Birthday Dessert

So, this is how far behind I am on posting.  Back in February when I turned 31, David made me a really yummy frozen strawberry dessert. 

I picked it because he had said he thought it looked good, it was (roughly) gluten free, and sounded good to me, too.  Um, can we just say I LOVED this!  I think I ate it almost every night until it was gone.  one night I had it for supper.  And one night I had two pieces.  I blame being in first trimester of pregnancy on that one!  :-)

 I say "roughly" gluten because we did use Nature Valley granola bars which are labeled gluten free but also don't have wheat as an ingredient.  This works for us, though it may not work for you.  I think K had a good time banging the bars!  :-)

Frozen Strawberry Crunch Cake from Tablespoon

1 box Nature Valley Granola Bars

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour (gluten free if needed)

6 tablespoons melted butter

2 egg whites

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 lemon, juiced

4 ounces cream cheese

1 1/2 cups freshly chopped strawberries

Directions

Preheat oven to 350.  Unwrap all granola bars.  Place them in a bag and bang to a course crumb (or use your food processor ut kids love the slamming part!). In a large bowl, add the crumbs, brown sugar, flour and melted butter and mix together. 

Then spread into an 8x8-inch pan that has been covered with parchment paper. Bake at 350ºF for 20 minutes. Let cool. Then divide in half and set aside.

 

Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, combine eggs whites and sugar and mix on high. Add the heavy cream and continue mixing for another 5 minutes.  After this, add the lemon juice and cream cheese then mix on low until well mixed.  Fold strawberries into this mixture.

 

In a buttered glass pan, press half crumbs on the bottom.  Top with strawberry mixture and then press the remaining crumbs on top.  Cover and place in freezer for 3 hours or more.  Enjoy!

Weeks 27-28

To say that the last two (almost three) weeks have been crazy would be an understatement!  Last week we moved and are still unpacking and finishing moving everything.  When we tried to set up internet we were told that the soonest it could be done was today...so David went with option number 3 or 4 so we could have access since I was on call last week and he is on this week.  Then my computer decided to start acting up and it's still not acting right.  Thus, my long absence!

Moving and work and life have just exhausted me these past two weeks.  We spent most of last week moving.  Then we went to TX for a family reunion.  It was actually BEAUTIFUL!  The weather was cool (in TX in July!) and we had a really good visit.  Then when we got back, K started at a new summer camp.  She has really enjoyed it a lot but is definitely worn out by the end of the week.

I have to say that my week on call wasn't bad.  And it was a 4 day week due to July 4th holiday.  We spent Friday and Saturday doing some shopping for the house and got a good bit accomplished but it has me beat.  We did go to fireworks Friday night and K loved it!  She also determined that fireworks are made from glitter that's all glued together and just comes apart when it goes in the air.  :-)

Right now, David is trying to get my computer to work, attaching the DVD player upstairs, and trying to determine why the build in WiFi won't work well on the TV.  He's so good!!!  I love him!  I am preparing for my glucose tolerance test tomorrow.  Yuck!  Ready for that to be over for sure!

Due Date: September 25, 2014  
How Far Along: 28 weeks (and 4 days)
Fruit/Veggie: eggplant, cauliflower - 15.5 inches, 2.5 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!  
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  I'm definitely getting out of breath faster and can't do as much.  My jumping jacks are much closer to the ground and I'm modifying a lot...but still going!

Sleep: I'm pretty consistently up at least twice a night.  The pregnancy pillow has been great recently!  We switched sides of the bed, so that I can sleep on my left side without feeling like there is a wall between me and David. 

Cravings: Um...salty stuff, ice cream, sausage biscuits.  Sometimes it's still hard to decide what I want.

What I love: Feeling and watching the baby move! The support David gives me.  Our new house.  seeing how much K is enjoying her new school and the new house. 

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, bending over easily, being able to go "full out" at the gym, having energy for the WHOLE day!

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the house straight and set up, choosing nursery bedding, having my GTT DONE, my shower this weekend

What I'm thankful for:  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  A healthy pregnancy. 

26 weeks

I think that last weeks post was a lot of fun.  Maybe closer to the end we'll do another one.  This week has been a little stressful just because of impending business.  We were also very busy this week, though it was a fun busy.  I got a good bit of "practice" holding babies this past weekend.  Friday I babysat for a friend so she and her husband could go out to eat for their anniversary.  K and their son are good friends, so they played the whole time.  Miss Rachel and I just played and then she went to bed, quite easily I might add.  Saturday, we had a party with some of David's co-workers.  It was an enjoyable evening, albeit K got to be LATE!  I held one of the babies for most of the night after I put him to sleep.  Sweet baby kisses.  :-)  Sunday we subbed in the nursery with the crawlers.  Shockingly there was only one baby.  David said, "Man, I'll work in the nursery every week for that!" 

Then came Tuesday....um, yeah!  I think I was majorly overwhelmed and had a surge of pregnancy hormones or something.  I think I cried around five times that day.  Most of it was in irritation.  Then I "couldn't" find anything to wear to yet another party.  I finally found something (that was, ironically NOT maternity).  Then another dinner that wasn't appealing, so I waited to get home to eat.  K had a BLAST swimming all night except for when she ate.  I enjoyed chatting with different people I don't see much at work.  Then we left...around 845.  Close to an HOUR after K's bedtime.  She went to sleep quite quickly.

