Preparing

I have been thinking lately of my last pregnancy and what I did to prepare. It was my first so I was really gung ho and had lots of time to plan and make things. Not so much this time. I was way more sick and have a child, so it makes things tricky. I don't have to quite prepare the same way as the last one, because I know it will be a c-section. OK so I have found a few gems that I want to make for myself for this baby and then if the baby is a boy I NEED anything, so I would like just make some extra cool things to help me prepare for the baby. If it is a girl, I definitely want to make a lot more fun stuff, but I really think it will be a boy....boys run in our families. so here is the list:

Swaddler with minky fabric

stroller straps that hold your diaper bag

car seat blanket

A diaper bag that looks like a combo of these three

A hospital gown for my duration

I really want a new swing. Ben used his 20 out of 24 hours when he was little due to colic, so I need help. I want one that has a plug in adaptor and is comfy to sleep in. Recommendations?

Dreaming of couches

So I have been dreaming lately about getting furniture, since the stuff we have was free or less than five dollars. I came across this website. They have sofas, a few beds, and are really inexpensive and cute! Here is the site and my favourites! Help me narrow it down! I would pick a tan color for all of them due to the nature of my shedding dogs.

http://www.customsofadesign.com/styles.php?p=3

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Ben's first skateboard

I think it runs in his blood! He won't let this board out of his sight. He wanted to take it to church yesterday and to pick up daddy from work. I bought it at a garage sale for $.25 and it was the best purchase I have ever made! He knows he has to push it, but he usually tries to do it on the rug and it just ends up looking like a jump and a grunt. bdh

yummy-ness

I found this really great recipe...somewhere. I searched over and over again for the original and can't find it. The picture they had was so much better than mine, but I bet it didn't taste as good as mine did! it is called "Chocolate fudge cupcakes". They are filled with a strawberry whipped filling and topped with chocolate cream cheese. I didn't having any decorating tips, so I used a small tube and the frosting doesn't look so exciting, but it would have if I did it differently.Don't worry, it still tastes beautiful! I made them Easter Sunday and they were divine, so I am sharing the recipe with you!

Chocolate Fudge Cupcake
1 Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake Mix
3 Large Eggs
1/2 cup melted butter (butter not margarine)
1 cup water
Preheat oven to 350

Mix on low until blended, then mix on high for 2 mins.
Pour into paper lined cupcake pans. Bake for 20 min.
Strawberry Whipped Cream (filling)
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
5-6 T. chopped/processed strawberries

Strawberry filling
Chop strawberries in blender (I used my Magic Bullet) just until they look thick and "liquidy". I used really large strawberries and it took 4 to make 5-6 Tablespoons.
Beat whipping cream, and vanilla until it starts to thicken.
Mix in sugar.
Fold in strawberries.
***WARNING - this stuff is DELICIOUS - so I advise you NOT to taste any until AFTER you've finished with your cupcakes.....otherwise you may not have any left for the cupcakes!

Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting (from Glorious Treats)
½ cup butter, at room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
4 cups powdered confectioners sugar
1-4 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Directions:
*Place butter in a large mixing bowl and blend slightly. Add cream cheese and blend until combined, about 30 seconds.
*Add the cocoa powder( before adding the sugar, so it gets fully incorporated into the butter and cream cheese.)
*Add vanilla extract and powdered sugar and blend on low speed until combined. Increase to medium speed and beat until it begins to get fluffy.
*Slowly add the heavy cream, a little bit at a time until desired consistency is met. (Don't add too much if you want the frosting to stay in place when piped on cupcakes.)
*Beat until fluffy, about 1 minute.
*Use at once or keep refrigerated. (This frosting will keep well in the refrigerator for several days, but you may need to re-beat it for the best texture.)

putting together:
1.Cut out a small section in the center of the cupcake (save in bowl)
2.add strawberry whipped cream to the hole
3.replace the tops (just do the best you can - or you could just leave them off)
4.pipe chocolate frosting on top of cupcake with 1M tip.

Working on my fitness - preggo style

Today I have decided to start my exercising program for pregnancy. I use a "10 minute solutions: Prenatal Pilates" dvd my sister in law Michelle lent me last pregnancy and this one too. You can choose your workouts and each segment is only 10 minutes. I know I can fit in 10 minutes a day so no matter how busy the day gets, I can relax with a stretch segment.

During the last pregnancy I gained 50 lbs. I was a little underweight from being sick in the beginning, so I had to gain between 30-40lbs. I LOVED to eat after I got past the sickness part, so I really did. I also moved in with my mom and my family during the last few months, so she spoiled me. I started to walk a lot toward the end of the last pregnancy, but I wanted to do more.

When we went to Florida I was worried my belly wouldn't fit in my swimsuit, when I should have been worried about my buns. So that really motivated me to start now so it will be even easier after the baby comes.

So this pregnancy I am supposed to gain 25-35 lbs, so I am going to TRY and keep it in that range. So today was day one and I did ok. My legs really hurt when I was doing the buns and thighs part, but I knew it would be a hard section for me. I love the stretching part. Although today I was using a yoga mat and Ben decided it would be fun to eat the mat, so there are about three little bite holes in my matt now...time out pursued.

So I am eating healthy, working out, and feeling good. Oh and next month we find out what we are having!!!