Pregnancy Week 21

Things are going well this week! I can't believe I only have 19 weeks till my baby gets here. I need to start thinking about getting Joe's new room ready and preparing the nursery for a new baby. I am feeling good and excited for the newest addition to our family.

Week 21

Who: Me, my new little carrot, and my big boy Joe!
What: Enjoying the Fall weather.
Where: Week 21
When: Oct 19,2012
Why: Why wouldn't you take a picture on a beautiful day like this?

Halloween Brownie Cupcakes!

This is  really difficult recipe and is only for those of you that can make a box of brownies! I needed to make some brownies to take to an outdoor event and decided to make them in cupcake wrappers, for easy transport and serving.

Ingredients:
Box Favorite Brownie Mix
Halloween Candy
Cupcake Wrappers

Directions:
Make brownies as directed on the box (use an extra egg if you want a cake-like brownie). Pour brownie mix into cupcake wrapper fill 1/4-1/2 of the wrapper. Then bake at directed temperature for 15-20 minutes. The use of the extra egg will increase the cooking time closer to 20 minutes, if you make as directed it is closer to 15 minutes. Brownies are done when a toothpick inserted into middle of brownie come out clean.

As soon as brownies come out of the oven add Halloween candy to the top of each brownie cupcake.

Let cool and serve!

Pregnancy Week 20

This week is much better than last week! I am getting over my cold and feeling great. Also we are halfway through the pregnancy! I just can't believe how quickly this is going. We have 2 more weeks until the ultrasound and we discover the sex of our new baby!

Week 20

Who: This is me and my baby banana! Joe is going to be a monkey for Halloween!
What: Half-Way There!!!
Where:Week 20
When: Oct 12, 2012
Why: Only 20 more weeks of pictures! Thanks for taking these Daddy!

Pumpkin Brownies

Pumpkin Brownies

I made these for my MOPS group a few weeks ago and they were a nice change from a traditional brownie. My husband and friends also tried some of the leftovers and were surprisingly pleased with how they turned out. I did not fully soften my cream cheese so my brownies are not as pretty as they could have been but they still tasted great!

Pumpkin Brownies 

Filling:
1 package (3 oz) cream cheese, softened (make sure to soften)
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1 egg
3 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Brownies:
1 box brownie mix

Step 1:
Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 9 x 13inch  pan with shortening or cooking spray. In small bowl, beat all filling ingredients with electric mixer on low speed until smooth. Set aside.

Step 2:
Make brownie batter as directed on box.  Spread 3/4 of the batter in pan. Spoon filling by tablespoonfuls evenly over batter. Spoon remaining brownie batter over filling. Cut through batter several times with knife for marbled design.

Step 3:
Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted 1 inch from side of pan comes out almost clean. Cool completely.  Store covered in refrigerator.

Pumpkin Brownies

Pregnancy Week 19

This week has been a little ruff, Joe gave me the cold he has had for the last week. So I have been feeling a little under the weather, I try not to any medicine during pregnancy so you could say I am MISERABLE! I am hoping to be feeling better next week! Other than this cold I have been nursing, things have been going well. Also, we are one week closer to see our baby at the ultra sound:)

Week 19

Who: Me and my heirloom tomato! I hope no one throws a tomato at me!
What: We have our first cold and no on is happy about that.
Where: Week 19
When: Oct 5, 2012
Why: We are almost half way there, wouldn't you want to document that?

Pumpkin Patch

Our family hit the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago and here are a few shots I got while we choose our great pumpkin!

Mom's Favorite Picture!

Who is in that pumpkin?

Great Pumpkin!

Breakfast Sausage Bake

This is a super easy breakfast/brunch casserole that my sister-in-law introduced me to. It is super easy to make and tastes great!

Beth's Sausage Bake

Ingredients:
1 pound of sausage
2 cups of shredded cheese ( cheddar)
1 can of crescent dinner rolls (8oz)
4 large eggs beaten (I should have beaten my eggs longer!)

3/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Ready to Bake!

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425F. Crumble and cook sausage in skillet over medium heat until browned. Drain sausage. Line bottom of greased 13 x 9 inch baking dish with crescent roll dough, firmly pressing perforations to seal. Sprinkle with sausage and cheese. Combine remaining ingredients in medium bowl until blended, pour over sausage. Bake 15 minutes or until set. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into squares; serve hot.

Ready to Eat!

Let me know what you think of this dish. I really love how easy and delicious it is. I use my Pyrex carrier to take this dish to events!

Pregnancy Week 18

Things continue to go well this week! I am happy to report I feel great. I am craving all sorts of sweets and could eat a half gallon of ice cream on my own but is that something to complain about. We are very excited to have scheduled our anatomy scan at the end of the month! I can wait to see my baby and make sure everything is going well, in addition to finding out what this new addition will be!BOY? GIRL?

Week 18

Who: Me & My little Bell Pepper! Although, I don't know if bell pepper will agree with me!!

What: We had our OBGYN appointment today. The baby's heartbeat is 150 bpm!

Where: Week 18

When: Sept 28,2012

Why: I probably won't be able to wear this dress much longer!

First Baby Purchase!

I have officially made my first big purchase for my second baby. It is very similar to the first purchase I made for Joseph. I bought a Bob Revolution SE Duallie, this is not a purchase I would recommend for every person but if you are a runner it is  a must. Although, I will take a minute to rave about my Bob Revolution SE, that was the first big purchase I made for Joseph and I must say it was one of the best things I bought. I am a runner and this stroller was absolutely amazing. In addition this stroller was fabulous for any off-road experiences that we took the baby on. The stroller was easy to use, fold, and store. 

All I can say is that if you are looking for a great stroller for an active lifestyle this is the one to get. I got both of my strollers on Craigslist, they are not cheap! 

Light Texas-Style Meatloaf

Light Texas-Style Meatloaf

I add some extra cheese on top!

Ingredients:  Makes 6 servings (6 slices)

3/4 lb.		ground lean beef
3/4  lb.		ground lean turkey
3/4  cup		prepared salsa
1		egg white
2  tsp.		ancho chile powder
2  tsp.		ground cumin
1  tsp.		dried oregano
1/4  tsp.		salt
1  cup		shredded fat-free Monterey Jack cheese

Directions:

1- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 4x8-inch loaf pan with canola oil nonstick spray.

2-Combine the beef, pork, 1/4 cup of the salsa, the egg white, ancho chile powder, cumin, oregano, and salt in large bowl, mixing just until blended. Pack half of the mixture into the loaf pan. sprinkle with cheese, leaving 1/2 inch border all around. Top with remaining meat mixture. Spread the remaining 1/4 cup of salsa over the meat. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted into center of the meatloaf registers 160 degree F, 65-70 minutes.

3-Transfer meatloaf to cutting board and let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 6 slices. 

Ready to eat!