Wednesday was a fairly normal day.  I got K and took her with me to the gym and then we went to church.  She fell asleep on the way there...which made me feel badly about keeping her out late again.  Of course, she refused to fall asleep on the way home.  Thursday we had no plans and so I thought K could play in the sprinkler.  Oddly, she was excited but wouldn't really play.  Later we determined she had fever.  No other symptoms really besides clinginess and being tired.  She was in bed by about 7 and slept until 715.  She and David did some errands yesterday and she has been fine since.  I think she was just so tired that a tiny virus knocker her harder than usual.  

Today, she had a splash pad birthday party and tonight we go to another work party.  End of the year fun!  We close on our new house Monday and then move after that.  Craziness around here!

Due Date: September 25, 2014  
How Far Along: 26 weeks (and 2 days)
Fruit/Veggie: butternut squash, green onion (length) - 13-14 inches, 2 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!  
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  I was exhausted on Friday, almost skipped though I'm glad I didn't.  Today, I'm pretty sure I pulled some sort of muscle in my gluteus maximus on the right and my calf on the left.  I'm falling apart...or maybe my ligaments are starting to relax?  Guess it's time for that! 

Sleep: I'm pretty consistently up at least twice a night but can fall asleep fairly quickly.  Apparently, I sleep better on my left side because I always wake up facing that directly.  The pregnancy pillow is GREAT for naps.  David and I might switch sides of the bed when we move so I can try it for night time sleep and not disturb him.  I'm starting to get hot in the middle of the night and want to sleep without covers...but this apparently messes up David's covers as he always yanks at them when I get out from under them.  Another reason to switch sides!

Cravings: Very difficult to tell.  Sausage biscuits, cool, sweet things like fruit and lemonade, cereal, Carbonation!  Otherwise, it's actually pretty hard for me to actually decide what I want to eat.  Nothing just really stands out and being good.  Is this NORMAL?!  It seems strange to me.

What I love: Watching for the baby to move!  I actually got a video the other day.  Getting closer to moving. Looking at stuff for the house. 

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, sleeping well, being able to go "full out" at the gym, having energy for the WHOLE day!  None of this has really changed recently.

What I'm looking forward to: Getting the fabric swatches in on the bedding options for the nursery.  Moving and setting up the house, hopefully selling this house, baby showers, getting K ready for school

What I'm thankful for:  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  He is so understanding about my mood swings, my inability to help as much with packing (Y'all, I have been SO tired!). That K continues to show interest in learning about Jesus and the actions involved in faith (telling other people!).  A healthy pregnancy.  The rain that is currently falling outside my house...love that sound!

25 Weeks - His and Hers

I thought it would be fun since it's Father's Day today, to have a post from David's perspective.  So, what is in bold, is his view and the regular type is mine.

We made caramel bars for Claire this week.  You can expect to see them posted sometime within the next 9-12 months.  Claire spoils me even when it's not Father's Day.  Today she suggested Penn's for lunch.  The fried catfish was excellent...Claire didn't eat (until we got home, I DID eat when we got home! There just wasn't anything there that sounded good to me...and they had run out of shrimp!  Really?!).  She made me waffles for dinner and peanut butter blondies last night, at my request.  We've been watching our plants grow. We planted tomatoes, peppers, cauliflower last Sunday and they are sprouting now. Claire has been staring at her belly and taking videos of it. The best video I got (which wasn't very good) has David saying "WOW!" at the end.  Not about the baby moving, but about a basketball play.  Ha!  This is the busy season for us.  Lots of parties, too many ER shifts, K just got through with VBS.  Claire's mom came for that which was very helpful and K enjoyed.  We got to play a new game with Allie (my mom) and promptly lost the game.  You were supposed to cure all disease and apparently the correct answer was NOT "It's a virus. It'll go away on it's own." We were doing pretty well...just ran out of time/cards.  I have started getting nervous about having a new baby.  I even had a dream about Claire going into preterm labor but no one would treat her, so we were going around trying to fake asthma exacerbations so that someone would give her magnesium. Um...hopefully, this is just a stressful dream.  I mean, I have hit viability but he needs to stay in there a lot longer!!!  FYI, magnesium is used to treat preterm labor.

All in all, it was a pretty good week.  I had a doctor appointment this week.  Nothing big happened.  My blood pressure was good and I'm gaining appropriate (I guess!) weight.  She said "You have the cutest little stomach," which was funny to me because she sees pregnant bellies all day long!  I did come home with that lovely Glucola stuff.  I get to do that in about 3 weeks.  Yay!  On the plus side, we do get another ultrasound at that visit.  So, I'm looking forward seeing little man again.  After that visit, we went to get frozen yogurt and then K played in the "splash pad" next door.  She came home SOAKED! K had a great time with my mom and I enjoyed seeing her as well.  Like David said, we started planting some plants for a garden.  our new house has a couple of planters already.  K has loved watching them sprout.  Hopefully we will have success.  Nothing better than homegrown tomatoes.

Due Date: September 25, 2014,  September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 25 weeks (and 3 days), 25 weeks and 3 days - but I've been looking over your shoulder.  At first I thought we were either 26 weeks or about to be 26 weeks
Fruit/Veggie: Rutabaga, Napa Cabbage - 13 inches, 1.5-2 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!   Male
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  Lunges are more difficult but I can still do jumping jacks.  Still daily and active, some modifications.  You skip the more intense classes.

Sleep: Sleep has been a little off and on.  I'm waking up 2-3 times a night to go to the bathroom.  Turning over is getting a little more difficult and I'm having some "stretching" sensations at night which can be a bit uncomfortable.  Though I have noticed that it's mostly when I'm on my right side.  Maybe I really do need to sleep on my left side  Up and down....sometimes literally.  I tried to buy you a pillow.  actually, he DID buy me a pillow - verdict is still out.  I got a snoogle hoping she'd sleep better.  Not sure if she likes it or if it makes a difference.

