do this with anyone in all of her years. It was a very special moment for us.
• Your Dad wasn't allowed in the operating room for the first 15 minutes. When he came in, I thought that he was a Dr. because he had scrubs on and a mask. He held my hand and had the Dr.s on his stopwatch counting down the minutes.
• The Dr.s had on Christmas music during the delivery. It looked like Santa's workshop...everyone was whistling and singing while prepping and cutting me open. You were born to "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" but I didn't see you until "All I Want For Christmas is You" because they were cutting the cord.
• You hardly made a sound when you were born, it made me nervous but I kept hearing your Dad say "he's perfect"...I found out later that you were busy lifting your head off of the scale and the nurses were amazed.
• You were so alert! You made instant eye contact with your Dad and I. It was love at first sight.
• We had 8 people waiting for us to come out of recovery, they had to wait 3 hours after your birth!
• The first night you slept on my chest and then your Dad's. Neither one of us wanted to let you go.
• Your birthday was the best day of our lives!

Happy Birthday!

This weekend (or dare I say all week) we celebrated Travis' birthday! Friday we had dinner at our favorite restaurant (El Zocalo), Saturday we went shopping and had friends over for Indian Tacos and then yesterday we celebrated with family for brunch and dinner. I think that we still have one weekend to go but if not, we did a good job enjoying people and food!

Here is my recipe for Indian Tacos...if you want, skip the toppings and just go for honey and butter.

Fry Bread:
2 C. Flour
1 T. Baking Soda
1 t. Salt
1 C. Milk
Mix above well and knead for just a few minutes (enough to make your dough baby)

Let dough rest for at least 30 minutes. Divide into 6 equal parts, roll into balls and then flatten individually with hands or rolling pin (no thicker than a Sharpie). Make a small hole in the middle. Fry on each side for about 3 minutes, until golden brown, with oil at about 375.

Top with fat-free refried beans (to void oil), chicken (to void the tester that you put honey and butter on), spinach (fiber of course), tomatoes, cheese (to void the spinach) and peppers (from the garden) only if you aren't pregnant and don't mind sweating in front of friends...I honestly have no idea how we managed to get the hottest pepper plant in the world! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday!

Georgia Baby!

Good friends, Chad & Kristy, are due with their second child Mally Jo around the same time we are. I just met Kristy in March and while neither of us knew that we were pregnant, we instantly hit it off with our love of crafting, creative and chocolate. Travis has known Chad for years and while I tease him about having a "Bromance" in Georgia, it has certainly been nice for the two of them to chat about babies (and probably baby mammas) in-between golf talk. I just had to share photos (Kristy made everything of course) of Mally's room and their son Gates' room with the alphabet wall. Love it!

We think about them daily and pray for them during this special time and can't wait for our kids to meet.

Ornaments for Baby!

At my work shower I received a few ornaments for BD Baby so he will have some stuff on the tree for his first Christmas. I think that I will add the year to each as well. What a thoughtful gift!

Martha Arrived!

What a great week it was! Martha arrived in the mail last week, just in time for me to dream up all of the Christmas projects that I want to do. Of course they are all subject to baby's arrival and my level of exhaustion but who doesn't consider this the adult version of the Sears Christmas catalog?!?

Garden Party!

I was thrilled to cook this weekend using fresh veggies and herbs straight from the garden!

Fresh Basil +

Spinach=

Chicken flatbread!

I don't really measure and made this up as I went along but give it a go:

Topping:

Mix leftover rotisserie chicken and Italian dressing

Add in Feta, diced tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes (not in oil)

Add in fresh chopped spinach and basil

Crust:

1 Boboli Thin Crust + Sun Dried Tomato Alfredo (or your choice of sauce)

Top with mozzarella and bake directly on rack at 450 for 8-10 minutes!

Happy Birthday Lucy!

Lucy celebrated her 2nd birthday last week. Although I wasn't there to celebrate, I was able to help with the invitations. I don't take any credit for the idea but I did redraw the entire invite in Illustrator and throw in a few flowers and a stick bird. Practicing up for future BD Baby invites. Happy Birthday Little Bug!

Original design my sister wanted!

Final file...my ladybug has a bigger butt I think!

Pregnancy Q&A

My friend MC turned me on to this blog a few months back! It is one of her friends who also happens to be pregnant. Not only do I love reading about her journey (she is due just a few weeks before I am) but I  love that she is creative, a teacher and very positive about life. She recently did a questionnaire about her pregnancy and I loved the idea. Here are my answers:


How far along? 36 weeks

Total weight gain/loss? I can't believe that people really ask this BUT they do! I have gained about 28 pounds and I am fine with it. I wasn't at my ideal weight to begin so I definitely have some work when this is all over but I have a girl at work that tells me daily that she gained 53 pounds so while I know it could be better...it also could be worse! I also need to let you know that I have a mullet pregnancy...extreme pregnancy in the front, business in the back. 