Cravings: Hmmm...like David said, I'm suggestible.  Someone ate my yogurt at work and I didn't have breakfast.  He suggested I go get a sausage biscuit between patients.  Of course, then I really wanted a sausage biscuit.  If I crave something, it's mostly something that's not very good for me...though fresh peaches could definitely be included on this list!  Yours? You can be talked into cravings.  Still sausage biscuits.  You seem to want olives on stuff.  I don't know - I mean, she'll sit in there for 10 minutes with the fridge and freezer open and still not find anything to eat, which is a weird problem to me.  You seem to have slowed down on the Cheez-its. As to MY cravings - nothing has changed...still macaroni and cheese, breadsticks, meatloaf...anything with gluten that I can't have.  Oh...and cereal....always!

What I love: Watching for the baby to move!  Feeling him move.  Looking at stuff for the house.  Uh...I don't know.  Your boobs.  yikes!!!!  Looking at the house on Zillow.  Seeing how excited you are about the baby.  Having you slow down to match my pace, take naps with me...BTW, it's over.  The Spurs WON!!!!

What I miss: turning over in bed easily, sleeping well, being able to go "full out" at the gym, having energy for the WHOLE day!  Sometimes it's hard to have my midnight snacks because you get up to go to the bathroom and miss me if I don't come back real quick.  Um, I thought you didn't have those anymore.  Not everyday!  You don't have any go-to clothes, which makes deciding what to wear an adventure.

What I'm looking forward to: being moved!  The thought of it and all the work involved really kind of stresses me out!, baby shopping, getting K ready for school, baby showers, family reunion  Being in the new house, seeing K with the baby, watching you with the baby.  Right now I'm back to the "being nervous about having a baby" stage.

What I'm thankful for: My mom, who was able to come help with K this week for VBS.  Offers of friends and family to help us move.  My sweet husband, always taking care of me.  That K is growing and learning about Jesus, His love for her, and the actions involved in faith (telling other people!).  You.  K.  A healthy pregnancy.  A job that I enjoy.  A good church with growing friendships.  A God who has been faithful.

King Cake - Gluten Free

Yes...I know!  Lent is over, Mardi Gras has passed, but this was a really good recipe and I am bound and determined to share all that I've been making over the past few months despite NOT posting.  I'll try to be a better blogger.  Anyway, one of the things David wanted before we began this gluten free thing was king cake. 

Well, I decided that I'd find one to make for him anyway and it turned out great!  I might actually like it better than the gluten-full version.  :-)  The dough did have a tendency to break, which I've found to be the biggest issue with formed gluten free items.  The filling is more cinnamon roll-like but that's what David likes...and I do too.  Come on...cinnamon, sugar?  YUM!  I'm pretty sure I sent some to work with David because he wasn't going to get to eat all the king cakes that everyone else brought.

Gluten Free King Cake from Jules Shephard
Pastry Ingredients:
¼ cup warm water (110 F)
1 Tbs. granulated cane sugar
2 ¼ tsp. (1 packet) highly active, fast rise yeast
½ cup unsalted butter or non-dairy alternative (e.g. Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks)
3 Tbs. granulated cane sugar
¼ cup warm milk (dairy or non-dairy)
2 large eggs
3 cups Gluten Free All Purpose Flour (or your own mix - this one already has xanthum gum in it)
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
2 tsp. gluten-free baking powder
½ tsp. salt (¼ tsp. salt if using non-dairy alternative)
2 Tbs. milk (dairy or non-dairy) for brushing on pastry before baking

Filling Ingredients:
4 Tbs. butter or non-dairy alternative (e.g. Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks)
¾ cup packed light brown sugar
1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour

Gluten-Free Icing Ingredients:
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1-2 Tbs. milk (dairy or non-dairy)
Colored sugar (purple, gold and green)

Directions:
Prepare the filling by melting the 4 tablespoons butter and setting aside. Whisk together the brown sugar and cinnamon.

In a small bowl, combine the warm water, 1 tablespoon sugar and yeast; stir and set aside to proof.  If the mixture is not bubbly (or fluffy appearing!) and doubled in volume after 5-10 minutes, toss out and start again with fresh yeast.

In a large mixing bowl, blend the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar and butter until lighter and fluffy. Add the milk and eggs and beat until well-integrated. Add 2 cups of Gluten Free All Purpose Flour, salt, baking powder and nutmeg and mix well. Stir in the proofed yeast-sugar-water mixture, then add the remaining 1 cup Gluten Free All Purpose Flour.  Beat another 1-2 minutes, until the dough is clumping together and is not too sticky.

Prepare a large baking sheet by lining with parchment paper. Turn the dough out onto a pastry mat or a clean counter dusted lightly with Gluten Free All Purpose Flour. Roll the dough out to an elongated rectangle 24-30 inches long by 9-10 inches wide. Brush on the melted butter for the topping, coating the entire rectangle. Sprinkle the topping mixture on top of the melted butter, spreading to the ends of the rectangle, but leaving 1/2-1 inch without topping on each of the long sides of the rectangle.

Using a pastry blade or a spatula (or gentle fingers!), gently peel up one of the long sides of the rectangle and begin rolling it as you would a jelly roll. Once the entire pastry is rolled upon itself until no pastry remains unrolled, a 24-30 inch long roll will remain.

  Slowly and carefully pull the two ends of the roll together to form a circle or oval.  Dabbing the ends of the pastry with water, join the ends together to close the circle. Gently transfer the ring to the parchment-lined baking sheet, or transfer the ring on the silicone baking mat to the baking sheet. Using a large sharp knife, make a cut in the top of the pastry every 2 inches to expose one layer of the roll...unless of course, the dough has already broken some and done this for you!

Move the roll to the pan you plan to cook it on.  Then cover the cake and let rise in a warm spot for 20-30 minutes like a warming drawer or an oven heated to 200 F then turned off.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350 F (static) or 325 F (convection).  Uncover the roll, place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven and allow the cake to cool.  While cooling, mix icing ingredients.  Drizzle over the cake when it is cool.  Sprinkle colored sugar on top of wet icing, alternating colors between each cut in the top of the cake. Serve when fully cooled and ENJOY!

24 weeks

And another busy week!  No slowing down around here.  David worked the ER both Thursday and Friday last week.  Then we spent Saturday together.  We finally got one of our paintings from London framed and browsed around at Homegoods.  We got stuff to plant a garden when we move!!!!  So excited about fresh tomatoes.  Then we had a LATE lunch at Izzo's...and David made me come home to nap.  So thankful he did that since I napped until 6pm! 

Sunday we went to church and got a surprise call about a showing at our house that afternoon.  I was excited about the showing but basically lost my entire relaxing afternoon to cleaning and having to be gone.  Alas!  K came home that day, too...so it's been back to getting her to school and such before work in the mornings. 

Apparently, I've really started to show this week in a way that people are sure I'm pregnant.  It's been crazy to me how many people didn't know!  I can tell that he's filling out some.  My belly is firmer, my belly button isn't quite as deep (though still a definite innie), and I'm feeling him move around a lot more. 

Per my doctor, I have an anterior placenta; so, she warned I might not be able to feel movements until around this time, but thankfully I've felt occasional (now daily) movements since about 18 weeks!

Thursday, David and I went to a nice restaurant for the graduation dinner of the pediatric residents.  I wore a non-maternity dress but I think it worked well.  Fun to show off the bump! 

I have my next appointment on Tuesday.  Not sure if I'll do the glucose test then or not.  Hopefully just a quick check up...then we might take K (with my mom whose here to take her to VBS!) for a treat.  Sno Biz or something else frozen maybe?!

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 24 weeks (and 1 day)
Fruit/Veggie: Corn (again!?), Eggplant - 12 inches, 1.25-1.5 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  No problems there.  I'm getting short of breath occasionally during the regular day but not overly working out.  Odd.
Sleep: Sleep has been a little off and on.  I'm waking up 2-3 times a night to go to the bathroom.  Turning over is getting a little more difficult and I'm having some "stretching" sensations at night which can be a bit uncomfortable.

Cravings: No cravings really but I did have such a hungry day yesterday.  Woke up hungry and stayed that way through early afternoon.
What I love: That David has felt him move even though it isn't a consistent thing.  :-)  planning for baby.  We are now trying to figure out what to do for bedding.  I can't find much I like, so might have to custom order or make. 
What I miss: turning over in bed easily, being able to go "full out" at the gym, having energy for the WHOLE day!
What I'm looking forward to: moving back to my hometown, baby shopping, getting K ready for school, baby showers, family reunion
What I'm thankful for: my husband who takes care of me...even caters to me.  Y'all he is GREAT!  He's always making sure I get time to rest even though he is probably busier than I am. That K gets to go to VBS next week and a visit from my mom.

23 Weeks

What a week.  It has been really busy and better than I thought.  K went to spend the week with David's family.  Sunday he was on service and worked in the ER.  I spent most of the day with a friend and her family for her little girl's christening.  I had the weirdest "episode" of nothing sounding good to eat.  I basically skipped lunch.  I felt fine later.  I'm actually wondering if it was heartburn.  I've never really had that, so I don't know what it is like. 

Anyway, then we got to spend the day together on Monday (after David finished rounding).  Then we did some housework until mid-afternoon.  THEN...we went to register.  Oh my!  That took forever and I still don't think we're really finished.  Tuesday, was a regular work day followed by massive cleaning in preparation for a realtor open house.  Per our realtor, things went well.  Hopefully, there will be some interest soon.

Wednesday night we just relaxed and watched What to Expect When You're Expecting.  It was a bit interesting and funny in parts.  I wouldn't say it's a great movie but entertaining enough.  Then we get to yesterday and today.  David has been working in the ER both days.  This is what made me fall apart last weekend.  I mean...fall...a...part!  Thankfully, I ended up having journal club yesterday at one of my favorite restaurants and didn't get home until about 30 minutes before David.  And tonight...well, David just walked through the door.  We plan on having an "us" day tomorrow before we get our little Miss K back on Sunday!

 As to the bump, it's growing but still changes based on what I'm wearing and day to day.  I kind of like the more close fitting stuff right now. 

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 23 weeks (and 1 day)
Fruit/Veggie: Large Mango, Bunch of Grapes, Papaya - 12 inches, 1.2 pounds
Gender: It's a BOY!
Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  Piloxing was such fun AGAIN!  Maybe I can work on my balance some.  I find myself wanting to continue doing most of what everyone else does...but I'm TRYING to modify and not jump as much.
Sleep: I've been sleeping pretty well this week...except for last night when I was paged at 130am.  Took about an hour to fall back to sleep.