Maternity clothes? Kind of in a rut with this one. I had several amazing months in PC Jenny's (not JC Penny's) borrowed items but now it is cooling off a bit and I am wearing some very comfy long sleeve tees courtesy of Mom and the Gap. I also admit to wearing my regular work pants last week completely unzipped.

Sleep? I have had some issues with insomnia, mostly after the first bathroom break of the night. Other nights, I am posting 8-9 hours. Get it while you can huh?!?

Best moment last week? Seeing the baby in 4-D, celebrating our anniversary and getting a clean stamp of gestational health!

Movement? He is very active at times and quite a napper when he should be moving. At my prenatal check last week they had to buzz him with the baby buzzer to wake him up.

Food cravings? Chocolate (unrelated to pregnancy as this is no different) and fresh fruit!

Gender? boy!

Labor signs? none yet

Belly button in/out? in, boring! But my belly button ring scar has totally popped so to the outside world it looks like an outie!

What I miss: Running, boot camp, high heels

What I am looking forward to: Welcoming baby into this world, seeing my husband as a father, a break from the corporate life and holidays with family.


My guess on the birth day: Thanksgiving!

Make My Day!

Thank you D for showing up today unannounced (as my second Mom) with flowers. You have no idea how great your timing was! I am in the middle of 2011 budget, planning, web redesign and repeating to each owner on a daily basis that I really will be unavailable for three months. I appreciate the advice and bright spot on my desk.

Famous Amous, Amelia, Aim-Dogg, Best Friend

Amy to most and a handful of other names to me, she is know for her spontaneous gifts, random acts of kindness and sometimes as the girl that goes missing in action. This week we received an enormous box of goodies from her and gathered 'round to open. Travis LOVES to open baby stuff (basically so he can use his knife) so I let him start it off. He said "oh WOW" right away which I thought maybe the gift was meant for mature audiences (like a Hooter Hider) but he really meant OH WOW!!! Twelve boxes of Pampers later...YES 12....we were still pulling out outfits, a blanket, rattle and more. The "oh WOW" changed to "OH AMY!"

Thank you and Kaya for the incredible gifts, we miss and love you and can't wait for you to meet BD Baby!

Happy Anniversary!

Trav & I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary on Wednesday with a candlelight salad outside on the patio and then the routine prego parade around the neighborhood. This shot from a recent photo session in Scottsdale pretty much sums it up...

Feeling lucky in love and in life!

Pumpkin Bars

I made Pumpkin Bars this weekend to bring to my cousin's house and unfortunately that didn't happen so all of the neighbors and I have been eating the fragrant, fiber-rich food. I like to throw the fiber part in because it makes me feel better about the cream cheese frosting. I am unable to bring the leftovers to work because the recipe comes from a coworker and they are technically "her" specialty and that is against the Martha Stewart Cooking Code of Ethics. In addition, my husband doesn't like pumpkin bars. What I am trying to say here is that I was forced to eat an exhorbent of pumpkin at no fault of my own. So much that if I am not in labor on Thanksgiving Day, I will NOT be having pumpkin pie. The good news is that I am happy to share the recipe (warning, it makes a TON) and let you know that I threw away the rest of the bars. The photo doesn't do the taste nor the smell justice!

Pumpkin Bars

Mix:

1 C. Oil

2 C. Sugar

4 Eggs

1 15 oz Can Solid Pumpkin (not the pie mix)

Mix:

2 C. Flour

1/2 t. Salt

1 t. Baking Soda

1 t. Baking Powder

1 t. Ginger

2 t. Cinnamon

Add wet ingredients to dry. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes in greased sheet cake pan. Do not over bake! Cool then frost.

Frosting:

3 oz. Cream Cheese

3/4 Stick Softened Butter

1 t. Vanilla

1 T. Milk

3 C. Powdered Sugar

Enjoy!

Weekend Countdown!

Depending on BD baby, BP and the Dr., we may only about 3-5 weekends left of just us! Of course we are excited but it is a little like the Sour Patch commercials...sweet but sour because we have such a great time together. Based on advice of other new parents, we are trying to cherish our alone time and plan some fun weekend events. Last weekend we went to the movies and last night we went to dinner and the Suns game. The seats were great and we had such a fun time. Of course I was ready to go home around 10!