Cravings: Still no cravings really but I've decided that eating a broth based soup is sometimes difficult when pregnant.  It just sits in my stomach...uncomfortably.  Alas.
What I love: Feeling my sweet boy move around...and we THINK David felt him a couple of days ago!  :-)  Looking pregnant - patients actually started asking me without hesitation when I'm due.  Yay!  I love putting my hand on my belly and feeling like it's actually a pregnant belly.  I love how David looks at me!
What I miss: turning over in bed easily, being able to go "full out" at the gym, having energy for the WHOLE day!
What I'm looking forward to: moving back to my hometown, baby shopping, getting K ready for school, baby showers, family reunion
What I'm thankful for: my husband who takes care of me...even caters to me; family loving to spend time with K, a positive open house the other day, that my call week is almost over

Cheesy Bread

I was really excited when I saw the Daring Bakers' Challenge for May since it was "naturally" gluten free.  This meant that I didn't have to make any modifications.  Plus, David had been asking for some cheese rolls.  SCORE!  This month's Daring Bakers' Challenge took us on a trip to beautiful Brazil! Renata of "Testado, Provado & Aprovado!" taught us how to make Pao De Queijo, tasty cheese buns that make the perfect snack or treat, and that will make your taste buds samba!

I ended up making this to serve with a lentil soup.  I'm not sure if I used too much tapioca flour or it is just the nature of tapioca but these rolls were really spongy.  The flour solidified almost as soon as it hit the liquid and was really difficult to incorporate.  David and K liked them a lot.  I kind of wish I had made a half batch because they ended up going bad before we could eat them all.  I might try again but I might would also do the half batch.  All in all, a fun challenge that made my family happy!

Pão de Queijo
Servings:
Yields about 80 small balls
Ingredients:
500 gm (4 cups) tapioca starch (If you have access to sour tapioca, you can use 250gm (2 cups) of each)
1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
2-3/4 tablespoons (40 ml) (1½ oz) (40 gm) butter
1 teaspoon (5 ml) (3 gm) salt (or to taste depending on how salty your cheese is)
3 cups (750 ml) (9 oz) (250gm) Monterey Jack Cheese (or another cheese of your liking, or a mix of cheeses), coarsely grated
1 to 3 large eggs

Directions:

• Heat milk, butter, and salt in a small sauce pan until it comes to a boil. Watch closely as it may boil over. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Sift tapioca starch into a large bowl.
• Pour the boiled (hot) mixture over the tapioca and start stirring with a fork. The milk mixture will not be enough to form a dough yet. You will have a lumpy mixture, that's what it is supposed to be.
• Keep stirring with the fork, breaking down the lumps as much as you can, until the mixture cools down to warm.
• At this point, preheat your oven to moderately hot 400° F/200° C/gs mark 6
• Add the grated cheese to the tapioca mixture and mix well, now using your hands.
• Add one egg at a time, mix with your hands until dough comes together. I suggest you lightly beat the egg with a fork and add little bits until the dough comes together into a soft but pliable dough. You only have to knead it a bit, not as much as you knead a yeasted bread. It's OK if it is slightly sticky.
• Form balls with the dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or silicon mat or lightly greased with vegetable oil. If necessary, you can oil your hands to make shaping easier. The size of the balls may vary from small bite-sized balls to the size of ping pong balls. They will puff up quite a bit after baking. I personally prefer the smaller ones.
• Bake for about 25 minutes or until they just start to brown on the bottom. You may have golden spots of cheese on the crust. Don't over-bake as they will get hard and bitter.

Cooking by Letter - Ooh-La-La Oven Pancakes (Gluten Free!)

It's been a while since I've done a post about food much less a cooking by letter post.  Well, I have LOTS of posts to get ready for you.  I'll try to get them going soon.  Back in January, we started doing gluten free again (and we're still doing).  So, when K's "O" recipe was for "Ooh-La-La Oven Pancakes",

I knew I'd have to make it gluten free.  (ON a side note, the title of this recipe made me think of "Fancy Nancy!")  I did it the easiest way possible - using a gluten free flour mix.  Thankfully, I've been getting better at modifying recipes.  This recipe didn't make as much as I'd have liked it to make but it was good and David took the leftovers to work for "second breakfast" - he's Frodo in his dream life I guess.  :-)

As always, K had a great time helping out.  Especially when I let her put chocolate chips on top.  Happy girl!

Ooh-La-La Oven Pancakes
1 cup gluten free flour (a mix or white rice flour)
1 Tablespoon sugar (or splenda)
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup milk (I used buttermilk)
3 Tablespoons butter, melted (could use oil if you wanted to)
chocolate chips for topping

Preheat the oven to 375.  In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt...gently!  We don't want flour flying everywhere.  In a separate bowl, beat together egg and milk.  Then stir in the melted butter and stir together.  Stir the egg mixture into the flour mixture - stir until it is JUST mixed.

Grease an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.  Pour the mixture into the pan.  Sprinkle with those chocolate chips...and let your helper eat 1 or 2 that "fall" on the counter. Place the pan into the preheated oven (this is an ADULT step!) and bake for 25 minutes.  Remove from oven when done and allow to cool  until warm. (Another ADULT step!).  Then....ENJOY! (KIDS ESPECIALLY!)

22 Weeks - The Week I "Popped"

I think I have officially "popped!"  I'm not sure I can really look non-pregnant anymore unless you're looking from the front. 

I still have some days where I feel bigger than others.  Yesterday was K's ballet recital.  I had a bit of a wardrobe crisis and couldn't wear what I wanted.  I ended up in this outfit, which kind of was on the "less pregnant" side.

Thankfully, we went shopping yesterday and I got some new clothes to wear to work (in addition to the ones I've already borrowed from great friends!).  It was fun and will hopefully last me through to the end. 