Nursery Before & After

The nursery is done...almost! As you can see, I still have some frames on the floor and I haven't attached the ties to the bumper but small details as far as I am concerned. Here is the before shot...note the old fan, baseboards and rotten window:

And here is the after:

Close up of the flags, easy to make if you need a shower gift!

The shelves and homemade fabric book case, also very easy to make.

His closet!

Insert changing pad on dresser (in the mail) and imagine pictures up! The wall art is photo I took from mile 11 of the Kauai half marathon last year...after the race of course.

All we need is baby!

Mom's Meals on Wheels

Yesterday we received a "meals on wheels" delivery from Mom! Yahoo! I think that I am supposed to wait to use until I don't feel like cooking before using. In that case, we will be out of the meals in about a week...longer if I don't take leftovers for lunch!

Don't you love how she included frozen veggies too! LOL! Thank you Mom, love you!

Wonder What BD Baby Will Look Like?

Me too! I messed around on my lunch hour today and found this free site where you can merge the parents photos. I had to laugh out loud when I saw the results. We shall know soon enough but it was still fun and a nice break from the day!

Shower Shots!

I loved everything about the shower, from the decor to the food! A big thank you to everyone for making it such a special day. We are truly blessed to have such great family and friends to celebrate with.

My Mom & MIL made this wreath out of diapers!

Cathy's Rum Cake and my Mom's cupcakes. Both were a hit and I had a panic attack when I saw the tower empty....no worries, PCs had my back and put some in the fridge. YUM!

The food..

and the flowers!

It really was HOT last month!

While I don't think that I have complained too much during this pregnancy, I can say that my number one repeat offense is "it's hot!" I vary it up from time to time with "I'm sweating like crazy" or "is is me or is it hot in here" and every once in a while "I just want to go to San Diego!" News flash, it is still hot. One hundred and five degrees on this sunny October 1st to be exact...BUT I don't feel so bad about my hormonal hot flashes anymore because this was in the paper today:

I will bring up this post some day when his dad starts the story about his HOT mom.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Yesterday BD husband and I cheated a bit and opened up some shower gifts that arrived early. One of the packages was from Jane, a long time family friend AND Nevada favorite. Before he opened the gift I said we will love this! You see, Jane is known for several things...she is a lover of books, retired teacher, stromboli artist, mother of twins (they are also favorite people) and an amazing gift giver. The gifts are always extremely thoughful and come with notes of who, what, why and how she selected. In essence, she shares her favorite things.

Thank you Jane! We can't wait to read all of the great books.

Shower Early & Often!

Well, not the often part but definitely the "early" part! I now know why the baby mammas were only between 5 & 6 months along at the last three showers I attended. At the time it seemed so early but now I realize it was GENIUS! In case you don't get my drift...

• At 5-6 months my "bump" was just starting and I called it cute
• The maternity clothes were new and exciting, now they are in a rotation (every 3 days you will see the same pants on me)
• Makeup and hair was happening daily (now I kind of blame it on the heat but the pony is part of the rotation)
• I was still doing bootcamp, now I am on walks and cruiser bike rides
• It was easier to clean the tub and toilet for guests 2 months ago, now the belly is getting in the way

Even though I am having my shower at the 32 week mark, I am VERY excited to celebrate with everyone. Family from Florida to Wyoming will be in attendance and it will be all about the visiting AND the eating. With only 8 days to complete the room, I can say that there is no way that would have been done at 5-6 months. I was still changing my mind on fabric!

Slam Dunk of a Deal!

My friend Bridgette and I went to the Savvy Sale last week. Let me just say, the picture doesn't even begin to explain the chaos. Imagine hundreds of pregnant women and new mothers shopping among the racks below.

Because of my due date, we were able to shop Thursday evening and beat the rush...or so we were told. The clothes were a no go, partly because BD Baby has a TON of clothes already and well most of the stuff was expensive for consignment. I was thrilled with the book selection and got BD baby an infant bible, Guess How Much I Love You and a few others. He also got a new (used) toy, the Fisher-Price Dunk 'N Cheer. It retails for around $30, I purchased for $9. It is in mint condition and came with batteries....so you can imagine I just couldn't walk on by.

I convinced myself that BD Baby has WANTED several of these items, but he hasn't really NEEDED anything. A hard concept to grasp for a first time Mom. The shower is in a few weeks and I am going to refrain from purchasing anything until I have the needs taken care of. No more shoes, clothes or toys. Books are a NEED right?

29 Week Bump!

I noticed afterwards that the cross is right above BD Baby. It's the only thing cute about this shot. LOL!