I'm already struggling with coming up with menus for our dinners.  Not much really jumps out to me food-wise right now.  No real aversions but no craving either. Plus, I'm getting tired around 5pm.  I kind of have the "week off" as K is gone for the week.  So, I got stuff to make David's favorite (meatloaf) and I will just find whatever for me.  We also have to do some cleaning for an open house this week.  Hopefully, it will be productive.  This picture is from today - big difference from yesterday.  Go figure!

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 22 weeks (and 3 days)
Fruit/Veggie: Corn/Spaghetti Squash - 12 inches, one pound
Gender: It's a BOY!
 Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  Actually did modified Burpees this week and felt good doing it.  I tried a new class, Piloxing, and LOVED it!  It has some dance in it and made me remember my ballet days.  :-)
Sleep: Sleep is off and on.  I had one night when I woke up (due to K waking me up) and couldn't go back to sleep for an hour due to feeling like my abs were splitting apart.

Cravings: eating is kind of hit or miss right now - no cravings and it makes it a little difficult to decide what I want to eat
What I love: Feeling my sweet boy move around!  Looking pregnant!  I love putting my hand on my belly and feeling like it's actually a pregnant belly.  I love how David looks at me!
What I miss: turning over in bed easily, being able to go "full out" at the gym
What I'm looking forward to: a new "to us" house, baby shopping, solidifying a name, David feeling the baby move
What I'm thankful for: my husband who takes care of me; family and friends who share excitement with us; getting some new maternity work clothes, a good weekend watching K dance, spending time with family, and one less day of clinic this week!

21 weeks

Meet the return of fatigue!  That has been the name of this week.  I don't know if it's left over from Disneyworld or just how things go at this point, but I can be going strong and then 5 o'clock comes and WHAM!  I wish I had taken that nap earlier.  I took three naps this weekend totaling 5 hours.  I'm also feeling really snack-y.  We're getting close to a name...just need to agree on a middle name!  K had her graduation yesterday and did the prayer during the ceremony.  It was SO sweet.  I might have cried!  Crying - that's another thing that has returned (or never really left).  I think I get stressed more easily and tired more easily, which makes me much more likely to cry.  However, things are going really well.  I feel like I look like I'm pregnant for sure now and that's fun!

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 20 weeks (and 1 day)
Fruit/Veggie: Banana, Bok Choy - 10.5 inches, 11 ounces (though our ultrasound said he weighted 12 oz!!!)
Gender: It's a BOY!
 Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  Less jumping and out of breath more quickly.  I also feel different when doing squats.
Sleep: Sleeping well.  Getting up 1-3 times a night, mostly just once

Cravings: no real "cravings" and not having a BIG appetite, just kind of more snack-y than usual
What I love: Looking pregnant!  I love putting my hand on my belly and feeling like it's actually a pregnant belly.  I love how David looks at me!
What I miss: turning over in bed easily, being able to go "full out" at the gym
What I'm looking forward to: a new "to us" house hopefully soon, baby shopping, solidifying a name
What I'm thankful for: my husband who takes care of me; family and friends who share excitement with us; a healthy baby at our last exam

19 and 20 weeks

Yikes!  I've gotten behind on every sort of posting there is!  It has been some kind of crazy around here.  You see, the day I turned 19 weeks....

we left to go to Disney World!!!  It was quite the fun trip.  K had a great time.  We spent most time at Magic Kingdom.  I'll do a post about the trip (or several) later on.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to do many rides.  I did most of the kiddie rides and had gotten permission from my OB to ride Splash Mountain!!!!  However, I couldn't ride any coasters...not even barnstormer, the kiddie one!  Oh, well.  It was there that K started kissing baby brother.  She has quite taken to that.  :-)

When we got back, I had my anatomic ultrasound.  This was right at 20 weeks.  Halfway!  I can't believe it.

 Mr. Man wouldn't turn for a profile shot but kept looking straight at us.  At one point, I said "Hello!" and right then he moved his little hand (which was up by his face the whole time).  Such fun!  He is quite the expert chewed and even yawned and stuck his tongue out.  Everything looks good: spine is closed, tummy closed, two kidneys, normal appearing brain, and 4 chamber heart!  YAY!  His head measured 20 weeks 5 days (77%) and his belly was right at 20 weeks.  She estimated that he weighs 10oz.  That is about 20 weeks 4 days. 

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 20 weeks (last week)
Fruit/Veggie: Sweet Potato/Bell Pepper about 5-6 inches long, 5-7 ounces
Gender: It's a BOY!  We're pretty sure about first name but working on middle name.
 Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  Minimal jumping - I do jumping jacks but barely get off the ground and jump squats but that's about it.  Trying to do some weight classes.
Sleep: Sleep is off and on - some nights great, others not so much. I slept GREAT in Disney!

Food: no real cravings right now but everything looks good

What I love: Feeling my boy move!  It's still not consistent but I definitely can tell it's him moving
What I miss: enjoying coffee, being able to go "full out" at the gym
What I'm looking forward to: a new "to us" house hopefully soon, having some comfortable clothes, shopping and planning for this sweet baby, picking a full name!!!!!
What I'm thankful for: family, the gift of going to Disney, a healthy baby!

18 Weeks

We had such fun sharing our gender news with family.  I've been trying to decide on a name all week but David and I haven't been able to sit down ANY this week to talk about it - though K has decided that she's going to call him "Boogie."  :-)  I feel like our time is just gone.  I never have time to do what I need to do or want to do.  And I really just want to take a nap but need to get other things done!  Oh well! 

I think I'm about to the point of wearing maternity clothes.  I went to Old Navy and got some cute maxi skirts that I LOVE!  I definitely look pregnant in this.  I've also been trying on the clothes that my friend let me borrow and they are working better than the first time I tried them on.  Yay!  I'm kind of ready to actually look pregnant!

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 18 weeks (and 1 day)
Fruit/Veggie: Sweet Potato/Bell Pepper about 5-6 inches long, 5-7 ounces
Gender: It's a BOY!
 Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  Definitely doing some modifications now.  No burpees, inclined ab work, less jumping...but still moving  :-)
Sleep: Sleeping well.  I haven't had to get up much during the night recently.  I am getting tired earlier, though.

Aversions: coffee, raw spinach
Cravings: sausage biscuits, cheez-itz, apples, cold fruit

What I love: Telling everyone about our baby, starting to actually look pregnant!
What I miss: enjoying coffee, being able to go "full out" at the gym
What I'm looking forward to: a new "to us" house hopefully soon, having some comfortable clothes, shopping and planning for this sweet baby, picking a name!!!!!
What I'm thankful for: my husband who takes care of me, makes me go to bed even when he's not done with work for the night; family and friends who share excitement with us

Snails anyone?!

So, after our surprise ultrasound I suddenly realized that David and I were both there and both knew what the gender was for our sweet baby.  That meant no gender reveal!  Boo!  (Though David was probably glad about that...he didn't want to do ANYTHING!)  Then I realized that my parents were coming for Easter and decided I'd do a reveal for them.  David's family couldn't make it but we did a FaceTime reveal for them.  So, then I had to come up with HOW to reveal.  At first, I was just going to incorporate it into our Easter meal but David wanted breakfast pie and I didn't want more bready stuff with that (meaning muffins).  I figured I could get a bunch of Easter candy since colors for that are usually pink, blue, and yellow...and just use the color I needed.  Then I found a fun little idea and went with it.  So, just before we had brunch with my family, we had everyone sit in the den while I brought out the reveal "board."

It's a BOY!  I made little snail "pigs in a blanket;" though I think that EVERYONE thought it was something else. 

How embarrassing!  I also made puppy dog tails (just pretzels dipped in chocolate).  It was fun!

We are really excited!  I thought it was a boy...and apparently everyone else did too.  I'm glad that we will now have a girl and a boy.  K will be a great big sister and is actually excited about her baby "brudder."  Now we just have to come up with a name.  Hopefully we'll agree on one soon.  :-)

For the SNAILS:
1 can of crescent rolls
cocktail sausages

Preheat oven as instructed on rolls.  Press a rectangle of crescents together (this would be two triangles with the seams pressed).  Cut into 4 strips lengthwise.  Place a sausage at one end, half on half off and roll about halfway down the strip.  From the other end, roll the dough up like you would a crescent roll.  When you get to the sausage, turn the dough so that it faces out and looks like the shell of a snail.  Place on baking pan.  Repeat for all the dough. Bake until browning.  Enjoy!  I got 16 snails.

17 weeks

What a crazy week!  We went to look at houses last Saturday.  That was fun but a LONG day and by the end I had a headache that wouldn't go away.  Then, Tuesday I had a doctor's appointment.  I think I cried about 4 times before I even made it to the appointment!  Not about anything important but it just sent me over.  While we were there, my doctor asked me if seeing gender a little early would make my day better.  Um, YES!!!  So, we found out that day.  :-) Sweet profile shot!

 The next morning, David sent a surprise sausage biscuit to my clinic by the resident.  YUM!  So good.  Then, this weekend my parents came for Easter.  We went BACK to a few houses and out to eat.  Then, Saturday we did a gender reveal.  I was beat by the end of Saturday but it was a really good weekend.  Some point soon I'm going to have to figure out what to do about clothes. The bottom picture is actually the day BEFORE this first shot.  Depends on what I wear as to how much I "show."

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 17 weeks (and 3 days)
Fruit/Veggie: Pomegranate/Turnip about 5-6 inches long, 4.5 ounces
Gender: We had a surprise ultrasound on Tuesday!  Check back for gender reveal.  :-)
 Exercise: Still exercising almost daily.  I get out of breath faster but still going strong.  :-)
Sleep: Sleeping well.  I haven't had to get up much during the night recently.  I am getting tired earlier, though.

Aversions: coffee, raw spinach
Cravings: sausage biscuits, cheez-itz, apples

What I love: Sharing the gender with our family!  My awesome doc who let me see my baby early!
What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, enjoying coffee, having clothes that fit
What I'm looking forward to: a new "to us" house hopefully soon, having some comfortable clothes, shopping and planning for this sweet baby, picking a name!!!!!
What I'm thankful for: generous friends offering to share maternity clothes, my sweet husband who got a sausage biscuit for me last Wednesday, went to the store before church to get me a banana because we ran out and I wanted one for breakfast, the past weekend with my family, and MOST of all the sacrifice that Jesus made by giving His life on the cross to take the punishment for our sins so that we could be redeemed if we but believe...and that he DEFEATED death and LIVES so that we can live!

16 weeks

So, I've kind of hit some awkwardness this week.  My pants are starting to get tight but I don't look pregnant and so maternity clothes feel weird and don't look right. 

I tried some stuff on yesterday and a few things will work well.  One pair of pants fits like the size smaller - maybe that's why the tag was still on them when I got them at the consignment sale!  Oh well!  Guess I'll just grin and bear it or wear dresses.  I think David and I are going shopping tonight, and mama is coming next weekend, so maybe we can shop.  I have my next doctor's appointment Tuesday.  Can't wait to hear that little heartbeat again!  I've done better this week drinking water but still need to be more consistent.

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 16 weeks (and 1 day)
Fruit/Veggie: Orange/Avacado/pickle, about 4 inches long, 2.5 ounces
Gender: we don't know yet, should be about 2.5 weeks.  I have had lots of people tell me they think boy. Exercise: I did a few modifications this week due to some round ligament type stuff but otherwise pretty much normal routines.  Couldn't finish the burpees yesterday...definitely had to modify those! 
Sleep: sleeping well, wake up 1-2 times to use the restroom (usually) though I have a rare night where I sleep all night; still wish I could get more sleep.  The night of the national championship basketball game I put the game on with David and the quickly fell asleep...at 9pm!  Woke up to brush teeth and do our devotion, then I was out again.  It was nice!

Aversions: salad, coffee
Cravings: sausage biscuits, cheez-itz, apples

What I love: Sharing excitement with others, David!

What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, enjoying coffee, feeling comfortable exercising flat on my back, having clothes that fit
What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the gender, house shopping, having some comfortable clothes - my pants are getting tight but maternity pants feel weird

What I'm thankful for: generous friends offering to share maternity clothes, my sweet husband who got a sausage biscuit for me last Sunday.  YUM!

Pumpkin Snickerdoodle Bread

So, like I said, I made a non-gluten free recipe for Sunday School, too.  It was a pumpkin bread that I had wanted to try for a long time.  Who says you can't make pumpkin bread in January?

It was SO good.  Of course, I am a bit partial to snickerdoodle AND crumb toppings.  Guess I made this one a little for me.  I shared it with my friend who had just had her baby and with work.  Despite making two loaves, it disappears quickly.  Try it out!

Vegan Snickerdoodle Pumpkin Bread from Bakeaholic Mama
2 cups all purpose flour
1 3/4 cups white whole wheat flour
2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbs cinnamon
15 oz fresh pumpkin puree
1 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup honey (To make it vegan substitute maple syrup)
1/3 cup water

FOR THE TOPPING:
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbs cinnamon
2 tbs vegetable oil

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 and prepare 2 loaf pans. 

In a large bowl mix flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon. In a separate bowl mix pumpkin, oil, honey, and water together. Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir to combine.  Pour batter evenly into prepared pans.

In a small bowl using a fork mix all of your topping ingredients together until slightly crumbly. Sprinkle over the tops of each loaf.

Place the filled pans in the oven and bake for 1- 1 hour 15 minutes or until a tooth pick is inserted and comes out clean.  Allow loaves to rest for 20 minutes before removing from pans. Enjoy!

Monkey Business

Our Sunday School class has breakfast every week.  Since David started eating gluten free, he hasn't really been able to eat (almost) anything on Sundays in class.  So, when it was our turn to bring something, I made sure to bring something he could have.  I asked if he wanted cinnamon rolls or monkey bread.  I don't think he ever answered, so I just picked monkey bread.

I ended up making a non-gluten free recipe as well but, oddly enough, even AFTER being told it was gluten free, the monkey bread was almost gone at the end of Sunday School!  I'd call that a success.  It definitely was better heated up.  David enjoyed taking it to work the next week.

Gluten Free Monkey Bread from Lynn's Kitchen
2 tablespoons active dry yeast
2 cups warm water (about 110 degrees)
1/3 cup oil
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons xanthan gum
1 1/4 cups white rice flour
1 cup brown rice flour
3/4 cup potato starch
1/3 cup tapioca starch
Topping:
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons milk

In the bowl of a mixer, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add sugar and let sit for about 5 minutes.  Add remaining ingredients, adding the xanthan gum last. . Mix using the dough hook of an electric mixer.
Mix for about 5 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times. Continue to mix for about 5 minutes.

Prepare a bundt pan with cooking spray.  Mix the topping ingredients together.  Using a cookie scoop, scoop rounded balls of dough into the topping and coat.  Put the coated balls into the prepared pan.  Cover dough loosely with a kitchen towel and let rise for about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Place pan into oven and bake for 18-20 minutes or until done. Combine glaze ingredients until smooth and drizzle half of the glaze over hot monkey bread. Let cool for 30 minutes or so and drizzle remaining glaze on top. Serve and enjoy!

15 Weeks

I'm a little late on this post and really need to get some other posts up.  We've been busy this week but also doing fun stuff.  We went to a friend's house for dinner last night and then K had a birthday party today.  She's napping right now and then we'll go to the grocery store and do some cooking.  I'm still feeling good but I'm at that point of jeans-don't-fit-as-well but don't-look-pregnant-either.  Of course, I'm also told "Oh, I see a baby bump (FYI, it's not there yet!)" then later told "you're 15 weeks, you don't look pregnant."  Makes for being unsure - should I look more pregnant?  Is baby growing?  (Though the increased tightness of jeans make me think baby IS growing!)  But I'm excited and thankful.  K told me the other day that she was ready for the baby to come because she doesn't want me to be sick and that I wasn't coming to her graduation program because I'm pregnant.  Not sure what that has to do with me coming but she thought it did!

Due Date: September 25, 2014
How Far Along: 15 weeks (and 2 days)
Fruit/Veggie: Apple/Avacado, about 4 inches long, 2.5 ounces
Gender: we don't know yet, should be about 3.5 weeks.  I have had lots of people tell me they think boy. Exercise: Still doing my normal routine but feel slower than usual and now hesitant about how many modifications I should do or if I can go "full out" like I usually do.

What I love: Sharing excitement with others


What I miss: sleeping on my stomach, enjoying coffee, feeling comfortable exercising flat on my back
What I'm looking forward to: Finding out the gender, loving this baby, house shopping

What I'm thankful for: generous friends offering to share maternity clothes